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Data from the State of Alaska show the state’s new COVID-19 infections have been falling since mid January. (Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)

State’s cases falling, but still one of the highest in the US

From Jan. 28 to Feb. 3 cases fell 27%, down to 12,149.

Data from the State of Alaska show the state’s new COVID-19 infections have been falling since mid January. (Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
The Hidden, Engineer and Skilak lakes in Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area can be seen from Hideout Hill in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 17, 2021. The refuge is celebrating its 80th winter. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating in the snow

Refuge announces February activities

The Hidden, Engineer and Skilak lakes in Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area can be seen from Hideout Hill in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 17, 2021. The refuge is celebrating its 80th winter. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks Friday with Alaska’s congressional delegation about the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state.

Delegation: Work together to plan, optimize infrastructure money

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is set to bring billions of dollars to the state

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks Friday with Alaska’s congressional delegation about the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrives to Federal court, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in New York. Palin is due back in a New York City courtroom more than a week after her libel trial against The New York Times was postponed because she tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Palin resumes court battle with Times after COVID illness

A judge put off the trial last week to give an unvaccinated Palin time to get over any possible COVID-19 symptoms

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrives to Federal court, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in New York. Palin is due back in a New York City courtroom more than a week after her libel trial against The New York Times was postponed because she tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Kenai City Council member James Baisden speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council OKs grant funds for COVID leave, testing for city employees

The grant funds were made available under the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

Kenai City Council member James Baisden speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A graphic shows employment by Alaska region and features the percent change in jobs from December 2020 to December 2021. (Graphic via February 2022 Alaska Economic Trends reports from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)

Report: Alaska economy rebounding; inflation up

Prices in Alaska increased by 4.9% in 2021

A graphic shows employment by Alaska region and features the percent change in jobs from December 2020 to December 2021. (Graphic via February 2022 Alaska Economic Trends reports from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Officials: State cases may be reaching plateau

New infections are trending downward nationwide

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A sign along a trail to Exit Glacier marks the spot to where the toe of the glacier reached in 2010, photographed on June 22, 2018. The glacier has receded so much the National Park Service is reconceiving its plan management. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

As Exit Glacier recedes, park seeks new management plan

The glacier has retreated by about 2,300 feet in the last 13 years

A sign along a trail to Exit Glacier marks the spot to where the toe of the glacier reached in 2010, photographed on June 22, 2018. The glacier has receded so much the National Park Service is reconceiving its plan management. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Spruce trees and covered with snow on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Kalfornsky, Alaska. The National Weather Service issued another winter weather advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula on Thursday, citing hazardous conditions due to increased snowfall and heavy wind gusts. (Photo by Peninsula Clarion staff)

Weather service issues advisory for snow, wind

The worst conditions on Thursday were expected to be between Nikiski and Anchor Point

Spruce trees and covered with snow on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Kalfornsky, Alaska. The National Weather Service issued another winter weather advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula on Thursday, citing hazardous conditions due to increased snowfall and heavy wind gusts. (Photo by Peninsula Clarion staff)
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski ahead in campaign funds; Tshibaka brings in local money

U.S. Senate hopeful Kelly Tshibaka continues to report financial support from residents of the Kenai Peninsula, but falls behind incumbent Lisa Murkowski overall. That’s per… Continue reading

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Anne Zink, Alaska chief medical officer, participates in a briefing with Department of Health and Social Services officials to discuss the rise of the omicron variant of the corona virus, on Nov. 29, 2021. (screenshot)

Health officials speak on misinformation as pandemic nears end of 2nd year

Nearing the end of the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic — at a time when many people are wary of the health care system… Continue reading

Anne Zink, Alaska chief medical officer, participates in a briefing with Department of Health and Social Services officials to discuss the rise of the omicron variant of the corona virus, on Nov. 29, 2021. (screenshot)
Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly forms committee for gravel pit regs

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly voted Tuesday to further table legislation that would overhaul the sections of borough code that address the regulation of material… Continue reading

Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports 1st infant COVID deaths

The state Department of Health and Social Services announced its first two pediatric COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, along with six adult deaths caused by the virus,… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)

Gillham says he’s doing well after heart attack

The lawmaker said he began having discomfort late last Wednesday

Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)
Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer man in mistaken FBI raid runs for lieutenant governor

Hueper and his wife, Marilyn, attended a rally for Trump in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021

Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The Seward Boat Harbor can be seen on Sept. 24, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

New seafood processor to set up shop in Seward

Bornstein Seafoods has taken over Polar Seafood’s lease on the east side of Resurrection Bay

The Seward Boat Harbor can be seen on Sept. 24, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Oct. 8, 2021.

School district, borough begin budget talks

Fiscal year 2023 begins on July 1, 2022

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Oct. 8, 2021.
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor’s office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Bill seeks to strengthen civics education

Students would have to take exam similar to citizenship test

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor’s office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
U.S. Navy / Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Montemarano The USS Hopper (DDG 70) prepares to moor in Homer, Alaska, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with its participation in Northern Edge 2017 in Homer, Alaska, April 29, 2017. The Navy is proposing to considerably expand its exercise area in the Gulf of Alaska.

Navy proposes expanding Gulf of Alaska exercise area

The proposal would more than quadruple the sea room for ships and aircraft to manuever in

U.S. Navy / Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Montemarano The USS Hopper (DDG 70) prepares to moor in Homer, Alaska, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with its participation in Northern Edge 2017 in Homer, Alaska, April 29, 2017. The Navy is proposing to considerably expand its exercise area in the Gulf of Alaska.
The state ferry M/V Tustumena pulls into the Homer Harbor on Monday, June 8, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Tustumena down for repairs

The ship is set to return to service on July 15

The state ferry M/V Tustumena pulls into the Homer Harbor on Monday, June 8, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)