Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the 10-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)

Department of Health urges flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines

Only 18.5% of Alaskans have received a flu vaccine as of last week

Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the 10-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)
Department of Health logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Report: Adverse childhood experiences ‘common’ in Alaska

ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood

Department of Health logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Callie Giordano’s first grade Mountain View Elementary School students practice literacy skills on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska’s adjusted school spending trails national average, UAA researchers say

Funding for K-12 education is expected to be a top issue in the upcoming legislative session

Callie Giordano’s first grade Mountain View Elementary School students practice literacy skills on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Michael Daniel. (Photo via Daniel for House)

Homer chamber board head enters race for state House

Michael Daniel, a Republican, is challenging Alaska House Rep. Sarah Vance.

Michael Daniel. (Photo via Daniel for House)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, answers questions from constituents during a legislative update at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Ruffridge predicts school funding, energy security will be top issues in Juneau next session

Ruffridge has represented District 7, which includes Kenai and Soldotna, in the Alaska House of Representatives since January

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, answers questions from constituents during a legislative update at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Cook Inlet is seen from Clam Gulch State Recreation Area on Feb. 7, 2020, in Clam Gulch, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
Cook Inlet is seen from Clam Gulch State Recreation Area on Feb. 7, 2020, in Clam Gulch, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
In this image provided by the U.S. Coast Guard is the aftermath of a landslide in Wrangell, Alaska on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo via AP)

Girl dead, woman rescued, 5 missing after landslide hits isolated Alaska fishing community

The slide — estimated to be about 450 feet wide — occurred at about 9 p.m. Monday during a significant rain- and windstorm near Wrangell

  • Nov 21, 2023
  • By BECKY BOHRER, MARK THIESSEN and JOHN RABY Associated Press
  • NewsState News
In this image provided by the U.S. Coast Guard is the aftermath of a landslide in Wrangell, Alaska on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo via AP)
Cook Inlet is seen from Clam Gulch State Recreation Area on Feb. 7, 2020, in Clam Gulch, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Parking fees at state parks to go up in 2024

Parking fees at state parks to go up in 2024

Cook Inlet is seen from Clam Gulch State Recreation Area on Feb. 7, 2020, in Clam Gulch, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
Department of Health logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

2022 overdose deaths slightly down from previous year

Deaths still far surpassed those recorded during last decade

Department of Health logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner John Boyle and Alaska Department of Revenue Deputy Commissioner Fadil Limani discuss Cook Inlet oil and gas shortages during a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy the Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy looks to lower Cook Inlet oil and gas royalties

The governor said he plans to introduce legislation lowering the rate

From left, Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner John Boyle and Alaska Department of Revenue Deputy Commissioner Fadil Limani discuss Cook Inlet oil and gas shortages during a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy the Office of the Governor)
A plow truck clears snow from the Kenai Spur Highway on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

DOT commissioner: New road maintenance strategy could reduce brine use by 40%

Vehicle corrosion and associated costs, threats to public safety and environmental impacts were the top concerns

A plow truck clears snow from the Kenai Spur Highway on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
This is a picture of the Alaska Department of Health building in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Life expectancy up; births, deaths trend downward in 2022

The Kenai Peninsula saw 629 births last year

This is a picture of the Alaska Department of Health building in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Kenai Public Health Center is seen on a cloudy Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Syphilis cases remained high in 2022

Last year, 424 cases of syphilis were reported

The Kenai Public Health Center is seen on a cloudy Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anna Lewald, left, a registered nurse at South Peninsula Hospital, gives Dave Aplin, right, an influenza vaccine at a flu and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinic Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

State recommends flu vaccination in September and October

That guidance says that everyone over 6 months should be vaccinated

Anna Lewald, left, a registered nurse at South Peninsula Hospital, gives Dave Aplin, right, an influenza vaccine at a flu and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinic Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State Board of Education bars trans girls from girls high school sports teams

Schools or school districts must create separate athletic categories for cisgender girls and other student athletes

A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs S.B. 7 into law at Papoose Milling on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Big Lake, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office)

Dunleavy signs lumber bill

Sponsored by Nikiski Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, the bill establishes a lumber grade training program

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs S.B. 7 into law at Papoose Milling on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Big Lake, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Office)
A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State board of ed to take up transgender sports issue Thursday

The board will consider whether or not to separate cisgender girls, other student athletes

A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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 talks LNG, local projects in Soldotna

Murkowski caught up the Clarion on oil and gas resources and what it looks like to collaborate with local government to get things done

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)
The Kenai Public Health Center is seen on a cloudy Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

State issues new guidance to combat ongoing syphilis epidemic

The alert urges increased screening for pregnant people

The Kenai Public Health Center is seen on a cloudy Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Areas cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project (bottom) can be seen above the Kenai River in Cooper Landing in this August 10, 2021, photo. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)

Bypass project costs jump, state looks for more funding

The long-planned project aims to reduce traffic congestion through Cooper Landing

Areas cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project (bottom) can be seen above the Kenai River in Cooper Landing in this August 10, 2021, photo. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)