Wire Service

Jeremy Field, regional administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (courtesy photo)

Opinion: Shopping small for 2020 holiday season needed more than ever

Small retailers and restaurants are relying on us to send a message with our dollars that says, “We’ve got your back.”

Jeremy Field, regional administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (courtesy photo)
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer (courtesy photo)
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer (courtesy photo)

Opinion: No trace of fraud in Alaska’s 2020 election

My thanks go out to every Alaskan who chose to participate in our democratic process.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer (courtesy photo)
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer (courtesy photo)
Caribou graze on the greening tundra of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska in June, 2001. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Trump administration takes steps toward refuge lease sale

The Gwich’in people have opposed development within the refuge, citing concerns on the impacts to the Porcupine Caribou Herd on which they have relied for subsistence.

Caribou graze on the greening tundra of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska in June, 2001. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy faces criticism for his handling of COVID-19, from those who think he’s not doing enough to address rising case counts to those who think he’s been overreaching. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Dunleavy defends virus approach amid criticism

He issued a new disaster declaration, which took effect Monday, despite questions from some lawmakers about its legal underpinnings.

In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy faces criticism for his handling of COVID-19, from those who think he’s not doing enough to address rising case counts to those who think he’s been overreaching. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai announces closures, limited operations due to COVID-19

The city is closingseveral facilities in response to growing COVID-19 case counts.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Vic Fischer (courtesy)

Alaska Voices: Oh, for bipartisanship!

Now is a good time to seek a model of political goodwill that has been sorely missing from our state

Vic Fischer (courtesy)
In this Aug. 26, 2020, photo, U.S. Rep. Don Young, an Alaska Republican, speaks during a ceremony in Anchorage, Alaska, celebrating the opening of a Lady Justice Task Force cold case office which will specialize in cases involving missing or murdered Indigenous women. Young announced Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, on Twitter that he has tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Young tests positive for COVID-19

The diagnosis came after Young initially downplayed the seriousness of the virus at the onset.

In this Aug. 26, 2020, photo, U.S. Rep. Don Young, an Alaska Republican, speaks during a ceremony in Anchorage, Alaska, celebrating the opening of a Lady Justice Task Force cold case office which will specialize in cases involving missing or murdered Indigenous women. Young announced Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, on Twitter that he has tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
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, has won his 25th term. Young defeated Alyse Galvin in back-to-back elections for Alaska’s sole seat in the House. The race was called Wednesday, Nov. 11. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)

Young wins 25th term in the U.S. House

Young, the longest-serving Republican ever in the U.S. House

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, has won his 25th term. Young defeated Alyse Galvin in back-to-back elections for Alaska’s sole seat in the House. The race was called Wednesday, Nov. 11. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)
Al Drago / AP file
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, testifies during a hearing on Capitol Hill on May 7. Sullivan on Wednesday won reelection in Alaska, defeating independent Al Gross.

Republican Dan Sullivan reelected in Alaska Senate race

The race had been determined too early to call on Election Day, Nov. 3.

Al Drago / AP file
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, testifies during a hearing on Capitol Hill on May 7. Sullivan on Wednesday won reelection in Alaska, defeating independent Al Gross.
A poll worker helps a voter with their ballot at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Voices: Practice patience as we wait for election results

Every voter must have their voice heard and vote counted — and that process takes time

A poll worker helps a voter with their ballot at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
West Homer Elementary School Principal Eric Waltenbaugh.

Point of View: Keep practicing COVID-19 safety to reopen schools

Safe practices, testing and contact tracing will bring numbers down.

West Homer Elementary School Principal Eric Waltenbaugh.
President-elect Joe Biden gestures on stage after speaking, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

Biden defeats Trump

Biden says ‘time to heal’; Trump refuses to concede

President-elect Joe Biden gestures on stage after speaking, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)
Associated Press
President Donald Trump walks away after speaking at the White House on Thursday.

Biden sees path to 270; Trump attacks election integrity

Biden eclipsed Trump in Wisconsin and Michigan, two crucial Midwestern battleground states.

Associated Press
President Donald Trump walks away after speaking at the White House on Thursday.
The view looking north toward the pass from just above Juneau Lake. (Photo by Jack Carroll/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Finding refuge in the forest

As a park ranger for the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, I get to spend a lot of time on the refuge’s trails and in the… Continue reading

The view looking north toward the pass from just above Juneau Lake. (Photo by Jack Carroll/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
U.S. House Independent candidate Alyse Galvin waves to cars with supporters at Northern Lights Boulevard and Minnesota Drive on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Galvin, an independent, is trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Don Young, Alaska’s sole member of the U.S. House and in office since 1973. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Too early to call rematch for House seat

Young, the longest-serving Republican ever in the U.S. House, was seeking his 25th term in Tuesday’s election.

U.S. House Independent candidate Alyse Galvin waves to cars with supporters at Northern Lights Boulevard and Minnesota Drive on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Galvin, an independent, is trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Don Young, Alaska’s sole member of the U.S. House and in office since 1973. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
Incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, left, with his wife Julie, speaks to the media after casting his ballot at the Alaska Zoo Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen)

Wait is on in Senate race as ballot count continues

Early results in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race favor Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan.

Incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, left, with his wife Julie, speaks to the media after casting his ballot at the Alaska Zoo Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen)
Alaska U.S. Senate candidate Al Gross speaks to supporters at an event at a downtown park in Juneau, on Saturday, as his wife, Monica Gross, at right, looks on. The event, held on a rainy, windy morning, is among those Gross is holding in the lead-up to the Nov. 3 general election, in which Gross, an independent running with Democratic backing, is facing Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Campaigns make last push for votes in state

As of early Monday, more than 150,000 voters had cast their ballots, most by absentee.

Alaska U.S. Senate candidate Al Gross speaks to supporters at an event at a downtown park in Juneau, on Saturday, as his wife, Monica Gross, at right, looks on. The event, held on a rainy, windy morning, is among those Gross is holding in the lead-up to the Nov. 3 general election, in which Gross, an independent running with Democratic backing, is facing Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Sen. Mike Shower (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ballot Measure 1 — Why I am a ‘no’ vote

Alaskans are voting on important issues to determine our next steps in dealing with the budget, resource allocation, taxes, and citizens’ general welfare. I know… Continue reading

Sen. Mike Shower (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: The race is on

Here we are 33 weeks later wondering how we are going to celebrate the grandest time of the year.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Robin Brena (courtesy)

Opinion: Existing production tax system hopelessly flawed

Vote “yes” on Ballot Measure 1

Robin Brena (courtesy)