News

Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Division of Elections has determined that Rep. Eastman is eligible to run for office after reviewing challenges to his candidacy. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Alaska legislator, member of Oath Keepers, faces lawsuit challenging his eligibility for office

Members of the Oath Keepers, including the group’s founder, have been accused of crimes linked to the Jan. 6 riots

Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Division of Elections has determined that Rep. Eastman is eligible to run for office after reviewing challenges to his candidacy. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
A sample ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Alaska regular primary election for House District 7. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Elections)

A race to finish 4th in Alaska U.S. Senate primary

After Murkowski, Tshibaka and Chesbro, 16 candidates vie for last spot on general election ballot

A sample ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Alaska regular primary election for House District 7. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Elections)
(Black Press file photo)

Drug overdoses in state increase from 2020-2021

The Gulf Coast region, which includes the Kenai Peninsula as well as Kodiak Island and the Chugach census area, saw 30 deaths from drug overdoses in 2021

(Black Press file photo)
Congressional candidates Mary Peltola, left, Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III discuss Southeast Alaska and other issues during a midday forum Monday hosted by KINY radio. The three candidates are the finalists for the special election Aug. 16 fill the remainder of the late Rep. Don Young’s term and also are competing in the primary for the general election on that date. (Screenshot / KINY radio webcast)

3 House candidates debate in Juneau

Mary Peltola, Nick Begich III and Sarah Palin make cases before Aug. 16 special election

Congressional candidates Mary Peltola, left, Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III discuss Southeast Alaska and other issues during a midday forum Monday hosted by KINY radio. The three candidates are the finalists for the special election Aug. 16 fill the remainder of the late Rep. Don Young’s term and also are competing in the primary for the general election on that date. (Screenshot / KINY radio webcast)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the lieutenant governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. If voters choose to have a constitutional convention, the state’s foundational document could be rewritten entirely. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)

Cost estimates for constitutional convention in Alaska range widely

Issues include the length of the session and the amount of support delegates will need

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the lieutenant governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. If voters choose to have a constitutional convention, the state’s foundational document could be rewritten entirely. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)
Jonathan Parducho, a pharmacist, removes a tray of vials of of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses, in the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Friday, July 29, 2022, in San Francisco. (Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Alaska reports 1st case of monkeypox

Monkeypox can spread through close, personal and, often, skin-to-skin contact

Jonathan Parducho, a pharmacist, removes a tray of vials of of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses, in the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Friday, July 29, 2022, in San Francisco. (Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, center, holds a copy of House Bill 123, providing state recognition for Alaska’s 229 federally recognized Native tribes, at an event hosted by the Alaska Federation of Natives in Anchorage, Alaska, on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Photo provided by the Alaska Federation of Natives)

Bill recognizing Alaska Native Tribes signed into law

The bill serves as the first formal recognition of Alaska’s Indigenous people

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, center, holds a copy of House Bill 123, providing state recognition for Alaska’s 229 federally recognized Native tribes, at an event hosted by the Alaska Federation of Natives in Anchorage, Alaska, on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Photo provided by the Alaska Federation of Natives)
The project area is about 10.5 miles of the Seward Highway from Mileposts 36.6, near the turnoff onto the Sterling Highway, to Milepost 25.5,

Regionwide Dungeness crab catch rates see down season

“There are no bright spots”

The project area is about 10.5 miles of the Seward Highway from Mileposts 36.6, near the turnoff onto the Sterling Highway, to Milepost 25.5,
Alaskans for Better Government members La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow, Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson and ‘Wáahlaal Gidáak Barbara Blake embrace on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Friday, May 13, 2022, following the passage of House Bill 123, a bill to formally recognize the state’s 229 already federally-recognized tribes. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is scheduled to sign the bill during a ceremony Thursday during a ceremony in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Natives welcome tribal recognition by state

Dunleavy to sign bill Thursday; advocates say it advances cooperative relations

Alaskans for Better Government members La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow, Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson and ‘Wáahlaal Gidáak Barbara Blake embrace on the floor of the Alaska State Senate on Friday, May 13, 2022, following the passage of House Bill 123, a bill to formally recognize the state’s 229 already federally-recognized tribes. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is scheduled to sign the bill during a ceremony Thursday during a ceremony in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID hospitalizations up nearly one-quarter from two weeks ago

Officials say hospitalization and recent death data is the most effective indicator of the prevalence of the virus

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Poll: Murkowski’s net approval up 22% during Biden administration

Morning Consult survey says Alaska incumbent’s popularity rising more than almost any other senator

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

After close to a year of negotiations, university, faculty union still at odds

The two sides disagree over what contract will be in effect until a new agreement is reached

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. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This aerial photo provided by the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service shows a tundra fire burning near the community of St. Mary’s, Alaska, on June 10, 2022. Alaska’s remarkable wildfire season includes over 530 blazes that have burned an area more than three times the size of Rhode Island, with nearly all the impacts, including dangerous breathing conditions from smoke, attributed to fires started by lightning. (Ryan McPherson/Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service via AP, File)

Burning up: Alaska experiencing wildfires it’s never seen before

Already more than 530 wildfires have burned an area the size of Connecticut and the usual worst of the fire season lays ahead

This aerial photo provided by the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service shows a tundra fire burning near the community of St. Mary’s, Alaska, on June 10, 2022. Alaska’s remarkable wildfire season includes over 530 blazes that have burned an area more than three times the size of Rhode Island, with nearly all the impacts, including dangerous breathing conditions from smoke, attributed to fires started by lightning. (Ryan McPherson/Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service via AP, File)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski favors congressional vote on same-sex marriage protections while Sullivan is noncommittal

Among Senate candidates, Tshibaka says a bill is unnecessary but Chesbro supports one

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A map shows locations in the U.S. designated as tribal lands and thus eligible for higher benefits from the Affordable Connectivity Program. All of Alaska falls under that designation. (Courtesy Image / FCC)

90K Alaska households are eligible for internet assistance —only 10K are taking advantage

White House touts a recently launched “one-stop” website to make signing up easier.

A map shows locations in the U.S. designated as tribal lands and thus eligible for higher benefits from the Affordable Connectivity Program. All of Alaska falls under that designation. (Courtesy Image / FCC)
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 brings reelection bid to Kenai Peninsula

He emerged as the top fundraiser in the race, per new campaign finance data filed this week

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)
A classroom at Kenai Middle School is photographed on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Weeks from restarting, schools across Alaska are struggling to find teachers

District, state solutions face hurdles with little time to spare

A classroom at Kenai Middle School is photographed on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Evidence markers are placed around the scene of a shooting in Centennial Park campground in Anchorage, Alaska, Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Officer, man wounded in shootout at homeless camp

The shooting occurred the same day another bear attracted to unsecured food was killed in the campground

Evidence markers are placed around the scene of a shooting in Centennial Park campground in Anchorage, Alaska, Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Officials report rise in COVID cases

This week’s data was collected from July 13 through July 19

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. Summer months especially prove challenging for critical blood donations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Blood Bank of Alaska says there’s a critical need for blood

Blood Bank of Alaska is currently in urgent need of all blood types

A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. Summer months especially prove challenging for critical blood donations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)