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Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Members of the House Committee of Military and Veterans’ Affairs heard testimony on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, on the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers amid public pressure to take disciplinary action against Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, who is a member of the group.

House committee hears testimony on far-right organization

‘A distraction.’

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Members of the House Committee of Military and Veterans’ Affairs heard testimony on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, on the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers amid public pressure to take disciplinary action against Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, who is a member of the group.
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State announces 21 COVID deaths

The state Department of Health and Social Services reported 21 more COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, pushing the total to 1,081 Alaska resident deaths since the pandemic… Continue reading

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COVID

Masks made available as COVID cases remain high

The central peninsula is offering more free COVID-19 mitigation measures now, as cases in Alaska are still at an all-time high. Kenai Public Health Nurse… Continue reading

COVID
Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich’s office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

‘Work, actual work’ is underway in the state Senate

It may take a special session.

Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich’s office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman, standing, speaks on the House floor on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Juneau Alaska. Alaska House leaders have backed away from a proposal to strip committee assignments from Eastman, who has acknowledged being a member of the far-right organization Oath Keepers, and for now plan to hold at least one hearing on the group. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska House backs off sanctions for Oath Keepers legislator

Eastman has cast the current debate around him as an extension of “cancel culture”

Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman, standing, speaks on the House floor on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Juneau Alaska. Alaska House leaders have backed away from a proposal to strip committee assignments from Eastman, who has acknowledged being a member of the far-right organization Oath Keepers, and for now plan to hold at least one hearing on the group. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Kenai Peninsula residents eat inside Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Alcohol industry overhaul bill heads to Senate floor

A key focus of the bill is the consolidation of Alaska’s existing licensing and permitting regulations.

Kenai Peninsula residents eat inside Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Data from the State of Alaska show the state’s new COVID-19 infections have been falling since mid January. (Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)

State’s cases falling, but still one of the highest in the US

From Jan. 28 to Feb. 3 cases fell 27%, down to 12,149.

Data from the State of Alaska show the state’s new COVID-19 infections have been falling since mid January. (Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks Friday with Alaska’s congressional delegation about the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state.

Delegation: Work together to plan, optimize infrastructure money

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is set to bring billions of dollars to the state

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks Friday with Alaska’s congressional delegation about the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrives to Federal court, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in New York. Palin is due back in a New York City courtroom more than a week after her libel trial against The New York Times was postponed because she tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Palin resumes court battle with Times after COVID illness

A judge put off the trial last week to give an unvaccinated Palin time to get over any possible COVID-19 symptoms

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrives to Federal court, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in New York. Palin is due back in a New York City courtroom more than a week after her libel trial against The New York Times was postponed because she tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
A graphic shows employment by Alaska region and features the percent change in jobs from December 2020 to December 2021. (Graphic via February 2022 Alaska Economic Trends reports from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)

Report: Alaska economy rebounding; inflation up

Prices in Alaska increased by 4.9% in 2021

A graphic shows employment by Alaska region and features the percent change in jobs from December 2020 to December 2021. (Graphic via February 2022 Alaska Economic Trends reports from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Officials: State cases may be reaching plateau

New infections are trending downward nationwide

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19 4th leading cause of death in 2020

COVID was responsible for 231 deaths in 2020

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer man in mistaken FBI raid runs for lieutenant governor

Hueper and his wife, Marilyn, attended a rally for Trump in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021

Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor’s office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Bill seeks to strengthen civics education

Students would have to take exam similar to citizenship test

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor’s office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
U.S. Navy / Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Montemarano The USS Hopper (DDG 70) prepares to moor in Homer, Alaska, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with its participation in Northern Edge 2017 in Homer, Alaska, April 29, 2017. The Navy is proposing to considerably expand its exercise area in the Gulf of Alaska.

Navy proposes expanding Gulf of Alaska exercise area

The proposal would more than quadruple the sea room for ships and aircraft to manuever in

U.S. Navy / Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Montemarano The USS Hopper (DDG 70) prepares to moor in Homer, Alaska, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with its participation in Northern Edge 2017 in Homer, Alaska, April 29, 2017. The Navy is proposing to considerably expand its exercise area in the Gulf of Alaska.
The state ferry M/V Tustumena pulls into the Homer Harbor on Monday, June 8, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Tustumena down for repairs

The ship is set to return to service on July 15

The state ferry M/V Tustumena pulls into the Homer Harbor on Monday, June 8, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska House tabled action Monday on a proposal to remove from legislative committees Eastman, who has said he joined the Oath Keepers far-right organization years ago. The House Committee on Committees voted 5-2 to remove Republican Rep. Eastman of Wasilla from his committee assignments, said Joe Plesha, communications director for the House’s bipartisan majority. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

House tables vote affecting lawmaker with Oath Keepers ties

Eastman last week told The Associated Press he joined the Oath Keepers “a little over 12 years ago”

Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska House tabled action Monday on a proposal to remove from legislative committees Eastman, who has said he joined the Oath Keepers far-right organization years ago. The House Committee on Committees voted 5-2 to remove Republican Rep. Eastman of Wasilla from his committee assignments, said Joe Plesha, communications director for the House’s bipartisan majority. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Esau Sinnok of Shishmaref, Alaska, speaks at a news conference after the Alaska Supreme Court heard arguments on Oct. 9, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska, in a lawsuit that claims state policy on fossil fuels is harming the constitutional right of young Alaskans to a safe climate. The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by 16 Alaska youths, who claimed long-term effects of climate change will devastate Alaska and interfere with their individual constitutional rights. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska court rules against youths in climate change lawsuit

16 young Alaskans claimed long-term effects of climate change will devastate Alaska and interfere with their individual constitutional rights

Esau Sinnok of Shishmaref, Alaska, speaks at a news conference after the Alaska Supreme Court heard arguments on Oct. 9, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska, in a lawsuit that claims state policy on fossil fuels is harming the constitutional right of young Alaskans to a safe climate. The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by 16 Alaska youths, who claimed long-term effects of climate change will devastate Alaska and interfere with their individual constitutional rights. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

4 more deaths, hospitalizations top 200

The newly reported deaths come during another COVID wave driven by the omicron variant of the virus.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire This photo shows Kayla Svinicki, director and owner of Little Moon Child Care on Friday. Svinicki said that providing child care is essential but that the economics of the situation make the work difficult. She said she hopes the country starts to treat child care as part of the nation’s infrastructure.

Report: 61% of Alaskans live in child care deserts

Local providers say the struggle is real

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire This photo shows Kayla Svinicki, director and owner of Little Moon Child Care on Friday. Svinicki said that providing child care is essential but that the economics of the situation make the work difficult. She said she hopes the country starts to treat child care as part of the nation’s infrastructure.