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Vaughn Johnson performs a pogo maneuver outside his home in Nikiski, Alaska on May 29, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Up in the air

Nikiski skateboarder enters the world stage

Vaughn Johnson performs a pogo maneuver outside his home in Nikiski, Alaska on May 29, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, presents SB 1002, a bill to provide a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,600, to the Senate Rules Committee at the Capitol on Monday, June 3, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

All or nothing? Dunleavy vows to veto Senate’s new PFD bill

Governor says this bill will kill the PFD.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, presents SB 1002, a bill to provide a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,600, to the Senate Rules Committee at the Capitol on Monday, June 3, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
(Unsplash | Pawel Czerwinski)

Hold music changes leave artists waiting by the telephone

Musicians surprised their tracks were cut.

(Unsplash | Pawel Czerwinski)
Participants at the 2019 Relay for Life of the Kenai Peninsula line up at Soldotna Creek Park on June 1, 2019 to start the survivor’s walk, which is designated for cancer survivors and their caretakers. All those wearing purple shirts are cancer survivors, including Joseph Yourkoski, far left, a 17 year old at Nikiski High School. Eighteen teams raised over $25,000 at this year’s event, which featured live entertainment, face painting and a pancake eating contest. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

The start of a new ‘Life’

Survivors kick off Relay for Life

Participants at the 2019 Relay for Life of the Kenai Peninsula line up at Soldotna Creek Park on June 1, 2019 to start the survivor’s walk, which is designated for cancer survivors and their caretakers. All those wearing purple shirts are cancer survivors, including Joseph Yourkoski, far left, a 17 year old at Nikiski High School. Eighteen teams raised over $25,000 at this year’s event, which featured live entertainment, face painting and a pancake eating contest. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Matthew Martinelli, a volunteer at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank Spring Festival and Fundraiser, helps cook brats and hot dogs for the event’s free picnic, Friday, May 31, 2019, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

It’s a picnic

Food bank gives back to community

Matthew Martinelli, a volunteer at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank Spring Festival and Fundraiser, helps cook brats and hot dogs for the event’s free picnic, Friday, May 31, 2019, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Giving trash a second life

Giving trash a second life

Salvage Art to return to Kenai River Festival

Giving trash a second life
Environmental education intern David Fink answers questions from the hikers during a guided hike on Centennial Trail in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Hitting the trails

What to do at the refuge this summer

Environmental education intern David Fink answers questions from the hikers during a guided hike on Centennial Trail in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Public to weigh in on bed tax

Public to weigh in on bed tax

The 12% bed tax would affect temporary lodging, which includes motels, hotels and B&Bs

Public to weigh in on bed tax
A spruce grouse, colloquially known as a “road chicken,” eyes the camera while perched along the Resurrection Pass Trail in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on April 29, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Bird-watchers flock to the peninsula

Among the 56 species identified were peninsula regulars like cackling geese and sandhill cranes

A spruce grouse, colloquially known as a “road chicken,” eyes the camera while perched along the Resurrection Pass Trail in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on April 29, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Raven with dart in head euthanized

Raven with dart in head euthanized

Chances are low of finding the person who shot the dart.

Raven with dart in head euthanized
The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly considers repealing voter ratification on sales tax cap increase

Any increase in the maximum sales tax may not take effect until ratified by voters during borough elections.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
University officials to consider having one University of Alaska, not three

University officials to consider having one University of Alaska, not three

The schools would have “cookie-cutter” approaches.

University officials to consider having one University of Alaska, not three
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters in his office at the state Capitol on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Juneau, Alaska. Dunleavy says he’s hopeful the Legislature will pass a budget next week but says his administration is preparing in case that doesn’t happen. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy removes 3 human rights panel members

With Thursday’s changes, all but one member of the commission will have been appointed by Dunleavy.

  • May 30, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters in his office at the state Capitol on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Juneau, Alaska. Dunleavy says he’s hopeful the Legislature will pass a budget next week but says his administration is preparing in case that doesn’t happen. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Gray whale found dead in Clam Gulch, 4th in Alaska so far this year

Gray whale found dead in Clam Gulch, 4th in Alaska so far this year

Biologists have been waiting for a minus tide to reach the whale so they can perform a necropsy

Gray whale found dead in Clam Gulch, 4th in Alaska so far this year
In this May 15, 2019, file photo, President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr speak at the 38th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Trump is directing the U.S. intelligence community to “quickly and fully cooperate” with Barr’s investigation of the origins of the multi-year probe into whether Trump’s 2016 campaign colluded with Russia (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Barr in Alaska to talk Native violence, not Mueller remarks

Barr is at the start of a four-day visit to Alaska.

  • May 29, 2019
  • By RACHEL D’ORO Associated Press
In this May 15, 2019, file photo, President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr speak at the 38th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Trump is directing the U.S. intelligence community to “quickly and fully cooperate” with Barr’s investigation of the origins of the multi-year probe into whether Trump’s 2016 campaign colluded with Russia (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
Orange Poppy, one of several businesses that have improved their storefronts with the help of Soldotna’s Storefront Improvement Program, is photographed Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. The improvement program awards grants to local businesses wanting to beautify their building’s exterior. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Sprucing up Soldotna

Applications for Soldotna storefront improvement grant due June 14

Orange Poppy, one of several businesses that have improved their storefronts with the help of Soldotna’s Storefront Improvement Program, is photographed Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. The improvement program awards grants to local businesses wanting to beautify their building’s exterior. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Daniel Firmin plays a two-song set during the Mountainside Open Mic & Art Night at The Rookery on Oct. 31, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Album review: You should hang out with ‘Buddies’

Equal parts tight EP and shaggy dog hangout album.

Daniel Firmin plays a two-song set during the Mountainside Open Mic & Art Night at The Rookery on Oct. 31, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
King season sees slow holiday start

King season sees slow holiday start

The Ninilchik River was the best bet for fishing, but was pretty light.

King season sees slow holiday start
Public safety briefs for May 29, 2019

Public safety briefs for May 29, 2019

Read the latest reports online

Public safety briefs for May 29, 2019
Members of the Alaska Legislature’s Legislative Council prepare to speak to media members about preparing for a lawsuit against the governor’s administration over the future of education funding at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Getting ready for court

Alaska lawmakers prepare for legal fight over education

  • May 28, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
Members of the Alaska Legislature’s Legislative Council prepare to speak to media members about preparing for a lawsuit against the governor’s administration over the future of education funding at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)