News

Juneau residents line up with legislators for a picture and a cheer during a Go Blue Day Rally for National Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Capitol on Friday, April 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Orgs to host event highlighting child abuse prevention

The event honors Child Abuse Prevention Month, a nationwide campaign to spread awareness about childhood neglect

Juneau residents line up with legislators for a picture and a cheer during a Go Blue Day Rally for National Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Capitol on Friday, April 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Economic forum to spotlight Alaska Natives

The Alaska Native Economic Future Forum will provide resources and feature topics of interest to the Indigenous community

Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The Norwegian Bliss arrives Monday in Juneau, the first cruise of the 2022 season.

2022 cruise season begins in Juneau

Visitors and Juneau locals alike were excited for the arrival

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The Norwegian Bliss arrives Monday in Juneau, the first cruise of the 2022 season.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Protesters critical of the cruise ship industry gathered Monday on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol, the same day the first large ship of the season arrived in Juneau. Demonstrators said the industry had a poor environmental record and called on the state to continue to Ocean Rangers program, a voter-approved initiative which put state monitors aboard ships to ensure compliance with state regulations.

Protesters call for more enforcement of environmental regulations aboard ships

As cruise ships return, some residents remain wary.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Protesters critical of the cruise ship industry gathered Monday on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol, the same day the first large ship of the season arrived in Juneau. Demonstrators said the industry had a poor environmental record and called on the state to continue to Ocean Rangers program, a voter-approved initiative which put state monitors aboard ships to ensure compliance with state regulations.
Renewable IPP CEO Jenn Miller presents information about solar power during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Proposed solar farm could receive tax exemptions

The assembly will consider whether or not to offer tax exemptions for independent power producers

Renewable IPP CEO Jenn Miller presents information about solar power during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Former state lawmaker from Fairbanks John Coghill was in Juneau on Friday, April 22, 2022, and is running for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, vacated recently by the death of Don Young. Coghill faces a crowded field but says he has the experience and pragmatism to get the job done.

Former state lawmaker John Coghill says Congress needs his experience

Fairbanks lawmaker says record shows pragmatism, bipartisanship

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Former state lawmaker from Fairbanks John Coghill was in Juneau on Friday, April 22, 2022, and is running for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, vacated recently by the death of Don Young. Coghill faces a crowded field but says he has the experience and pragmatism to get the job done.
Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022, in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Republican Party endorses Pierce/Grunwald ticket

The party has also endorsed incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy

Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022, in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, right, laughs with Nelson Angapak Sr., Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Angapak appeared at a news conference with Haaland, who was on a visit to Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Agency proposes more land options for Alaska Native veterans

Haaland visited with veterans this week during her ongoing trip to Alaska, her first to the state as secretary

U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, right, laughs with Nelson Angapak Sr., Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Angapak appeared at a news conference with Haaland, who was on a visit to Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Steve M. Schoonmaker recites poetry as part of the opening of his show “Symbiotic Symphony: Alders and Salmon” at Cook Inletkeeper’s Community Action Studio on Friday, April 22, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘The giving of self’

Community art show celebrates symbiosis in nature

Steve M. Schoonmaker recites poetry as part of the opening of his show “Symbiotic Symphony: Alders and Salmon” at Cook Inletkeeper’s Community Action Studio on Friday, April 22, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Jesse Bjorkman (center) speaks while Aaron Rhoades (right) looks on during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly opposes making mayor’s assistant full time

The borough was looking to bring on the mayor’s former chief of staff for the special assistant role

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Jesse Bjorkman (center) speaks while Aaron Rhoades (right) looks on during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland gestures while addressing reporters during a news conference Thursday, in Anchorage. Haaland is in the midst of a visit to the state that included a trip to King Cove, a community at the center of a long-running dispute over a proposed land exchange aimed at building a road through a national wildlife refuge. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Interior Secretary Haaland in midst of visit to Alaska

Haaland was in King Cove on Wednesday with Gov. Mike Dunleavy and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski

  • Apr 21, 2022
  • BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland gestures while addressing reporters during a news conference Thursday, in Anchorage. Haaland is in the midst of a visit to the state that included a trip to King Cove, a community at the center of a long-running dispute over a proposed land exchange aimed at building a road through a national wildlife refuge. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Crystal Locke speaks in support of the donation of an additional .53 acres of land for a community dog park during a presentation to the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More land donated for planned Kenai dog park

Organizers say more space will make the park more accommodating

Crystal Locke speaks in support of the donation of an additional .53 acres of land for a community dog park during a presentation to the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill reducing sentences for and clearing records for marijuana possession on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a day adopted as an unofficial holiday by cannabis users. The maker of the bill said the timing was not intended.

House passes marijuana bill on cannabis ‘holiday’

Bill reduces penalties and clears possession records

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill reducing sentences for and clearing records for marijuana possession on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a day adopted as an unofficial holiday by cannabis users. The maker of the bill said the timing was not intended.

Native Youth Olympics celebrate fitness and Alaska history and culture

The Cook Inlet Tribal Council began hosting the Games in 1986, and has held competitions annually

Alaska State Troopers logo.

East peninsula fire leaves resident badly burned

Officials responded to the structure fire at 1:49 a.m. Easter Sunday

Alaska State Troopers logo.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

More than 1,500 new COVID cases over the past week

The state also reported 13 new deaths

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion Chain link fencing outlines the site of the former Jesse Lee Home on April 3 in Seward.

Contaminated materials at Jesse Lee Home site delay park construction

City administrators gave project updates during a special meeting of the Seward City Council

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion Chain link fencing outlines the site of the former Jesse Lee Home on April 3 in Seward.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks briefly to reporters as she leaves a courthouse in New York, Feb. 14, 2022. Palin is one of 48 candidates for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, which was held for decades by Republican Rep. Don Young, who died last month. Palin says she’s serious about the run though some critics have questioned her motivations. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Palin on serving in Congress: ‘It would be all about Alaska’

Palin is among 48 candidates running for Alaska’s lone House seat

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks briefly to reporters as she leaves a courthouse in New York, Feb. 14, 2022. Palin is one of 48 candidates for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, which was held for decades by Republican Rep. Don Young, who died last month. Palin says she’s serious about the run though some critics have questioned her motivations. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Larry Opperman sings the “Green Acres” theme song as part of a radiothon pledge during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Fundraiser brings ‘Green Acres’ theme to assembly

The fundraiser was hosted by KSRM for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Larry Opperman sings the “Green Acres” theme song as part of a radiothon pledge during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gregg Brelsford, an independent candidate for Alaska’s U.S. House of Representatives seat, poses for a photo on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)

‘No drama’ Brelsford running for Congress

Former Republican running as an undeclared candidate touts civic experience

Gregg Brelsford, an independent candidate for Alaska’s U.S. House of Representatives seat, poses for a photo on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)