The first day always involves more pomp and circumstance than legislating, and this time was no exception — but senators offered some clues about the road ahead.

An infected person flew from Seattle to Anchorage earlier this month around the same time multiple flights were leaving for Southeast Alaska.

As lawmakers ascended on the Capitol for the start of the new session and 34th Legislature on Tuesday, priorities are beginning to take shape, with education, energy, and the economy drawing focus. Before the introduction of new legislation,

With aligned majorities in the House and Senate, priorities are set to include education funding, public pensions and election reform.

The Senate reelected Kodiak Republican Sen. Gary Stevens to serve as president of the Senate and leader of a bipartisan majority. Meanwhile, the Alaska House swung from a Republican-dominated majority to a bipartisan majority with the election of Dillingham independent Rep. Bryce Edgmon as speaker in a 21-19 vote.

Future 49, with proponents from civilian pilots to Gov. Mike Dunleavy, is primed to launch to promote Alaskan issues and its energy, economic and national security benefits to the U.S.

Money’s going to be tight, but a permanent education funding increase rather than another one-time increase is among the essential achievements needed this session, state Senate leaders said as the 34th Alaska State Legislature gaveled in Tuesday.

With the usual ceremony and an unusual lack of leadership battles the 34th Alaska Legislature gaveled in on Tuesday for the start of a two-year session expected to be lean in terms of revenue available,

Alaska legislators on Friday unveiled a second batch of measures that were prefiled ahead of Tuesday's start to the legislative session. Eighty-one measures were announced last week. A further 20 bills were unveiled Friday — 10 are set to be introduced in the state Senate and 10 in the House.

The Coast Guard said the two fishermen were the only occupants aboard the Tanusha, which began taking on water 23 miles southeast of Kodiak, Alaska, on Wednesday. The crew abandoned ship after the vessel capsized.

They include teachers, fishermen, pilots, a hunting guide, realtors, engineers, attorneys, veterans, a pharmacist, a medical doctor, a physician assistant, a nurse, a shopkeeper, an insurance broker and a professor.