News

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID cases slightly up from last weekend, hospitalizations down

There were a total of 54 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska as of Monday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee A car is shown at a gas pump Jan. 21 at a station in North Miami, Fla. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska state lawmakers are moving to temporarily suspend the state’s motor fuel tax as oil prices rise.

Lawmakers move to pump the brakes on motor fuel tax

.08 cents per gallon.

AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee A car is shown at a gas pump Jan. 21 at a station in North Miami, Fla. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska state lawmakers are moving to temporarily suspend the state’s motor fuel tax as oil prices rise.
President Joe Biden announces that along with the European Union and the Group of Seven countries, the U.S. will move to revoke “most favored nation” trade status for Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Alaska lawmakers applaud ban on Russian seafood

Alcohol, seafood and diamonds.

President Joe Biden announces that along with the European Union and the Group of Seven countries, the U.S. will move to revoke “most favored nation” trade status for Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
A state of Alaska flag flies outside the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, March 11, 2022. The state has issued a corrected birth certificate for Benny Benson, the teenager who won a design contest for the flag in 1927, meaning he was 14 and not 13 when came up with the design of the Big Dipper and the North Star on a simple field of blue. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Review finds state flag designer was 14, not 13

John Ben Benson Jr. is believed to be the only Indigenous person to design a state flag

A state of Alaska flag flies outside the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, March 11, 2022. The state has issued a corrected birth certificate for Benny Benson, the teenager who won a design contest for the flag in 1927, meaning he was 14 and not 13 when came up with the design of the Big Dipper and the North Star on a simple field of blue. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
The Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa totem pole was re-installed at its new home in the atrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. Workers from Alaska Electric Light and Power helped install the pole. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Totem pole rededication ceremony emphasizes tradition, togetherness

“It represents history.”

The Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa totem pole was re-installed at its new home in the atrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. Workers from Alaska Electric Light and Power helped install the pole. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Alaska Sen. Tom Begich, left, and Rep. Zack Fields, right, both Anchorage Democrats, joined a news conference Thursday to talk up President Joe Biden’s agenda in Alaska.

Democratic state lawmakers praise Biden’s impact in Alaska

Officials cite COVID relief and infrastructure benefits

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Alaska Sen. Tom Begich, left, and Rep. Zack Fields, right, both Anchorage Democrats, joined a news conference Thursday to talk up President Joe Biden’s agenda in Alaska.
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Pressure lets up at hospitals

As of Wednesday, there were 69 COVID-related hospitalizations in the state

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file This file photo shows the mill facility at the Kensington Gold Mine on Oct. 14, 2019. A new study from the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage tries to imagine what the state’s mining industry could look like in 20 years.

Economists explore mining’s future in Alaska

Study envisions scenarios for mining in 20 years

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file This file photo shows the mill facility at the Kensington Gold Mine on Oct. 14, 2019. A new study from the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage tries to imagine what the state’s mining industry could look like in 20 years.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports backlogged COVID cases, 10 new deaths

There were a total of 69 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska as of Wednesday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
This Feb. 9, 2016, file photo shows an ice-covered ConocoPhillips sign at a drilling site in Nuiqsut, Alaska. Authorities are investigating a natural gas leak detected last week at a ConocoPhillips Alaska oil drill site on Alaska’s North Slope, officials said. Grace Salazar, a special assistant with the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, said Wednesday, March 9, 2022, that the commission that oversees oil and gas drilling in the state is investigating the matter. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

North Slope natural gas leak is under investigation

The company described the gas leak as being below the surface of the ground and said the cause was under investigation.

This Feb. 9, 2016, file photo shows an ice-covered ConocoPhillips sign at a drilling site in Nuiqsut, Alaska. Authorities are investigating a natural gas leak detected last week at a ConocoPhillips Alaska oil drill site on Alaska’s North Slope, officials said. Grace Salazar, a special assistant with the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, said Wednesday, March 9, 2022, that the commission that oversees oil and gas drilling in the state is investigating the matter. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Susie Smalley demonstrates during a vigil in support of Ukraine on Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy directs state agencies, corporations to divest from Russia

The move is in response to the nation’s invasion of Ukraine

Susie Smalley demonstrates during a vigil in support of Ukraine on Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Larry Talley / Courtesy photo A dead whale previously seen and necropsied on a small island near Angoon was spotted afloat on March 3. The cuts visible come from the necropsy effort, said a NOAA official.

Whale’s body spotted near Tenakee Inlet in Southeast Alaska

The animal with a long history in the area has been necropsied.

Larry Talley / Courtesy photo A dead whale previously seen and necropsied on a small island near Angoon was spotted afloat on March 3. The cuts visible come from the necropsy effort, said a NOAA official.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State still at high risk level but COVID cases falling

There were a total of 70 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska as of Monday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce selects Edie Grunwald to be his running mate at a campaign event at Paradisos restaurant in Kenai on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Pierce taps Grunwald, former parole board chair, as running mate

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, a hopeful for the Alaska governor’s seat, has tapped Edie Grunwald as his running mate. Pierce made the announcement… Continue reading

Alaska Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce selects Edie Grunwald to be his running mate at a campaign event at Paradisos restaurant in Kenai on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Screenshot In this screenshot of Gavel Alaska, Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, spoke to the Senate Education Committee on Thursday, March 3, 2022, regarding a bill that would prevent transgender athletes from competing as the sex they identify with.

Hearing held for restrictive transgender sports bill

Opponents say courts will strike it down.

Screenshot In this screenshot of Gavel Alaska, Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, spoke to the Senate Education Committee on Thursday, March 3, 2022, regarding a bill that would prevent transgender athletes from competing as the sex they identify with.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Viktor Tkachenko, who recently moved to Alaska from Ukraine, speaks during a rally encouraging the state to divest from all Russian investment on March 4, 2022.

Protesters, politicians call for cutting financial ties to Russia

The governor issued a statment directing state agencies to identify and divest, if appropriate.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Viktor Tkachenko, who recently moved to Alaska from Ukraine, speaks during a rally encouraging the state to divest from all Russian investment on March 4, 2022.
Cap

APOC decision allows unlimited contributions to candidates

Legislative action needed.

Cap
Four-time winner Jeff King takes his sled dog team through a snowstorm in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 4, 2022, during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Teams prep for Iditarod after Saturday’s ceremonial start

Mushers took a leisurely jaunt through Alaska’s largest city, waving at fans that lined downtown streets.

Four-time winner Jeff King takes his sled dog team through a snowstorm in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 4, 2022, during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID cases still down

There were a total of 73 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska as of Friday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
In this July 31, 2020, file photo, a plane rests in brush and trees outside of Soldotna, Alaska, after a midair collision that killed seven people, including State Rep. Gary Knopp. A Feb. 22 report by the National Transportation and Safety Board is recommending that all pilots be required to communicate their positions on a designated radio frequency when entering and exiting areas not controlled by air traffic control towers throughout Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion via AP, F-le)

Safety recommendations issued after midair crash that killed state lawmaker

A midair collision killed seven people, including Alaska state lawmaker Gary Knopp, near Soldotna on July 31, 2020.

In this July 31, 2020, file photo, a plane rests in brush and trees outside of Soldotna, Alaska, after a midair collision that killed seven people, including State Rep. Gary Knopp. A Feb. 22 report by the National Transportation and Safety Board is recommending that all pilots be required to communicate their positions on a designated radio frequency when entering and exiting areas not controlled by air traffic control towers throughout Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion via AP, F-le)