News

A would-be voter considers the candidates on a sample ballot released by the state of Alaska in March 2021. The Alaska Division of Elections has announced the dates for the special elections to select a replacement for Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who died recently. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Filing opens for election to fill US House seat

Filing deadline is April 1.

A would-be voter considers the candidates on a sample ballot released by the state of Alaska in March 2021. The Alaska Division of Elections has announced the dates for the special elections to select a replacement for Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who died recently. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016, near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Board of Fisheries meeting begins Saturday

Board members will not only discuss fishing issues in Cook Inlet, but also in Kodiak and Prince William Sound

A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016, near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Katherine Hayes waves a flag and a sign urging Alaska lawmakers to fund a full oil wealth fund check, known locally as the PFD or Permanent Fund Dividend, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Wasilla, Alaska. Momentum is building for a constitutional convention question that will be on the ballot this year in Alaska, and similar questions will go before voters in Missouri and New Hampshire. Critics say the times are too partisan and the country is too divided to reopen state constitutions for rewriting or amendments. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

State constitutional convention measures stoke partisan fear

PFD question is providing a tail wind for groups seeking to change the constitution to address a range of hot button topics

Katherine Hayes waves a flag and a sign urging Alaska lawmakers to fund a full oil wealth fund check, known locally as the PFD or Permanent Fund Dividend, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Wasilla, Alaska. Momentum is building for a constitutional convention question that will be on the ballot this year in Alaska, and similar questions will go before voters in Missouri and New Hampshire. Critics say the times are too partisan and the country is too divided to reopen state constitutions for rewriting or amendments. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, about the upcoming special election to fill the seat in U.S. House of Representatives vacated following the death of Rep. Don Young last week. (Screenshot)

State details timeline to fill vacant US House seat

The state plans to hold the special general election on Aug. 16, concurrently with the regular Alaska primary

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, about the upcoming special election to fill the seat in U.S. House of Representatives vacated following the death of Rep. Don Young last week. (Screenshot)
In this Nov. 3, 2020, file photo, Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, gathers with supporters in Anchorage, Alaska. Young, the longest-serving Republican ever in the U.S. House, died on Friday, March 18, 2022. Republican Nick Begich and Democrat Christopher Constant are running in a special election to finish his term in office. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)

Begich, Constant to run in special election

Rep. Don Young died Friday at age 88

In this Nov. 3, 2020, file photo, Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, gathers with supporters in Anchorage, Alaska. Young, the longest-serving Republican ever in the U.S. House, died on Friday, March 18, 2022. Republican Nick Begich and Democrat Christopher Constant are running in a special election to finish his term in office. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)
U.S. Rep. Don Young answers a reporter’s question after filing paperwork for reelection at the Alaska Division of Elections in Anchorage, Alaska. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18, 2022. He was 88. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Rep. Don Young to lie in state at US Capitol

By KEVIN FREKING Associated Press WASHINGTON — Rep. Don Young, the longest-serving Republican in House history, will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol on… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Don Young answers a reporter’s question after filing paperwork for reelection at the Alaska Division of Elections in Anchorage, Alaska. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18, 2022. He was 88. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID cases continue to decline

State data showed a 46% decrease in cases from the week of March 14 to the week prior

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Adam Crum (left), Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche (on screen) discuss the move to split the Department of Health and Social Services into two separate agencies, on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Department of Health and Social Services split official; change to be implemented this summer

DHSS will be divided into two new agencies — the Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Health.

Adam Crum (left), Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche (on screen) discuss the move to split the Department of Health and Social Services into two separate agencies, on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Rep. Don Young smiles during a sit-down in the Juneau Empire’s offices last June. Young died on Friday, according to the longtime U.S. representative’s office. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Rep. Don Young, longest-serving congressmember, dies at 88

His office announced Young’s death in a statement Friday night.

