Signatures for a ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska recognize the 229 federally-recognized tribal governments were submitted to Division of Elections offices in Anchorage Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. The campaign was able to collect 56,230 signatures - well over the minimum requirement - meaning Alaskan voters will likely see the initiative on the November ballot. (Courtesy photo / Alaskans for Better Government)
Signatures for a ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska recognize the 229 federally-recognized tribal governments were submitted to Division of Elections offices in Anchorage Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. The campaign was able to collect 56,230 signatures - well over the minimum requirement - meaning Alaskan voters will likely see the initiative on the November ballot. (Courtesy photo / Alaskans for Better Government)
Nick Begich III is seen in this undated photo. Begich is seeking to unseat long-serving Congressman Don Young, who represents Alaska in the House of Representatives. (Courtesy photo)

Challenger looking to unseat Young visits Kenai

Nick Begich III is campaigning for the state’s lone House seat

Nick Begich III is seen in this undated photo. Begich is seeking to unseat long-serving Congressman Don Young, who represents Alaska in the House of Representatives. (Courtesy photo)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

As COVID cases increase among kids, officials await new vaccine guidance

COVID vaccines still aren’t approved for children 4 years old and younger.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Homer Harbor, as seen on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Locals appointed to state bycatch task force

The mission of the task force will be to better understand the unintended bycatch of fish caught in both state and federal waters.

The Homer Harbor, as seen on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
FILE--In this undated file photo, drilling operations at the Doyon Rig 19 at the Conoco-Phillips Carbon location in the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, are shown. Alaska's Congressional delegation released a joint statement Tuesday condemning the Biden Administration's decision not to pursue development on the reserve, saying it would hurt the state's economy. (AP Photo/Judy Patrick, File)
FILE--In this undated file photo, drilling operations at the Doyon Rig 19 at the Conoco-Phillips Carbon location in the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, are shown. Alaska's Congressional delegation released a joint statement Tuesday condemning the Biden Administration's decision not to pursue development on the reserve, saying it would hurt the state's economy. (AP Photo/Judy Patrick, File)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Health officials: Some monoclonal treatments widely ineffective against omicron

The new guidance comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (Courtesy photo)

Micciche ‘optimistic’ lawmakers can steady state’s financial future

Heading into the session, Micciche said his primary focus will be on passing a fiscal plan for the state

Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (Courtesy photo)
Image via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

State looks to promote health beyond COVID-19

“Healthy You 2022” will focus on a different component of well-being every quarter

Image via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID hospitalizations increasing as cases rise

As of Monday, there were 85 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Lawmakers will return next week to the Alaska State Capitol building, seen here on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, for the next session of the Alaska State Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Local lawmakers prefile bills as session looms

COVID-19 health mandates, annexation and alcohol code reform on lawmakers’ agenda

Lawmakers will return next week to the Alaska State Capitol building, seen here on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, for the next session of the Alaska State Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

CPH remains below capacity, sees uptick in cases among staff

As of Friday, CPH had 12 COVID-positive staff members and 22 people at home quarantining.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Amid steep rise in COVID-19 cases, officials see reasons for optimism

COVID cases increased 145% from this week to last week, according to state data.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
State Sen. Peter Micciche fields questions from constituents during a joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Micciche briefs community ahead of session

Micciche seeks path forward on budget, looks to pass legislation on fishing permits, alcohol regulations

State Sen. Peter Micciche fields questions from constituents during a joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Statewide average case numbers double in 1 week

Alaska reported an estimated rolling average of 583.3 cases per 100,000 people daily over the past seven days.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Image via labor.alaska.gov

Uncertainty clouds future of state’s economy; modest job growth expected

That’s according to the January edition of “Alaska Economic Trends”

Image via labor.alaska.gov
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, leave the chamber after a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, early Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Jay Allen Johnson, 65, who faced charges of sending a series of profanity-laced voice messages to the two senators, entered guilty pleas, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in federal court in Fairbanks, Alaska, to two counts of threatening to kill a U.S. official. U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline accepted Johnson’s pleas and set sentencing for April 8. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Alaska man who threatened to kill senators pleads guilty

He faces up 10 years in jail on each charge.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, leave the chamber after a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, early Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Jay Allen Johnson, 65, who faced charges of sending a series of profanity-laced voice messages to the two senators, entered guilty pleas, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in federal court in Fairbanks, Alaska, to two counts of threatening to kill a U.S. official. U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline accepted Johnson’s pleas and set sentencing for April 8. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in October 2020. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire file)

PFD filing period opens

The 2022 PFD application period opened Jan. 1 and will close on March 31.

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in October 2020. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire file)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen here in this June 7, 2021, file photo. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Higher Alaska lawmaker salary, allowance cut proposed

The proposal would raise the annual salary for Alaska lawmakers from $50,400 to $64,000

The Alaska State Capitol is seen here in this June 7, 2021, file photo. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., speaks with U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell after a House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 27, 2021. (Jim Bourg/Pool via AP, File)

Jan. 6 committee prepares to go public

In the coming months, members of the panel will start to reveal their findings

Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., speaks with U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell after a House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 27, 2021. (Jim Bourg/Pool via AP, File)
Humpback whales breach the ocean’s surface in this undated Juneau photograph. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)

To the rescue: Volunteers stand ready to help stranded marine animals

When animals need help, a network of dedicated volunteers are trained and ready to pitch in.

Humpback whales breach the ocean’s surface in this undated Juneau photograph. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)