News

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Homer downgrades alert level to yellow

Alert level remains high statewide with 19.93 cases per 100,000.

 

Jim Cockrell speaks at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy taps Cockrell to head public safety

Cockrell is a former wildlife trooper and Marathon security supervisor.

 

Former Speaker of the House Gail Phillips is shown in this undated photo from the early 1990s taken in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

Longtime Kenai Peninsula politician Phillips served 20 years in elected office

Phillips honored for role as mentor, leader and volunteer

 

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Homer has seen no new COVID-19 cases in 14 days

Alert level remains high with 19.93 cases per 100,000.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) in the Alaska Capitol on Feb. 11, 2021 in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)

Public pushback puts pause on DMV proposal

Lawmakers shutter plan to close six rural DMVs

Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) in the Alaska Capitol on Feb. 11, 2021 in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State: 210 new COVID-19 cases

Two additional deaths were reported Tuesday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an August news conference. On thursday, Dunleavy withdrew an executive order reorganizing the state’s largest department, the Department of Health and Social Services, after lawmakers sought to block it. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Governor withdraws DHSS split order

Reorganizing the department remains a priority.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an August news conference. On thursday, Dunleavy withdrew an executive order reorganizing the state’s largest department, the Department of Health and Social Services, after lawmakers sought to block it. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Dallas Seavey poses with his dogs after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race race near Willow, Alaska, early Monday, March 15, 2021. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Dallas Seavey wins Iditarod, matches most wins by a musher

ANCHORAGE — Ever since Dallas Seavey became the youngest musher to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 2012, he’s been bombarded by questions… Continue reading

Dallas Seavey poses with his dogs after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race race near Willow, Alaska, early Monday, March 15, 2021. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
In this Feb 23, 2021, file photo, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Alaska Republican Party has not only censured Sen. Murkowski for voting to convict former President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial, but it also does not want her to identity as a GOP candidate in next year’s election, a member of the party’s State Central Committee said Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Alaska GOP censures Murkowski, looks for ’22 challenger

“The party does not want Lisa Murkowski to be a Republican candidate.”

In this Feb 23, 2021, file photo, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Alaska Republican Party has not only censured Sen. Murkowski for voting to convict former President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial, but it also does not want her to identity as a GOP candidate in next year’s election, a member of the party’s State Central Committee said Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Alaska state Senate President Peter Micciche, a Soldotna Republican, and Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, leave the Senate floor session together on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Reinbold returned to her seat on the floor Monday with a new face covering meant to comply with COVID-19 mitigation policies after Senate leaders last week took action to restrict her access to the floor and committee hearings for what they said were policy violations. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)

Reinbold changes face covering after rules dispute

JUNEAU — An Alaska senator returned to her seat on the Senate floor Monday wearing a new face covering after Senate leaders last week restricted… Continue reading

Alaska state Senate President Peter Micciche, a Soldotna Republican, and Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, leave the Senate floor session together on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Reinbold returned to her seat on the floor Monday with a new face covering meant to comply with COVID-19 mitigation policies after Senate leaders last week took action to restrict her access to the floor and committee hearings for what they said were policy violations. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)
The Homer office of the Division of Motor Vehicles is seen after hours on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

House subcommittee grills officials on plan to close DMV offices

‘I really doubt it’s going to pass,’ Vance said of governor’s idea to close rural locations

The Homer office of the Division of Motor Vehicles is seen after hours on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State: 1 new death and 177 new COVID-19 cases

Peninsula remains at intermediate alert level

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Department of Health and Social Services, its headquarters seen here in Juneau on Monday, March 8, 2021, could be split into two departments by an executive order from the governor. However, some lawmakers have raised concern about the legality of the order, saying it could lead to costly litigation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers question whether proposed department split is legal

Governor maintains executive order is within his powers, others are less sure.

The Department of Health and Social Services, its headquarters seen here in Juneau on Monday, March 8, 2021, could be split into two departments by an executive order from the governor. However, some lawmakers have raised concern about the legality of the order, saying it could lead to costly litigation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, May 1, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Alaska becomes first state to offer COVID-19 vaccines to anyone 16 and older

Check this list of local providers and pharmacies for an appointment

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, May 1, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, listens as Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, delivers an apology on Friday, March 5, 2021, for earlier remarks. Vance called for a Sense of the House vote to rebuke Fields for his comments. (Peter Segall/The Juneau Empire via AP, Pool)

Alaska House condemns comments about lawmaker’s appearance

Sense of the House sponsored by Rep. Sarah Vance

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, listens as Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, delivers an apology on Friday, March 5, 2021, for earlier remarks. Vance called for a Sense of the House vote to rebuke Fields for his comments. (Peter Segall/The Juneau Empire via AP, Pool)
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives gather for a Finance Committee meeting on Monday, March 1, 2021 even after a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. Meetings were canceled last week after Rep. Mike Cronk, R-Tok, tested positive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Work continues even with new cases at the Capitol

“Hell or high water.”

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives gather for a Finance Committee meeting on Monday, March 1, 2021 even after a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. Meetings were canceled last week after Rep. Mike Cronk, R-Tok, tested positive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink address members of the media during a remote press conference on Monday, March 1 in Alaska. (Screenshot)

State to receive 8,900 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Alaska continues to lead the nation in vaccine rollout

Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink address members of the media during a remote press conference on Monday, March 1 in Alaska. (Screenshot)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State: 189 new COVID-19 cases

Peninsula remains at intermediate alert level

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, holds a copy of the Alaska Constitution during a committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, sent Reinbold a letter on Feb. 18, 2021, saying she has used her position to “misrepresent” the state’s COVID-19 response. Reinbold said the letter was “full of baseless accusations and complaints.” (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy says Reinbold misrepresents virus response

Dunleavy said his administration will no longer participate in hearings led by Sen. Lora Reinbold

Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, holds a copy of the Alaska Constitution during a committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, sent Reinbold a letter on Feb. 18, 2021, saying she has used her position to “misrepresent” the state’s COVID-19 response. Reinbold said the letter was “full of baseless accusations and complaints.” (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State: 179 new COVID-19 cases

Peninsula remains at intermediate alert level

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
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