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Lawmakers took a brief break from an all-day floor session Monday, May 10, 2021, when a plexiglass divider around a lawmakers desk fell over. Debate on the state's operating budget bill covered a range of political issues beyond just funding. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Budget bill becomes partisan battleground

All day debate.

Lawmakers took a brief break from an all-day floor session Monday, May 10, 2021, when a plexiglass divider around a lawmakers desk fell over. Debate on the state's operating budget bill covered a range of political issues beyond just funding. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a vial of the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 in Seattle. U.S. regulators on Monday, May 10, 2021, expanded use of Pfizer’s shot to those as young as 12, sparking a race to protect middle and high school students before they head back to class in the fall. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren)

Pfizer COVID-19 shot expanded to US children as young as 12

City, district partner for clinics at high schools

This photo shows a vial of the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 in Seattle. U.S. regulators on Monday, May 10, 2021, expanded use of Pfizer’s shot to those as young as 12, sparking a race to protect middle and high school students before they head back to class in the fall. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren)
Fashion enthusiasts and retail boutique buyers and owners from around the state and the Pacific Northwest descended on Juneau to preview fall collections from local and national designers during the first-ever Alaska Fashion Week. Here, Qaulluq of Kotzebue, Inuraaq of Nome, Carley Thayer and Suzanne Nierra, both of Juneau, watch Saturday's runway show from inside the Harris Building. The windows were removed so spectators could watch models as they came down Shattuck Way, which served as the runway for the event. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Juneau serves as Alaska’s Fashion Capital

First-ever Alaska Fashion Week in the books

Fashion enthusiasts and retail boutique buyers and owners from around the state and the Pacific Northwest descended on Juneau to preview fall collections from local and national designers during the first-ever Alaska Fashion Week. Here, Qaulluq of Kotzebue, Inuraaq of Nome, Carley Thayer and Suzanne Nierra, both of Juneau, watch Saturday's runway show from inside the Harris Building. The windows were removed so spectators could watch models as they came down Shattuck Way, which served as the runway for the event. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
U.S. Coast Guard photo Rear Adm. Nathan A. Moore, commander, Coast Guard 17th District, shakes hands with a member at Air Station Sitka after presenting the crew with Air Medals on Friday. The aircrew received medals in recognition of the heroic actions and extraordinary measures taken to save the life of a lone fisherman adrift at sea Nov. 1, 2020.

New D17 commander awards aircrew for November rescue

Between near-zero visibility and a 70 mph headwind, conditions were far from ideal.

U.S. Coast Guard photo Rear Adm. Nathan A. Moore, commander, Coast Guard 17th District, shakes hands with a member at Air Station Sitka after presenting the crew with Air Medals on Friday. The aircrew received medals in recognition of the heroic actions and extraordinary measures taken to save the life of a lone fisherman adrift at sea Nov. 1, 2020.
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Thank you letters for the week of May 9, 2021

Thank you, merci, danke, gracias, gunalchéesh.

  • May 9, 2021
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The Alaska House of Representatives, seen here on Friday, May 7, 2021, is scheduled to meet early Monday morning to finalize budget bills before the end of the legislative session in about two weeks. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Speaker: House to pass budget Monday, special session likely

They’re meeting early on Monday.

The Alaska House of Representatives, seen here on Friday, May 7, 2021, is scheduled to meet early Monday morning to finalize budget bills before the end of the legislative session in about two weeks. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Data from the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology on Thursday, May 6, 2021 show the media usage of respondents in a survey about COVID-19 information. The report notes that this is about general media usage, not just as it pertains to COVID-19. (Courtesy Image / Alaska State Department of Epidemiology)

Survey: Friends, family most trusted among vaccine hesitant

The study analyzed the subset group of those surveyed who were not planning to get vaccinated, but who were open to learning more about the shots

Data from the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology on Thursday, May 6, 2021 show the media usage of respondents in a survey about COVID-19 information. The report notes that this is about general media usage, not just as it pertains to COVID-19. (Courtesy Image / Alaska State Department of Epidemiology)
A man charged with assault at Fred Meyer on Jun. 1, 2020 was acquitted after a trial last week at the Dimond Courthouse, shown here on Oct. 20, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Man charged with assault for Fred Meyer altercation acquitted

The defendant claimed it was self-defense.

A man charged with assault at Fred Meyer on Jun. 1, 2020 was acquitted after a trial last week at the Dimond Courthouse, shown here on Oct. 20, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Workers with City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation clear the basin at Cope Park of excess sediment and other material washed down the waterway on Sept. 16, 2020. This work is an example of one of the many varied jobs done by public servants and recognized during Public Service Recognition Week, which ends May 8. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ employees grow, pivot during an unprecedented year

City manager looks back during Public Service Recognition Week

Workers with City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation clear the basin at Cope Park of excess sediment and other material washed down the waterway on Sept. 16, 2020. This work is an example of one of the many varied jobs done by public servants and recognized during Public Service Recognition Week, which ends May 8. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Defense: Utah man charged with killing wife had brain injury

Sentencing is set for next month.

