News

Lawmakers could be headed back to Juneau if the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee doesn’t approve the governor’s plans for allocating federal COVID-19 relief money. Some legislators say there are legal complications with the process chosen by the governor. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers scrap critical meeting on relief funds

It’s been postponed to Monday

Lawmakers could be headed back to Juneau if the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee doesn’t approve the governor’s plans for allocating federal COVID-19 relief money. Some legislators say there are legal complications with the process chosen by the governor. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
COVID-19. (CDC)

Anchor Point man is 10th Alaskan to die from COVID-19

In addition to this 10th death, the state reported one new case of COVID-19 on Wednesday.

COVID-19. (CDC)
COVID-19. (CDC)

1 new COVID-19 case announced Tuesday

The state total is 371 positive cases.

COVID-19. (CDC)
Firefighters from the Kenai-Kodiak Area State Forestry office extinguish a small grass fire started by an escaped campfire on the Kenai Peninsula on May 3, 2020. (Kyle McNally/Alaska Division of Forestry)

Crews respond to fires across state as burn ban goes into effect

Everything from illegal debris burns to hot chainsaws in dry grass were the culprits of the fires.

Firefighters from the Kenai-Kodiak Area State Forestry office extinguish a small grass fire started by an escaped campfire on the Kenai Peninsula on May 3, 2020. (Kyle McNally/Alaska Division of Forestry)
Tribes, conservationists, urge action on transboundary mining

Tribes, conservationists, urge action on transboundary mining

Concern remains even during a pandemic

Tribes, conservationists, urge action on transboundary mining
Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

2 new COVID-19 cases announced at South Peninsula Hospital

One case is from community transmission, the other still under investigation

Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Juneauites gathered signatures to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy in late February. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Recall Dunleavy to lauch mail-in signature drive

Early June is the goal.

Juneauites gathered signatures to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy in late February. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Population projections run into a pandemic

Population projections run into a pandemic

State has net zero or negative growth.

Population projections run into a pandemic

Alaska sees no new COVID-19 cases on Saturday

Total number of cases rests at 339, while 217 have recovered

Ashley Story gives a haircut to client Michael Halstead on Friday at her salon Short Cuts on Lake Street in Homer, Alaska. Story’s is one of several Homer businesses to reopen their doors Friday according to relaxed state restrictions, while several others have opted to wait. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

State allows some gatherings; businesses begin reopening

Indoor gatherings will be limited to 20 people, or 25% capacity of the site, whichever is smaller.

Ashley Story gives a haircut to client Michael Halstead on Friday at her salon Short Cuts on Lake Street in Homer, Alaska. Story’s is one of several Homer businesses to reopen their doors Friday according to relaxed state restrictions, while several others have opted to wait. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Monday, April 20, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

State announces protocols for commercial fishermen and charters, loosens some in-state travel restrictions

Two more cases announced Thursday brings state total to 337

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Monday, April 20, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right: Sens. Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, all Republicans.

Next wave of aid on its way, Alaska delegation says

No other option.

Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right: Sens. Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, all Republicans.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Tuesday, April 14, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy previews plan to reopen Alaska economy

Two new COVID-19 cases announced Monday bring state total to 321

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Tuesday, April 14, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

Five more COVID-19 cases reported on Sunday

5 new cases brings state total to 319

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)
In this July 20, 2013 file photo, several thousand dipnetters converged onto the mouth of the Kenai River to catch a share of the late run of sockeye salmon headed into the river in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo/Rashah McChesney)

State eyes opening more of the economy

Dunleavy says retail sector is next; Crum talks commercial, sport fishing precautions

In this July 20, 2013 file photo, several thousand dipnetters converged onto the mouth of the Kenai River to catch a share of the late run of sockeye salmon headed into the river in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo/Rashah McChesney)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Tuesday, April 14, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy: State will move toward reopening economy slowly, safely

7 new cases announced Thursday brings state total to 300

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Tuesday, April 14, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Lifting health mandates could lead to virus ‘rebound’

A quick return to business as usual could cause a significant uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases if not done properly, modeling from the… Continue reading

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and Sen. Dan Sullivan chair a roundtable meeting on the Alaska-British Columbia Transboundary mining at the Federal Building in Juneau on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Senators reach out to Alaskans in audioconference meetings

The senators held conferences to share how Congress has responded to the pandemic.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and Sen. Dan Sullivan chair a roundtable meeting on the Alaska-British Columbia Transboundary mining at the Federal Building in Juneau on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Thursday, April 9, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

8th Alaskan dies of COVID-19, Kenai reports its 3rd case

11 new cases reported Saturday, bringing state total to 257

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Thursday, April 9, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum speaks during a Tuesday, April 7, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

State extends school closure through academic year

9 new cases, but no new deaths or hospitalizations reported Thursday

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum speaks during a Tuesday, April 7, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)