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Chelsea Berg, a nurse at Peninsula Community Health Services, administers a flu shot during a free drive-thru flu shot event at Kenai Central High School on Oct. 24, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Flu and RSV reaching peaks in Alaska, officials report

Cases of influenza in the state have been reported in much greater quantities much earlier in the season than recent years

Chelsea Berg, a nurse at Peninsula Community Health Services, administers a flu shot during a free drive-thru flu shot event at Kenai Central High School on Oct. 24, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
The Alaska Department of Health logo and other information about the author organization behind the Alaska Vital Statistics 2021 Annual Report are seen in this screenshot of the front cover of the report. (Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Health)

DOH: Fewer births, more deaths in 2021 than in 2020

Average life expectancy has fallen in Alaska as more people are dying and fewer are being born, according to the state Department of Health. Marriages… Continue reading

The Alaska Department of Health logo and other information about the author organization behind the Alaska Vital Statistics 2021 Annual Report are seen in this screenshot of the front cover of the report. (Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Health)
This Monday, June 17, 2019, file photo shows 5-mg pills of Oxycodone. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

State of Alaska accepts $21.5 million opioid settlement

These settlements come less than a year after a settlement agreement with opioid manufacturers that awarded the state $58 million

This Monday, June 17, 2019, file photo shows 5-mg pills of Oxycodone. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: 19 new resident deaths confirmed

Borough hospitalizations are down

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, speaks to reporters during a news conference on his proposed budget, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska, with members of his Cabinet also pictured. Dunleavy called the budget a starting point for discussions with lawmakers, who convene for a new legislative session in January. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy gives 1st look at next state budget

The budget proposal comes as statewide revenue projections have gone down an estimated $1.8 billion

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, speaks to reporters during a news conference on his proposed budget, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska, with members of his Cabinet also pictured. Dunleavy called the budget a starting point for discussions with lawmakers, who convene for a new legislative session in January. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, sits in the House on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Eastman, accused of violating the state constitution’s disloyalty clause over his lifetime membership in Oath Keepers, has not condemned the organization in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S Capitol. “No, I generally don’t condemn groups,” Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, said during his bench hearing on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, his second day on the witness stand. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Eastman won’t condemn Oath Keepers in Capitol riot

It was his second day on the witness stand in a case that challenges his eligibility to hold office

Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, sits in the House on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Eastman, accused of violating the state constitution’s disloyalty clause over his lifetime membership in Oath Keepers, has not condemned the organization in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S Capitol. “No, I generally don’t condemn groups,” Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, said during his bench hearing on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, his second day on the witness stand. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19 cases drop; hospital data delayed

The state reported no new resident deaths from COVID-19 this week

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska State Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29 in Juneau. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer File)

Case against lawmaker with Oath Keepers ties moves to trial

Superior Court Judge Jack McKenna denied a request by Republican Rep. David Eastman to dismiss the lawsuit

Alaska State Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29 in Juneau. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer File)
Chelsea Berg, a nurse at Peninsula Community Health Services, administers a flu shot during a free drive-thru flu shot event at Kenai Central High School on Oct. 24, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Flu more widespread, arriving earlier than previous years, state reports

Positive lab reports of influenza this week is higher than the peaks of the last four seasons

Chelsea Berg, a nurse at Peninsula Community Health Services, administers a flu shot during a free drive-thru flu shot event at Kenai Central High School on Oct. 24, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
A parent takes a selfie with a child and Santa and Mrs. Claus in Nuiqsut, Alaska, on Nov. 29, 2022. Operation Santa Claus, the Alaska National Guard’s outreach program, attempts to bring Santa and Mrs. Claus and gifts to children in two or three Alaska Native villages each year, including Nuiqsut in 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Santa visit brings joy to a frosty Alaska Inupiat village

Operation Santa Claus began back in 1956

A parent takes a selfie with a child and Santa and Mrs. Claus in Nuiqsut, Alaska, on Nov. 29, 2022. Operation Santa Claus, the Alaska National Guard’s outreach program, attempts to bring Santa and Mrs. Claus and gifts to children in two or three Alaska Native villages each year, including Nuiqsut in 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai explains the ranked choice voting process as the results are tallied during an Alaska Public Media broadcast, Nov. 23, 2022, at her office in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Elections division head to step down Friday

