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This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. nbsp; (NIAID-RML via AP)

New cases continue to surge in city, state

Nearly 800% increase in 7-day average for new case rate since July.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. nbsp; (NIAID-RML via AP)
Former Gov. Bill Walker, seen here in 2016, filed to run for governor once again in 2022, picking former Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Heidi Drygas to run for lieutenant governor. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

Former Gov. Walker files to run again as an independent

‘Our goal is to be a fiscal solution.’

Former Gov. Bill Walker, seen here in 2016, filed to run for governor once again in 2022, picking former Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Heidi Drygas to run for lieutenant governor. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
This July 30 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Aaron Spratt. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

First-time candidate seeks school board seat

Spratt criticizes current board’s COVID policy

This July 30 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Aaron Spratt. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
This photo shows adult crane flies mating on goldenrod. The flying adults are interested in just one thing — mating. They only live for a week or two, so males and females have a short time in which to find each other. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
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On the Trails: No, they don’t eat mosquitoes, but these long-legged bugs are food for many animals

Crane flies while you’re having fun.

This photo shows adult crane flies mating on goldenrod. The flying adults are interested in just one thing — mating. They only live for a week or two, so males and females have a short time in which to find each other. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Video
Vanessa Dickinson adjusts second grade student Kanani Dickinson’s mask ahead of the first day of school. Kanani Dickinson is a student at Auke Bay Elementary School. Vanessa Dickinson said she’s excited the 7-year-old is back in school. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Full-time, in-person learning returns for Juneau’s students

School is in session.

Vanessa Dickinson adjusts second grade student Kanani Dickinson’s mask ahead of the first day of school. Kanani Dickinson is a student at Auke Bay Elementary School. Vanessa Dickinson said she’s excited the 7-year-old is back in school. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds up a graph showing the earnings of the Alaska Permanent Fund during a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. Lawmakers have asked the governor to amend the call of the special session, allowing them to address the budget which remains only partially funded. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers, governor spar over direction of special session

Lawmakers return to the capital city.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds up a graph showing the earnings of the Alaska Permanent Fund during a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. Lawmakers have asked the governor to amend the call of the special session, allowing them to address the budget which remains only partially funded. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A seventh death from the coronavirus, which occurred at Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown in this January 2021 photo, was reported on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

City reports 7th COVID death

It follows a sixth death last week.

A seventh death from the coronavirus, which occurred at Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown in this January 2021 photo, was reported on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Fire/Rescue extinguished a fire at a residence in the Mendenhall Valley caused by a space heater igniting combustible materials on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (Courtesy photo /CCFR)

Space heater causes trailer fire early Sunday

The fire was extinguished quickly, with care taken in ensuring it had been completely contained.

Capital City Fire/Rescue extinguished a fire at a residence in the Mendenhall Valley caused by a space heater igniting combustible materials on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (Courtesy photo /CCFR)
Tiffany Listberger poses with her 31.7-pound king salmon turned in at the Auke Bay weight station on Sunday. According to provisional results, Listberger is the winner of the 75th annual Goldern North Salmon Derby. (Courtesy photo / Derek Listeberger)

King weighing over 31 pounds leads salmon derby results

Provisional results.

Tiffany Listberger poses with her 31.7-pound king salmon turned in at the Auke Bay weight station on Sunday. According to provisional results, Listberger is the winner of the 75th annual Goldern North Salmon Derby. (Courtesy photo / Derek Listeberger)
Heavy metals run out of the Tulsequah Chief mine opening and down to holding ponds next to the Tulsequah River Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008. Leakage from those ponds can be seen entering the river that flows into the Taku River down stream. Salmon Beyond Borders and the Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission are calling for a permanent ban on mine waste dams in transboundary rivers, as well as a temporary moratorium for the permitting of new and the expansion of existing mines near transboundary waterways, (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Canada’s transboundary mine waste dams must be banned; BC’s industrialization of salmon habitat halted

If anyone doubts the risks, just consider the Mount Polley tailings disaster

  • Aug 15, 2021
  • By Jill Weitz
Heavy metals run out of the Tulsequah Chief mine opening and down to holding ponds next to the Tulsequah River Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008. Leakage from those ponds can be seen entering the river that flows into the Taku River down stream. Salmon Beyond Borders and the Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission are calling for a permanent ban on mine waste dams in transboundary rivers, as well as a temporary moratorium for the permitting of new and the expansion of existing mines near transboundary waterways, (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Shona Osterhout holds up a 26-pound king salmon turned into the Mike Pusich Douglas Harbor weigh station for the 75th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. Osterhout, a derby volunteer, said at the time the fish was leading the derby. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Derby days: Heavy rains and heavy fish

Rainy start, but Saturday sees more action.

