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Ron Gillham, who represents District 30 in the Alaska House of Representatives, is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)

Gillham files intent to run in 2022 primary

Gillham did not indicate the office he plans to run for.

Ron Gillham, who represents District 30 in the Alaska House of Representatives, is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)
A man fishes on the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)

New bait restrictions on Kenai and Kasilof king fishing

On the Kenai River, bait will be prohibited from the mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake.

A man fishes on the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
Gov. Mike Dunleavy held a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday to say he was ready to call lawmakers into yet another special session if they didn’t rectify by Friday issues with the budget passed earlier this week.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
Gov. Mike Dunleavy held a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday to say he was ready to call lawmakers into yet another special session if they didn’t rectify by Friday issues with the budget passed earlier this week.
Bryan Quimby/Gannett Glacier Fire Crew
Part of the hose line has been laid around the perimeter of the 102-acre Loon Lake Fire to help firefighters extinguish any hot spots that are found, photographed on Thursday.

Loon Lake Fire 70% contained

The 102-acre fire was first reported on Saturday evening and is the result of lightning.

Bryan Quimby/Gannett Glacier Fire Crew
Part of the hose line has been laid around the perimeter of the 102-acre Loon Lake Fire to help firefighters extinguish any hot spots that are found, photographed on Thursday.
Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 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)

No new COVID cases reported on Kenai Peninsula

In the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 42% of people 12 and up were fully vaccinated.

Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 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)
The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is photographed on March 26, 2020. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula Food Bank reopens at 50% indoor capacity

The last time they were able to have indoor seating was Saint Patrick’s Day of 2020.

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is photographed on March 26, 2020. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A boat is lifted out of the water at Northern Enterprises Boat Yard on Kachemak Drive. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Northern Enterprise Boat Yard in Homer expands business

The largest privately owned dry dock marina in Alaska is expanding its docks and boat-lifting capabilities

A boat is lifted out of the water at Northern Enterprises Boat Yard on Kachemak Drive. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
(Peninsula Clarion file)

Anchor Point Food Pantry looking for new home

The pantry has seen a sharp increase in patrons during the COVID-19 pandemic

(Peninsula Clarion file)
An aerial photo of the 102-acre Loon Lake Fire footprint taken at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Swan Lake is in the background to the right. (Kale Casey/Alaska DNR-Division of Forestry)

Loon Lake Fire 30% contained

The fire covered about 102 acres as of Wednesday.

An aerial photo of the 102-acre Loon Lake Fire footprint taken at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Swan Lake is in the background to the right. (Kale Casey/Alaska DNR-Division of Forestry)
Kenai Peninsula Borough IT Director Ben Hanson speaks with attendees at a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska. The attendees were concerned about voting measures approved by the assembly aimed at improving borough election security. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Borough)

Borough assembly approves election security measures

The new legislation only applies to borough elections. It does not apply to state or federal elections.

Kenai Peninsula Borough IT Director Ben Hanson speaks with attendees at a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska. The attendees were concerned about voting measures approved by the assembly aimed at improving borough election security. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Borough)
Tensions were running high during the Senate debate over the budget, and Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, spoke to Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, about comments he made on the floor on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)

State avoids shutdown, but PFD questions remain

Capitol reopened, and lawmakers prepare for take off.

Tensions were running high during the Senate debate over the budget, and Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, spoke to Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, about comments he made on the floor on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)
Kids wait to hear the winners of the bike raffle during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on June 15, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Nikiski ‘Midnight Sun’ festival to return

The event, which has been a staple of the peninsula since its debut in the 1960s, was canceled last year.

Kids wait to hear the winners of the bike raffle during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on June 15, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Lydia Jacoby participates in the Women’s 100 Breaststroke during wave 2 of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials on Monday, June 14, 2021, in Omaha, Neb. On Tuesday Jacoby came in second to former Olympic gold medalist Lilly King in the finals, likely earning herself a spot on the Olympic team. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Jacoby likely to be 1st Alaska swimmer to make Olympics

She hopped out of the Olympic trials pool Tuesday night the second-fastest swimmer in the world for her event.

