Kenai Superior Court Judge Jennifer Wells

Voices of the Peninsula: Pilot project for electronic filing enables courts to serve Alaskans during pandemic

Many emergency and priority court proceedings cannot wait until the pandemic is over

Kenai Superior Court Judge Jennifer Wells
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Bristol Bay is focused on local health and safety — not mine permitting

Bristol Bay knows all too well the devastating impacts of a pandemic.

Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Dave Reaves (courtesy photo)

Alaska Voices: Skilled Alaskan workers deserve our thanks

No matter what we are doing, this pandemic has proven how heavily we rely on technology, utilities.

Dave Reaves (courtesy photo)
Sara Erickson (courtesy)

Voices of the Peninsula: Restaurant and hospitality industry needs help from the governor now

What restaurants might be left for us to enjoy once we come out of quarantine?

  • Apr 8, 2020
Sara Erickson (courtesy)
Cathy Sandeen, UAA’s chancellor, is photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building in Anchorage. (Courtesy photo)

Sandeen: UAA is here when you need us

At no time has the value of UAA to this community been more apparent than during this pandemic.

  • Apr 8, 2020
  • University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen
Cathy Sandeen, UAA’s chancellor, is photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building in Anchorage. (Courtesy photo)
Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson testifies before state senators during a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in Juneau. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press File)

Clarkson: Price gouging will not be tolerated

Greed sometimes overtakes common sense and human decency.

  • Apr 4, 2020
  • By Attorney General Kevin Clarkson, Alaska Department of Law
Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson testifies before state senators during a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in Juneau. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press File)
The Alaska State Capitol Building as seen Jan. 9, 2015 in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Alaska Voices: Strategic efforts — not doubling down on the PFD — is the cure for Alaska’s coronavirus crisis

A PFD beyond the $1,000 pledged for fall would require spending the very last of our state savings.

  • Apr 4, 2020
  • Rep. Chuck Kopp
The Alaska State Capitol Building as seen Jan. 9, 2015 in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (File)

Voices of the Peninsula: The city of Kenai is here for you

The future may seem uncertain, but we will manage through this

  • Apr 2, 2020
  • Brian Gabriel, Kenai mayor
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (File)
Ryan Smith, South Peninsula Hospital CEO. (Photo courtesy of South Peninsula Hospital)

Point of View: South Peninsula Hospital is preparing for pandemic

“Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”

Ryan Smith, South Peninsula Hospital CEO. (Photo courtesy of South Peninsula Hospital)
Dr. Tamika Ledbetter, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, participates in a press conference in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 31, 2020. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Voices: State working to address Alaskans’ unemployment needs

As of the week ending March 21, the department processed 13,774 new claims.

  • Apr 1, 2020
  • By Commissioner Dr. Tamika Ledbetter, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Dr. Tamika Ledbetter, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, participates in a press conference in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 31, 2020. (Courtesy photo)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Voices: It’s time for a spending cap that works

It is essential to minimize uncertainty and prioritize stability.

  • Apr 1, 2020
  • Ben Wilterdink
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicating that they are closed can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Voices: Support your local business!

The actions we take now can help sustain these enterprises over the next few weeks.

  • Mar 31, 2020
  • Opinion by Commissioner Julie Anderson
A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicating that they are closed can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy (courtesy photo)

Opinion: Standing behind our state workers

Whatever hardship Alaskans face, the business of the state must go on.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (courtesy photo)
The Capitol is seen as House lawmakers prepare to debate emergency coronavirus response legislation on Capitol Hill, Friday, March 27, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Voices of the Peninsula: Cash payments give Americans crucial economic support

Cash payments put Americans in the driver’s seat because they are empowered to decide how to spend it

  • Mar 31, 2020
  • By Mark Reynolds and Carrie Henson
The Capitol is seen as House lawmakers prepare to debate emergency coronavirus response legislation on Capitol Hill, Friday, March 27, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Adam Crum

Alaska Voices: Alaskans are experts at social distancing and helping others

Most of us have never heard of anything like this, much less been asked to do it.

  • Mar 30, 2020
  • By Adam Crum
Adam Crum
Alaska Voices: We will get through this together

Alaska Voices: We will get through this together

We understand what a challenging and unprecedented time this is for Alaskans. The COVID-19 virus has been an evolving pandemic, spreading worldwide and severely disrupting… Continue reading

  • Mar 28, 2020
  • By Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young
Alaska Voices: We will get through this together
A moose feeds on a rose bush near the Homer News by Beluga Lake on Friday afternoon, March 6, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Voices of the Peninsula: Thank you for keeping Alaska wild

The successes on the Kenai Peninsula are due to a handful of dedicated professionals.

  • Mar 28, 2020
  • Katherine Schake, natural resource specialist, Homer Soil & Water Conservation District
A moose feeds on a rose bush near the Homer News by Beluga Lake on Friday afternoon, March 6, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Salmonberries hang fat from a bush on a recent summer. (Photo by Mary Catharine Martin)

Alaska Voices: Alaskan solace

We Alaskans, Americans and the rest of the world face uncharted waters in the months ahead.

  • Mar 27, 2020
  • By Mary Catharine Martin SalmonState
Salmonberries hang fat from a bush on a recent summer. (Photo by Mary Catharine Martin)
Meda DeWitt (courtesy photo)

Recall: Alaskans safely adapt to pandemic challenges

The man at the top has not changed, nor have the grounds of our recall.

  • Mar 24, 2020
  • Meda DeWitt
Meda DeWitt (courtesy photo)
Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (center); Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee (left), Sen. Natasha von Imhof, R-Anchorage, co-chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee, are pictured in this undated photo. (Courtesy)

Alaska senators: Help is on the way

No Alaskan in need will be left behind.

  • Mar 21, 2020
  • By Senate President Cathy Giessel, Sen. Bert Stedman, Sen. Natasha von Imhof
Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (center); Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee (left), Sen. Natasha von Imhof, R-Anchorage, co-chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee, are pictured in this undated photo. (Courtesy)