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Peter Segall / Juneau Empire House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, center, leaves the House chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 following marathon floor sessions that morning and Monday night. The House passed an appropriations bill but not before members of the minority voiced deep objections.

House passes budget bill, calls for $1,100 PFD

Fractious floor sessions.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, center, leaves the House chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 following marathon floor sessions that morning and Monday night. The House passed an appropriations bill but not before members of the minority voiced deep objections.
The "gofishak" application, zoomed in to the Kenai Peninsula. (Screenshot)

Find fishing spots with new app

“Gofishak” allows users to filter fishing locations by category, species and access.

The "gofishak" application, zoomed in to the Kenai Peninsula. (Screenshot)
From left to right, House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage; House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla and Reps. Mike Prax, R-North Pole; Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski and George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speak on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives following a floor session on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Lawmakers found themselves debating familiar topics as they worked through amendments to a budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House budget debate stretches into evening

Dividend divisions.

From left to right, House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage; House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla and Reps. Mike Prax, R-North Pole; Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski and George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speak on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives following a floor session on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Lawmakers found themselves debating familiar topics as they worked through amendments to a budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks with Reps. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, as members of the House Republican Minority failed to show up for floor session. Divisions over the pace and direction of the special session has delayed legislative work. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Divisions delay work as lawmakers trade blame

Hopes for work group.

House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks with Reps. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, as members of the House Republican Minority failed to show up for floor session. Divisions over the pace and direction of the special session has delayed legislative work. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Dominique Smith, principal at Health Sciences High and Middle College, a charter school in San Diego, conducts a training session on building relationships, equity and school-based restorative practices for Juneau’s teachers, principals, and other certified staff members on Aug. 12. (Courtesy Photo/Kristin Bartlett, Juneau School District)

Teachers take a turn as students

Training class focuses on equity, restorative practices

Dominique Smith, principal at Health Sciences High and Middle College, a charter school in San Diego, conducts a training session on building relationships, equity and school-based restorative practices for Juneau’s teachers, principals, and other certified staff members on Aug. 12. (Courtesy Photo/Kristin Bartlett, Juneau School District)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference about the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 from Anchorage, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy urges Alaskans to help mitigate hospital strain

The strain isn’t necessarily due to a shortage of hospital beds or ventilators, but a shortage of hospital staff.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference about the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 from Anchorage, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The M/V Tustumena comes into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News file)

DOT seeks public comment on summer Marine Highway schedule

The public comment period is open through Aug. 31.

The M/V Tustumena comes into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News file)
In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, Meda DeWitt, left, Vic Fischer, middle, and Aaron Welterlen, leaders of an effort to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, lead about 50 volunteers in a march to the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. The campaign aimed at recalling Alaska Gov. Dunleavy says it is ceasing that effort, with a gubernatorial election looming next year. The Recall Dunleavy group says as of Saturday, Aug. 21, it had gathered 62,373 signatures, shy of the 71,252 needed for a recall election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Effort to recall Alaska governor dropped after 2-year push

The group’s chair called on Alaskans to “rededicate their efforts to denying” Dunleavy another term.

In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, Meda DeWitt, left, Vic Fischer, middle, and Aaron Welterlen, leaders of an effort to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, lead about 50 volunteers in a march to the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. The campaign aimed at recalling Alaska Gov. Dunleavy says it is ceasing that effort, with a gubernatorial election looming next year. The Recall Dunleavy group says as of Saturday, Aug. 21, it had gathered 62,373 signatures, shy of the 71,252 needed for a recall election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
The view from Eielson visitor center in Denali National Park. (File photo)

Bear attacks hiker in Denali

The man was hiking alone in dense fog in the Thoroughfare Pass area of the park.

The view from Eielson visitor center in Denali National Park. (File photo)
Rep. Ivy Sponholz, D-Anchorage, left, listens as Legislative Finance Director Alexei Painter gives a presentation to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Lawmakers have less than 30 days to try and both complete the state’s budget and find resolution on the state’s long term fiscal problems. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Legislators aim to finish budget, find fiscal solutions

Less than 30 days.

Rep. Ivy Sponholz, D-Anchorage, left, listens as Legislative Finance Director Alexei Painter gives a presentation to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Lawmakers have less than 30 days to try and both complete the state’s budget and find resolution on the state’s long term fiscal problems. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska state Rep. Kevin McCabe, center, speaks to Reps. Laddie Shaw, left, and Ben Carpenter, right, during a break in the House floor session on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers are meeting in special session, with the annual dividend paid to residents a key topic. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

PFD size up for debate in legislative session

Dunleavy, in a bill outlined Thursday, proposed a payout of about $2,350.

Alaska state Rep. Kevin McCabe, center, speaks to Reps. Laddie Shaw, left, and Ben Carpenter, right, during a break in the House floor session on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers are meeting in special session, with the annual dividend paid to residents a key topic. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Prosecutors vet Tshibaka fishing license case

Kelly Tshibaka received the license during an event on the Kenai River in 2019.

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

State cases numbers remain high

686 COVID cases reported statewide on Thursday

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)

State to offer 3rd dose for immunocompromised, boosters likely to follow

Safeway issued a press release on Thursday stating that additional doses are available at its pharmacies.

Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)
In this June 1, 2001 file photo Caribou graze in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason, on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, has thrown out the Trump administration’s approval for a massive oil project on Alaska’s North Slope, saying the federal review was flawed and didn’t include mitigation measures for polar bears. (AP Photo/File)

Trump-era oil project approvals tossed

An Anchorage judge vacated permits for ConocoPhillips’ Willow Project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

  • Aug 18, 2021
  • By Mark Thiessen and Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • NewsState News
In this June 1, 2001 file photo Caribou graze in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason, on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, has thrown out the Trump administration’s approval for a massive oil project on Alaska’s North Slope, saying the federal review was flawed and didn’t include mitigation measures for polar bears. (AP Photo/File)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks on the state of the Alaska Permanent Fund at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

CEO: Permanent fund sees record returns

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell gave a presentation at the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chamber luncheon Wednesday.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks on the state of the Alaska Permanent Fund at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Associated Press Former Alaska Gov. Bill Walker wants his old job back. In this Nov. 13, 2018 file photo, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker poses in his office at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Walker announced plans Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, to run for governor again and said his former labor commissioner, Heidi Drygas, would be his running mate. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Walker to seek governor’s office again

Walker dropped his 2018 reelection bid shortly before that year’s election.

Associated Press Former Alaska Gov. Bill Walker wants his old job back. In this Nov. 13, 2018 file photo, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker poses in his office at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Walker announced plans Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, to run for governor again and said his former labor commissioner, Heidi Drygas, would be his running mate. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen in this file photo. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire file)

PFD payments sticking point for Alaska special session

The agenda for the special session starting Monday doesn’t include an appropriations bill for a dividend.

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in this file photo. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire file)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Participants burn an example of a commercial garment that led to a now-settled intellectual property lawsuit in a ceremony commemorating the settlement with the fashion company on Friday.

Saga over garment design copyright infringement ends with ceremonial fire

The case was settled in March.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Participants burn an example of a commercial garment that led to a now-settled intellectual property lawsuit in a ceremony commemorating the settlement with the fashion company on Friday.
A county map of the United States and Puerto Rico shows percentage change in population 2010 to 2020. (Associated Press)

Census figures show Mat-Su gains most new residents

The sprawling borough gained 18,086 residents between 2010 and 2020.

A county map of the United States and Puerto Rico shows percentage change in population 2010 to 2020. (Associated Press)