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City reports ‘significant’ increase in new COVID cases

Increase likely driven by omicron variant; no new hospitalizations shared.

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An emergency worker holds a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport in Juneau, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

COVID tests at airports catch 6K cases since June 2020

The program to test travelers will stop at Alaska airports at the end of January.

An emergency worker holds a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport in Juneau, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This marbled murrelet seabird was found in the waters of Auke Bay in January looking “stunned.” Volunteers took the bird to the Juneau Raptor Center where it was treated for likely head trauma and released back into the wild. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Raptor Center)

To the rescue: Helping birds soar again

Part 3 swoops in.

This marbled murrelet seabird was found in the waters of Auke Bay in January looking “stunned.” Volunteers took the bird to the Juneau Raptor Center where it was treated for likely head trauma and released back into the wild. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Raptor Center)
Southeast Alaska’s rural communities are geographically isolated and the SSP works to connect them. While the SSP has programs and partners that span the region, it has historically focused on Yakutat, Sitka (pictured), Hoonah, Kake, Kasaan, and Klawock. With increased financial support, the SSP intends to expand in geography, depth, and focus. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)
Capital City Weekly

Resilient Peoples & Place: Southeast Alaskans should care about the Seacoast Trust. Here’s why

What does this actually mean for the lives of Southeast Alaskans?

Southeast Alaska’s rural communities are geographically isolated and the SSP works to connect them. While the SSP has programs and partners that span the region, it has historically focused on Yakutat, Sitka (pictured), Hoonah, Kake, Kasaan, and Klawock. With increased financial support, the SSP intends to expand in geography, depth, and focus. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer announced the Election Integrity Bill on Tuesday, which combines a number of measures for the purpose of safeguarding election integrity. (Screenshot)

Lt. Gov. announces he will not seek reelection

Announcement came during new elections bill conference.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer announced the Election Integrity Bill on Tuesday, which combines a number of measures for the purpose of safeguarding election integrity. (Screenshot)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Capitol will be the site of a committee hearing next month that will focus on the recent firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell.

Committee seeks answers, documents related to Permanent Fund Corp CEO’s firing

Hearing scheduled for mid-January.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Capitol will be the site of a committee hearing next month that will focus on the recent firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell.
Staff members at the Alaska SeaLife Center near Seward attend to a harbor seal pup. This summer, one of the pups in the center's care came from Juneau. The seal received treatment at the center and was released into the wild in September. (Courtesy photo/Alaska SeaLife Center/Kaiti Chritz)

To the rescue: Marine animals get a new lease on life

Part 2. SeaLife finds a way.

Staff members at the Alaska SeaLife Center near Seward attend to a harbor seal pup. This summer, one of the pups in the center's care came from Juneau. The seal received treatment at the center and was released into the wild in September. (Courtesy photo/Alaska SeaLife Center/Kaiti Chritz)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File Capital City Fire/Rescue fire marshal Dan Jager demonstrates the proper stance for use of a fire extinguisher on Oct. 30, 2020. Jager had a number of winter safety tips for residents.

Fire department talks home safety do’s and don’ts

Are you going 10/10 on this list?

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File Capital City Fire/Rescue fire marshal Dan Jager demonstrates the proper stance for use of a fire extinguisher on Oct. 30, 2020. Jager had a number of winter safety tips for residents.
This photo shows the stern of the MV Matanuska on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Matanuska delayed as repair work continues

Jan. 24 sailing to Bellingham canceled.

This photo shows the stern of the MV Matanuska on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Rainbow, a Sitka black-tail deer now lives at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center after being found alone in the woods near Kruzof Island over the summer. Although Rainbow’s story has a happy ending, officials urge people who find animals not to touch or remove them. (Courtesy photo/Sarah Howard/Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center)

To the rescue: Animal ambassadors educate, recuperate

Part 1

Rainbow, a Sitka black-tail deer now lives at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center after being found alone in the woods near Kruzof Island over the summer. Although Rainbow’s story has a happy ending, officials urge people who find animals not to touch or remove them. (Courtesy photo/Sarah Howard/Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center)
Petco had a small fire in a ceiling heating unit on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, said a Capital City Fire/Rescue officer in a phone interview. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Fire department responds to small fire at Petco

No one was injured and damage was minor.

Petco had a small fire in a ceiling heating unit on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, said a Capital City Fire/Rescue officer in a phone interview. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy art /SHI There are ten proposed locations for a “totem pole trail” that the Sealaska Heritage Foundation just received a $2.9 million dollar grant for, as well as the location of a new 360-degree totem pole to be raised separately in the SHI arts campus downtown.

