News

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, spoke to the Empire on Monday, June 14, 2021, about the final budget proposal for the state which he helped craft. Some lawmakers said they felt bullied by the budget's contents. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers decry ‘bully tactics’ in budget proposal

Legislative leverage.

 

Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, talks during an interview in the Empire's offices. During the conversation, Young discussed ongoing infrastructure bill negotiations, the Arctic's strategic importance to the U.S. and why he's seeking a 26th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

The Empire sits down with Rep Young

We hit some of the wavetops of Young’s recent work.

 

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska death toll is 366 while U.S. tops 600,000 dead

Alaska, peninsula remain in low alert level.

 

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

‘A lot of work to do’: Officials hope for summer bounce in vaccinations

Zink said just six months ago she didn’t think the state would have as much vaccine stock as it does now.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
University officials are hoping that increased collaboration between the University of Alaska's three schools of education will result in more Alaskans becoming teachers. The Univerity of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, offers teacher training and retention programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Help wanted: Alaskans to teach Alaska’s students

New consortium and marketing campaign aims to retain and recruit teachers

University officials are hoping that increased collaboration between the University of Alaska's three schools of education will result in more Alaskans becoming teachers. The Univerity of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, offers teacher training and retention programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
A graph from the Department of Health and Social Service shows how each census region did in the “Sleeves Up for Summer” campaign, which sought to increase COVID-19 vaccinations by 25% in May 2021. (Photo provided)

State falls short of 25% vaccination goal

East Aluetians Borough only region to increase vaccinations by 25%

A graph from the Department of Health and Social Service shows how each census region did in the “Sleeves Up for Summer” campaign, which sought to increase COVID-19 vaccinations by 25% in May 2021. (Photo provided)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska alert level is now at 7.99 cases per 100,000 people

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink, others visit for meet-and-greet on Thursday.

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

Public can now access services in person at both lobbies of Homer City Hall

Alert level remains high for state, Kenai Peninsula

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Screenshot A DNR map of navigable and non-navigable waters are seen on the Kenai Peninsula.

State unveils maps in effort to ‘unlock’ Alaska waters

The maps are part of an initiative to assert control of state lands.

Screenshot A DNR map of navigable and non-navigable waters are seen on the Kenai Peninsula.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

CDC says fully vaccinated people don’t need face masks in most situations

Few new cases reported for Kenai Peninsula

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Blogtrepreneur/Flickr photo

COVID-19 resources not affected by malware attack

A malware attack against the Department of Health and Social Services website shut down the dhss.alaska.gov website on Monday, May 17, DHSS announced in a… Continue reading

Blogtrepreneur/Flickr photo
Data from the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology on Thursday, May 6, 2021 show the media usage of respondents in a survey about COVID-19 information. The report notes that this is about general media usage, not just as it pertains to COVID-19. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology)

Survey: Friends, family most trusted among vaccine hesitant

The study analyzed the subset group of those surveyed who were not planning to get vaccinated, but who were open to learning more about the shots

Data from the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology on Thursday, May 6, 2021 show the media usage of respondents in a survey about COVID-19 information. The report notes that this is about general media usage, not just as it pertains to COVID-19. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Public can now access services in person at both lobbies of Homer City Hall

Alert level remains high for state, Kenai Peninsula

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

Five new COVID-19 deaths reported for Wasilla

Mat-Su Valley is at highest alert level for state

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021. She and her volunteer team monitor belugas in the Cook Inlet. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Beluga time

Get out your binoculars: The whales are frolicking in the Kenai River

Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021. She and her volunteer team monitor belugas in the Cook Inlet. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska alert level remains higher than national average.

The COVID-19 positive test rate continues to rise on the southern Kenai Peninsula, with three new cases reported among school students or staff over the… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Former DHS employee Bert Christopher Heitstuman was arrested in Anchorage Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 for multiple counts of sexual assault. (Courtesy photo / Department of Law)

Ex-DHS officer indicted on sexual assault charges

The alleged offenses occurred between 2012 and 2018.

Former DHS employee Bert Christopher Heitstuman was arrested in Anchorage Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 for multiple counts of sexual assault. (Courtesy photo / Department of Law)
A Kelly Tshibaka campaign sign is seen inside of Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Tshibaka makes rounds on the peninsula

The former DOA head is challenging Sen. Lisa Murkowski for her Senate seat.

A Kelly Tshibaka campaign sign is seen inside of Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces a tourism aid initiative during a press conference on Friday, April 9, 2021, at Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau, Alaska. Dunleavy was joined by officials and business owners, including Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche (left). (Governer’s Office/Kevin Goodman)

Dunleavy announces tourism aid initiative

Dunleavy said 1.3 million tourists were expected to come to Alaska via cruise ship before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down operations.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces a tourism aid initiative during a press conference on Friday, April 9, 2021, at Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau, Alaska. Dunleavy was joined by officials and business owners, including Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche (left). (Governer’s Office/Kevin Goodman)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska alert level is higher than national average.

COVID-19 cases continue rising statewide and on the southern Kenai Peninsula. Statewide, DHSS reported 156 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday for the Monday, April… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
[flipp]