Coronavirus

Anglers practice social distancing on the upper Kenai River in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in late June 2020. (Photo provided by Nick Longobardi/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Anglers practice social distancing on the upper Kenai River in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in late June 2020. (Photo provided by Nick Longobardi/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen here on June 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly approves plan for COVID-19 relief funds

The borough is receiving $37,458,449, which will be provided in three installments.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen here on June 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
‘We need to make changes now’

‘We need to make changes now’

Millions in small business relief funds remain unclaimed.

‘We need to make changes now’
Soldotna’s Chase Gable, a customer service agent with Grant Aviation, prepares to load and unload baggage from a plane at Kenai Municipal Airport on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Airport sees decline in traffic in wake of pandemic, Ravn exit

Passengers leaving Kenai this year through May are down 18,000.

Soldotna’s Chase Gable, a customer service agent with Grant Aviation, prepares to load and unload baggage from a plane at Kenai Municipal Airport on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Registered Nurse Cathy Davis (left) and Chief Nursing Officer Dawn Johnson (right) work at a table to get COVID-19 tests ready for the public Friday, May 29, 2020 at the Boat House Pavilion on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. South Peninsula Hospital is now offering free COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic people with no appointments necessary at the Boat House Pavilion through June 6. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

3 cities, 3 testing strategies

Peninsula communities take different approaches to COVID-19 testing.

Registered Nurse Cathy Davis (left) and Chief Nursing Officer Dawn Johnson (right) work at a table to get COVID-19 tests ready for the public Friday, May 29, 2020 at the Boat House Pavilion on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. South Peninsula Hospital is now offering free COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic people with no appointments necessary at the Boat House Pavilion through June 6. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Cars pass the City of Homer advisory signs on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2020, at Mile 172 Sterling Highway near West Hill Road in Homer, Alaska. The sign also reads “Keep COVID-19 out of Homer.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

‘Don’t get complacent,’ governor says of pandemic

Alaska saw 36 new cases of COVID-19 in residents and 12 new nonresident cases.

Cars pass the City of Homer advisory signs on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2020, at Mile 172 Sterling Highway near West Hill Road in Homer, Alaska. The sign also reads “Keep COVID-19 out of Homer.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson testifies before state senators during a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in Juneau. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press File)

Clarkson says city mask order doesn’t apply to state offices

Anchorage mayor signed an order Friday requiring face coverings in certain indoor public settings.

Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson testifies before state senators during a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in Juneau. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press File)
This undated file photo provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows CDC’s laboratory test kit for the new coronavirus. (CDC via AP, File)

More positive for COVID in Seward as testing expands

The city conducted more than 300 tests for COVID-19 over the weekend.

This undated file photo provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows CDC’s laboratory test kit for the new coronavirus. (CDC via AP, File)
COVID-19. (CDC)

COVID-19 in Alaska: By the numbers

Recent cases have been identified after possible exposure in bars and other similar venues.

COVID-19. (CDC)
A sign detailing modified health protocols for the Wednesday Market is seen here at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska on June 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna passes policy on gatherings

The policy is an amended version of one crafted by City Manager Stephanie Queen.

A sign detailing modified health protocols for the Wednesday Market is seen here at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska on June 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward reports COVID-19 outbreak

Seward reports COVID-19 outbreak

Since Thursday, the state has reported four new resident cases and one new nonresident case.

Seward reports COVID-19 outbreak
COVID-19. (CDC)

State sees uptick in COVID-19 cases

The state reported 120 news cases this week.

COVID-19. (CDC)
From left, Rep. Geran Tarr, D- Anchorage, Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, D-Bethel and Rep. Sharon Jackson, R- Eagle River, hold a hearing for the Alaska House Health and Social Services Committee on the State’s COVID-19 response at the Anchorage Legislative Office in Anchorage on June 24, 2020. (Screenshot by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Zink at hearing urges public to wear masks, socially distance

The state is strongly encouraging the wearing of masks, but will not require it.

From left, Rep. Geran Tarr, D- Anchorage, Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, D-Bethel and Rep. Sharon Jackson, R- Eagle River, hold a hearing for the Alaska House Health and Social Services Committee on the State’s COVID-19 response at the Anchorage Legislative Office in Anchorage on June 24, 2020. (Screenshot by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (CDC)

State reports 21 new virus cases

The new cases include 14 residents and 7 nonresidents.

COVID-19. (CDC)
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Dr. Anne Zink talks testing, travel screening with Homer council

Council members asked what more can be done to ensure communities are protected from the virus.

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion                                A sign detailing modified health protocols for the Wednesday Market is seen here at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna on June 10.

Soldotna to look at public gathering policy

The policy would not limit private or public gatherings on private property within city limits.

Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion                                A sign detailing modified health protocols for the Wednesday Market is seen here at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna on June 10.
COVID-19. (CDC)

Alaska cases jump by 35

Sixteen of the new cases are among Alaska residents, while 19 of them are nonresidents.

COVID-19. (CDC)
The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Job Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on April 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska’s economic downturn continues

Both job numbers and unemployment showing significant changes from last year.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Job Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on April 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
This undated file photo provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows CDC’s laboratory test kit for the new coronavirus. (CDC via AP, File)

COVID-19 cases continue to climb

Ten new cases were reported in Alaska on Monday.

This undated file photo provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows CDC’s laboratory test kit for the new coronavirus. (CDC via AP, File)
In this July 20, 2013 file photo, several thousand dipnetters converged onto the mouth of the Kenai River to catch a share of the late run of sockeye salmon headed into the river in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo/Rashah McChesney)

City announces health and safety measures for dipnet fishery

Dipnetters should socially distance, wear face coverings when needed and wash hands and surfaces.

In this July 20, 2013 file photo, several thousand dipnetters converged onto the mouth of the Kenai River to catch a share of the late run of sockeye salmon headed into the river in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo/Rashah McChesney)