Sealaska Heritage gets multimillion dollar grant for totem pole trail

Before these ten go up, however, a unique totem pole will be raised in the new arts campus downtown.

Courtesy art /SHI There are ten proposed locations for a “totem pole trail” that the Sealaska Heritage Foundation just received a $2.9 million dollar grant for, as well as the location of a new 360-degree totem pole to be raised separately in the SHI arts campus downtown.
In this photo provided by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a 22 Wing member is seen showing how they track Santa on his sleigh on Christmas evening during a media preview at the Canadian Forces Base in North Bay on Dec. 9, 2021. In a Christmas Eve tradition going on its 66th year, a wildly popular program run by the U.S. and Canadian militaries is providing real-time updates on Santa’s progress around the globe — and fielding calls from children who want to know St. Nick’s exact whereabouts. (Sable Brown / NORAD)

Yes, there is a Santa Claus. And no, COVID-19 won’t stop him

Santa’s coming this Christmas Eve, and a second holiday with COVID-19 won’t stop him.

In this photo provided by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a 22 Wing member is seen showing how they track Santa on his sleigh on Christmas evening during a media preview at the Canadian Forces Base in North Bay on Dec. 9, 2021. In a Christmas Eve tradition going on its 66th year, a wildly popular program run by the U.S. and Canadian militaries is providing real-time updates on Santa’s progress around the globe — and fielding calls from children who want to know St. Nick’s exact whereabouts. (Sable Brown / NORAD)
This photo illustration shows some of the things city, state and federal officials told the Empire what they want for Christmas. Less COVID-19 cases and an end to the pandemic were popular requests. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

And checking it twice: Officials share their holiday wish lists

Two front teeth didn’t crack the list.

This photo illustration shows some of the things city, state and federal officials told the Empire what they want for Christmas. Less COVID-19 cases and an end to the pandemic were popular requests. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children five to 12 years sits ready for use at a vaccination site in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Vaccine mix-up leads to underdosing

Problem found through routine safety checks

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children five to 12 years sits ready for use at a vaccination site in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dan Martinez, emergency manager for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, pauses in a classroom used to store donated water on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in, Warm Springs, Ore. In Oregon, tribal officials have handed out about 3 million gallons (11 million liters) of water — almost all of it donated — from a decommissioned elementary school on the reservation. (AP Photo / Nathan Howard)

US tribes see hope for clean water in infrastructure bill

Erland Suppah Jr. doesn’t trust what comes out of his faucet.

Dan Martinez, emergency manager for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, pauses in a classroom used to store donated water on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in, Warm Springs, Ore. In Oregon, tribal officials have handed out about 3 million gallons (11 million liters) of water — almost all of it donated — from a decommissioned elementary school on the reservation. (AP Photo / Nathan Howard)
An Alaska Airlines flight lands at the Juneau International Airport on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, amid a day of rain and snow. According to an airlines spokesperson, air travel this holiday season has rebounded to about 85% of what it was before the pandemic. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Air travel numbers are up, still lagging pre-pandemic levels

More than reindeer fly this time of year.

An Alaska Airlines flight lands at the Juneau International Airport on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, amid a day of rain and snow. According to an airlines spokesperson, air travel this holiday season has rebounded to about 85% of what it was before the pandemic. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
University of Alaska Southeast graduate student Muriel Walatka gathers samples of beach sand to examine for microplastics at Auke Recreation Area in Juneau in August 2019. (Courtesy Photo / Sonia Nagorski)

Alaska Science Forum: Plastic in the rain of Southeast Alaska

UAS professor presents during annual conference.

  • Dec 23, 2021
  • By Ned Rozell
University of Alaska Southeast graduate student Muriel Walatka gathers samples of beach sand to examine for microplastics at Auke Recreation Area in Juneau in August 2019. (Courtesy Photo / Sonia Nagorski)
Alwen Carrillo, player for the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, dribbles during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. Both JDHS teams will compete in the Capital City Classic beginning on Dec. 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Happy ball-idays: Teams ready for Princess Capital City Classic

Teams from near and far will face down on the basketball court after Christmas.

Alwen Carrillo, player for the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, dribbles during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. Both JDHS teams will compete in the Capital City Classic beginning on Dec. 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jake Paolucci, Company Gunnery Sgt. of Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, fist-bumps a child while dressed as Santa Claus in Kotzebue, Alaska, Dec. 11, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps / Cpl. Brendan Mullin)

Santa rides a C-130: Marines bring toys to Northwest Arctic Borough

More than 2,500 kids received toys from the Toys for Tots program.

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jake Paolucci, Company Gunnery Sgt. of Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, fist-bumps a child while dressed as Santa Claus in Kotzebue, Alaska, Dec. 11, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps / Cpl. Brendan Mullin)