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Alaska Voices: We will get through this together

Alaska Voices: We will get through this together

We understand what a challenging and unprecedented time this is for Alaskans. The COVID-19 virus has been an evolving pandemic, spreading worldwide and severely disrupting… Continue reading

Alaska Voices: We will get through this together
A moose feeds on a rose bush near the Homer News by Beluga Lake on Friday afternoon, March 6, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Voices of the Peninsula: Thank you for keeping Alaska wild

The successes on the Kenai Peninsula are due to a handful of dedicated professionals.

A moose feeds on a rose bush near the Homer News by Beluga Lake on Friday afternoon, March 6, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Salmonberries hang fat from a bush on a recent summer. (Photo by Mary Catharine Martin)

Alaska Voices: Alaskan solace

We Alaskans, Americans and the rest of the world face uncharted waters in the months ahead.

Salmonberries hang fat from a bush on a recent summer. (Photo by Mary Catharine Martin)
Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News                                 Christine Hohf, wearing a unicorn costume, and Andi Correa, wearing a dinosaur costume, walk through South Addition in Anchorage on Wednesday. Hohf, who works as a scrub tech at a surgery center, said her hours were cut due to elective surgeries being put off because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Alaska’s jobless claims jump

Claims filed during the latest weekly reporting period totaled 7,806, up from 1,120 the week prior.

Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News                                 Christine Hohf, wearing a unicorn costume, and Andi Correa, wearing a dinosaur costume, walk through South Addition in Anchorage on Wednesday. Hohf, who works as a scrub tech at a surgery center, said her hours were cut due to elective surgeries being put off because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Refuge Notebook: Migration is not canceled

Refuge Notebook: Migration is not canceled

A friend told me recently that March is her favorite month. What? Not May, when our birds of summer come home to nest? Nor June… Continue reading

Refuge Notebook: Migration is not canceled
Meda DeWitt (courtesy photo)

Recall: Alaskans safely adapt to pandemic challenges

The man at the top has not changed, nor have the grounds of our recall.

Meda DeWitt (courtesy photo)
Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (center); Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee (left), Sen. Natasha von Imhof, R-Anchorage, co-chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee, are pictured in this undated photo. (Courtesy)

Alaska senators: Help is on the way

No Alaskan in need will be left behind.

Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (center); Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee (left), Sen. Natasha von Imhof, R-Anchorage, co-chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee, are pictured in this undated photo. (Courtesy)
File

Schools closed through May 1

What’s happening this week in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

File
During this time of uncertainty, the author vacillates between being outdoors and binge watching “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” (Photo courtesy of Kat Sorensen)

Tangled Up in Blue: Lonely among us

I set daily goals to accomplish during this universal pandemic, a different kind of frontier.

During this time of uncertainty, the author vacillates between being outdoors and binge watching “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” (Photo courtesy of Kat Sorensen)
Crested auklets are just one of 30 species of seabirds that we study, but theyղe one of the strangest with their otherworldy eyes, showgirl plumes and tangerine odor. The citrus odor may be important for repelling pests. (Photo by Michael Johns/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Introducing Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

We’ve probably already met, but you didn’t realize it. We’re the other national wildlife refuge headquartered on the Kenai Peninsula. If you’ve taken a Kenai… Continue reading

Crested auklets are just one of 30 species of seabirds that we study, but theyղe one of the strangest with their otherworldy eyes, showgirl plumes and tangerine odor. The citrus odor may be important for repelling pests. (Photo by Michael Johns/USFWS)
Dr. Anne Zink, the chief medical officer for the state of Alaska, addresses reporters at a news conference Monday, March 9, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Zink told reporters there were nine confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state as of March 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

COVID-19: The time to act is now, before widespread community transmission

With no vaccine available, we have to rely on two tools: containment and mitigation.

Dr. Anne Zink, the chief medical officer for the state of Alaska, addresses reporters at a news conference Monday, March 9, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Zink told reporters there were nine confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state as of March 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Alaska governor creating economic team amid virus response

Alaska governor creating economic team amid virus response

By Becky Bohrer Associated Press JUNEAU — Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Tuesday that a one-time political rival will help lead a new team tasked with… Continue reading

Alaska governor creating economic team amid virus response
Alaska House Speaker, second from right, speaks to reporters on Monday, March 16, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. Pictured from left are Reps. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Ivy Spohnholz, Edgmon and Chuck Kopp. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Anchorage mayor closing bars, gyms amid virus concerns

The restrictions take effect at 5 p.m. Monday and extend through March 31.

Alaska House Speaker, second from right, speaks to reporters on Monday, March 16, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. Pictured from left are Reps. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Ivy Spohnholz, Edgmon and Chuck Kopp. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Schools, sports, after-school events canceled

Schools, sports, after-school events canceled

The closures of part of an effort to contain the new coronavirus outbreak.

Schools, sports, after-school events canceled
File

Minister’s Message: Practicing the right steps of presence

Instead of taking time to listen for God’s plan, I spun my mental wheels.

File
The Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy appointee open to revenue discussion

Mahoney said the state needs a long-term fiscal plan that evaluates all sources of revenues.

The Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Refuge Notebook: Birds of the World resource wows

Refuge Notebook: Birds of the World resource wows

Recently a friend asked me for information about spruce grouse. I am sure he saw the slight look of panic as I thought about what… Continue reading

Refuge Notebook: Birds of the World resource wows
Larry Smith

Point of View: Follow Hammond’s advice by adjusting oil taxes to redeem state’s share

The recently established POMV formula lacks the controls advocated by Gov. Jay Hammond.

Larry Smith
Alaska state Sen. Gary Stevens, right, listens during a Legislative Council meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. Stevens on Tuesday announced a subcommittee of lawmakers will work on contingency planning for the Legislature surrounding the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Double whammy: New virus, oil volatility

Restrictions also have been ordered on state employee and legislative travel.

Alaska state Sen. Gary Stevens, right, listens during a Legislative Council meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. Stevens on Tuesday announced a subcommittee of lawmakers will work on contingency planning for the Legislature surrounding the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska Voices: Hilcorp invests in Alaska

In just the past eight years, Hilcorp has invested more than $4 billion dollars in Alaska.