News

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State announces 1 new death related to COVID-19

1 new case on the southern peninsula; 2 more in Soldotna

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

2 more COVID-19 cases in Kenai on Thursday

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported 86 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday — 84 resident cases and two nonresident cases. Two… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Lemon Creek Correctional Center has sailed on without a case of coronavirus since a mid-April outbreak that infected 11 staff. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Prison superintendent talks staying safe as pandemic continues

After a mid-spring outbreak, LCCC hasn’t had any confirmed cases.

Lemon Creek Correctional Center has sailed on without a case of coronavirus since a mid-April outbreak that infected 11 staff. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
In this undated photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an airplane flies over caribou from the Porcupine Caribou Herd on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska.The Department of the Interior has approved an oil and gas leasing program within Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to polar bears, caribou and other wildlife. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt signed the Record of Decision, which will determine where oil and gas leasing will take place in the refuge’s coastal plain. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
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US approves oil, gas leasing plan for Alaska Wildlife refuge

By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press ANCHORAGE, — The Trump administration gave final approval Monday for a contentious oil and gas leasing plan on the coastal… Continue reading

In this undated photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an airplane flies over caribou from the Porcupine Caribou Herd on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska.The Department of the Interior has approved an oil and gas leasing program within Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to polar bears, caribou and other wildlife. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt signed the Record of Decision, which will determine where oil and gas leasing will take place in the refuge’s coastal plain. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
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Erin Thompson / Peninsula Clarion Cook Inlet can be seen through the window of a Ravn aircraft in October 2019. RavnAir Group declared bankruptcy in April.

Peninsula gets a new Ravn

CEO aims to have flights by September

Erin Thompson / Peninsula Clarion Cook Inlet can be seen through the window of a Ravn aircraft in October 2019. RavnAir Group declared bankruptcy in April.
Cox holds narrow lead over Sen. Gary Stevens

Cox holds narrow lead over Sen. Gary Stevens

Race is too close to call until absentee ballots are counted

Cox holds narrow lead over Sen. Gary Stevens
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

2 new COVID-19 cases on the Kenai Peninsula

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced 79 new cases of COVID-19 — 76 cases in Alaska residents and three cases in nonresidents.… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A Homer resident casts their vote during the Primary Election on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 at Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Cox holds slim lead over incumbent Stevens in Senate race

With a few local precincts and many absentee ballots still to be counted, John Cox of Anchor Point holds a slim lead over incumbent Sen.… Continue reading

A Homer resident casts their vote during the Primary Election on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 at Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
1 new Alaska death, 15 new COVID-19 cases reported on peninsula

1 new Alaska death, 15 new COVID-19 cases reported on peninsula

An Anchorage man in his 80s is the latest and 29th death linked to COVID-19, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced in a press conference Tuesday. The… Continue reading

1 new Alaska death, 15 new COVID-19 cases reported on peninsula
A sign shows people where to vote on Aug. 21, 2018, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Early voting is open for Alaska Primary

Voting is just around the corner for Alaska’s Primary Election on Aug. 18, but residents have the options of choosing mail-in ballots for absentee voting… Continue reading

A sign shows people where to vote on Aug. 21, 2018, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Judge dismisses Juneau man’s lawsuit over state coronavirus funds

Judge dismisses Juneau man’s lawsuit over state coronavirus funds

ANCHORAGE (AP) — An Alaska judge dismissed a lawsuit that alleged the method by which the state dispersed its federal coronavirus funds was unconstitutional. The… Continue reading

Judge dismisses Juneau man’s lawsuit over state coronavirus funds
State reports 68 new cases, 1 new death linked to COVID-19

State reports 68 new cases, 1 new death linked to COVID-19

The state reported 68 new cases of COVID-19 and one new death associated with the disease on Wednesday, with three of the new cases on… Continue reading

State reports 68 new cases, 1 new death linked to COVID-19
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

1 new COVID-19 case reported in Homer

The state of Alaska reported 59 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday — 56 resident cases and three nonresident cases. One of the new cases… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Commercial fishing boats are rafted together in May 2016 in the harbor in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

States expands small business grants

The AK CARES Grant program is being modified in response to calls for changes.

