News

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

28 deaths added to statewide COVID-19 count

The deaths were reported after death certificate review from August through October, with most of the deaths occurring in October.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The 2021 Final Redistricting Map features newly drawn boundaries for Alaska State House races on the Kenai Peninsula. (akredistrict.org/Screenshot)

Redistricting shifts peninsula rep boundaries

Seward and Kodiak will vote together; Carpenter’s district expands

The 2021 Final Redistricting Map features newly drawn boundaries for Alaska State House races on the Kenai Peninsula. (akredistrict.org/Screenshot)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Federal vaccine mandate looms for CPH employees

The mandate applies to all CPH properties, which includes the hospital, adjoining clinic and Heritage Place.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
President Joe Biden speaks about the bipartisan infrastructure bill in the State Dinning Room of the White House, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Biden: Infrastructure win a ‘monumental step forward’

The House passed the measure 228-206 late Friday.

President Joe Biden speaks about the bipartisan infrastructure bill in the State Dinning Room of the White House, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases dropping but state still in the red zone

The DHSS reported on Friday 870 new COVID cases across the state.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)

NOAA approves rule barring fishing in Cook Inlet federal waters

The area stretches north from about Anchor Point to Ninilchik, and is 3 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles off Alaska.

Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

3 new deaths, 655 new cases statewide

At Central Peninsula Hospital there were 19 COVID patients on Thursday morning — 18 of them unvaccinated.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Carter Giglio, 8, joined by service dog Barney of Hero Dogs, shows off the bandaid over his injection site after being vaccinated, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, at Children’s National Hospital in Washington. The U.S. enters a new phase Wednesday in its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with shots now available to millions of elementary-age children in what health officials hailed as a major breakthrough after more than 18 months of illness, hospitalizations, deaths and disrupted education. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Peninsula preps to vaccinate kids against COVID-19

The CDC on Tuesday extended the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to the 5 to 11 age group.

Carter Giglio, 8, joined by service dog Barney of Hero Dogs, shows off the bandaid over his injection site after being vaccinated, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, at Children’s National Hospital in Washington. The U.S. enters a new phase Wednesday in its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with shots now available to millions of elementary-age children in what health officials hailed as a major breakthrough after more than 18 months of illness, hospitalizations, deaths and disrupted education. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium during the 2020 general election. With more than a year to go before the 2022 election, spending is ramping up. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Statewide campaign coffers are filling up

Incumbents are flush with cash, but challengers are growing

A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium during the 2020 general election. With more than a year to go before the 2022 election, spending is ramping up. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

6 more COVID deaths statewide

One of the recently reported deaths was a Kenai Peninsula woman in her 70s.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Screenshot Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a Western Governors Association workshop held in Ketchikan on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Dunleavy gave the opening remarks Tuesday and said President Joe Biden’s policies were hurting Alaska.

Dunleavy criticizes Biden policies during multistate conference

In remarks before Ketchikan meeting, gov says Biden ‘canceled’ state projects.

Screenshot Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a Western Governors Association workshop held in Ketchikan on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Dunleavy gave the opening remarks Tuesday and said President Joe Biden’s policies were hurting Alaska.
Amber Groff of Anchorage won the adult $49,000 cash prize for week seven of the COVID-19 vaccine incentive program “Give AK Shot.” (Photo provided)

Anchorage, North Pole residents win week 7 vaccination lottery

The final week of the lottery is open to both newly vaccinated and those vaccinated prior to the start of the campaign.

Amber Groff of Anchorage won the adult $49,000 cash prize for week seven of the COVID-19 vaccine incentive program “Give AK Shot.” (Photo provided)
It took two forklifts, a large crane, a flatbed truck a team of workers to move the Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa (totem pole) to its new location inside the atrium of the State Office Building on Oct. 15. (Michael Penn / For the Jundeau-Douglas City Museum)

Poling place: Totem pole carved for Juneau’s centennial gets a new home

It’s safe from the elements and will be back on display soon

It took two forklifts, a large crane, a flatbed truck a team of workers to move the Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa (totem pole) to its new location inside the atrium of the State Office Building on Oct. 15. (Michael Penn / For the Jundeau-Douglas City Museum)
The Alaska Permanent Fund saw record earnings this year and lawmakers are deeply divided about what to do with the earnings. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Permanent fund earnings were record-breaking, but annual draws are average

Record earnings.

The Alaska Permanent Fund saw record earnings this year and lawmakers are deeply divided about what to do with the earnings. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Nicholas Begich III, middle, speaks with supporters ahead of announcing his plans to run for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Wasilla, Alaska. Begich, a Republican, plans to run for the seat that has been held since 1973 by Republican Rep. Don Young. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Begich announces US House bid: ‘Alaska needs new energy’

Begich said his loyalties lie with the values and principles of the Republican party.

Nicholas Begich III, middle, speaks with supporters ahead of announcing his plans to run for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Wasilla, Alaska. Begich, a Republican, plans to run for the seat that has been held since 1973 by Republican Rep. Don Young. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Gov. Mike Dunleavy criticized state lawmakers at a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2022, for the lack of progress made during the fourth special session of the year. Dunleavy had called lawmakers to Juneau to work towards resolving the state’s long term fiscal issues but deep divisions stalled work.

Dunleavy, Republicans, decry lack of special session action

Sessions ends Tuesday.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Gov. Mike Dunleavy criticized state lawmakers at a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2022, for the lack of progress made during the fourth special session of the year. Dunleavy had called lawmakers to Juneau to work towards resolving the state’s long term fiscal issues but deep divisions stalled work.
Students from Angoon donned their regalia on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, for the 139th anniversary of the bombardment of Angoon by the U.S. Navy. Despite the violence, Angoon residents say the fact the village remains is a testament to their endurance. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Remembering and rebuilding: Angoon residents commemorate 139 years since bombardment

‘We’re still here.”

Students from Angoon donned their regalia on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, for the 139th anniversary of the bombardment of Angoon by the U.S. Navy. Despite the violence, Angoon residents say the fact the village remains is a testament to their endurance. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

State hospitalizations still on the rise

Despite a decrease in cases, the state is still seeing hospitalization surge.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Alaska state Rep. Laddie Shaw, an Anchorage Republican, waits for the start of a so-called technical session on the House floor, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The fourth special legislative session of the year began Oct. 4, in Juneau, but there has been little action at the Capitol and little progress toward resolving Alaska’s fiscal issues. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Special session plods on with little action

Many legislative offices have been dark and floor sessions in some cases have lasted seconds.

Alaska state Rep. Laddie Shaw, an Anchorage Republican, waits for the start of a so-called technical session on the House floor, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The fourth special legislative session of the year began Oct. 4, in Juneau, but there has been little action at the Capitol and little progress toward resolving Alaska’s fiscal issues. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

11 new deaths reported

Statewide there were 244 COVID-related hospitalizations as of Tuesday, with 37 of them on ventilators.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)