News

U.S. Coast Guard veteran Jim Wilcox Sr. strikes a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Nov. 11, 2021, during an Armistice Day celebration hosted by Veteran’s for Peace. The local VFP chapter holds bell ringings annually on Nov. 11, which is also Veterans Day, to remember all the lives lost to war and to call for world peace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Remembering the costs of war, veterans ring bell for peace

Celebrating Armistice Day, Veterans for Peace honors those lost in wars.

U.S. Coast Guard veteran Jim Wilcox Sr. strikes a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Nov. 11, 2021, during an Armistice Day celebration hosted by Veteran’s for Peace. The local VFP chapter holds bell ringings annually on Nov. 11, which is also Veterans Day, to remember all the lives lost to war and to call for world peace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State COVID deaths rise above 800

Central Peninsula Hospital had fewer than 11 COVID hospitalizations and was operating at 86% capacity.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)

New boundaries, shortened terms for local senators after redistricting

The board paired new Alaska State House Districts with Senate districts Wednesday.

The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Murkowski held a press conference Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 to promote the provisions related to Alaska included the infrastructure bill recently passed by Congress. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A win for Alaska’

Murkowski celebrates passage of federal infrastructure bill

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Murkowski held a press conference Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 to promote the provisions related to Alaska included the infrastructure bill recently passed by Congress. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
File

Alaska officials consider more charges in Safeway shooting

Police said Joshua Eric Butcher sprayed bullets throughout the Safeway store early Sunday evening.

File
The Final Redistricting Map approved for the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna area is seen on Nov. 9, 2021. (Map via akredistrict.org)

Alaska redistricting board pairings draw criticism

Tuesday’s actions followed pointed exchanges on proposed maps for the area Monday and extended executive sessions.

The Final Redistricting Map approved for the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna area is seen on Nov. 9, 2021. (Map via akredistrict.org)
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)