Rep. Don Young smiles during a sit-down in the Juneau Empire’s offices last June. Young died on Friday, according to the longtime U.S. representative’s office. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Attorney for the State of Alaska Matthew Singer defends the Alaska Redistricting Board to the Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, March 18, 2022. The Court will return a decision on the state’s new electoral districts by April 1. (Screenshot)

Alaska Supreme Court takes up redistricting case

A decision is expected by April 1.

Attorney for the State of Alaska Matthew Singer defends the Alaska Redistricting Board to the Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, March 18, 2022. The Court will return a decision on the state’s new electoral districts by April 1. (Screenshot)
Photo via Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Bear bait regs posted by Fish and Game

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will allow bear bait stations to be registered via telephone this year, according to a release from the… Continue reading

Photo via Alaska Department of Fish and Game
The House Finance Committee hears a presentation from Department of Revenue Chief Economist Dan Stickle on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. It was a busy day at the Alaska State Capitol Wednesday with both the House of Representatives and the Senate passing multiple bills. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State House passes campaign contribution limits bill

The bill would set a $2,000 limit on what an individual could contribute to a candidate each campaign period

The House Finance Committee hears a presentation from Department of Revenue Chief Economist Dan Stickle on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. It was a busy day at the Alaska State Capitol Wednesday with both the House of Representatives and the Senate passing multiple bills. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID cases plateauing in Alaska

Varying vaccination rates and mitigation policies are affecting outbreaks in other parts of the world

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks with a reporter after attending at an event to celebrate the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Washington. Murkowski spoke the the Alaska House of Representatives Special Committee on Tribal Affairs Thursday about what the bill means for Alaska. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Alaskans laud Violence Against Women Act reauthorization

Reauthorization will create pilot program for Alaskan tribal courts

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks with a reporter after attending at an event to celebrate the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Washington. Murkowski spoke the the Alaska House of Representatives Special Committee on Tribal Affairs Thursday about what the bill means for Alaska. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The House Finance Committee hears a presentation from Department of Revenue Chief Economist Dan Stickle on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. It was a busy day at the Alaska State Capitol Wednesday with both the House of Representatives and the Senate passing multiple bills. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate passes bill banning vaccine requirements

House debates on campaign contribution goes late again

The House Finance Committee hears a presentation from Department of Revenue Chief Economist Dan Stickle on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. It was a busy day at the Alaska State Capitol Wednesday with both the House of Representatives and the Senate passing multiple bills. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Department of Law The FBI is seeking more information about the activities of a former Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service officer Bert Christopher Heitstuman.

FBI seeking further information ex-DHS officer charged with sexual assault

They’re investigating his activities inside Anchorage as well as elsewhere.

Alaska Department of Law The FBI is seeking more information about the activities of a former Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service officer Bert Christopher Heitstuman.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

No new COVID deaths

Cases continue a downward trajectory

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about state revenue during a press conference on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Citing spike in oil prices, Dunleavy urges $3,700 PFD

Dunleavy said oil prices are still up overall and high inflation demands action

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about state revenue during a press conference on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Iditarod winner Brent Sass poses for photos with lead dogs Morello, left, and Slater in the finish chute of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome, Alaska, Tuesday March 15, 2022. (Anne Raup/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Brent Sass wins his 1st Iditarod

Sass mushed down Front Street and across the finish line just before 6 a.m.

Iditarod winner Brent Sass poses for photos with lead dogs Morello, left, and Slater in the finish chute of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome, Alaska, Tuesday March 15, 2022. (Anne Raup/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
Reps. Clavin Schrage, I-Anchorage, left, and David Eastman, R-Wasilla, discuss a bill on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives to enact limits on individual contributions to political campaigns, on Monday, March 14, 2022. House members spent several hours debating amendments to the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House floor debate turns from election spending to security

No donations limits.

Reps. Clavin Schrage, I-Anchorage, left, and David Eastman, R-Wasilla, discuss a bill on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives to enact limits on individual contributions to political campaigns, on Monday, March 14, 2022. House members spent several hours debating amendments to the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)