Alaska

Amy Herrick, manager at the Alaskan Kush Company downtown retail store, talks about the possibility of opening an onsite consumption space on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Smoke ‘em if you bought ‘em:

Juneau marijuana retailers would like to offer smoking space

Amy Herrick, manager at the Alaskan Kush Company downtown retail store, talks about the possibility of opening an onsite consumption space on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Abbe Hensley, of Best Beginnings, shows off her phone case during a hearing for SB 6 in front of the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The bill is to provide money for prekindergarten education. The case reads: Alaskans for Early Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Pre-K funding bill gives them something to talk about

More pre-K for AK?

Abbe Hensley, of Best Beginnings, shows off her phone case during a hearing for SB 6 in front of the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The bill is to provide money for prekindergarten education. The case reads: Alaskans for Early Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, speaks about his bill to allow residents to donate their Permanent Fund Dividend back to the state’s general fund during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Monday. Anne Weske, Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, right, also spoke to the committee. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)

There could be a new, quick way to send PFD money to government coffers

People could decide to keep or donate money.

Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, speaks about his bill to allow residents to donate their Permanent Fund Dividend back to the state’s general fund during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Monday. Anne Weske, Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, right, also spoke to the committee. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)
Myrna Gardner, tribal partnership specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, said Alaska’s low census response rate is costing the state millions every year during a presentation at Southeast Housing Summit, Thursday, March 14, 2019. *Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Low census response loses Alaska billions of dollars

Money left on the table.

Myrna Gardner, tribal partnership specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, said Alaska’s low census response rate is costing the state millions every year during a presentation at Southeast Housing Summit, Thursday, March 14, 2019. *Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
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)
A black ash cloud from Alaska’s Mount Veniaminof passes the community of Perryville, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018. Alaska Volcano Observatory scientists said the overnight ash emissions from Mount Veniaminof generated an ash plume that drifted more than 150 miles (241 kilometers) to the southeast. (Victoria Tague via AP)

Ash from Alaska volcano prompts aviation warning

ANCHORAGE — Residents of a tiny Alaska Native community woke up to a little pre-Thanksgiving excitement Wednesday, with a neighboring volcano spewing a billowing dark… Continue reading

  • Nov 21, 2018
  • By RACHEL D’ORO Associated Press
  • NewsAlaska
A black ash cloud from Alaska’s Mount Veniaminof passes the community of Perryville, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018. Alaska Volcano Observatory scientists said the overnight ash emissions from Mount Veniaminof generated an ash plume that drifted more than 150 miles (241 kilometers) to the southeast. (Victoria Tague via AP)

Celebrating Medicaid Expansion

This week marks the third anniversary since I took executive action to expand Medicaid in Alaska. It opened the door to health care for more… Continue reading

Alaska opioid deaths increased by 77 percent in last decade, report says

The rate of Alaskans who died from opioid overdoses increased 77 percent over the last decade, with the highest overall rate of deaths reported in… Continue reading

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court, Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. (AP Photo | Andrew Harnik)

Alaska unions clobbered by Supreme Court decision

Alaska’s public-sector unions warned Wednesday that a new ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court will have significant effects across the state. The 5-4 ruling in… Continue reading

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court, Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. (AP Photo | Andrew Harnik)
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court, Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. (AP Photo | Andrew Harnik)

Alaska unions clobbered by Supreme Court decision

Alaska’s public-sector unions warned Wednesday that a new ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court will have significant effects across the state. The 5-4 ruling in… Continue reading

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court, Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. (AP Photo | Andrew Harnik)
The Mendenhall Glacier, which is receding. (Juneau Empire file)

Alaska takes first step toward a state-level climate policy

You don’t have to look far to see the effects of climate change in Alaska. Permafrost melts, ocean waters acidify and eroding shorelines threaten coastal… Continue reading

The Mendenhall Glacier, which is receding. (Juneau Empire file)
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) speaks to constituents after addressing the members of three Kenai- and Soldotna-area Rotary Club chapters at Froso’s Restaurant on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Sullivan, entering his third year as U.S. Senator for the state, said he found reasons to be optimistic about federal actions regarding the state in 2018. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Senators look back on productive year

Editor's note: This article has been corrected to show that the land exchange between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Cook Inlet Region, Inc.… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) speaks to constituents after addressing the members of three Kenai- and Soldotna-area Rotary Club chapters at Froso’s Restaurant on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Sullivan, entering his third year as U.S. Senator for the state, said he found reasons to be optimistic about federal actions regarding the state in 2018. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
This zoning map from the City of Homer website shows the districts in town where commercial marijuana is allowed and where it is not allowed currently. (Image courtesty City of Homer)

Council introduces ordinance that would allow marijuana sales on Homer Spit

Retail marijuana stores making their way to the Homer Spit is once again on the table at City Hall. In a tie vote broken by… Continue reading

This zoning map from the City of Homer website shows the districts in town where commercial marijuana is allowed and where it is not allowed currently. (Image courtesty City of Homer)

Alaska’s population falls for the first time in 29 years

Alaska’s population fell for the first time in 29 years as the statewide oil-driven recession continued through 2017, according to new estimates from the Alaska… Continue reading

Voter turnout drops by 30 percent between regular election, runoff election

Voter turnout drops by 30 percent between regular election, runoff election

The scenes at Kenai Peninsula polling sites were very different on Oct. 3 and three weeks later on Oct. 24. On Oct. 3, lines stretched… Continue reading

Voter turnout drops by 30 percent between regular election, runoff election

Garbage bear shot dead

A black bear believed to have a taste for garbage was found dead Sept. 18 behind Mendenhall Mall. News of the death was released Friday… Continue reading

Alaska Dispatch now in Chapter 7 to liquidate remaining assets

Any chance to reorganize Alice Rogoff’s remaining Alaska Dispatch newspaper holdings after the chapter 11 bankruptcy filing was deemed at “0.00 percent” by her attorney… Continue reading

Voters cast their ballots at the Kasilof Fire Station on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016 in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Step on up, take a seat

With 42 elected offices opening up this fall, Kenai Peninsula residents will have ample opportunity to get involved in local governments. On October 3, voters… Continue reading

Voters cast their ballots at the Kasilof Fire Station on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016 in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Preparing for a safe and productive fishing season

The fishing season may be here, but there is more on a fisherman’s to-do list than grab a pole and hit the water this early… Continue reading