Lydia Jacoby participates in the Women’s 100 Breaststroke during wave 2 of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials on Monday, June 14, 2021, in Omaha, Neb. On Tuesday Jacoby came in second to former Olympic gold medalist Lilly King in the finals, likely earning herself a spot on the Olympic team. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
In this Sept. 9, 2019, file photo, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry speaks in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington. The Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water was blocked Tuesday, June 15, 2021, by a federal judge in Louisiana. U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty’s ruling came in a lawsuit filed in March by Louisiana’s Republican attorney general, Jeff Landry and officials in 12 other states. Doughty’s ruling granting a preliminary injunction to those states said his order applies nationwide. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Federal judge blocks Biden’s pause on new oil, gas leases

The decision is a blow to Democratic President Joe Biden’s efforts to rapidly transition the nation away from fossil fuels

  • Jun 16, 2021
  • By KEVIN McGILL Associated Press
  • State News
In this Sept. 9, 2019, file photo, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry speaks in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington. The Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water was blocked Tuesday, June 15, 2021, by a federal judge in Louisiana. U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty’s ruling came in a lawsuit filed in March by Louisiana’s Republican attorney general, Jeff Landry and officials in 12 other states. Doughty’s ruling granting a preliminary injunction to those states said his order applies nationwide. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
Kale Casey/Alaska DNR-Division of Forestry
An aerial photo of the 102-acre Loon Lake Fire footprint taken at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Swan Lake is in the background to the right.

Burn suspension in effect as firefighters work to contain Loon Lake Fire

The fire, about 10 miles northeast of Sterling, had grown to just over 100 acres as of Tuesday.

Kale Casey/Alaska DNR-Division of Forestry
An aerial photo of the 102-acre Loon Lake Fire footprint taken at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Swan Lake is in the background to the right.
Alaska Senate President Peter Micciche prepares for the start of a brief Senate floor session on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers were trying to reach resolution on a state spending package during the special legislative session. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Budget talks break down as shutdown looms

Legislative leadership met for most of the day Tuesday.

Alaska Senate President Peter Micciche prepares for the start of a brief Senate floor session on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers were trying to reach resolution on a state spending package during the special legislative session. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion
The women’s field takes to the course in 2017 at the Mount Marathon Race in Seward.

800 expected for Mount Marathon Race

The race, traditionally held on the Fourth of July in Seward, will be held on July 7 this year.

Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion
The women’s field takes to the course in 2017 at the Mount Marathon Race in Seward.
Chinook salmon (Michael Humling/US Fish & Wildlife Service)
Spring Chinook Salmon. Photo courtesy Michael Humling, US Fish & Wildlife Service

Fish and Game restricts Kenai, Kasilof king fishing

King salmon of any size are restricted to catch and release from the mouth of the Kenai River upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake.

Chinook salmon (Michael Humling/US Fish & Wildlife Service)
Spring Chinook Salmon. Photo courtesy Michael Humling, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Alaska House and Senate members who make up a budget conference committee are shown before starting a meeting in Juneau, Alaska, on Sunday, June 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Lawmakers decry ‘bully tactics’ in budget proposal

The proposal allocates an Alaska Permanent Fund dividend payment of $1,100 but splits the funding sources for the payment.

Alaska House and Senate members who make up a budget conference committee are shown before starting a meeting in Juneau, Alaska, on Sunday, June 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Lydia Jacoby participates in the Women’s 100 Breaststroke during wave 2 of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials on Monday, June 14, 2021, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Jacoby advances, closer to qualifying for Olympics

Jacoby beat the national age group record for 17- to 18-year-olds in her semifinal race

Lydia Jacoby participates in the Women’s 100 Breaststroke during wave 2 of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials on Monday, June 14, 2021, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)