Alaskans for Better Government members La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow, Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson and ‘Wáahlaal Gidáak Barbara Blake embrace on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Friday, May 13, 2022, following the passage of House Bill 123, a bill to formally recognize the state’s 229 already federally-recognized tribes. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is scheduled to sign the bill during a ceremony Thursday during a ceremony in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Natives welcome tribal recognition by state

Dunleavy to sign bill Thursday; advocates say it advances cooperative relations

Alaskans for Better Government members La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow, Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson and ‘Wáahlaal Gidáak Barbara Blake embrace on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Friday, May 13, 2022, following the passage of House Bill 123, a bill to formally recognize the state’s 229 already federally-recognized tribes. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is scheduled to sign the bill during a ceremony Thursday during a ceremony in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A stretch of the Seward Highway is pictured in this undated photo from a presentation by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. A planned project to rehabilitate parts of the highway has drawn protests from members of the Moose Pass community. (Photo via the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Moose Pass highway project draws community protest

The project area is about 10.5 miles of the Seward Highway from Mileposts 36.6 to Milepost 25.5

A stretch of the Seward Highway is pictured in this undated photo from a presentation by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. A planned project to rehabilitate parts of the highway has drawn protests from members of the Moose Pass community. (Photo via the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID hospitalizations up nearly one-quarter from two weeks ago

Officials say hospitalization and recent death data is the most effective indicator of the prevalence of the virus

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016, near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Kenai council calls for 2022 east side setnet fishery season

There are more than 400 permit holders in Upper Cook Inlet’s East Side Setnet fishery

A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016, near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
A participant in the 2019 Disability Pride Celebration in Soldotna Creek Park tries his hand at the dunk tank on July 20, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Disability Pride event welcomes community

The celebration, which is part of a statewide initiative, will be an event for everyone

A participant in the 2019 Disability Pride Celebration in Soldotna Creek Park tries his hand at the dunk tank on July 20, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Poll: Murkowski’s net approval up 22% during Biden administration

Morning Consult survey says Alaska incumbent’s popularity rising more than almost any other senator

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

After close to a year of negotiations, university, faculty union still at odds

The two sides disagree over what contract will be in effect until a new agreement is reached

Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Troopers allege Kenai man placed hidden camera in Soldotna gym

The troopers were tipped off about the camera in October 2021, they said

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Progress on parade

Community turns out for annual Soldotna celebration

Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peltola, Begich confirmed for chamber forum

Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce will host the special general election candidates

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The banks of the Kenai River can be seen on July 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Streambank project cost-share program accepting applications

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is accepting applications for the program through 5 p.m. on Sept. 30

The banks of the Kenai River can be seen on July 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
This aerial photo provided by the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service shows a tundra fire burning near the community of St. Mary’s, Alaska, on June 10, 2022. Alaska’s remarkable wildfire season includes over 530 blazes that have burned an area more than three times the size of Rhode Island, with nearly all the impacts, including dangerous breathing conditions from smoke, attributed to fires started by lightning. (Ryan McPherson/Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service via AP, File)

Burning up: Alaska experiencing wildfires it’s never seen before

Already more than 530 wildfires have burned an area the size of Connecticut and the usual worst of the fire season lays ahead

  • Jul 25, 2022
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • State News
This aerial photo provided by the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service shows a tundra fire burning near the community of St. Mary’s, Alaska, on June 10, 2022. Alaska’s remarkable wildfire season includes over 530 blazes that have burned an area more than three times the size of Rhode Island, with nearly all the impacts, including dangerous breathing conditions from smoke, attributed to fires started by lightning. (Ryan McPherson/Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service via AP, File)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski favors congressional vote on same-sex marriage protections while Sullivan is noncommittal

Among Senate candidates, Tshibaka says a bill is unnecessary but Chesbro supports one

  • Jul 22, 2022
  • By James Brooks Alaska Beacon
  • State News
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
A map shows locations in the U.S. designated as tribal lands and thus eligible for higher benefits from the Affordable Connectivity Program. All of Alaska falls under that designation. (Courtesy Image / FCC)

90K Alaska households are eligible for internet assistance —only 10K are taking advantage

White House touts a recently launched “one-stop” website to make signing up easier.

A map shows locations in the U.S. designated as tribal lands and thus eligible for higher benefits from the Affordable Connectivity Program. All of Alaska falls under that designation. (Courtesy Image / FCC)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy brings reelection bid to Kenai Peninsula

He emerged as the top fundraiser in the race, per new campaign finance data filed this week

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A classroom at Kenai Middle School is photographed on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Weeks from restarting, schools across Alaska are struggling to find teachers

District, state solutions face hurdles with little time to spare

A classroom at Kenai Middle School is photographed on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kristen Stearns fishes at North Kenai Beach on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery to open 24 hours per day

The department increased the sport fishing bag and possession limits also

Kristen Stearns fishes at North Kenai Beach on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Evidence markers are placed around the scene of a shooting in Centennial Park campground in Anchorage, Alaska, Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Officer, man wounded in shootout at homeless camp

The shooting occurred the same day another bear attracted to unsecured food was killed in the campground

  • Jul 21, 2022
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
  • State News
Evidence markers are placed around the scene of a shooting in Centennial Park campground in Anchorage, Alaska, Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
Lilly Murray, left, and Stephen Lamm from the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank give a ceviche-making demonstration at Soldotna Creek Park on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank kicks off Progress Days

This year’s fundraiser aims to raise 2 tons of food and fuel for the facility

Lilly Murray, left, and Stephen Lamm from the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank give a ceviche-making demonstration at Soldotna Creek Park on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)