Wire Service

State seeks review of options for psychiatric facility

The facility has been under scrutiny from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Members of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific picket in front of the Auke Bay Terminal in Juneau, Alaska, Thursday, July 25, 2019. The union called a strike on Wednesday over failed negotiations with Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration. State officials said Thursday more than $580,000 in fares has been refunded to passengers affected by striking ferry workers. (Michael Penn/The Juneau Empire via AP)

Striking ferry workers, state reach tentative deal

DOA: Both sides made concessions and compromises on wages, health care, length of the contract.

Members of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific picket in front of the Auke Bay Terminal in Juneau, Alaska, Thursday, July 25, 2019. The union called a strike on Wednesday over failed negotiations with Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration. State officials said Thursday more than $580,000 in fares has been refunded to passengers affected by striking ferry workers. (Michael Penn/The Juneau Empire via AP)
Alaska Voices: Dunleavy must be recalled

Alaska Voices: Dunleavy must be recalled

What we cannot afford is for Gov. Dunleavy to remain in office.

Alaska Voices: Dunleavy must be recalled
One of the Alaska Shriners waves to the crowd during the 2019 July 4th parade in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: My fifteen minutes …

Hubby and I were pleased to be asked to participate in the Fourth of July parade.

One of the Alaska Shriners waves to the crowd during the 2019 July 4th parade in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Commissioner Designee Bruce Tangeman presents the state’s revenue forecast to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The private sector, not the government, is what drives an economy

It is more important than ever that we create a smaller governmental footprint.

Commissioner Designee Bruce Tangeman presents the state’s revenue forecast to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Voices of the Peninsula: The preposterous ACLU Lawsuit

Voices of the Peninsula: The preposterous ACLU Lawsuit

Recently, I defended Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s token gesture of docking the judiciary’s administrative budget $344,000 — the amount that the courts unconstitutionally demand the Legislature… Continue reading

Voices of the Peninsula: The preposterous ACLU Lawsuit
Refuge notebook: Rethinking nonnative species in a human-driven world

Refuge notebook: Rethinking nonnative species in a human-driven world

Wow. In the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s 2019-2020 hunting regulations, mule deer and white-tailed deer can now be harvested. These two nonnative species… Continue reading

Refuge notebook: Rethinking nonnative species in a human-driven world
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire                                A ridicule pole carved by Sitka artist Tommy Joseph stands in front of the Planet Alaska Gallery on Ferry Way on Wednesday, in Juneau. The pole includes likenesses of Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and President Donald Trump.

Group seeks to oust Dunleavy

The group will need to gather 28,501 signatures.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire                                A ridicule pole carved by Sitka artist Tommy Joseph stands in front of the Planet Alaska Gallery on Ferry Way on Wednesday, in Juneau. The pole includes likenesses of Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and President Donald Trump.
In this May 29, 2019 file photo U.S. Attorney General William Barr, standing, greets participants at a roundtable discussion at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska Native villages are receiving almost $5 million from the U.S. Justice Department to combat numerous public safety problems, including no law enforcement presence in some communities. The announcement Tuesday, July 30, 2019, comes nearly two months after Barr met with tribal representatives during a visit to the state who detailed slow response times from authorities, violence against women and abuse of alcohol and drugs, including opioids. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska Native villages get $5M to combat rural violence

The award comes nearly two months after AG William Barr met with tribal representatives.

In this May 29, 2019 file photo U.S. Attorney General William Barr, standing, greets participants at a roundtable discussion at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska Native villages are receiving almost $5 million from the U.S. Justice Department to combat numerous public safety problems, including no law enforcement presence in some communities. The announcement Tuesday, July 30, 2019, comes nearly two months after Barr met with tribal representatives during a visit to the state who detailed slow response times from authorities, violence against women and abuse of alcohol and drugs, including opioids. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Alaska Voices: Thugs and leaders in Juneau

Alaska Voices: Thugs and leaders in Juneau

Thugs steal our future, while leaders see hope and opportunities and take steps in that direction.

Alaska Voices: Thugs and leaders in Juneau
Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka

Tshibaka: DOA open to a fair, legal labor agreement

Under law, the IBU is obligated to end the strike and reach a deal.

Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka
Pioneer Potluck: About living in Poudre Canyon

Pioneer Potluck: About living in Poudre Canyon

This week’s recipes: salad dressing cake, hamburger stew, smoked candy salmon strips

Pioneer Potluck: About living in Poudre Canyon
India’s tiger population rises to nearly 3,000 animals

India’s tiger population rises to nearly 3,000 animals

“Historic achievement” as the big cat’s population had dwindled to 1,400 about 14-15 years ago.

India’s tiger population rises to nearly 3,000 animals
Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks in favor of HB 2002 on a reconsideration vote at the Capitol on Monday, July 22,2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Voices: Governor’s vetoes don’t reflect Alaska’s values

Massive cuts will dismantle services, organizations, and programs that took decades to build.

Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks in favor of HB 2002 on a reconsideration vote at the Capitol on Monday, July 22,2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire                                 Roland Lumbab mans the picket line with others on the third day of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific’s strike against the Alaska Marine Highway System at the Auke Bay Terminal on Friday in Juneau.

Strike by Alaska ferry workers snarls travel plans

About 225 passengers and about 90 vehicles were stranded in ports that aren’t their final destination.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire                                 Roland Lumbab mans the picket line with others on the third day of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific’s strike against the Alaska Marine Highway System at the Auke Bay Terminal on Friday in Juneau.
Members of the Kenai Watershed Forum sing an educational tune promoting the Stream Watch program during a break between bands on the Ocean Stage at Salmonfest on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Ani DiFranco to headline Salmonfest

Annual festival returns with increased camping space, costume contest and more

Members of the Kenai Watershed Forum sing an educational tune promoting the Stream Watch program during a break between bands on the Ocean Stage at Salmonfest on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Alaska Voices: Dichotomies of a false narrative

Alaskans are at risk of becoming underpaid workforce slaves.

Refuge notebook: Rising estuary still provides great bird habitats

Refuge notebook: Rising estuary still provides great bird habitats

What happens when the largest estuary on the Kenai Peninsula suddenly drops 2.3 meters in elevation and then rises slowly over the next half century?… Continue reading

Refuge notebook: Rising estuary still provides great bird habitats
Voices of the Peninsula: Our health care rights are in jeopardy

Voices of the Peninsula: Our health care rights are in jeopardy

Cuts will have a detrimental impact on providers, large and small, and set a dangerous precedent.

Voices of the Peninsula: Our health care rights are in jeopardy
From left to right: Robb Arnorld, John Fageaux, IBU President Marina Secchitano, at the IBU office in Juneau on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Hundreds of Alaska ferry workers on strike

Talks between the state and union have gone on for over 2 1/2 years.

From left to right: Robb Arnorld, John Fageaux, IBU President Marina Secchitano, at the IBU office in Juneau on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)