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Gov. Mike Dunleavy hosts a press conference announcing new legislation to toughen penalties for drug dealers selling opioids, on Oct. 17, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy proposes stronger penalties for drug offenses

The governor said he would present a bill to the Legislature next session

Gov. Mike Dunleavy hosts a press conference announcing new legislation to toughen penalties for drug dealers selling opioids, on Oct. 17, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Screenshot)
2022 Alaska State Senate candidate Tuckerman Babcock hands out candy during the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Babcock leads local candidates in fundraising for state office, reports show

Babcock, Jesse Bjorkman and Andy Cizek are running to represent Kenai and Soldotna in Alaska State Senate District D

2022 Alaska State Senate candidate Tuckerman Babcock hands out candy during the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Hospitalizations see uptick; COVID cases still declining

498 new COVID-19 cases were reported statewide

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Bob Bird (left) and Lisa Parker (right) participate in a Constitutional Convention Forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Constitutional convention debate comes to Kenai

Alaskans will be asked on the Nov. 8 general election ballot: “Shall there be a constitutional convention?”

Bob Bird (left) and Lisa Parker (right) participate in a Constitutional Convention Forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy leads in fundraising, latest campaign filing shows

Dunleavy, along with running mate Nancy Dahlstrom, raised more than $600,000 during the most recent filing period

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Alaska State House candidates Ron Gillham, Ben Carpenter and Justin Ruffridge participate in a candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska House candidates trade views at forum

The forum was hosted by The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM in partnership with the Central Peninsula League of Women Voters

From left: Alaska State House candidates Ron Gillham, Ben Carpenter and Justin Ruffridge participate in a candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Fat Bear Champion 747 photographed on Sept. 6 by L. Law. (Photo courtesy Katmai National Park)

Fattest bear crowned in annual competition

The final matchup brought Bear 747 and Bear 901 head-to-head

Fat Bear Champion 747 photographed on Sept. 6 by L. Law. (Photo courtesy Katmai National Park)
More than 60 people joined in on a Zoom meeting Monday afternoon to participate in an Indigenous Language revitalization class and panel that addressed the future of Lingít, X̱aad Kíl, and Smʼalgya̱x. (Screenshot / Clarise Larson)

Celebrating learning on Indigenous Peoples Day

Community leaders talk future of Indigenous Southeast Alaska languages

More than 60 people joined in on a Zoom meeting Monday afternoon to participate in an Indigenous Language revitalization class and panel that addressed the future of Lingít, X̱aad Kíl, and Smʼalgya̱x. (Screenshot / Clarise Larson)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government.

Walker hopes voters willing to accept hard truths

Former independent governor seeking office again: “I threw myself on the permanent fund grenade.”

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government.
Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition Workers replace a failed log culvert with a small foot bridge over Switzer Creek in a project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with some materials provided by the Alaskan Brewing Company. The federal government on Thursday announced an additional $1 billion in grants is being made available during the next five years for culvert repairs in areas where fish passage is blocked.

Cash flow: $1B in fed funds for freer fish

Grants to replace culverts impeding streams available to tribal, local and state governments

Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition Workers replace a failed log culvert with a small foot bridge over Switzer Creek in a project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with some materials provided by the Alaskan Brewing Company. The federal government on Thursday announced an additional $1 billion in grants is being made available during the next five years for culvert repairs in areas where fish passage is blocked.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Les Gara is photographed outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race.

Gara sticks to steady message on rocky campaign trail

Former Anchorage lawmaker seeking to become first Democrat elected governor since 1998.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Les Gara is photographed outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race.
From left: Alaska gubernatorial candidates former Gov. Bill Walker, former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and former state lawmaker Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce at Land’s End Resort on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Pierce stakes out positions in Homer debate

Pierce’s appearance was the second forum he has participated since announcing his bid for governor

From left: Alaska gubernatorial candidates former Gov. Bill Walker, former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and former state lawmaker Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce at Land’s End Resort on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Screenshot)
An array of “I Voted” stickers lie on a table at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Deadline to register to vote for Nov. 8 election is Sunday

Voters will elect a governor, state lawmakers and U.S. House and Senate candidates

An array of “I Voted” stickers lie on a table at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire City officials have deemed the city’s contribution to the cleanup efforts complete. Further cleanup efforts are the responsibility of property owners.

City of Juneau wraps up landslide cleanup

Remaining debris is in the hands of property owners, according to city officials.

Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire City officials have deemed the city’s contribution to the cleanup efforts complete. Further cleanup efforts are the responsibility of property owners.
A pair of Russians have turned up on a remote Alaska island in the Bering Sea, reportedly fleeing compulsory military service. (AP Graphic)

2 Russians seek asylum after reaching remote Alaska island

Thousands of Russian men have fled since President Vladimir Putin announced a mobilization to bolster Russian forces in Ukraine

A pair of Russians have turned up on a remote Alaska island in the Bering Sea, reportedly fleeing compulsory military service. (AP Graphic)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, left, discusses hospitality industry issues during a forum Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, with independent candidate Bill Walker, right, at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The forum was hosted by the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, with the organization’s president and CEO Sarah Oates acting as the moderator. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

Walker, Gara get into a bar debate

Candidates for governor talk about serving, shortages and ships during industry forum in Juneau

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, left, discusses hospitality industry issues during a forum Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, with independent candidate Bill Walker, right, at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The forum was hosted by the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, with the organization’s president and CEO Sarah Oates acting as the moderator. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

27 new deaths reported; COVID cases, hospitalizations down overall

For the period of Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, 554 new COVID-19 cases were reported

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Fat Bear Week bracket (Photo courtesy Katmai National Park & Preserve)

Fat bears face off

Voters decide on the heftiest Katmai brown bear

Fat Bear Week bracket (Photo courtesy Katmai National Park & Preserve)
Melanie Hardin, right, greets the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.’s Board of Trustees before her interview for the APFC’s executive director’s job Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Juneau, (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Permanent Fund board picks new executive director

Trustees work overtime selecting from three candidates after interviews Monday

Melanie Hardin, right, greets the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.’s Board of Trustees before her interview for the APFC’s executive director’s job Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Juneau, (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Mary Peltola, an Alaska Democrat, delivers a speech on the U.S. House floor before Thursday’s vote approving her first bill, establishing an Office of Food Security in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It passed the House by a 376-49 vote, although its fate in the Senate is undetermined. (Screenshot from official U.S. House video)

Poll: Peltola’s a popular pol

Food for vets bill passes House, pollster says she is “the most popular figure in Alaska right now.”

Rep. Mary Peltola, an Alaska Democrat, delivers a speech on the U.S. House floor before Thursday’s vote approving her first bill, establishing an Office of Food Security in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It passed the House by a 376-49 vote, although its fate in the Senate is undetermined. (Screenshot from official U.S. House video)