  • May 7, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • Crime
Gavel (Courtesy photo)
This float marked Taku, which washed up in Olympia, Washington, at first was thought to belong to the Alaska Marine Highway System’s ferry MV Taku. But its source is still unknown. (Courtesy photo / Karla Patten)

Unidentified floating object: Float’s origin sails into mystery

Despite supposition, float not from famed AHMS ferry.

This float marked Taku, which washed up in Olympia, Washington, at first was thought to belong to the Alaska Marine Highway System’s ferry MV Taku. But its source is still unknown. (Courtesy photo / Karla Patten)
Caleb Peimann, surrounded by family and coaches, signs his letter of intent to swim for Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Courtesy photo / Scott Griffith)

Sprung for the Springs: JDHS senior signs with Colorado College

He’ll compete on the liberal arts college’s swim team.

Caleb Peimann, surrounded by family and coaches, signs his letter of intent to swim for Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Courtesy photo / Scott Griffith)
In Ferry, Alaska, a balsam poplar leaf emerges from a bud in May. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Greenup unfolds, pollen soon to follow

The great, silent collective explosion of freed tree buds is coming.

In Ferry, Alaska, a balsam poplar leaf emerges from a bud in May. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
This photo shows George Bennett Sr. shortly after arriving in Vietnam in 1967. Bennett served in the 2/12th Infantry 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and was assigned to Dau Tieng Base Camp. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: It’s time to correct a Vietnam-era injustice

“We have the power to make this right.”

  • May 7, 2021
  • By Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Sen. Dan Sullivan
This photo shows George Bennett Sr. shortly after arriving in Vietnam in 1967. Bennett served in the 2/12th Infantry 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and was assigned to Dau Tieng Base Camp. (Courtesy Photo)
Howard Sherman, executive vice president, onboard revenue and destination development for Norwegian Cruise Lines, sat down with the Empire this week to conduct a wide-ranging interview. He said that Alaska remains an in-demand destination for cruise ship travelers but that he suspects the overall passenger load is close to the cap. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Covering the water: Execs talk restarting cruises, industry future and ballot initiatives

There’s a lot to talk about.

Howard Sherman, executive vice president, onboard revenue and destination development for Norwegian Cruise Lines, sat down with the Empire this week to conduct a wide-ranging interview. He said that Alaska remains an in-demand destination for cruise ship travelers but that he suspects the overall passenger load is close to the cap. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., arrives to the chamber ahead of President Joe Biden speaking to a joint session of Congress, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)

Young camp quiet on potential Cheney ouster

Republican House leadership moves toward Trump loyalty.

Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., arrives to the chamber ahead of President Joe Biden speaking to a joint session of Congress, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

State court system offline after cybersecurity incident

No ransom message received.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Sandi Eldridge, pharmacist for the Department of Veterans Affairs, draws a dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine on March 13, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Vax to the future: City, state look at next steps for vaccines

The state is ready if boosters for the vaccine are necessary.

Sandi Eldridge, pharmacist for the Department of Veterans Affairs, draws a dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine on March 13, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Alaska Native Vietnam War veterans James Lindoff (left) and George Bennett drape a ceremonial blanket over Gov. Mike Dunleavy during a news conference on Wednesday. Dunleavy is proposing a program allowing Alaska Native veterans to exchange federal land for state lands potentially closer to their homes.

Gov proposes land exchange for Vietnam-era Alaska Native veterans

Righting an old wrong.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Alaska Native Vietnam War veterans James Lindoff (left) and George Bennett drape a ceremonial blanket over Gov. Mike Dunleavy during a news conference on Wednesday. Dunleavy is proposing a program allowing Alaska Native veterans to exchange federal land for state lands potentially closer to their homes.
The Symphony of the Seas cruise ship is shown docked at PortMiami, in a Wednesday, May 20, 2020, photo, in Miami. Cruise lines can soon begin trial voyages in U.S. waters. They’ll have to carry some volunteer passengers, who will have to wear face masks and observe social distancing while on board. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave ship operators final technical guidelines Wednesday, May 5, 2021 for the trial runs. (AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee)

CDC sets rules for trial cruises with volunteer passengers

Voyages would be in U.S. waters.

The Symphony of the Seas cruise ship is shown docked at PortMiami, in a Wednesday, May 20, 2020, photo, in Miami. Cruise lines can soon begin trial voyages in U.S. waters. They’ll have to carry some volunteer passengers, who will have to wear face masks and observe social distancing while on board. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave ship operators final technical guidelines Wednesday, May 5, 2021 for the trial runs. (AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee)