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Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File There’s money in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s bond proposal package for projects like the one taking place at Aurora Harbor, seen here in this Nov. 5, 2020, file photo, but Juneau’s Sen. Jesse Kiehl doesn’t think there’s enough local investment.

Governor’s $356M bond proposal gets cool reaction from lawmakers

Legislators cautious on revisions, additions

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File There’s money in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s bond proposal package for projects like the one taking place at Aurora Harbor, seen here in this Nov. 5, 2020, file photo, but Juneau’s Sen. Jesse Kiehl doesn’t think there’s enough local investment.
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

1 peninsula case, 184 cases statewide

The state also reported one new hospitalization and no new deaths on Thursday

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
A fishing vessel is drawfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau's downtown harbor in September 2014. On Thursday, Canada announced a ban on cruise vessels in Canadian waters through February 2022. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

‘Devastating’ decision: Juneau reacts to Canada’s cruise ban

The announcement was made Thursday.

A fishing vessel is drawfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau's downtown harbor in September 2014. On Thursday, Canada announced a ban on cruise vessels in Canadian waters through February 2022. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Members of the House of Representatives leave the chamber Wednesday, Feb. 3,. after failing to elect a temporary speaker, part of a deadlock that was broken Thursday, when Rep. Josiah Patkotak was elected Speaker Pro Tem. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State House picks temporary speaker

One step closer.

Members of the House of Representatives leave the chamber Wednesday, Feb. 3,. after failing to elect a temporary speaker, part of a deadlock that was broken Thursday, when Rep. Josiah Patkotak was elected Speaker Pro Tem. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Kenai City Council Candidate Teea Winger participates in a candidate forum with the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center in Kenai, Alaska on Sept. 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai City Council condemns Winger’s remarks on shop local program

The program, which went live Monday, offers financial incentives to shoppers at Kenai businesses

Kenai City Council Candidate Teea Winger participates in a candidate forum with the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center in Kenai, Alaska on Sept. 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Changes made to Kenai animal control laws

Changes to the Kenai Municipal Code relating to animal control were unanimously approved by the Kenai City Council at their Feb. 3 meeting. Among other… Continue reading

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Prescriptions drugs, vitamins, hormones, and other drugs left in the drug drop box in the lobby of the Juneau Police Department in September 2019.The drop box gives residents a safe place to disposed of their unused prescription narcotics. The state announced on Thursday it will receive more than $1 million as part of a settlement with a consulting firm accused of “turbocharging” the opioid epidemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska to receive over $1.3M from opioid settlement

More than 47 states, 5 territories, and D.C. are part of the settlement.

Prescriptions drugs, vitamins, hormones, and other drugs left in the drug drop box in the lobby of the Juneau Police Department in September 2019.The drop box gives residents a safe place to disposed of their unused prescription narcotics. The state announced on Thursday it will receive more than $1 million as part of a settlement with a consulting firm accused of “turbocharging” the opioid epidemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Rosalie Eller pauses construction work to pose for a photo in Ionia in the summer of 2020. (Photo courtesy Eliza Eller)

Building from scratch

Youth to build tiny home in Ionia

Rosalie Eller pauses construction work to pose for a photo in Ionia in the summer of 2020. (Photo courtesy Eliza Eller)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

226 new cases statewide, 6 on peninsula

The state reported no new hospitalizations or deaths on Wednesday

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
University of Alaska interim President Pat Pitney told lawmakers the system was an economic driver for the state. The system’s regional campuses, like UA Southeast, seen here on Jan. 26, were more focused on producing graduates in fields in high demand in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

University’s programs are here to stay, president says

UA head tells lawmakers jobs are school’s priority.

University of Alaska interim President Pat Pitney told lawmakers the system was an economic driver for the state. The system’s regional campuses, like UA Southeast, seen here on Jan. 26, were more focused on producing graduates in fields in high demand in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration and Assembly meet for a joint work session with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.

District, borough at odds over school budget

The school district requested about $53 million from the borough, while the borough proposed about $43 million as a minimum amount.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration and Assembly meet for a joint work session with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.
Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce gives a presentation to members of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center in Kenai on Wednesday.

Mayor: Pandemic upended borough budget

The borough expects to receive about $8 million less in revenue for fiscal year 2022 than it received in fiscal year 2019

Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce gives a presentation to members of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center in Kenai on Wednesday.
Robert Gibson testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 2 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly approves new agriculture lease structure

Both pieces of legislation were approved unanimously

Robert Gibson testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 2 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This still image from Gavel Alaska shows Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum as he speaks to a Senate committee on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Lawmakers questioned Crum on the legality of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's emergency disaster declarations and extensions. (Screenshot)

Different reasons, same conclusion: Disaster extensions concerns state lawmakers

Committee to resume Thursday.

This still image from Gavel Alaska shows Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum as he speaks to a Senate committee on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Lawmakers questioned Crum on the legality of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's emergency disaster declarations and extensions. (Screenshot)

Connections enrollment doubled this year

The surge in enrollment put a strain on the home-school program.

Photos by Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion Bill Kelley, left, hands a backpack full of supplies and towels to Dale Curtis during a Project Homeless Connect Event at the Sterling Senior Citizens Center on Tuesday.

Happy to help

Project Homeless Connect wraps up after week of outreach

Photos by Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion Bill Kelley, left, hands a backpack full of supplies and towels to Dale Curtis during a Project Homeless Connect Event at the Sterling Senior Citizens Center on Tuesday.
Michael Wojciak stands in front of the middle and high school building of Kachemak Selo School Nov. 12, 2019, in Kachemak Selo, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

K-Selo sticking point on KPBSD project bond package

The amount of money requested for the project — $5.39 million — reflects the 35% local match the borough would need to provide

Michael Wojciak stands in front of the middle and high school building of Kachemak Selo School Nov. 12, 2019, in Kachemak Selo, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

6 peninsula cases, 140 reported statewide

The state also reported four new hospitalizations and 17 new deaths on Tuesday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, at the Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district to begin budget process

FY 2022 Education funding request to formally begin with joint work session Tuesday

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, at the Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)

Syphilis infections are surging in Alaska

A variety of forces are leading to the increased numbers.

This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)