News

Michael S. Lockett / capital city weekly Gigi Monroe welcomes guests to Glitz at Centennial Hall, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, on June 18.

Packed houses, back to back: GLITZ a roaring success

Sold-out sets and heavy-hitting headliners

Michael S. Lockett / capital city weekly Gigi Monroe welcomes guests to Glitz at Centennial Hall, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, on June 18.
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 elections office says Eastman eligible to run

Challenges to Eastman’s candidacy centered on his affiliation with the Oath Keepers.

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)
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’s campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Sweeney does not plan suit over Alaska House ballot decision

Sweeney finished fifth in the vote count, completed Tuesday

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’s campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Reported COVID-19 cases up; hospitalizations down statewide

Officials recommend all eligible Alaskans be up to date on their COVID vaccines

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Rusty Bowers, Arizona state House Speaker, from left, Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State, and Gabe Sterling, Georgia Deputy Secretary of State, are sworn in to testify as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to reveal its findings of a yearlong investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday.

1/6 panel: Local ‘heroes’ rebuffed Trump, then faced threats

The high-profile pressure, described as potentially illegal, was fueled by the president’s false claims of voter fraud

  • Jun 21, 2022
  • By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press
  • NewsState News
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Rusty Bowers, Arizona state House Speaker, from left, Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State, and Gabe Sterling, Georgia Deputy Secretary of State, are sworn in to testify as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to reveal its findings of a yearlong investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday.
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Troopers to change statewide alert system

Alaskans will need to enroll the new statewide alert system to stay up to date on trooper operations

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association in Juneau, looks out as the group sells sweet potato pies as a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneteenth celebrated with food and friendship in Juneau

The event was a celebration and a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund

Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association in Juneau, looks out as the group sells sweet potato pies as a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Al Gross is seen during a debate on Oct. 23, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gross, an independent running for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, said late Monday, June 20, 2022, that he is ending his campaign. (Jeff Chen/Alaska Public Media via AP, File)

Independent Al Gross says he’s ending Alaska House bid

Gross was in third, behind former Gov. Sarah Palin and businessman Nick Begich, both Republicans

Al Gross is seen during a debate on Oct. 23, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gross, an independent running for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, said late Monday, June 20, 2022, that he is ending his campaign. (Jeff Chen/Alaska Public Media via AP, File)
Clarion file photo

Mat-Su schools’ ban on transgender girl athletes raises concern for ACLU, may violate federal law

Multiple federal agencies affirm rights of transgender people

Clarion file photo
The distillery of the Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen in April 2018. Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed into law Senate Bill 9 on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the bill overhauls state’s alcohol regulations, including creating several new retail license types, such as for breweries, wineries and distilleries, and allowing those businesses to stay open later. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Comprehensive alcohol bill signed into law

The bill, 10 years in the making, was sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche

The distillery of the Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen in April 2018. Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed into law Senate Bill 9 on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the bill overhauls state’s alcohol regulations, including creating several new retail license types, such as for breweries, wineries and distilleries, and allowing those businesses to stay open later. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska.Voters are whittling down the list of 48 candidates running for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, with the top four vote-getters in a special primary on Saturday, June 11, advancing to an August special election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

AP calls 4th primary spot for Peltola; Palin still leads

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Republican Nick Begich and Al Gross fill the other three spots

Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska.Voters are whittling down the list of 48 candidates running for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, with the top four vote-getters in a special primary on Saturday, June 11, advancing to an August special election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
A video exhibit plays as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to reveal its findings of a year-long investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 13, 2022. The 1/6 committee is set to plunge into Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to salvage the 2020 election by pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to reject the electoral count — a highly unusual and potentially illegal strategy that was set in motion in the run-up to the Capitol riot. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Panel sharpens focus on Trump’s ‘crazy’ Jan. 6 plan

Trump’s closest advisers viewed his last-ditch efforts to halt congressional certification of his loss as “nuts,” “crazy” and even likely to incite riots if Pence followed through

  • Jun 16, 2022
  • By LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
  • NewsState News
A video exhibit plays as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to reveal its findings of a year-long investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 13, 2022. The 1/6 committee is set to plunge into Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to salvage the 2020 election by pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to reject the electoral count — a highly unusual and potentially illegal strategy that was set in motion in the run-up to the Capitol riot. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Large portion of unexpected Alaska deaths in 2020 and 2021 directly tied to COVID-19

Pandemic increased premature deaths among non-elderly adults, report says

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Christopher Constant plans to withdraw as a candidate for the August primary for Alaska’s U.S. House seat and support Peltola. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Constant plans to withdraw as House candidate, back Peltola

Peltola currently sits in fourth place in last Saturday’s special primary, several thousand votes ahead of Republican Tara Sweeney

Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Christopher Constant plans to withdraw as a candidate for the August primary for Alaska’s U.S. House seat and support Peltola. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Salmon dries on a traditional rack on the beach in the Seward Peninsula village of Teller on Sept. 2, 2021. Salmon is a dietary staple for Indigenous residents of Western Alaska, and poor runs have created hardship. (Photo and caption by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Fishery managers call for deeper look at salmon bycatch, but decline to tighten rules

Incidental catches of salmon in nets harvesting pollock have skyrocketed, but scientists say that is not the driver of poor returns

Salmon dries on a traditional rack on the beach in the Seward Peninsula village of Teller on Sept. 2, 2021. Salmon is a dietary staple for Indigenous residents of Western Alaska, and poor runs have created hardship. (Photo and caption by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire This photo shows Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School on Tuesday evening. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District’s RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school’s RALLY site.

Pouches of milk, chemicals delivered side-by-side

12 kids drink toxic fluid after supplies mistakenly delivered to school district on same pallet

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire This photo shows Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School on Tuesday evening. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District’s RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school’s RALLY site.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

New COVID cases down from last week

Nationally, the 14-day change rate of newly reported COVID cases has increased by 7%

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A health care professional prepares to administer a COVID-19 test outside Capstone Clinic in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Capstone announced Wednesday it will end public COVID-19 testing at the end of the month. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Capstone to discontinue public COVID testing

The public COVID-19 testing program will end at the end of the month

A health care professional prepares to administer a COVID-19 test outside Capstone Clinic in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Capstone announced Wednesday it will end public COVID-19 testing at the end of the month. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Former Alaska Governor and current Congressional hopeful Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet and greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

AP: Palin, Begich and Gross to head to special election

The candidate order has not changed since Saturday, though Palin’s share of votes dropped slightly

Former Alaska Governor and current Congressional hopeful Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet and greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Hazy skies are seen as the sun sets on Cook Inlet, seen from South Kenai Beach, on Sunday, June 12, 2022. Wildfires in western Alaska pushed smoke to the Southcentral area over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Lower Yukon River wildfire is among Alaska’s largest tundra fires on record

It is also part of a trend of increasingly frequent tundra fires in that region

Hazy skies are seen as the sun sets on Cook Inlet, seen from South Kenai Beach, on Sunday, June 12, 2022. Wildfires in western Alaska pushed smoke to the Southcentral area over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)