Wire Service

Poll worker Dian Martin minds an early voting site in a state office building in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. Voting in Alaska will look a bit different amid the coronavirus pandemic, with election officials saying poll workers will be required to wear protective gear, such as masks, and will encourage voters to maintain social distance and wear masks. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Voting in Alaska will look different amid pandemic

The recurring challenge of recruiting election workers has been complicated by the pandemic.

Poll worker Dian Martin minds an early voting site in a state office building in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. Voting in Alaska will look a bit different amid the coronavirus pandemic, with election officials saying poll workers will be required to wear protective gear, such as masks, and will encourage voters to maintain social distance and wear masks. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Opinion: It takes a team to govern

Opinion: It takes a team to govern

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that it we need a team of leaders in the White House

Opinion: It takes a team to govern
Sound Publishing file photo

Voices of the Peninsula: Too little COVID testing on the Kenai

Limited testing means dangerous decisions.

Sound Publishing file photo
Long-time resident and local businessman Bill Corbus speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon in May 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Now is not the time to raise taxes on any part of our economy

Ballot Measure 1 would create a road block to recovery

Long-time resident and local businessman Bill Corbus speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon in May 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Tom Kato, 41, left Branding Iron Bar and Grill in Keremeos feeling uneasy and frustrated after spotting two stickers displaying white power symbols and the words “It’s OK to be white.” The bar’s owner has since said he will not take down the stickers. (Contributed)

White pride stickers at Keremeos pub leaves group uneasy and angry

The ‘OK’ hand gesture is a known hate-symbol

Tom Kato, 41, left Branding Iron Bar and Grill in Keremeos feeling uneasy and frustrated after spotting two stickers displaying white power symbols and the words “It’s OK to be white.” The bar’s owner has since said he will not take down the stickers. (Contributed)
Refuge Notebook: Fire: The Common Denominator

Refuge Notebook: Fire: The Common Denominator

At first glance, the boreal forest of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the pine rocklands of Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge have very little, if… Continue reading

Refuge Notebook: Fire: The Common Denominator
This photo shows absentee ballot paperwork sent to an Alaskan voter in July 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Voices: The Postal Service is essential not political

The Postal Service has been a valuable asset for this country since its inception.

This photo shows absentee ballot paperwork sent to an Alaskan voter in July 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska Voices: Keep Alaska afloat by doing your part to prevent COVID

What looked like a “second wave” moved in like a tsunami.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
In this March 12 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks in Wilmington, Del. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, that if he’s elected, his administration would stop a proposed copper and gold mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region. The mine would be built near headwaters of the Bristol Bay salmon fishery about 200 miles southwest of Anchorage. Conservation and local tribal groups say they fear the mine will devastate the fishery. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Biden vows to block Pebble Mine project if elected

“It is no place for a mine,” the former vice president said.

In this March 12 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks in Wilmington, Del. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, that if he’s elected, his administration would stop a proposed copper and gold mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region. The mine would be built near headwaters of the Bristol Bay salmon fishery about 200 miles southwest of Anchorage. Conservation and local tribal groups say they fear the mine will devastate the fishery. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: The Wheels on the Bus …

It doesn’t seem that the powers that be — medical or political — have learned from past experience.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Alaska Senate District P candidate John Cox. (Photo courtesy John Cox)

Voices of the Peninula: Remodeling Alaska’s fishing industry

Fishing shouldn’t be catalogued underneath Alaska’s boring-but-true bureaucracy.

Alaska Senate District P candidate John Cox. (Photo courtesy John Cox)
Opinion: Lawmakers should put American democracy first

Opinion: Lawmakers should put American democracy first

Alaskans should make the intelligent distinction between party loyalists and proactive opponents.

Opinion: Lawmakers should put American democracy first
The Juneau School District building, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett/ Juneau Empire File)

Are school closures based on science or fear?

If we believe children come first, then fears must be overcome in favor of science and common sense.

The Juneau School District building, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett/ Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, March 27, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Opinion: Beating virus will take time, patience

The quickest way back to a strong, vibrant Alaska is, ironically, a bit slower than we might like.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, March 27, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
File

An overwhelming confidence

Are you overwhelmed by huge obstacles? Consider God: His character, provision and promises.

File
Refuge Notebook: Migrations of the Kenai Lowland caribou

Refuge Notebook: Migrations of the Kenai Lowland caribou

Being a seasonal biology technician has its perks. Every summer is a new adventure full of incredible fieldwork, new friends and amazing locations. Much like… Continue reading

Refuge Notebook: Migrations of the Kenai Lowland caribou
The author is seen here in July pleasantly enjoying a mountaintop in Denali National Park, with no training in mind. (Photo courtesy of Gillian Braver)

Tangled Up in Blue: Pandemic Priorities

I had a lot of goals at the start of this year. I was well on my way to not using a single, single-use coffee… Continue reading

The author is seen here in July pleasantly enjoying a mountaintop in Denali National Park, with no training in mind. (Photo courtesy of Gillian Braver)
Image via Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

School board seeks to use last year’s enrollment numbers

The loss of in-person enrollment will cause a significant loss of revenue for the school district.

Image via Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
The Wilderness Adventurer is shown Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, following its return to Juneau, Alaska, after one of its 36 passengers tested positive for COVID-19. The first cruise of the stunted season was cut short, and all passengers were required to quarantine at a hotel while the 30 crew members were to quarantine on the ship. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

COVID result cuts short 1st Alaska cruise of stunted season

The cancelled trip by UnCruise Adventures was the first of the season.

The Wilderness Adventurer is shown Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, following its return to Juneau, Alaska, after one of its 36 passengers tested positive for COVID-19. The first cruise of the stunted season was cut short, and all passengers were required to quarantine at a hotel while the 30 crew members were to quarantine on the ship. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Washington. Trump said Wednesday he would “listen to both sides” after his eldest son and a campaign adviser urged him to intervene to block a proposed copper and gold mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Trump says he’ll listen to both sides on proposed Pebble Mine project

Donald Trump Jr. on Tuesday expressed hope he would direct the EPA to block the proposed mine.

President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Washington. Trump said Wednesday he would “listen to both sides” after his eldest son and a campaign adviser urged him to intervene to block a proposed copper and gold mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)