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Oil tank train cars sit idle Tuesday, April 21, 2020, in East Chicago, Ind. The world is awash in oil, there’s little demand for it and we’re running out of places to put it. That in a nutshell explains this week’s strange and unprecedented action in the market for crude oil futures contracts, where traders essentially offered to pay someone else to deal with the oil they were due to have delivered next month. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Oil production continues in Alaska even with low prices

Still not free at the gas station.

Oil tank train cars sit idle Tuesday, April 21, 2020, in East Chicago, Ind. The world is awash in oil, there’s little demand for it and we’re running out of places to put it. That in a nutshell explains this week’s strange and unprecedented action in the market for crude oil futures contracts, where traders essentially offered to pay someone else to deal with the oil they were due to have delivered next month. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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)
COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

Soldotna reports two more COVID-19 cases

5 new cases brings state total to 314

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)

Senators reach out to Alaskans in audioconference meetings

As a public service to keep people informed on the COVID-19 pandemic, the paywall for all articles about the coronavirus has been disabled. If you… Continue reading

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File About 2½ oz. of dried marijuana is weighed in this 2015 photo.

Alaska to consider allowing curbside pot pickup

Decision could come before April 20.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File About 2½ oz. of dried marijuana is weighed in this 2015 photo.

Cruise companies extend delay, cut trips to Alaska

No tourist ships, no tourist dollars.

Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink speaks at a press conference in Anchorage on March 23, 2020.

State wants to do more tests, but only the right kind

Testing in the right place.

Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink speaks at a press conference in Anchorage on March 23, 2020.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces the state of Alaska has its first positive case of the new coronavirus, during a news conference March 12, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy aims to get state “back to normal”

Governor announces several changes aimed at reopening the Alaska economy.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces the state of Alaska has its first positive case of the new coronavirus, during a news conference March 12, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, April 10, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

New state mandate OKs quarantine shelters for emergency workers, homeless

The program will use “non-congregate shelter solutions,” including hotels and dorms, to house people.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, April 10, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink, left, speaks by video in a press conference on April 6, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska, while Gov. Mike Dunleavy, right, listens. (Photo by Austin McDaniel, Alaska Governor’s Office)

15 new COVID-19 cases reported

15 new cases reported Sunday, bringing state total to 272

Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink, left, speaks by video in a press conference on April 6, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska, while Gov. Mike Dunleavy, right, listens. (Photo by Austin McDaniel, Alaska Governor’s Office)
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 Friday, bringing state total to 246

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)
Peter Segall | Juneau Empire A sign on the door at Amalga Distillery in downtown Juneau showing items available for carry-out on Monday.

Bars and restaurants could serve to-go beer and wine, but will it make a financial difference?

Business as the new usual.

Peter Segall | Juneau Empire A sign on the door at Amalga Distillery in downtown Juneau showing items available for carry-out on Monday.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink on Friday, April 3, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Officer of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Zink: Assume virus is in communities

Alaska reports 1 death, 13 new cases

Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink on Friday, April 3, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Officer of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Tuesday, April 7, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

State reports seventh COVID-19 death, 226 total cases

As a public service to keep people informed on the COVID-19 pandemic, the paywall for all articles about the coronavirus has been disabled. If you… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Tuesday, April 7, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference in Anchorage on Tuesday.

Gov looks to federal funds to fill gaps in budget

There may be a supplemental PFD.

Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference in Anchorage on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.

All burn permits suspended starting May 1

The suspension aims to mitigate some of the challenges firefighting agencies may face this summer.

Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.
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