A bear feasts on the salmon run at Katmai National Park and Preserve on July 13, 2021. (Courtesy of Lian Law, National Parks Service)

Bears show off full bellies at Katmai for Fat Bear Week

The bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve are preparing to show the world their beefy bodies starting today for this year’s Fat Bear Week.… Continue reading

A bear feasts on the salmon run at Katmai National Park and Preserve on July 13, 2021. (Courtesy of Lian Law, National Parks Service)
Alaska state data shows COVID-19 caseloads have far exceeded the winter 2020 surge. (Photo from the Alaska DHSS)

Alaska reports 4,025 COVID cases over weekend

Alaska had the most per-capita COVID-19 cases in the country again Monday, as the Department of Health and Social Services reported an additional 4,025 new… Continue reading

Alaska state data shows COVID-19 caseloads have far exceeded the winter 2020 surge. (Photo from the Alaska DHSS)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19 death toll spikes due to backlog of data

Health officials struggle to keep up with coronavirus tracking.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
FILE - In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital announced it had entered crisis protocol and began rationing care. When many people become ill at the same time, it overwhelms the state’s health care system. "And then we start to see excess mortality where more people dying from other things such as heart attacks and strokes and car accidents and bear maulings or whatever else happens," Zink said. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Zink: Health care workers face increasing hostility

Health care professionals with the state have borne the brunt of scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic, and have even reported violence on the job, officials… Continue reading

FILE - In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital announced it had entered crisis protocol and began rationing care. When many people become ill at the same time, it overwhelms the state’s health care system. "And then we start to see excess mortality where more people dying from other things such as heart attacks and strokes and car accidents and bear maulings or whatever else happens," Zink said. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
A dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru clinic at Evraz Place in Regina on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Saskatchewan’s only children’s hospital is opening its pediatric intensive care unit to younger adults who have COVID-19 as the province runs out of critical care beds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor

Weekly vaccine lottery winners announced

The Alaska Chamber of Commerce announced the second week’s lottery winners Thursday, as part of the “Give AK a Shot” COVID-19 vaccine incentive program. Ashley… Continue reading

A dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru clinic at Evraz Place in Regina on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Saskatchewan’s only children’s hospital is opening its pediatric intensive care unit to younger adults who have COVID-19 as the province runs out of critical care beds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Another COVID death, more than 1,200 new cases reported statewide

Statewide, there were 213 COVID-related hospitalizations as of Wednesday.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the state during a COVID-19 press briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (screenshot)

Health care workers contracted from Lower 48 to help Alaska’s COVID crisis

Alaska has been reporting the highest number of COVID cases per capita in the nation this week.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the state during a COVID-19 press briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (screenshot)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces a tourism aid initiative at Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau, Alaska, on April 9, 2021. (Govrernor’s Office/Kevin Goodman)

Alaska to offer free vaccines to state visitors

Alaska will offer free COVID-19 vaccines to people flying into the state at four major airports starting June 1, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced during a… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces a tourism aid initiative at Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau, Alaska, on April 9, 2021. (Govrernor’s Office/Kevin Goodman)
The Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management offered the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines at the walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Cases decrease as more get vaccinated, but officials say the pandemic isn’t over yet

Although positive COVID cases are decreasing overall, the state continues to see more of the B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant.

The Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management offered the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines at the walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
A sign explaining mask policy can be seen at Safeway grocery store in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 13, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Officials: New guidance positive sign but Alaskans still at risk

CDC says fully vaccinated people can safely gather without masks.

A sign explaining mask policy can be seen at Safeway grocery store in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 13, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

‘Only so long that they can sustain this’

Hospitals, health care workers facing burnout as COVID cases continue, officials say.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
This undated photo provided by Scotty Barr shows his daughter, Ashley Johnson Barr, who was killed in Kotzebue in September 2018. Peter Wilson of Kotzebue was sentenced to 99 years in prison Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, in Kotzebue. (Courtesy Photo / Scotty Barr)

Alaska man sentenced to 99 years in death of Kotzebue girl

Peter Vance Wilson, 44, had earlier pleaded guilty to charges of murder and sexual abuse as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

This undated photo provided by Scotty Barr shows his daughter, Ashley Johnson Barr, who was killed in Kotzebue in September 2018. Peter Wilson of Kotzebue was sentenced to 99 years in prison Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, in Kotzebue. (Courtesy Photo / Scotty Barr)
Courtesy Photo / Molly Pressler Collection 
Japanese-Americans interned in Alaska in World War II are shown in this photo at a camp in New Mexico where they endured the majority of the war.

Research into interned Japanese-Americans in Alaska receives grant support

104 Japanese-Americans were interned from Alaska at the outset of WWII.

Courtesy Photo / Molly Pressler Collection 
Japanese-Americans interned in Alaska in World War II are shown in this photo at a camp in New Mexico where they endured the majority of the war.
Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum address the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Crum on Thursday discussed a cyber attack that had compromised Alaskans' information. Crum said because of an ongoing criminal investigation the entity responsible for the attack and the exact information compromised could not be revealed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum address the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Crum on Thursday discussed a cyber attack that had compromised Alaskans' information. Crum said because of an ongoing criminal investigation the entity responsible for the attack and the exact information compromised could not be revealed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Medical Assistant Louis Hubbard administers a COVID-19 test to Rick Dealba on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 at Capstone Clinic in Kenai. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Aggressively buying more rapid testing materials’

Public health officials work to stay ahead of testing need

Medical Assistant Louis Hubbard administers a COVID-19 test to Rick Dealba on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 at Capstone Clinic in Kenai. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
File

DHSS cyberattack may have breached patient information

The breach was caused by a highly sophisticated cyberattack and involves an unknown number of individuals.

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

Health official: Alaska facing sharp surge in COVID-19 cases

Alaska has one of the highest case rates in the nation right now.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Ethan Benton (left) and Laura Walters of Kodiak win the vaccine lottery for the Alaska Chamber's week one vaccine lottery giveaway "Give AK a Shot." (Screenshot)

State names winners in 1st vaccine lottery

A Valdez and Kodiak resident took home checks for $49,000 each.

Ethan Benton (left) and Laura Walters of Kodiak win the vaccine lottery for the Alaska Chamber's week one vaccine lottery giveaway "Give AK a Shot." (Screenshot)
In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital announced it had entered crisis protocol and began rationing care. When many people become ill at the same time, it overwhelms the state’s health care system. “And then we start to see excess mortality where more people dying from other things such as heart attacks and strokes and car accidents and bear maulings or whatever else happens,” Zink said. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska records most daily COVID cases amid health care strain

By Mark Thiessen Associated Press ANCHORAGE — Alaska on Wednesday reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital… Continue reading

In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital announced it had entered crisis protocol and began rationing care. When many people become ill at the same time, it overwhelms the state’s health care system. “And then we start to see excess mortality where more people dying from other things such as heart attacks and strokes and car accidents and bear maulings or whatever else happens,” Zink said. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)