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A State of Alaska Department of Health Social Services sign remains on the main building providing in Juneau providing related services, even though the agency officially split into two departments on July 1. Other signs inside the building and one next door housing some of the new departments’ services are also unchanged. Commissioners of both departments said Thursday the initial focus has been on transitioning essential services without disruption, and more publicly noticeable ones such as new signs and website updates should be occurring during the coming months. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Commissioners of new departments say transition has been smooth

Commisioners of new departments say IT and other key transitions smooth, more visible changes coming

A State of Alaska Department of Health Social Services sign remains on the main building providing in Juneau providing related services, even though the agency officially split into two departments on July 1. Other signs inside the building and one next door housing some of the new departments’ services are also unchanged. Commissioners of both departments said Thursday the initial focus has been on transitioning essential services without disruption, and more publicly noticeable ones such as new signs and website updates should be occurring during the coming months. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, puppies Mike, Bos'n and Skipper cuddle up in their doghouse at Denali National Park and Preserve. (Courtesy / National Park Service)

Even when it’s not National Dog Day, it’s puppies 24/7 with Denali’s sled dog cam

The national park celebrates its 100th year owning sled dogs with 3 new puppies

From left to right, puppies Mike, Bos'n and Skipper cuddle up in their doghouse at Denali National Park and Preserve. (Courtesy / National Park Service)
President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens at right. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)

How will the student loan forgiveness plan impact Alaskans?

President Joe Biden recently announced his plan to do a long-awaited deed that has had many past and present university students across America holding their… Continue reading

President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens at right. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports 8 new COVID deaths, cases up in Kenai-Soldotna area

The Alaska Department of Health reported Wednesday that 78 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19. Eleven of these patients are on a ventilator. This is an… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Terri Burdick acts as her character Mrs. Burdick during the Triumvirate Theater’s rehearsal of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Performers hold auditions for ‘Anne of Green Gables’

The Kenai Performers are holding auditions this weekend for the upcoming production of “Anne of Green Gables.” Director Terri Burdick said that she’s “hoping that… Continue reading

Terri Burdick acts as her character Mrs. Burdick during the Triumvirate Theater’s rehearsal of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Courtesy Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Invasive green crabs now present in Alaska

Alaska’s fish and game experts are keeping their eyes on a new aquatic invasive species that was newly detected in Southeast last month. Live European… Continue reading

Courtesy Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
A box collects menstruation products for the Peninsula Period Network at the Soldotna Public Library on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New nonprofit aims to end period poverty

The Peninsula Period Network is a new nonprofit organization raising funds, collecting donations and applying for grants to end period poverty in the Kenai Peninsula… Continue reading

A box collects menstruation products for the Peninsula Period Network at the Soldotna Public Library on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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. After an agreement failed to materialize Monday, negotiations are ongoing. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

University contract impasse continues as classes near

Union and administration schedule talks through September after negotiations fall short Monday

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. After an agreement failed to materialize Monday, negotiations are ongoing. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship oversees the testing of voting equipment ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough gets $20k more to run Oct. 4 election

The Kenai Peninsula Borough needs about $20,000 more than expected to cover higher payroll costs and custodial services associated with this fall’s election. Borough assembly… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship oversees the testing of voting equipment ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
AP Photo / Mark Thiessen Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney said Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, she plans to end her campaign, saying she does not see a path to victory or to raise the money needed to be successful in the November general election.

Little change in election results as Sweeney drops out

Updated count shows Sarah Palin solidifying chances of ultimately prevailing in U.S. House race

AP Photo / Mark Thiessen Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney said Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, she plans to end her campaign, saying she does not see a path to victory or to raise the money needed to be successful in the November general election.
Steven Ireland-Haight sits in his retired packraft early on in his yearlong trip to paddle and walk from Juneau to Washington, D.C., to raise money and awareness about climate change. (Photo courtesy Owen Squires)

Crossing the country for climate change: A Juneau student is paddling and walking from Juneau to Washington, D.C., for climate change awareness and action

If you told Steven Ireland-Haight a year ago he’d be two months into a yearlong journey to cross the waters and land between Juneau and… Continue reading

Steven Ireland-Haight sits in his retired packraft early on in his yearlong trip to paddle and walk from Juneau to Washington, D.C., to raise money and awareness about climate change. (Photo courtesy Owen Squires)
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Borough voters to decide on reapportionment, school maintenance in Oct. 4 municipal election

As if there isn’t enough going on with elections this year, Kenai Peninsula voters will decide this fall whether or not to support multiple ballot… Continue reading

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Boats sit near the mouth of the Kenai River on Aug. 22, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Graying of the fleet

To encourage more young fishermen, look to farm programs as models, new study argues

  • Aug 23, 2022
  • By Yereth Rosen Alaska Beacon
Boats sit near the mouth of the Kenai River on Aug. 22, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Leashes to lend hang from a kiosk at Mariner Park on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Pet support with the Lend-A-Leash program

Alaska Mindful Paws providing leashes for dog-walkers, among other services.

Leashes to lend hang from a kiosk at Mariner Park on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Peninsula Clarion file Participants in the 2019 Stomp Out Stigma Color Run make their way through a haze of pink chalk at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 28, 2019.

Color run set for Kenai Middle School

A color run will be held at Kenai Middle School this weekend, hosted in partnership between the KMS Sources of Strength and Change 4 the… Continue reading

Peninsula Clarion file Participants in the 2019 Stomp Out Stigma Color Run make their way through a haze of pink chalk at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 28, 2019.
Soldotna City Council members convene for a work session to discuss how the city should use federal COVID-19 recovery funds on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council to review mini grant applications next week

Soldotna City Council members will convene earlier than usual Wednesday to mull over applications submitted for the city’s mini grant program. Applications to that program,… Continue reading

Soldotna City Council members convene for a work session to discuss how the city should use federal COVID-19 recovery funds on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Voters cast ballots in Alaska’s special general and regular primary elections at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Division of Elections data: Primary turnout higher than previous elections

Turnout among central Kenai Peninsula voters in Tuesday’s primary election was higher than in the 2020, 2018 and 2016 state primaries, data from the Alaska… Continue reading

Voters cast ballots in Alaska’s special general and regular primary elections at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Elisif Harro, Mark Harro and Daniel Harro. (Photo courtesy John and Denise Harro)

‘We lost 2 first-class people’

Daniel, Mark Harro die in Idaho plane crash

Elisif Harro, Mark Harro and Daniel Harro. (Photo courtesy John and Denise Harro)
Two trombone players and a saxophone perform during a KCHS Marching Band practice on Aug. 18, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KCHS strikes up the band

Only a couple of days into the new school year, Kenai Central High School Band Director Christian Stephanos said he was excited to see the… Continue reading

Two trombone players and a saxophone perform during a KCHS Marching Band practice on Aug. 18, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Man wanted in relation to Amber Alert arrested; missing teenager found

A Fairbanks man wanted in connection to an Amber Alert was arrested early Thursday morning near Kasilof after a highway pursuit by Alaska State Troopers.… Continue reading

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