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Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens to Attorney General Kevin Clarkson speak about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ethics restrictions too broad, some lawmakers say

They believe the intentions of the law are good.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Wasilla, listens to Attorney General Kevin Clarkson speak about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s four crime bills at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Activists air grievances about ANWR drilling

FAIRBANKS (AP) — Activists pushing against oil development in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge dominated a Bureau of Land Management public meeting in Fairbanks. The… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers calls out his staff sitting in the gallery during his State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State of Judiciary time, date set

It comes between visits from senators.

Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers calls out his staff sitting in the gallery during his State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Assembly member Willy Dunne, speaks in support of education at the Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Education dominates assembly meeting

Talk of education dominated public comment at Tuesday’s Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting. Employees of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District have been negotiating a… Continue reading

Assembly member Willy Dunne, speaks in support of education at the Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Larry Persily gives a presentation at the Kenai/Soldotna joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

LNG Pipeline just a pipe dream?

Former borough chief of staff casts doubts on project’s future

Larry Persily gives a presentation at the Kenai/Soldotna joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Data shows the borough’s annual unemployment rate through the years. (Graphic by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

State employment down slightly

Borough unemployment down from recent years

Data shows the borough’s annual unemployment rate through the years. (Graphic by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Susan Bell, of the McDowell Group, and Robert Venables, executive director of Southeast Conference, present information about the Alaska Marine Highway Systems during an information meeting for House members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ferry system braces for budget cuts

Dwindling budget could mean loss of services.

Susan Bell, of the McDowell Group, and Robert Venables, executive director of Southeast Conference, present information about the Alaska Marine Highway Systems during an information meeting for House members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Flu cases in Alaska are way up

Flu cases in Alaska are way up

Experts say wash your hands and get vaccinated.

Flu cases in Alaska are way up
US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales

He worked with Alaska Native artists to resolve an issue with Etsy last year.

US Senator questions Facebook over policies surrounding ivory sales
President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, as Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., watch, Tuesday. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Trump calls for end of resistance politics in State of Union

WASHINGTON — Facing a divided Congress for the first time, President Donald Trump on Tuesday called on Washington to reject “the politics of revenge, resistance… Continue reading

  • Feb 5, 2019
  • By JULIE PACE and CATHERINE LUCEY Associated Press
President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, as Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., watch, Tuesday. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Along the Sterling Highway, people pitch a small shack on a frozen lake to go ice fishing near Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Ice fishing derby kicks off Feb. 1

The ice is in and the augers are out. February is here and so is the annual Trustworthy Hardware Ice Fishing Derby. The annual winter… Continue reading

  • Feb 5, 2019
  • By KAT SORENSEN Peninsula Clarion
Along the Sterling Highway, people pitch a small shack on a frozen lake to go ice fishing near Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Man accused of stealing snowmachine after taking it for test drive

Man accused of stealing snowmachine after taking it for test drive

A Kenai man has been charged with theft after allegedly taking a snowmachine for a test drive and never returning it, according to an affidavit… Continue reading

Man accused of stealing snowmachine after taking it for test drive
From left, board members Jackie Swanson and Alex Zerbinos and manager Jean Warrick pose at Bishop’s Attic in Soldotna on Friday. The thrift shop has seen an increase in donations and uses the items to give back to the community. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Receiving and giving

Area thrift stores see rise in donations

From left, board members Jackie Swanson and Alex Zerbinos and manager Jean Warrick pose at Bishop’s Attic in Soldotna on Friday. The thrift shop has seen an increase in donations and uses the items to give back to the community. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Woman charged with theft for allegedly renting car, not returning it

Woman charged with theft for allegedly renting car, not returning it

A Soldotna woman has been charged with theft for allegedly renting a car two years ago and never returning it, according to a criminal complaint… Continue reading

Woman charged with theft for allegedly renting car, not returning it
Leaderless House on track to break 37-year record

Leaderless House on track to break 37-year record

Given Monday’s drama, organization is unlikely.

  • Feb 5, 2019
  • By KEVIN BAIRD Juneau Empire
Leaderless House on track to break 37-year record
As House falters to organize, committees take new shape

As House falters to organize, committees take new shape

Committees masquerade as ‘informational meetings.’

As House falters to organize, committees take new shape
Schools briefs for the week of Feb. 4, 2019

Schools briefs for the week of Feb. 4, 2019

What’s happening this week in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Schools briefs for the week of Feb. 4, 2019
In this Jan. 8 file photo, Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Jonathan Quick, second from right, speaks with Revenue Commissioner Bruce Tangeman, right, before the start of a cabinet meeting at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Alaska governor’s candidate screening process under scrutiny

JUNEAU — Newly elected Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s process for screening candidates for government work is under scrutiny after three people picked for prominent… Continue reading

  • Feb 4, 2019
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
In this Jan. 8 file photo, Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Jonathan Quick, second from right, speaks with Revenue Commissioner Bruce Tangeman, right, before the start of a cabinet meeting at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Budget director’s history of cutting with ‘hatchet, not a scalpel’ sparks concern

How much power should the position have?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office of Management and Budget Director Donna Arduin presents the governor’s supplemental budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Homer Volunteer Fire Department emergency medical technicians treat a U.S. Coast Guard crew member injured when a crane tipped over at the Pioneer Dock on the Homer Spit on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. The man was later pronounced dead. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News.)

Coast Guard releases name of crane accident victim

A crew member of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hickory died in an industrial accident on the Homer Spit on Thursday. The man was fatally… Continue reading

Homer Volunteer Fire Department emergency medical technicians treat a U.S. Coast Guard crew member injured when a crane tipped over at the Pioneer Dock on the Homer Spit on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. The man was later pronounced dead. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News.)