Commercial fishing boats are rafted together in May 2016 in the harbor in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Alaska Army National Guard soldiers use a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to remove an abandoned bus, popularized by the book and movie “Into the Wild,” out of its location in the Alaska backcountry. The state Department of Natural Resources said Thursday, July 30, that it intends to negotiate with the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North in Fairbanks to display the bus. (Sgt. Seth LaCount/Alaska National Guard via AP, File)

‘Into the Wild’ bus likely lands a new home

An infamous bus appears headed to a new home at a museum.

Alaska Army National Guard soldiers use a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to remove an abandoned bus, popularized by the book and movie “Into the Wild,” out of its location in the Alaska backcountry. The state Department of Natural Resources said Thursday, July 30, that it intends to negotiate with the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North in Fairbanks to display the bus. (Sgt. Seth LaCount/Alaska National Guard via AP, File)
Sarah Vance poses for a photo on June 12, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Hannah Vance)

Sarah Vance runs for 2nd House of Representatives term

Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) is making a run at a second term in office representing District 31 in the Alaska House of Representatives. She’s running… Continue reading

Sarah Vance poses for a photo on June 12, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Hannah Vance)
Soldotna High School English teacher Nicole Hewitt teaches her students remotely from her empty classroom at Soldotna High School on Monday, April 6, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

State reports 66 new COVID-19 cases; Education commissioner talks school start

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Michael Johnson said the state department is here to help individual school districts as they navigate how… Continue reading

Soldotna High School English teacher Nicole Hewitt teaches her students remotely from her empty classroom at Soldotna High School on Monday, April 6, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House in this February 2019 photo. Knopp died July, 31, in a plane crash near his home town. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)

Breaking: Soldotna Rep. Gary Knopp killed in plane crash

Developing story

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House in this February 2019 photo. Knopp died July, 31, in a plane crash near his home town. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)
In this June 2019 photo, people gather outside U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office in Juneau, Alaska, to protest the proposed Pebble Mine. The Pebble Limited Partnership, which wants to build a copper and gold mine near the headwaters of a major U.S. salmon fishery in southwest Alaska, says it plans to offer residents in the region a dividend. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Mine developer sees review as positive for Alaska project

Pebble is on track to win key approvals. Critics say it has been rushed and is inadequate.

In this June 2019 photo, people gather outside U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office in Juneau, Alaska, to protest the proposed Pebble Mine. The Pebble Limited Partnership, which wants to build a copper and gold mine near the headwaters of a major U.S. salmon fishery in southwest Alaska, says it plans to offer residents in the region a dividend. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
AP FILE PHOTO BY James Poulson/Daily Sitka Sentinel The bronze statue of 19th century Russian America Governor Alexander Baranov sports a hard hat and a reflective vest, after being moved from its original site in front of Centennial Hall in Sitka in February 2013. Far away from Confederate memorials, Alaska residents have joined the movement to eliminate statues of colonialists accused of abusing and exploiting Indigenous people. The effort has already resulted in the statue of Baranov being taken out of public view in the city.

Some Alaska residents are demanding statues tied to colonization be eliminated or relocated.

Efforts underway in Alaska to remove statues of colonialists

AP FILE PHOTO BY James Poulson/Daily Sitka Sentinel The bronze statue of 19th century Russian America Governor Alexander Baranov sports a hard hat and a reflective vest, after being moved from its original site in front of Centennial Hall in Sitka in February 2013. Far away from Confederate memorials, Alaska residents have joined the movement to eliminate statues of colonialists accused of abusing and exploiting Indigenous people. The effort has already resulted in the statue of Baranov being taken out of public view in the city.
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