Fenumiai made the decision to retire in September, a division spokesperson said

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai explains the ranked choice voting process as the results are tallied during an Alaska Public Media broadcast, Nov. 23, 2022, at her office in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19 cases continue to spike

Cases rise in Kenai Peninsula Borough for 3rd straight week

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seated left, and Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom sign their oaths of office during the inauguration ceremony, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy, a Republican, last month became the first Alaska governor since Democrat Tony Knowles in 1998 to win back-to-back terms. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy, Dahlstrom take oaths of office

Gov. Dunleavy was reelected during the Nov. 8 general election

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seated left, and Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom sign their oaths of office during the inauguration ceremony, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy, a Republican, last month became the first Alaska governor since Democrat Tony Knowles in 1998 to win back-to-back terms. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
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 proposes restrictions to block Pebble Mine

Mine developer Pebble Limited Partnershi called the EPA’s decision a preemptive veto

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)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: Hospitalizations fall statewide, rise locally

The state reported no new resident deaths from COVID-19 this week

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Senator-elect Jesse Bjorkman, center, participates in a candidate forum Oct. 17, 2022, at the Soldotna Public Library. Bjorkman was elected in November to represent Alaska Senate District D on the Kenai Peninsula. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman joins Senate majority caucus

He is one of 17 members of the bipartisan group

Senator-elect Jesse Bjorkman, center, participates in a candidate forum Oct. 17, 2022, at the Soldotna Public Library. Bjorkman was elected in November to represent Alaska Senate District D on the Kenai Peninsula. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Alaska State Capitol awaits a legislators forming new majority coalitions and the return of Gov. Mike Dunleavy after the winners of the general election were announced Wednesday. The Senate will have a 17-member bipartisan ruling coalition, while the House arrangement remains uncertain due to at least one likely recount and questions about partisan alignments. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Bipartisan majority formed for new state Senate

Eight Republicans join nine Democrats after many years of Republican rule

The Alaska State Capitol awaits a legislators forming new majority coalitions and the return of Gov. Mike Dunleavy after the winners of the general election were announced Wednesday. The Senate will have a 17-member bipartisan ruling coalition, while the House arrangement remains uncertain due to at least one likely recount and questions about partisan alignments. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
During a hearing at the Juneau Courthouse, 34-year-old Anthony Michael Migliaccio pleaded not guilty after he was arrested on a first-degree murder charge in the killing of a 55-year-old Juneau woman. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Man arrested in Juneau killing pleads not guilty

News follows a two-month investigation.

During a hearing at the Juneau Courthouse, 34-year-old Anthony Michael Migliaccio pleaded not guilty after he was arrested on a first-degree murder charge in the killing of a 55-year-old Juneau woman. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Sarah Palin, left, a Republican, is shown before a debate for Alaska’s sole U.S. House seat on Oct. 26, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Palin re-emerged in Alaska politics over a decade after resigning as governor with hopes of winning the state’s U.S. House seat. She had unbeatable name recognition, the backing of former President Donald Trump and an unrivaled ability to attract national media attention. But she struggled to catch fire with voters and ran what critics saw as a lackluster campaign against a breakout Democrat who pitched herself as a regular Alaskan and a Republican backed by state GOP leaders. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Next act for Palin unclear after Alaska House losses

Palin lost two elections for the House seat Republican Don Young held for 49 years before his death in March

Sarah Palin, left, a Republican, is shown before a debate for Alaska’s sole U.S. House seat on Oct. 26, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Palin re-emerged in Alaska politics over a decade after resigning as governor with hopes of winning the state’s U.S. House seat. She had unbeatable name recognition, the backing of former President Donald Trump and an unrivaled ability to attract national media attention. But she struggled to catch fire with voters and ran what critics saw as a lackluster campaign against a breakout Democrat who pitched herself as a regular Alaskan and a Republican backed by state GOP leaders. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Clockwise from upper left: Mary Peltola, Lisa Murkowski, Mike Dunleavy and Jesse Bjorkman

After ranked-choice tabulation, Murkowski, Peltola win reelection

The tabulation process was streamed live by KTOO

Clockwise from upper left: Mary Peltola, Lisa Murkowski, Mike Dunleavy and Jesse Bjorkman