This license plate designed by Anita Laulainen was the winning design in the 2017 Alaska Artistic License competition. A surcharge could be attached to plates like this one if a bill heard by the Senate Education Committee Thursday becomes law. The additional charge could be used to provide funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska State Council on the Arts)

License plates could be a roadway to revenue

Alaska State Council on the Arts would set the surcharge.

This license plate designed by Anita Laulainen was the winning design in the 2017 Alaska Artistic License competition. A surcharge could be attached to plates like this one if a bill heard by the Senate Education Committee Thursday becomes law. The additional charge could be used to provide funding for the Alaska State Council on the Arts. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska State Council on the Arts)
Lawmakers: Ferries will struggle even with small cash infusion
Lawmakers: Ferries will struggle even with small cash infusion
Governor begins town hall series on Monday

Governor begins town hall series on Monday

PFD change needs a vote, governor said.

Governor begins town hall series on Monday
Substance misuse costs the state of Alaska $3.45 billion every year, according to a report released recently by the McDowell Group. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Substance misuse costs the state of Alaska $3.45 billion every year, according to a report released recently by the McDowell Group. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Alaskans win thousands in state’s first ever PFD raffle

Alaskans win thousands in state’s first ever PFD raffle

Donations from PFD turned into huge payouts.

Alaskans win thousands in state’s first ever PFD raffle
Governor extends open invitation to mining industry
Governor extends open invitation to mining industry
Once again, veto override fails

Once again, veto override fails

45 is a hard number to reach.

Once again, veto override fails
Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of the State speech to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature in January 2019 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy expected to give State of the State address next week

The governor will likely address the Legislature Monday.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of the State speech to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature in January 2019 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers get gloomy budget forecast

State can’t keep spending like it is, analysts say.

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file                                The Alaska Marine Highway System’s Tazlina sits at the Auke Bay Terminal on Dec. 9.

New report recommends corporations, port authorities run Alaska’s ferry system

The governor and lawmakers have been waiting for this report.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file                                The Alaska Marine Highway System’s Tazlina sits at the Auke Bay Terminal on Dec. 9.
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File                                Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, speaks to the media in this file photo from 2017.

Legislator proposes adding LGBTQ protections to state hate crime laws

Bill from Anchorage lawmaker follows attack on Sterling woman.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File                                Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, speaks to the media in this file photo from 2017.
House-passed bill could lead to PFAS cleanup

House-passed bill could lead to PFAS cleanup

It needs to get past the Senate and President, too.

House-passed bill could lead to PFAS cleanup
In this Sept. 23 photo, rescued migrants look at a map of Europe aboard the Ocean Viking humanitarian ship as it sails in the Mediterranean Sea. (AP Photo | Renata Brito)

Dunleavy agrees to continue accepting refugees

He said the resettlement program is in line with Alaska values.

In this Sept. 23 photo, rescued migrants look at a map of Europe aboard the Ocean Viking humanitarian ship as it sails in the Mediterranean Sea. (AP Photo | Renata Brito)
Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right: Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, all Republicans.

Alaska’s delegation absent from brief urging reconsideration of Roe v. Wade

207 lawmakers signed on. Alaska’s Republican lawmakers did not.

Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right: Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, all Republicans.
Juneau residents line up outside of the Planet Alaska Gallery to sign an application petition to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Recall Dunleavy campaign gears up for court

First oral arguments to be heard this month.

Juneau residents line up outside of the Planet Alaska Gallery to sign an application petition to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Marine Highway System’s Tazlina sits at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Marine Highway System’s Tazlina sits at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File                                 In this file photo from June 25, 2019, Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office.

Final impact statement for Pebble Mine delayed for three months

Army Corps of Engineers says it will take the time to review public comments.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File                                 In this file photo from June 25, 2019, Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office.
Mouhcine Guettabi, Associate Professor of Economics at the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage, speaks to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Thursday, March 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Draining state savings? Lawmakers, economists criticize governor’s budget

Dunleavy’s budget takes state savings to the limit.

Mouhcine Guettabi, Associate Professor of Economics at the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage, speaks to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Thursday, March 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces his state budget during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces his state budget during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy backs off cuts, looks to Legislature to rework state spending

Dunleavy backs off cuts, looks to Legislature to rework state spending

Governor calls budget a ‘starting point’ for discussions.

Dunleavy backs off cuts, looks to Legislature to rework state spending