News

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Reported COVID-19 cases up; hospitalizations down statewide

Officials recommend all eligible Alaskans be up to date on their COVID vaccines

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Rusty Bowers, Arizona state House Speaker, from left, Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State, and Gabe Sterling, Georgia Deputy Secretary of State, are sworn in to testify as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to reveal its findings of a yearlong investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday.

1/6 panel: Local ‘heroes’ rebuffed Trump, then faced threats

The high-profile pressure, described as potentially illegal, was fueled by the president’s false claims of voter fraud

  • Jun 21, 2022
  • By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press
  • State News
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Rusty Bowers, Arizona state House Speaker, from left, Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State, and Gabe Sterling, Georgia Deputy Secretary of State, are sworn in to testify as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to reveal its findings of a yearlong investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday.
Education Specialist Megan Pike leads the fish observation activity during the Novice Naturalist Camp at the Kenai Watershed Forum in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘So full of wonder’

Kids learn about fish at Watershed Forum camp

Education Specialist Megan Pike leads the fish observation activity during the Novice Naturalist Camp at the Kenai Watershed Forum in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
An “Al Gross for Congress” sign sits near the driveway to Gross’ home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, after he announced plans to withdraw from the U.S. House race. Gross has given little explanation in two statements for why he is ending his campaign, and a woman who answered the door at the Gross home asked a reporter to leave the property. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Gross withdrawal scrambles Alaska US House race

Gross, an orthopedic surgeon, was in third place in the June 11 special primary

An “Al Gross for Congress” sign sits near the driveway to Gross’ home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, after he announced plans to withdraw from the U.S. House race. Gross has given little explanation in two statements for why he is ending his campaign, and a woman who answered the door at the Gross home asked a reporter to leave the property. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet and greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Palin stays on top; Gross drops out

The state released final results for the special primary election Tuesday

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet and greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Troopers to change statewide alert system

Alaskans will need to enroll the new statewide alert system to stay up to date on trooper operations

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska, is seen in this undated photo. (Alaska Department of Corrections)

Spring Creek inmate found dead

There was no indication of foul play

Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska, is seen in this undated photo. (Alaska Department of Corrections)
Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association in Juneau, looks out as the group sells sweet potato pies as a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneteenth celebrated with food and friendship in Juneau

The event was a celebration and a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund

Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association in Juneau, looks out as the group sells sweet potato pies as a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)

Sockeye sport fishing to open early in Russian River Sanctuary Area

The move comes after widespread closures announced

The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)

Kenai approves annual budget, flat mill rate

Council members approved the budget during the body’s June 1 meeting

Seward man convicted of sexual abuse of a minor

He faces a sentence of 20 to 35 years on each count

Al Gross is seen during a debate on Oct. 23, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gross, an independent running for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, said late Monday, June 20, 2022, that he is ending his campaign. (Jeff Chen/Alaska Public Media via AP, File)

Independent Al Gross says he’s ending Alaska House bid

Gross was in third, behind former Gov. Sarah Palin and businessman Nick Begich, both Republicans

Al Gross is seen during a debate on Oct. 23, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gross, an independent running for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, said late Monday, June 20, 2022, that he is ending his campaign. (Jeff Chen/Alaska Public Media via AP, File)
A fisherman catches a salmon in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon before the tide washed in on June 25, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Reeling ‘Em In: River closures means best fishing is by the sea

It’s time now to take and look at the fishing report for the week of June 14, 2022

A fisherman catches a salmon in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon before the tide washed in on June 25, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Clarion file photo

Mat-Su schools’ ban on transgender girl athletes raises concern for ACLU, may violate federal law

Multiple federal agencies affirm rights of transgender people

Clarion file photo
A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)

Nothern Kenai Fishing report: Weak runs, closures continue

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Sport Fish June 15 fishing report

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
The distillery of the Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen in April 2018. Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed into law Senate Bill 9 on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the bill overhauls state’s alcohol regulations, including creating several new retail license types, such as for breweries, wineries and distilleries, and allowing those businesses to stay open later. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Comprehensive alcohol bill signed into law

The bill, 10 years in the making, was sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche

The distillery of the Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen in April 2018. Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed into law Senate Bill 9 on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the bill overhauls state’s alcohol regulations, including creating several new retail license types, such as for breweries, wineries and distilleries, and allowing those businesses to stay open later. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
An area cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing bypass project can be seen above the intersection of the Kenai River and Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Sept. 6, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Preservation efforts advance along Cooper Landing highway project

67 acres of wetland habitat was conserved around the Sterling Highway Milepost 45-60 project

An area cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing bypass project can be seen above the intersection of the Kenai River and Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Sept. 6, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska.Voters are whittling down the list of 48 candidates running for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, with the top four vote-getters in a special primary on Saturday, June 11, advancing to an August special election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

AP calls 4th primary spot for Peltola; Palin still leads

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Republican Nick Begich and Al Gross fill the other three spots

Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska.Voters are whittling down the list of 48 candidates running for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, with the top four vote-getters in a special primary on Saturday, June 11, advancing to an August special election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
A video exhibit plays as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to reveal its findings of a year-long investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 13, 2022. The 1/6 committee is set to plunge into Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to salvage the 2020 election by pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to reject the electoral count — a highly unusual and potentially illegal strategy that was set in motion in the run-up to the Capitol riot. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Panel sharpens focus on Trump’s ‘crazy’ Jan. 6 plan

Trump’s closest advisers viewed his last-ditch efforts to halt congressional certification of his loss as “nuts,” “crazy” and even likely to incite riots if Pence followed through

  • Jun 16, 2022
  • By LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
  • State News
A video exhibit plays as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to reveal its findings of a year-long investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 13, 2022. The 1/6 committee is set to plunge into Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to salvage the 2020 election by pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to reject the electoral count — a highly unusual and potentially illegal strategy that was set in motion in the run-up to the Capitol riot. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Signage marks the entrance of the City of Kenai’s slash disposal site on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai slash site up and running

The site gives locals a place to get rid of their personal slash, including trees killed by spruce bark beetles

Signage marks the entrance of the City of Kenai’s slash disposal site on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)