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Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to consider extension of disaster declaration

If approved, the declaration would be extended to Feb. 28

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
AP Photo / Becky Bohrer 
Welcome bags and plexiglass dividers placed around their desks await lawmakers on the Alaska House floor in Juneau. The committee was among several that had scheduled meetings Monday, the last day before the new Legislature is set to convene Tuesday.

Alaska Legislature to convene amid budget, virus concerns

Neither the House nor the Senate has organized majorities.

  • Jan 18, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
AP Photo / Becky Bohrer 
Welcome bags and plexiglass dividers placed around their desks await lawmakers on the Alaska House floor in Juneau. The committee was among several that had scheduled meetings Monday, the last day before the new Legislature is set to convene Tuesday.
New signage at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Jan 15, 2020, reminds visitors of health mitigation strategies. Committees from the previous legislature had their final meetings Monday as the new session starts Tuesday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State will audit CARES Act funding

Public money, public information.

New signage at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Jan 15, 2020, reminds visitors of health mitigation strategies. Committees from the previous legislature had their final meetings Monday as the new session starts Tuesday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

More than 55,000 Alaskans have received initial vaccine

DHSS announced 153 new COVID-19 cases in Alaska on Monday

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
The River City Academy class of 2019 awaits the walking ceremony Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

City of Soldotna now accepting scholarship applications

In total, the committees will award up to a combined $55,100 to eligible applicants

The River City Academy class of 2019 awaits the walking ceremony Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Ryanna Thurman uses a holds locker at the Soldotna Public Library on Friday, Jan. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Library unveils curbside holds locker

Technology from the Final Frontier arrives in the Last Frontier

Ryanna Thurman uses a holds locker at the Soldotna Public Library on Friday, Jan. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Robert Gibson testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough looks to revamp agricultural lease rates

Many of the borough’s existing agricultural land leases were issued during the 1960s and 1970s.

Robert Gibson testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna approves new city council operations

Among the changes are established time limits on meetings

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

Statewide cases trend downward

1,680 new resident cases were reported in Alaska this week

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
A staff member at the Alaska SeaLife Center cares for a spotted seal in this undated photo. (Courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center to become Western Alaska oil spill first responder

The partnership comes at a time when shipping in activity in the region is expected to increase

A staff member at the Alaska SeaLife Center cares for a spotted seal in this undated photo. (Courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
The Juneau Police Department and other law enforcement agencies say they are prepared for the possibility of political violence at the Capitol building on the day of the presidential inauguration.

No known threats of violence, but Juneau police say they’re prepared

“The Juneau Police Department and our partners have not received any specific threats,” the agency said.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
The Juneau Police Department and other law enforcement agencies say they are prepared for the possibility of political violence at the Capitol building on the day of the presidential inauguration.
Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Schools head to ‘medium’ risk

Eastern and southern peninsula schools may return to in-person learning five days a week for all grades on Jan. 25

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Increased collaboration between the University of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, and UA Fairbanks had led to greater enrollment in the university system’s fisheries programs, according to UA Interim President Pat Pitney. Making Juneau a fisheries hub was mentioned as a way of increasing enrollment and better serving the state at a UA Regents meeting Friday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

University of Alaska looks to a post-pandemic future

After a chaotic year, stability seems to have returned, and leaders are optimistic.

Increased collaboration between the University of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, and UA Fairbanks had led to greater enrollment in the university system’s fisheries programs, according to UA Interim President Pat Pitney. Making Juneau a fisheries hub was mentioned as a way of increasing enrollment and better serving the state at a UA Regents meeting Friday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Members of the Kenai Performers rehearse a scene from “Murder in the Cathedral” at the Kenai Performers black box theater in Soldotna, Alaska, on Jan. 16, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Getting creative

From livestreamed performances to radio, local groups find ways to make art during pandemic

Members of the Kenai Performers rehearse a scene from “Murder in the Cathedral” at the Kenai Performers black box theater in Soldotna, Alaska, on Jan. 16, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Jean Brockel, left, and Clayton Brockel, right, are seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula College)

KPC receives $1.6 million donation

It’s the largest single donation in the college’s history

Jean Brockel, left, and Clayton Brockel, right, are seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula College)
Signs advertising COVID-19 safety protocoals stand outside the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Divided council loosens sports complex protocols

The changes will allow more spectators, more people on the ice and new mask protocols

Signs advertising COVID-19 safety protocoals stand outside the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
After violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol today, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., join other senators as they return to the House chamber to continue the joint session of the House and Senate and count the Electoral College votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Murkowski on impeachment: ‘I will listen carefully’ to both sides

As for timing, the senator said, “our priority this week must be to ensure safety in Washington, D.C.”

After violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol today, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., join other senators as they return to the House chamber to continue the joint session of the House and Senate and count the Electoral College votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

More than 10,000 Alaskans have received both doses of COVID vaccine

The state also reported 11 new hospitalizations and two deaths.

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
In this August photo, Republican U.S. Rep. Don Young speaks during a ceremony in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Young votes against Trump impeachment

Young said a message must be sent “by bringing the perpetrators of violence to justice, and prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law.

  • Jan 13, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
In this August photo, Republican U.S. Rep. Don Young speaks during a ceremony in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly to mull grant aimed at improving salmon passage

Using a grant, the borough would replace a rotting bridge with a culvert

A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)