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Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks to reporters in the state Capitol on on Feb. 22, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. President Joe Biden and Senate Democrats say they are hoping for a bipartisan vote to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

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Murkowski among senators to watch as Supreme Court fight unfolds

President Joe Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court

Pat Pitney was named President of the University of Alaska Friday after serving as interim president for over a year. She is the first woman to hold the position in UA’s history. (Courtesy photo / University of Alaska)

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Pat Pitney named UA President

After shedding interim label, she’s the first woman to hold the post.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Viktor Tkachenko, who moved to Alaska from Ukraine last year, holds a sign asking NATO for assistance defeating Russian airpower at a protest against the war Saturday in Marine Park.

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Juneau rallies for Ukraine

Opponents of the Russian invasion of Ukraine gathered Saturday

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion
State Rep. Ron Gillham speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 6. at Kenai Municipal Airport.

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Gillham targets school reform in Juneau

Gillham said Friday that his bills are aimed at expanding parent choice in education

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)

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As COVID cases drop, long-term questions remain

As COVID-19 cases are falling in Alaska and nationwide once again, health officials are pondering what other kinds…

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference on Thursday in Juneau. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, Office of the Governor)

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Dunleavy reiterates budget priorities from Juneau

The governor has emphasized public safety, the PFD and education

A health care worker holds a vial of Sotrovimab, a covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatment. (ice_blue/Shutterstock)

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Officials report new COVID deaths, emphasize early treatment options

The state Department of Health and Social Services reported 27 more COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, pushing the total to…

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
Members of the House Committee of Military and Veterans’ Affairs heard testimony on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, on the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers amid public pressure to take disciplinary action against Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, who is a member of the group.

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House committee hears testimony on far-right organization

‘A distraction.’

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State announces 21 COVID deaths

The state Department of Health and Social Services reported 21 more COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, pushing the total to…

COVID

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Masks made available as COVID cases remain high

The central peninsula is offering more free COVID-19 mitigation measures now, as cases in Alaska are still at…

Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich’s office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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‘Work, actual work’ is underway in the state Senate

It may take a special session.

Kenai Peninsula residents eat inside Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

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Alcohol industry overhaul bill heads to Senate floor

A key focus of the bill is the consolidation of Alaska’s existing licensing and permitting regulations.

Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman, standing, speaks on the House floor on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Juneau Alaska. Alaska House leaders have backed away from a proposal to strip committee assignments from Eastman, who has acknowledged being a member of the far-right organization Oath Keepers, and for now plan to hold at least one hearing on the group. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

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Alaska House backs off sanctions for Oath Keepers legislator

Eastman has cast the current debate around him as an extension of “cancel culture”

Data from the State of Alaska show the state’s new COVID-19 infections have been falling since mid January. (Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)

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State’s cases falling, but still one of the highest in the US

From Jan. 28 to Feb. 3 cases fell 27%, down to 12,149.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrives to Federal court, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in New York. Palin is due back in a New York City courtroom more than a week after her libel trial against The New York Times was postponed because she tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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Palin resumes court battle with Times after COVID illness

A judge put off the trial last week to give an unvaccinated Palin time to get over any…

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks Friday with Alaska’s congressional delegation about the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state.

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Delegation: Work together to plan, optimize infrastructure money

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is set to bring billions of dollars to the state

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

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Officials: State cases may be reaching plateau

New infections are trending downward nationwide

A graphic shows employment by Alaska region and features the percent change in jobs from December 2020 to December 2021. (Graphic via February 2022 Alaska Economic Trends reports from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)

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Report: Alaska economy rebounding; inflation up

Prices in Alaska increased by 4.9% in 2021

U.S. Navy / Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Montemarano
The USS Hopper (DDG 70) prepares to moor in Homer, Alaska, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with its participation in Northern Edge 2017 in Homer, Alaska, April 29, 2017. The Navy is proposing to considerably expand its exercise area in the Gulf of Alaska.

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Navy proposes expanding Gulf of Alaska exercise area

The proposal would more than quadruple the sea room for ships and aircraft to manuever in

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor’s office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

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Bill seeks to strengthen civics education

Students would have to take exam similar to citizenship test