Shona Osterhout holds up a 26-pound king salmon turned into the Mike Pusich Douglas Harbor weigh station for the 75th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. Osterhout, a derby volunteer, said at the time the fish was leading the derby. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File The Alaska State Capitol.

Dividend size is a sticking point for special session

Debate over the check size in recent years has become politically charged and overshadowed issues.

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File The Alaska State Capitol.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Participants burn an example of a commercial garment that led to a now-settled intellectual property lawsuit in a ceremony commemorating the settlement with the fashion company on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021.

Saga over garment design copyright infringement ends with ceremonial fire

The case was settled in March.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Participants burn an example of a commercial garment that led to a now-settled intellectual property lawsuit in a ceremony commemorating the settlement with the fashion company on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021.
The Power Cost Equalization program works with regional electrical utilities like the Inside Passage Electrical Cooperative, seen here on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, to provide subsidies to bring down electricity rates in rural Alaska. Payments for the program had been tied up by legislative deadlock but a Anchorage Superior Court Case Thursday said the money could be released. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Court ruling brings relief, but concern remains for PCE

‘Pleased with the ruling.’

The Power Cost Equalization program works with regional electrical utilities like the Inside Passage Electrical Cooperative, seen here on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, to provide subsidies to bring down electricity rates in rural Alaska. Payments for the program had been tied up by legislative deadlock but a Anchorage Superior Court Case Thursday said the money could be released. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Mariya Lovishchuk, executive director of the Glory Hall, gestures toward where the shelter’s garden will soon be built on Thursday.

Glory Hall operating at near normal capacity

The shelter personnel are confident they’re ready for the winter.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Mariya Lovishchuk, executive director of the Glory Hall, gestures toward where the shelter’s garden will soon be built on Thursday.
This photo shows a “shore-pine” version of lodgepole pine near the town of Yakutat. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Pine grove near Yakutat is farthest north

By Ned Rozell YAKUTAT — “There they are,” Ben Gaglioti said, after a short hike off a gravel road leading away from this small fishing… Continue reading

  • Aug 13, 2021
This photo shows a “shore-pine” version of lodgepole pine near the town of Yakutat. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire With heavy rains predicted, City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors asked boat owners to check on their vessels. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch, which may be upgraded to a warning, in light of the expected weather.

National Weather Service, city warn of severe rain

The worst of the rain should be over by Friday afternoon, meteorologists say.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire With heavy rains predicted, City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors asked boat owners to check on their vessels. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch, which may be upgraded to a warning, in light of the expected weather.
This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident. On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the state of Ohio that tried to get the U.S. Census Bureau to provide data used for drawing congressional and legislative districts ahead of its planned release. (AP Photo / Matt Rourke)

Census data for state show population gains and losses

Mat-Su Borough population gew by over 20%..

This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident. On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the state of Ohio that tried to get the U.S. Census Bureau to provide data used for drawing congressional and legislative districts ahead of its planned release. (AP Photo / Matt Rourke)
Members of the Juneau Huskies practice on Tuesday. After COVID-19 forced the cancelation of the 2020 high school football season, the Juneau Huskies are eager to take the field for the season opener against Colony High School. The varsity and JV squad will both play Saturday, August 14 on the field at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Huskies football returns —after nearly 700 days between games

The Juneau high school football team prepares to take the field.

Members of the Juneau Huskies practice on Tuesday. After COVID-19 forced the cancelation of the 2020 high school football season, the Juneau Huskies are eager to take the field for the season opener against Colony High School. The varsity and JV squad will both play Saturday, August 14 on the field at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
Dana Zigmund / Capital City Weekly Shara Kay Diamond, left, of Anchorage and Chelsea Bighorn, right, of Sante Fe, apply paint to a section of a mural that will depict Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon. The mural is the work of Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl. Kay Diamond and Bighorn are apprentices on the project. Right, local artist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl, center, and her apprentices, Shara Kay Diamond, left, and Chelsea Bighorn, right, assemble sections of the mural to apply paint in Worl’s downtown studio on Aug. 10.

A mural is born

Local artist works to prepare pieces

Dana Zigmund / Capital City Weekly Shara Kay Diamond, left, of Anchorage and Chelsea Bighorn, right, of Sante Fe, apply paint to a section of a mural that will depict Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon. The mural is the work of Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl. Kay Diamond and Bighorn are apprentices on the project. Right, local artist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl, center, and her apprentices, Shara Kay Diamond, left, and Chelsea Bighorn, right, assemble sections of the mural to apply paint in Worl’s downtown studio on Aug. 10.