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Ben Stevens speaks to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce in December 2020. Stevens is leaving his position as Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s chief of staff to become the new vice president of external affairs and transportation at ConocoPhillips Alaska, the governor’s office announced on Wednesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Governor’s office announces chief of staff to leave post for ConocoPhillips job

His last day has yet to be announced.

Ben Stevens speaks to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce in December 2020. Stevens is leaving his position as Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s chief of staff to become the new vice president of external affairs and transportation at ConocoPhillips Alaska, the governor’s office announced on Wednesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Aviation traffic at the Juneau International Airport was down 62% in 2020. Here, travelers arrive at the Juneau International Airport on Nov. 25, one of many days when air travel was much lower than historical norms.

Airport traffic down 62% in 2020

Pandemic-related air travel losses could lead to higher fees, fewer services in future.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Aviation traffic at the Juneau International Airport was down 62% in 2020. Here, travelers arrive at the Juneau International Airport on Nov. 25, one of many days when air travel was much lower than historical norms.
Air-source heat pumps, like the one in this 2015 photo of Jake Eames, right, and David Nash installing a pump, are an example of a load-side technology that can increase energy efficiency. "Load-side technologies are absolutely key to our ability to reduce greenhouse emissions in the energy sector,” said director of energy services at Alaska Electric Light and Power Alec Mesdag.

In Juneau, going green focuses on power usage

The electricity’s already clean.

Air-source heat pumps, like the one in this 2015 photo of Jake Eames, right, and David Nash installing a pump, are an example of a load-side technology that can increase energy efficiency. "Load-side technologies are absolutely key to our ability to reduce greenhouse emissions in the energy sector,” said director of energy services at Alaska Electric Light and Power Alec Mesdag.
Juneau's Capitol Disposal Landfill, seen in this June 2013 photo, sits in the middle of the industrial Lemon Creek district. Recent complaints about odors coming from the location prompted the city to discuss this issue at their Monday night Committee of the Whole meeting. Private ownership of trash collection and the landfill mean the city has limited options for action. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

City officials discuss odor at Lemon Creek-area dump

That stinks.

Juneau's Capitol Disposal Landfill, seen in this June 2013 photo, sits in the middle of the industrial Lemon Creek district. Recent complaints about odors coming from the location prompted the city to discuss this issue at their Monday night Committee of the Whole meeting. Private ownership of trash collection and the landfill mean the city has limited options for action. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows medical supplies on a table at a Feb. 11 vaccination clinic at Centennial Hall. Another clinic is planned for next month, and registration for it will open Wednesday for people 65 and older. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Vaccine clinic registration to open early for seniors

The clinic is in mid-March. Here’s how to register.

This photo shows medical supplies on a table at a Feb. 11 vaccination clinic at Centennial Hall. Another clinic is planned for next month, and registration for it will open Wednesday for people 65 and older. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Airlines is inspecting a 737-700 after it was struck by lightning while flying from Juneau to Sitka on Feb. 21, 2021 in accordance with the company’s policies. (Courtesy photo / National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration)

Alaska Airlines inspecting flight after lightning strike near Sitka

An inspection is the airline’s standard procedure after a strike.

Alaska Airlines is inspecting a 737-700 after it was struck by lightning while flying from Juneau to Sitka on Feb. 21, 2021 in accordance with the company’s policies. (Courtesy photo / National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration)
Katie Hurley, seen here in an undated photo from the Alaska State Legislature biography page, died at the age of 99 on Sunday. (Courtesy photo / Alaska State Legislature)

‘Grande Dame’ of Alaska politics, dies at 99

“Extraordinary Alaskan.”

Katie Hurley, seen here in an undated photo from the Alaska State Legislature biography page, died at the age of 99 on Sunday. (Courtesy photo / Alaska State Legislature)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the public during a virtual town hall on Sept. 15, 2020 in Alaska. Dunleavy went into self-quarantine Monday following news a close contact had tested positive for COVID-19. (Courtesy Photo / Office of the Governor)

Governor quarantines following close contact

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is in quarantine following close contact on Saturday with a person who recently tested positive for COVID-19. Dunleavy was informed of the… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the public during a virtual town hall on Sept. 15, 2020 in Alaska. Dunleavy went into self-quarantine Monday following news a close contact had tested positive for COVID-19. (Courtesy Photo / Office of the Governor)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks in an interview at the Empire's offices in Juneau on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Murkowski said rare earth resources was an area Alaska could, and should, take advantage of. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Could rare earth minerals be Alaska’s edge?

Green tech and defense tech.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks in an interview at the Empire's offices in Juneau on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Murkowski said rare earth resources was an area Alaska could, and should, take advantage of. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Alaska’s legacy of dissenting senators

When doing the right thing is the hard thing.

