Home

Rep. Christopher Kurka, R-Wasilla, seen here leaving the House chambers on Feb. 22, questioned masking rules on the floor of the House Monday and said there was political bias behind enforcement of rules. However, also on Monday two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 and 14 other people, including two House lawmakers, have gone into quarantine. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Christopher Kurka, R-Wasilla, seen here leaving the House chambers on Feb. 22, questioned masking rules on the floor of the House Monday and said there was political bias behind enforcement of rules. However, also on Monday two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 and 14 other people, including two House lawmakers, have gone into quarantine. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this Feb 23, 2021, file photo, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Alaska Republican Party has not only censured Sen. Murkowski for voting to convict former President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial, but it also does not want her to identity as a GOP candidate in next year’s election, a member of the party’s State Central Committee said Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Alaska GOP censures Murkowski, looks for ’22 challenger

“The party does not want Lisa Murkowski to be a Republican candidate.”

  • Mar 16, 2021
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • State News
In this Feb 23, 2021, file photo, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Alaska Republican Party has not only censured Sen. Murkowski for voting to convict former President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial, but it also does not want her to identity as a GOP candidate in next year’s election, a member of the party’s State Central Committee said Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool Photo via AP, File)
An Anchorage man was arrested in Anchorage Tuesday, March 16, 2021 by the FBI for his alleged participation in the Capitol riots in January. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Anchorage man arrested for alleged participation in Capitol riots

He’s one of many wanted in connection with the abortive attempt to overturn the election results.

An Anchorage man was arrested in Anchorage Tuesday, March 16, 2021 by the FBI for his alleged participation in the Capitol riots in January. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A Department of Corrections nurse vaccinates a Fairbanks Correctional Center inmate. The DOC eased restrictions on March 15, 2021, to allow attorneys to visit fully vaccinated inmates at DOC facilities. (Courtesy Photo / DOC)

DOC to allow attorney-client visitation in facilities

Attorneys will be allowed to visit fully vaccinated inmates in person again.

A Department of Corrections nurse vaccinates a Fairbanks Correctional Center inmate. The DOC eased restrictions on March 15, 2021, to allow attorneys to visit fully vaccinated inmates at DOC facilities. (Courtesy Photo / DOC)
Dr. Ann Zink, Alaska chief medical officer, answers questions from people on the Kenai Peninsula about COVID-19 during a virtual Q&A session with borough officials on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Alaska. (Screenshot)
Dr. Ann Zink, Alaska chief medical officer, answers questions from people on the Kenai Peninsula about COVID-19 during a virtual Q&A session with borough officials on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Alaska. (Screenshot)
AnnMarie Rudstrom portrays The Pilot during a rehearsal of "Grounded" at the Kenai Performers' black box theater on Monday, March 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Alone in the blue’: Kenai Performers’ one-woman show “Grounded” takes flight Friday

A single chair and one spotlighted actor will tell a story of feminism, war and family beginning this weekend in the Kenai Performers’ production of… Continue reading

AnnMarie Rudstrom portrays The Pilot during a rehearsal of "Grounded" at the Kenai Performers' black box theater on Monday, March 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Almost 1 in 4 borough residents has at least one vaccine dose

59% of borough residents 65 and older have received at least one dose.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Professional Pharmacy owner Justin Ruffridge (left) speaks to Dan Nelson, emergency manager of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management, at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. OEM has partnered with the local pharmacy to host large vaccination clinics on the peninsula. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More than 1,000 residents vaccinated in weekend clinics

About 29.9% of borough residents 16 and older have received at least one dose

Soldotna Professional Pharmacy owner Justin Ruffridge (left) speaks to Dan Nelson, emergency manager of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management, at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. OEM has partnered with the local pharmacy to host large vaccination clinics on the peninsula. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
FILE - This May 8, 2008, file photo shows blank checks on an idle press at the Philadelphia Regional Financial Center, which disburses payments on behalf of federal agencies in Philadelphia. Officials at the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service said Friday, March 12, 2021 that processing the new round of stimulus payments has already begun, with the aim of having the first payments start showing up in bank accounts this weekend. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Feds: Relief checks are coming

The checks are in the mail.

