U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Poll: Murkowski’s net approval up 22% during Biden administration

Morning Consult survey says Alaska incumbent’s popularity rising more than almost any other senator

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

After close to a year of negotiations, university, faculty union still at odds

The two sides disagree over what contract will be in effect until a new agreement is reached

Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Troopers allege Kenai man placed hidden camera in Soldotna gym

The troopers were tipped off about the camera in October 2021, they said

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Progress on parade

Community turns out for annual Soldotna celebration

Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peltola, Begich confirmed for chamber forum

Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce will host the special general election candidates

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The banks of the Kenai River can be seen on July 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Streambank project cost-share program accepting applications

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is accepting applications for the program through 5 p.m. on Sept. 30

The banks of the Kenai River can be seen on July 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
This aerial photo provided by the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service shows a tundra fire burning near the community of St. Mary’s, Alaska, on June 10, 2022. Alaska’s remarkable wildfire season includes over 530 blazes that have burned an area more than three times the size of Rhode Island, with nearly all the impacts, including dangerous breathing conditions from smoke, attributed to fires started by lightning. (Ryan McPherson/Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service via AP, File)

Burning up: Alaska experiencing wildfires it’s never seen before

Already more than 530 wildfires have burned an area the size of Connecticut and the usual worst of the fire season lays ahead

  • Jul 25, 2022
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • State News
This aerial photo provided by the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service shows a tundra fire burning near the community of St. Mary’s, Alaska, on June 10, 2022. Alaska’s remarkable wildfire season includes over 530 blazes that have burned an area more than three times the size of Rhode Island, with nearly all the impacts, including dangerous breathing conditions from smoke, attributed to fires started by lightning. (Ryan McPherson/Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service via AP, File)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski favors congressional vote on same-sex marriage protections while Sullivan is noncommittal

Among Senate candidates, Tshibaka says a bill is unnecessary but Chesbro supports one

  • Jul 22, 2022
  • By James Brooks Alaska Beacon
  • State News
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
A map shows locations in the U.S. designated as tribal lands and thus eligible for higher benefits from the Affordable Connectivity Program. All of Alaska falls under that designation. (Courtesy Image / FCC)

90K Alaska households are eligible for internet assistance —only 10K are taking advantage

White House touts a recently launched “one-stop” website to make signing up easier.

A map shows locations in the U.S. designated as tribal lands and thus eligible for higher benefits from the Affordable Connectivity Program. All of Alaska falls under that designation. (Courtesy Image / FCC)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy brings reelection bid to Kenai Peninsula

He emerged as the top fundraiser in the race, per new campaign finance data filed this week

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A classroom at Kenai Middle School is photographed on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Weeks from restarting, schools across Alaska are struggling to find teachers

District, state solutions face hurdles with little time to spare

A classroom at Kenai Middle School is photographed on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kristen Stearns fishes at North Kenai Beach on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery to open 24 hours per day

The department increased the sport fishing bag and possession limits also

Kristen Stearns fishes at North Kenai Beach on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Evidence markers are placed around the scene of a shooting in Centennial Park campground in Anchorage, Alaska, Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Officer, man wounded in shootout at homeless camp

The shooting occurred the same day another bear attracted to unsecured food was killed in the campground

  • Jul 21, 2022
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
  • State News
Evidence markers are placed around the scene of a shooting in Centennial Park campground in Anchorage, Alaska, Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
Lilly Murray, left, and Stephen Lamm from the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank give a ceviche-making demonstration at Soldotna Creek Park on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank kicks off Progress Days

This year’s fundraiser aims to raise 2 tons of food and fuel for the facility

Lilly Murray, left, and Stephen Lamm from the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank give a ceviche-making demonstration at Soldotna Creek Park on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Safeway is seen on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai, Soldotna Safeways shut down temporarily over tech issue

The Kenai and Soldotna Safeway stores closed unexpectedly Wednesday morning because of some issues in a system update overnight, according to the company. Tairsa Worman,… Continue reading

The Kenai Safeway is seen on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
"Protection: Adaptation and Resistance" includes these robes, "Kaxhatjaa X'óow: Herring Protectors," made by Káakaxaawulga/Jennifer Younger, K'asheechtlaa/Louise Brady and Carol Hughey. The show is on exhibit at the Pratt Museum & Park in Homer, Alaska, through Sept. 24, 2022. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Art of resistance

Pratt show features Native art of the pandemic and beyond

"Protection: Adaptation and Resistance" includes these robes, "Kaxhatjaa X'óow: Herring Protectors," made by Káakaxaawulga/Jennifer Younger, K'asheechtlaa/Louise Brady and Carol Hughey. The show is on exhibit at the Pratt Museum & Park in Homer, Alaska, through Sept. 24, 2022. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Officials report rise in COVID cases

This week’s data was collected from July 13 through July 19

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Robert Ruffner fields questions from attendees at a meeting to discuss the potential boundaries of a Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Seeking more local say, Nikiski residents pursue advisory planning commission

A group of Nikiski residents are pushing for more local say in borough land decisions that affect their community. Residents have successfully petitioned to create… Continue reading

Robert Ruffner fields questions from attendees at a meeting to discuss the potential boundaries of a Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. Summer months especially prove challenging for critical blood donations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Blood Bank of Alaska says there’s a critical need for blood

Blood Bank of Alaska is currently in urgent need of all blood types

A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. Summer months especially prove challenging for critical blood donations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)