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Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File                                City and Borough of Juneau Beth Weldon, seen here in 2019, encourages people to get tested for the coronavirus, even if the symptoms are mild.
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File                                City and Borough of Juneau Beth Weldon, seen here in 2019, encourages people to get tested for the coronavirus, even if the symptoms are mild.
A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire

Kings sport fishing closed on Kenai River, limited on Kasilof River

The returning king salmon population has been lower than what ADFG biologists had forecast for this year.

A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire
Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska, is seen in this undated photo. (Alaska Department of Corrections)

Inmate found dead at Spring Creek

Christopher Rogers, 41, was found unresponsive in his housing mod.

Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska, is seen in this undated photo. (Alaska Department of Corrections)
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Funds for mortgage, rent relief available

These funds were allocated by the governor and approved by the Legislature as part of the CARES Act.

Photo illustration
COVID-19. (CDC)

Peninsula reports 4 new cases of COVID-19

The 19 cases reported on Monday are from seven different communities in Alaska

COVID-19. (CDC)
Staff from South Peninsula Hospital and Homer Public Health board the M/V Tustumena to test 35 crew members and six passengers Monday, at the Homer Ferry Terminal. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Tustumena returns to Homer carrying COVID-19 positive crew member

6 passengers, remaining crew will all be tested and asked to quarantine

Staff from South Peninsula Hospital and Homer Public Health board the M/V Tustumena to test 35 crew members and six passengers Monday, at the Homer Ferry Terminal. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Lost Lake, Soggy Bottom 100 canceled

Lost Lake, Soggy Bottom 100 canceled

The U.S. Forest Service will not be allowing any recreational permits for the remainder of 2020.

Lost Lake, Soggy Bottom 100 canceled
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai approves CARES grants

For small businesses within Kenai, four grant programs ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 are available.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (CDC)

Peninsula gains more than a dozen COVID-19 cases over weekend

The state announced 11 new resident cases Friday, and 12 new cases Saturday across Alaska.

COVID-19. (CDC)
University of Alaska regents cut 39 programs across the system
University of Alaska regents cut 39 programs across the system
In this March 19, 2020, file photo Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks with reporters following a Republican policy lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington. Murkowski acknowledged Thursday, June 4, that she’s “struggling” over whether she can support President Donald Trump given his handling of the virus and race crises shaking the United States. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Mattis emboldens GOPers to criticize Trump

Murkowski on Thursday called the rebuke by Trump’s first Pentagon chief “necessary and overdue.”

  • Jun 4, 2020
  • By Laurie Kellman and Lisa Mascaro Associated Press
In this March 19, 2020, file photo Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks with reporters following a Republican policy lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington. Murkowski acknowledged Thursday, June 4, that she’s “struggling” over whether she can support President Donald Trump given his handling of the virus and race crises shaking the United States. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
A pair of tents sits at the Infinity Pools above the Tutka Backdoor Trail in Kachemak Bay State Park on July 9, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

State officials urge Alaskans to get outside

During a virtual town hall, commissioners fielded questions from the public on state recreation.

A pair of tents sits at the Infinity Pools above the Tutka Backdoor Trail in Kachemak Bay State Park on July 9, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (CDC)

Nonresident COVID-19 cases nearly double; 8 residents test positive

Seventeen of the 18 new nonresident cases are workers in the seafood industry.

COVID-19. (CDC)
Photo provided by Ocean Bluff B&B                                Tammy Kehrer of Palmer sits on the deck overlooking Cook Inlet at Ocean Bluff B&B in Kasilof. Kehrer is the daughter of owner Kathy Carlisle.

B&B bookings take hit due to virus

Owners have been getting feelers from in-state visitors, but so far reservations have been rare.

Photo provided by Ocean Bluff B&B                                Tammy Kehrer of Palmer sits on the deck overlooking Cook Inlet at Ocean Bluff B&B in Kasilof. Kehrer is the daughter of owner Kathy Carlisle.
In front and from left to right, Aaron Ford, Karianna Ford and Jenni Stowe hold signs at a protest on Sunday, May 30, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska, in support of people of color who have been the subject of police violence, including George Floyd, a man who died May 25, 2020, in a police encounter in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to the “We (heart) our po po” sign — “po po” is slang for “police” — there also was a sign that read “Thank you HPD.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer residents organize multiple demonstrations on racial injustice

Gatherings, protests and demonstrations have been held in Alaska from Anchorage to Haines to Bethel.

In front and from left to right, Aaron Ford, Karianna Ford and Jenni Stowe hold signs at a protest on Sunday, May 30, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska, in support of people of color who have been the subject of police violence, including George Floyd, a man who died May 25, 2020, in a police encounter in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to the “We (heart) our po po” sign — “po po” is slang for “police” — there also was a sign that read “Thank you HPD.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire

Low king counts result in closures on southern Kenai Peninsula

As of Sunday, video weirs and sonar had counted 184 king salmon at the Anchor River.

A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire
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)

Revised travel mandates to begin Friday

Those arriving from outside the state must self-quarantine, but revisions allow for exceptions.

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)
Participants in a Black Lives Matters protest hold signs at the entrance to Soldotna Creek Park along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna on Wednesday. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula residents turn out for Black Lives Matter

The protest drew about 50 participants to Soldotna Creek Park.

Participants in a Black Lives Matters protest hold signs at the entrance to Soldotna Creek Park along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna on Wednesday. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Fire Station #2, seen here on July 15, 2019 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

3 in Nikiski fire service test positive for virus

11 members of the department have been quarantined due to the possibility of COVID-19 exposure.

Nikiski Fire Station #2, seen here on July 15, 2019 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The Devil’s Creek Trail in Chugach National Forest, seen June 15, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

During pandemic, Chugach National Forest mostly stays the same

One of the differences will be in how much volunteer help the forest gets.

The Devil’s Creek Trail in Chugach National Forest, seen June 15, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)