FILE - This May 8, 2008, file photo shows blank checks on an idle press at the Philadelphia Regional Financial Center, which disburses payments on behalf of federal agencies in Philadelphia. Officials at the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service said Friday, March 12, 2021 that processing the new round of stimulus payments has already begun, with the aim of having the first payments start showing up in bank accounts this weekend. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor, foreground, appears before the House Judiciary Committee for a confirmation hearing on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Republican Rep. Christopher Kurka, a committee member, is seen in the background. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska AG discusses plans, Clarkson in hearing

Dunleavy appointed Taylor as attorney general in January to replace Ed Sniffen.

Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor, foreground, appears before the House Judiciary Committee for a confirmation hearing on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Republican Rep. Christopher Kurka, a committee member, is seen in the background. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 98 new cases yesterday

Affected peninsula communities include Anchor Point, Homer, Kenai and Other North

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Dallas Seavey poses with his dogs after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race race near Willow, Alaska, early Monday, March 15, 2021. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)

Seavey matches most wins by a musher

He matched the record of five wins by Rick Swenson, known as the King of the Iditarod for picking up those titles from 1977-91.

  • Mar 15, 2021
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • Iditarod
Dallas Seavey poses with his dogs after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race race near Willow, Alaska, early Monday, March 15, 2021. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)
Jim Watson / Pool via AP
In this Feb. 23 file photo Interior Secretary nominee Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., speaks during her confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Feb. 23.

Haaland OK’d at Interior, 1st Native American Cabinet head

Haaland was confirmed by a 51-40 vote, the narrowest margin yet for a Cabinet nomination by President Joe Biden.

  • Mar 15, 2021
  • By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press
Jim Watson / Pool via AP
In this Feb. 23 file photo Interior Secretary nominee Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., speaks during her confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Feb. 23.
Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold sits in a Senate gallery on Friday, in Juneau. The Alaska Senate voted Wednesday to allow leadership to restrict access to the Capitol by Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, over violations of protocols meant to guard against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)

Senate leaders accommodate Reinbold over virus rules

Two days earlier, senators voted to allow leadership to restrict access by Reinbold to the Capitol.

Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold sits in a Senate gallery on Friday, in Juneau. The Alaska Senate voted Wednesday to allow leadership to restrict access to the Capitol by Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, over violations of protocols meant to guard against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)
A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to welcome 41 new trees

The move is part of a yearslong effort

A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

1 in 3 Alaskans 16 and older have at least 1 vaccine dose

The milestone comes on the one-year anniversary of Alaska’s first COVID-19 case

A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
Newly elected Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)

Local lawmakers pursue priorities in Juneau

Of the central peninsula’s three legislative representatives, only bills sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche have been heard in committee.

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
Newly elected Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
A plane rests in brush and trees after a midair collision outside of Soldotna, Alaska. State Rep. Gary Knopp, an Alaska state lawmaker, was involved in the July midair collision that killed seven people. (Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion)

Family of those killed in 2020 plane crash sue Knopp estate and widow, among others

The midair collision resulted in the deaths of seven people

A plane rests in brush and trees after a midair collision outside of Soldotna, Alaska. State Rep. Gary Knopp, an Alaska state lawmaker, was involved in the July midair collision that killed seven people. (Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion)
Pete Kaiser leaves the Ophir, Alaska, checkpoint with his dog team during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Friday, March 12, 2021. (Zachariah Hughes/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)

Dog illness prompts former Iditarod champion to scratch

Pete Kaiser scratched at the McGrath checkpoint.

Pete Kaiser leaves the Ophir, Alaska, checkpoint with his dog team during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Friday, March 12, 2021. (Zachariah Hughes/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)
This photo provided by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers taken March 9, 2021, Doug Ramsey, left, of Sundance Wyoming, poses with Alaska Wildlife Trooper Jason Kneier near a hole in the ice of a river in Swentna, Alaska. The two helped pull an 8-year-old boy from the water after he fell into the river. (Alaska Wildlife Troopers via AP)

Troopers, Iditarod volunteer help rescue child from river

“It happened really fast. I was glad I was at the right place at the right time.”

This photo provided by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers taken March 9, 2021, Doug Ramsey, left, of Sundance Wyoming, poses with Alaska Wildlife Trooper Jason Kneier near a hole in the ice of a river in Swentna, Alaska. The two helped pull an 8-year-old boy from the water after he fell into the river. (Alaska Wildlife Troopers via AP)