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Alaska gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker, left, and Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Gara, Walker face off at chamber forum

The two, who found common ground on some issues, took aim at Dunleavy

Alaska gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker, left, and Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Lance Mackey sits with his lead dogs Larry, right, and Maple after crossing the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on March 18, 2009, in Nome, Alaska, to win his third Iditarod in a row. Mackey, a four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner and one of mushing’s most colorful and accomplished champions who also suffered from health and drug issues, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, his father and kennel announced on Facebook. He was 52. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)

Cancer claims 4-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey

Officials with the world’s most famous sled dog race said Iditarod Nation was in mourning

Lance Mackey sits with his lead dogs Larry, right, and Maple after crossing the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on March 18, 2009, in Nome, Alaska, to win his third Iditarod in a row. Mackey, a four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner and one of mushing’s most colorful and accomplished champions who also suffered from health and drug issues, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, his father and kennel announced on Facebook. He was 52. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)
Festival producer Chris Miller on the site of Sacred Acre in Ninilchik. (Photo Courtesy David Stearns)

EDM festival debuts in Ninilchik this weekend

The Sacred Acre music festival will run Sept. 9-11 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds

Festival producer Chris Miller on the site of Sacred Acre in Ninilchik. (Photo Courtesy David Stearns)
In this July 13, 2007, photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

EPA to decide next steps on Pebble project by Dec. 2

The public comment period ended Tuesday

In this July 13, 2007, photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building is seen in March 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

PFD amount to be announced

Alaskans can expect a payout of about $3,200, but the exact amount awaits an announcement

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building is seen in March 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID cases, hospitalizations down

Starting next week, an updated bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine will be available in Alaska

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Feb. 26, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Judicial council accepting applications for upcoming Kenai court vacancy

Judge Jennifer K. Wells is retiring

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Feb. 26, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
A poster for “The Show Must Go On” is displayed at the Kenai Cinema on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The show goes on-screen

A feature-length documentary on efforts to rebuild Triumvirate debuts this weekend

A poster for “The Show Must Go On” is displayed at the Kenai Cinema on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Soldotna City Council candidates Lisa Parker, Dave Carey, Garrett Dominick and Erick Hugarte participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna candidates talk city issues, council bids

The forum was the second of nine forums being hosted by The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM

From left, Soldotna City Council candidates Lisa Parker, Dave Carey, Garrett Dominick and Erick Hugarte participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soniyae Stephens Reid rehearses for "Dance Moves," one of the Alaska World Arts Festival events for the festival starting Friday. (Photo provided)

Alaska World Arts Festival back for 4th year

Festival includes a mix of live and virtual events

Soniyae Stephens Reid rehearses for "Dance Moves," one of the Alaska World Arts Festival events for the festival starting Friday. (Photo provided)
The Kahtnuht'ana Duhdeldiht Campus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninula Clarion)

Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus learning begins Wednesday

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s new centralized learning facility — the Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus — welcomes students for the first time Wednesday. The campus, whose name… Continue reading

The Kahtnuht'ana Duhdeldiht Campus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninula Clarion)
Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. An updated COVID-19 booster will be available to Kenai Peninsula Borough residents as soon as Monday. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion file)

New COVID booster available Monday

38,000 doses of the updated booster have been ordered by vaccine providers in the state

Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. An updated COVID-19 booster will be available to Kenai Peninsula Borough residents as soon as Monday. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion file)
A campaign sign promoting Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s reelection campaign stands in Juneau. Two nonprofits on Tuesday filed a complaint with Alaska Public Offices Commission against Dunleavy and others connected to his campaign. The complaint alleges a series of “egregious campaign finance violations.” (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Photo)

Complaint: Dunleavy illegally using state employees for campaign

Nonprofits with ties to governor’s political opposition allege coordination of donors, staff misuse

A campaign sign promoting Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s reelection campaign stands in Juneau. Two nonprofits on Tuesday filed a complaint with Alaska Public Offices Commission against Dunleavy and others connected to his campaign. The complaint alleges a series of “egregious campaign finance violations.” (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Photo)
Mike Navarre testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Mike Navarre to step in as interim borough mayor

Navarre will take over from sitting Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, who resigned on Aug. 26

Mike Navarre testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
John Land, Christina Land, Joshua Land and Edgar Land of Grace Acres Farm show off some of their produce at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Harvest Moon fest to celebrate local food

Events at the stage, a chef tent and a demonstration tent will run between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Soldotna Creek Park

John Land, Christina Land, Joshua Land and Edgar Land of Grace Acres Farm show off some of their produce at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The official ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Special General Election features ranked choice voting. (State of Alaska Divison of Elections)

5 takeaway lessons from Alaska’s first ranked choice election

In November, Alaskans will use ranked choice voting on legislative and statewide races

The official ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Special General Election features ranked choice voting. (State of Alaska Divison of Elections)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara.

Alaska primary certified; local results are unchanged

Results were made official on Sept. 2

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara.
Fishers set out equipment a short distance from shore in the Tongass National Forest. The federal government on Friday announced it is awarding a $49 million grant to Alaska Mariculture Cluster, which is seeking to develop a $100 million a year sustainable seafood program in Southeast Alaska and other parts of the state. (U.S. Forest Service)

Alaska mariculture gets $49 million boost from feds

The coalition behind the project includes the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District

Fishers set out equipment a short distance from shore in the Tongass National Forest. The federal government on Friday announced it is awarding a $49 million grant to Alaska Mariculture Cluster, which is seeking to develop a $100 million a year sustainable seafood program in Southeast Alaska and other parts of the state. (U.S. Forest Service)
Screenshot from AdImpact video U.S. Representative-elect Mary Peltola talks about abortion rights in her first television ad after winning Alaska’s special election to fill the remainder of the late Don Young’s seat.

Peltola to be sworn in Sept. 13

Special U.S. House race certified; Palin, Begich repeat demands the other drop out of November election

Screenshot from AdImpact video U.S. Representative-elect Mary Peltola talks about abortion rights in her first television ad after winning Alaska’s special election to fill the remainder of the late Don Young’s seat.
From left, Kenai city mayoral candidates Brian Gabriel and Teea Winger, as well as council candidates Victoria Askin, Alex Douthit and Glenese Pettey participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM, in partnership with the Central Kenai Peninsula League of Women Voters are hosting a series of election forums Mondays from 6-7 p.m. through Oct. 31 at the Soldotna library. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

2nd Clarion/KDLL forum is Tuesday

The forum will spotlight candidates running for seats on the Soldotna City Council

From left, Kenai city mayoral candidates Brian Gabriel and Teea Winger, as well as council candidates Victoria Askin, Alex Douthit and Glenese Pettey participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM, in partnership with the Central Kenai Peninsula League of Women Voters are hosting a series of election forums Mondays from 6-7 p.m. through Oct. 31 at the Soldotna library. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)