COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports 2 new deaths as cases continue downward trend

DHSS reported 62 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, a drop from over 100 reported a week ago.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit flies over the Gulf of Alaska in support of Northern Edge 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Brendan Mullin)

Marines and sailors take part in largest joint exercise of 2021

Ships, aircraft, and 15,000 servicemembers all came together to hold the huge interservice exercise.

A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit flies over the Gulf of Alaska in support of Northern Edge 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Brendan Mullin)
Sens. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, left and Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, questioned Attorney General Treg Taylor about the administration’s approach to legal matters at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 23, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska lawmakers confirm attorney general, department heads

Taylor was the only Cabinet-level appointee who generated debate among lawmakers meeting to consider Dunleavy’s nominees.

Sens. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, left and Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, questioned Attorney General Treg Taylor about the administration’s approach to legal matters at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 23, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, looks out on the floor of the Alaska House on Monday, May 10, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska House on Monday resumed debate on a version of the state operating budget. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)

Alaska House passes budget; dividend amount unsettled

The budget next goes to the Senate.

Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, looks out on the floor of the Alaska House on Monday, May 10, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska House on Monday resumed debate on a version of the state operating budget. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)
George Bennett pictured shortly after arriving in Vietnam in 1967. Mr. Bennett served in the 2/12th Infantry 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and was assigned to Dau Tieng Base Camp. (Photo courtesy George Bennett, Sr.)

Opinion: It’s time to correct a Vietnam-era injustice

Let’s give our Alaska Native Vietnam-era veterans the land they’re owed and honor their legacy of service before it’s too late.

George Bennett pictured shortly after arriving in Vietnam in 1967. Mr. Bennett served in the 2/12th Infantry 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and was assigned to Dau Tieng Base Camp. (Photo courtesy George Bennett, Sr.)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

COVID cases drop 31% statewide this week, 29.8% locally

Positive COVID-19 cases statewide dropped about 31% in the last week, according to data from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. From April… Continue reading

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Data from the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology on Thursday, May 6, 2021 show the media usage of respondents in a survey about COVID-19 information. The report notes that this is about general media usage, not just as it pertains to COVID-19. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology)

Survey: Friends, family most trusted among vaccine hesitant

The study analyzed the subset group of those surveyed who were not planning to get vaccinated, but who were open to learning more about the shots

Data from the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology on Thursday, May 6, 2021 show the media usage of respondents in a survey about COVID-19 information. The report notes that this is about general media usage, not just as it pertains to COVID-19. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology)
Adam Kiffmeyer and Billy Adamson scale a communications tower on Thursday, Jan. 7 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Task force to look at statewide broadband access

The task force will consist of 11 voting members and two ex officio members.

Adam Kiffmeyer and Billy Adamson scale a communications tower on Thursday, Jan. 7 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State announces COVID death of resident in 20s

Alaska State Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink said she has been seeing more cases among younger demographics.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
House Minority Leader Rep. Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, seen here speaking with Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speak in the hall of the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 16, 2021, said the minority caucus is working on proposals for the annual Permanent Fund Dividend. The Legislature is approaching the end of the session, but has yet to allocate an amount for a PFD. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
House Minority Leader Rep. Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, seen here speaking with Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speak in the hall of the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 16, 2021, said the minority caucus is working on proposals for the annual Permanent Fund Dividend. The Legislature is approaching the end of the session, but has yet to allocate an amount for a PFD. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Coronavirus 3D illustration. (CDC photo)

102 new cases statewide on Tuesday, 5 on the peninsula

In the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 42.7% of people 16 and up had received at least their first shot.

Coronavirus 3D illustration. (CDC photo)
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives spent hours in floor sessions Saturday and Sunday inside the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Monday, April 26, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House moves budget back to committee

Marathon floor sessions over weekend end in bill rollback

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives spent hours in floor sessions Saturday and Sunday inside the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Monday, April 26, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, met with reporters after delivering an address to the first joint session of 2021 for the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, May 3, 2021. Sullivan was critical of the Biden administration in his remarks to lawmakers, saying his environmental policies were punative to Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Sullivan talks tough on jobs, China

Sullivan to lawmakers: Biden’s policies ‘war on Alaska’

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, met with reporters after delivering an address to the first joint session of 2021 for the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, May 3, 2021. Sullivan was critical of the Biden administration in his remarks to lawmakers, saying his environmental policies were punative to Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Photo courtesy of Peter Micciche
Sen. Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) listens to testimony in Juneau in this undated photo.

Alcohol regulation bill gets hearing

Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Micciche, R- Kenai/Soldotna, has been nine years in the making.

Photo courtesy of Peter Micciche
Sen. Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) listens to testimony in Juneau in this undated photo.
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, has his picture taken by a fellow senator after being unanimously elected on the first day of the 32nd Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. (Peter Segall/The Juneau Empire via AP, Pool)

Clock ticking on local lawmakers’ bills

Some bills sponsored by local lawmakers are closer to becoming law than others.

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, has his picture taken by a fellow senator after being unanimously elected on the first day of the 32nd Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. (Peter Segall/The Juneau Empire via AP, Pool)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Peninsula, state show slowing vaccination rates

Close to one in two eligible Alaska residents — 43.8% — were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Friday.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Youth cases increase; FDA closer to vaccine approval for 12 and up

Yhe increase is likely due to the fact that many youth are ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Denali National Park and Preserve is seen in March 2019. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Denali Road Lottery opens Saturday; park closed to snowmachines

The application period for the 2021 Denali Road Lottery will open on May 1 and will be open until May 31.

Denali National Park and Preserve is seen in March 2019. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy launches his “Sleeves Up for Summer” mass vaccinaion campaign in this undated photo. (Photo via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)

‘Sleeves Up for Summer’ looks to increase vaccination by 25% next month

Dunleavy urges Alaskans to get vaccinated in promotional video.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy launches his “Sleeves Up for Summer” mass vaccinaion campaign in this undated photo. (Photo via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, center, listens as residents discuss a levee they have concerns with on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Hyder, Alaska. Hyder was among the southeast Alaska communities that Dunleavy visited as part of a one-day trip. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Governor’s travel signals move to return to normalcy

Dunleavy visited the three Southeast Alaska communities in one day last week.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, center, listens as residents discuss a levee they have concerns with on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Hyder, Alaska. Hyder was among the southeast Alaska communities that Dunleavy visited as part of a one-day trip. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)