Wire Service

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Gone to the Dogs

Our first family dog was a shepherd sized mutt named Timber.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, holds a copy of the Alaska Constitution during a committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, sent Reinbold a letter on Feb. 18, 2021, saying she has used her position to “misrepresent” the state’s COVID-19 response. Reinbold said the letter was “full of baseless accusations and complaints.” (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy: Reinbold misrepresents virus response

Dunleavy said his administration will no longer respond to or participate in hearings led by the senator.

Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, holds a copy of the Alaska Constitution during a committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, sent Reinbold a letter on Feb. 18, 2021, saying she has used her position to “misrepresent” the state’s COVID-19 response. Reinbold said the letter was “full of baseless accusations and complaints.” (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Howard Mamou shovels snow at the Glennwood in Hutto, Texas, Tuesday, Feb 16, 2021. The worst U.S. power outages were in Texas, affecting more than 2 million homes and businesses. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
Howard Mamou shovels snow at the Glennwood in Hutto, Texas, Tuesday, Feb 16, 2021. The worst U.S. power outages were in Texas, affecting more than 2 million homes and businesses. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

Tangled Up in Blue: A lot of snow

There’s a lot of snow out there. After asking somebody about their weekend, he proceeded to tell me about chain-sawing blocks of snow on his… Continue reading

Howard Mamou shovels snow at the Glennwood in Hutto, Texas, Tuesday, Feb 16, 2021. The worst U.S. power outages were in Texas, affecting more than 2 million homes and businesses. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
Howard Mamou shovels snow at the Glennwood in Hutto, Texas, Tuesday, Feb 16, 2021. The worst U.S. power outages were in Texas, affecting more than 2 million homes and businesses. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
A great gray owl perches in an aspen tree on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Colin Canterbury/USFWS)

Refuge notebook: Winter is the season for finding great gray owls

Winter can be a fantastic time to observe owls. Owls can be very secretive, sitting quietly in trees with color patterns that provide effective camouflage.… Continue reading

A great gray owl perches in an aspen tree on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Colin Canterbury/USFWS)
File

Minister’s Message: Finding peace outdoors in winter

I am a self-proclaimed “summer baby.”

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This photo shows University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: University of Alaska is one of our state’s greatest assets

The pandemic created economic hardship and uncertainty, but the university is positioned to help.

This photo shows University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Point of view

Point of View: Tourism needs your help; let us help you go big in 2021

There’s reason to believe that, nationally, travel will begin recovering soon.

Point of view
A sign posted by Travel Juneau notes the pamphlet-filled visitor's center kiosk is closed because of the pandemic. The center, located near the downtown library, opened in May 2019 during Infrastructure Week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Southeast Alaska cruise season torpedoed again

What can be done to address it?

A sign posted by Travel Juneau notes the pamphlet-filled visitor's center kiosk is closed because of the pandemic. The center, located near the downtown library, opened in May 2019 during Infrastructure Week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Becky Bohrer / Associated Press
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes speaks to Rep. Bryce Edgmon on the House floor on Thursday, in Juneau. The House, which has struggled to organize, on Thursday adopted a report setting out committee assignments, a month into the legislative session.

Alaska House organizes, but questions remain about function

Stutes earlier in the week had declared her caucus “21 strong.”

Becky Bohrer / Associated Press
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes speaks to Rep. Bryce Edgmon on the House floor on Thursday, in Juneau. The House, which has struggled to organize, on Thursday adopted a report setting out committee assignments, a month into the legislative session.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Judge rules against governor on appointments

The decision by Superior Court Judge Philip Pallenberg came in a case brought in late December by the Legislative Council

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)
X-Factor Diet System main image

X-Factor Diet System Reviews: Does It Work? Real Weight Loss Results?

The X-Factor Diet System is a weight loss system found online at TheXFactorDiet.com. By following the program, you can purportedly achieve health goals, lose weight,… Continue reading

X-Factor Diet System main image
4-Min

4-Minute Fix Rapid Weight Loss System Reviews: Legit or Scam

The 4-Minute Fix Rapid Weight Loss System is a regimen that helps users over age 45 to shed extra weight and regain their formerly youthful… Continue reading

4-Min
In this Oct. 28, 2016, photo provided by the Maniilaq Association, Alex Whiting, left, and Cyrus Harris, right, are observed by Chris Sannito, second from left, and Brian Himelbloom, third from left, of the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center as they trim and clean seal blubber in Kotzebue, Alaska. In January 2021, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation approved seal oil to be served at a Maniilaq elder care home, believed to be a first for seal oil in the U.S.  (Maniilaq Association via AP)

Cultural ‘big deal’: Seal oil makes menu at Alaska care home

Seal oil is back on the menu for Inupiat elders.

In this Oct. 28, 2016, photo provided by the Maniilaq Association, Alex Whiting, left, and Cyrus Harris, right, are observed by Chris Sannito, second from left, and Brian Himelbloom, third from left, of the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center as they trim and clean seal blubber in Kotzebue, Alaska. In January 2021, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation approved seal oil to be served at a Maniilaq elder care home, believed to be a first for seal oil in the U.S.  (Maniilaq Association via AP)
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Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
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A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicating that they are closed can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Voices: Protect Alaska’s economy from further COVID damage

If business owners take reasonable safety measures by following available public health guidelines, they shouldn’t have to work under the threat of virus-related litigation.

A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicating that they are closed can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks in Juneau in this February 2020 photo. (Peter Segall/ Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Setting the record straight on the PFD

My proposal is not a complicated one.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks in Juneau in this February 2020 photo. (Peter Segall/ Juneau Empire File)
In this file photo from May 9, 2019, former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Ferries, federal funding could save state from being high and dry

If the rates are reasonable, the traffic will come.

In this file photo from May 9, 2019, former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Amanda Price, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, is surrounded by Department of Public Safety officials during a press conference on her confirmation to the position at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Amanda Price, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, is surrounded by Department of Public Safety officials during a press conference on her confirmation to the position at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)