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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)

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

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)

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Reinbold changes face covering after rules dispute

JUNEAU — An Alaska senator returned to her seat on the Senate floor Monday wearing a new face…

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)

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Alaska GOP censures Murkowski, looks for ’22 challenger

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

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)

News

Governor withdraws DHSS split order

Reorganizing the department remains a priority.

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)

Sports

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…

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)

News

Lawmakers question whether proposed department split is legal

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

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)

News

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

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)

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Alaska House condemns comments about lawmaker’s appearance

Sense of the House sponsored by Rep. Sarah Vance

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

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State: 189 new COVID-19 cases

Peninsula remains at intermediate alert level

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)

News

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

Alaska continues to lead the nation in vaccine rollout

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)

News

Work continues even with new cases at the Capitol

“Hell or high water.”

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who spoke to the Empire via phone Wednesday, speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Dec. 11, 2020. (Courtesy photo/Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

News

Alaska governor tests positive for virus; has mild symptoms

JUNEAU (AP) — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has tested positive for COVID-19 and has mild symptoms, his office…

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

News

State: 179 new COVID-19 cases

Peninsula remains at intermediate alert level