  • Feb 20, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
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Juneau recently dropped its community risk level to Level 1. The change allows bars and gyms to become slightly more flexible in their operations. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Lagers and joggers: Restrictions ease on local bars and gyms

The Level 1 distinction offers some subtle but important maneuvering room.

Juneau recently dropped its community risk level to Level 1. The change allows bars and gyms to become slightly more flexible in their operations. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This Feb. 13, 2021 photo provided by Erik Stevens shows a bear track in the Alaska in the backcountry near where resident Shannon Stevens was bit by a bear in an outhouse. Stevens was using an outhouse in the backcountry and she was attacked by a bear, from below.(Erik Stevens via AP)

Alaska woman using outhouse attacked by bear, from below

Pain in the rear.

  • Feb 19, 2021
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • bears
This Feb. 13, 2021 photo provided by Erik Stevens shows a bear track in the Alaska in the backcountry near where resident Shannon Stevens was bit by a bear in an outhouse. Stevens was using an outhouse in the backcountry and she was attacked by a bear, from below.(Erik Stevens via AP)
Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, holds a copy of the Alaska Constitution during a committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, sent Reinbold a letter on Feb. 18, 2021, saying she has used her position to “misrepresent” the state’s COVID-19 response. Reinbold said the letter was “full of baseless accusations and complaints.” (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy says Reinbold misrepresents virus response

Dunleavy said his administration will no longer participate in hearings led by Sen. Lora Reinbold

Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, holds a copy of the Alaska Constitution during a committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, sent Reinbold a letter on Feb. 18, 2021, saying she has used her position to “misrepresent” the state’s COVID-19 response. Reinbold said the letter was “full of baseless accusations and complaints.” (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
The Juneau School District building and Harborview Elementary School, seen here on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, will begin to offer expanded in-person instruction over the next few weeks. School officials cite the community’s stable infection rate and new science-based guidance for opening schools are driving factors behind the expanded offerings. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lower COVID numbers mean more school options for Juneau students

District looks to add more in-person learning.

The Juneau School District building and Harborview Elementary School, seen here on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, will begin to offer expanded in-person instruction over the next few weeks. School officials cite the community’s stable infection rate and new science-based guidance for opening schools are driving factors behind the expanded offerings. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A Fairbanks man was indicted in federal court Friday, Feb. 18, 2021 after investigators discovered he attempted to pay to have an ex-romantic partner killed. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Fairbanks Man indicted for murder for hire

Indictment follows months of alleged domestic violence, according to the Department of Justice.

A Fairbanks man was indicted in federal court Friday, Feb. 18, 2021 after investigators discovered he attempted to pay to have an ex-romantic partner killed. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Nabi Qureshi is a community organizer for The Alaska Center and Chugach Electric ratepayer (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: What Alaska can learn from Texas about utilities

It is showing us the dangers of poorly run utilities.

  • Feb 19, 2021
  • Nabi Qureshi
Nabi Qureshi is a community organizer for The Alaska Center and Chugach Electric ratepayer (Courtesy Photo)
A conceptual drawing shows a possible use for Norwegian Cruise Line’s property on Egan Drive. This drawing shows the property with NCL’s largest ship, the Bliss, shown for scale. (Courtesy Image / MRV Architects)

New cruise ship dock project moves ahead

Memorandum of understanding signed with proposed Alaska Ocean Center.

A conceptual drawing shows a possible use for Norwegian Cruise Line’s property on Egan Drive. This drawing shows the property with NCL’s largest ship, the Bliss, shown for scale. (Courtesy Image / MRV Architects)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The Gold Town Theater’s new drive-in location at the downtown subport lot hosts a fully armed and operational screen for all-weather conditions.

New faces downtown: Drive-in theater settles into new home

The Gold Town Theater’s drive-in gets lively with its showings.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The Gold Town Theater’s new drive-in location at the downtown subport lot hosts a fully armed and operational screen for all-weather conditions.
Thomas Moreno, Southeast Alaska Food Bank employee, unloads food at the food bank on Feb. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Amid adversity, Juneau’s food banks soldier on

Demand up and donations down is not a good trajectory.

Thomas Moreno, Southeast Alaska Food Bank employee, unloads food at the food bank on Feb. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Speaker of the House Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks with reporters on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 after lawmakers were able put together enough of a coalition to organize itself and begin legislative work. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House organizes, speaker promises to make up for lost time

Both Juneau’s representatives will chair committees for the first time.

Speaker of the House Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks with reporters on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 after lawmakers were able put together enough of a coalition to organize itself and begin legislative work. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)