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State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, has his temperature taken inside the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 19, 2021. The high tech check-ins have become routine over the past few weeks. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

High tech temp check: Devices with camera, infrared scanner part of lawmakers’ routine

Have you seen these yet?

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, has his temperature taken inside the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 19, 2021. The high tech check-ins have become routine over the past few weeks. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
There's money in Gov. Mike Dunleavy's bond proposal package for projects like the one taking place at Aurora Harbor, seen here in this Nov. 5, 2020, photo, but Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, doesn't think there's enough local investment. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Governor’s $356M bond proposal gets cool reaction from lawmakers

Legislators cautious on revisions, additions

There's money in Gov. Mike Dunleavy's bond proposal package for projects like the one taking place at Aurora Harbor, seen here in this Nov. 5, 2020, photo, but Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, doesn't think there's enough local investment. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
UnCruise, operating small-deck vessels like the one seen above, will be one of very few companies that can continue to operate in Alaska this summer following a surprise announcement by the Canadian government banning cruise ships in its harbors until 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska congressional delegation: Canadian cruise ban unacceptable

While small-deck cruises are still viable, their support for their heftier colleagues is ardent.

UnCruise, operating small-deck vessels like the one seen above, will be one of very few companies that can continue to operate in Alaska this summer following a surprise announcement by the Canadian government banning cruise ships in its harbors until 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Now isn’t the time to abolish the filibuster

Doing away with it treats only a symptom of partisan dysfunction. And now is the wrong time.

  • Feb 5, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
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Alaska Science Forum: Were blue beads in the tundra the first U.S. import from Europe?

They predate the arrival of Columbus by a few decades

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A lab scientist processes upper respiratory samples from patients suspected of having COVID-19 at the Stanford Clinical Virology Laboratory on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Palo Alto, Calif. Two new cases were confirmed in Juneau School District on Feb. 4, 2021, prompting quarantines of possible contacts. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)

Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Juneau School District

Basketball teams, elementary school class are quarantining.

A lab scientist processes upper respiratory samples from patients suspected of having COVID-19 at the Stanford Clinical Virology Laboratory on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Palo Alto, Calif. Two new cases were confirmed in Juneau School District on Feb. 4, 2021, prompting quarantines of possible contacts. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)
A fishing vessel is drawfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau's downtown harbor in September 2014. On Thursday, Canada announced a ban on cruise vessels in Canadian waters through February 2022. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

‘Devestating decision’: Locals react to Canada’s cruise ban

The announcement was made Thursday.

A fishing vessel is drawfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau's downtown harbor in September 2014. On Thursday, Canada announced a ban on cruise vessels in Canadian waters through February 2022. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Prescriptions drugs, vitamins, hormones, and other drugs left in the drug drop box in the lobby of the Juneau Police Department in September 2019.The drop box gives residents a safe place to disposed of their unused prescription narcotics. The state announced on Thursday it will receive more than $1 million as part of a settlement with a consulting firm accused of “turbocharging” the opioid epidemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska to receive over $1.3M from opioid settlement

More than 47 states, 5 territories, and D.C. are part of the settlement.

Prescriptions drugs, vitamins, hormones, and other drugs left in the drug drop box in the lobby of the Juneau Police Department in September 2019.The drop box gives residents a safe place to disposed of their unused prescription narcotics. The state announced on Thursday it will receive more than $1 million as part of a settlement with a consulting firm accused of “turbocharging” the opioid epidemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Members of the House of Representatives leave the chamber Wednesday, Feb. 3,. after failing to elect a temporary speaker, part of a deadlock that was broken Thursday, when Rep. Josiah Patkotak was elected Speaker Pro Tem. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State House picks temporary speaker

One step closer.

Members of the House of Representatives leave the chamber Wednesday, Feb. 3,. after failing to elect a temporary speaker, part of a deadlock that was broken Thursday, when Rep. Josiah Patkotak was elected Speaker Pro Tem. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Sustainable Alaska: Crossing this pandemic’s finish line will take team work

We need to hold out just a little while longer.

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University of Alaska interim President Pat Pitney told lawmakers the system was an economic driver for the state. The system’s regional campuses, like UA Southeast, seen here on Jan. 26, were more focused on producing graduates in fields in high demand in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

University’s programs are here to stay, president says

Alaska’s system for higher education.

University of Alaska interim President Pat Pitney told lawmakers the system was an economic driver for the state. The system’s regional campuses, like UA Southeast, seen here on Jan. 26, were more focused on producing graduates in fields in high demand in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star steams under the aurora borealis during its current Arctic deployment patrolling the maritime boundary with Russia. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo / Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Oldham)

Coast Guard icebreaker continues Arctic training, security operations

The crew is honing the trade of operating in the harshest waters on earth.

Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star steams under the aurora borealis during its current Arctic deployment patrolling the maritime boundary with Russia. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo / Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Oldham)
This Jan. 8, 2021, photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Alaska Senate on Wednesday OK’d a resolution that would allow remote voting, if necessary, during the pandemic. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

State senate approves remote voting resolution

Presiding officers could OK attending session via videoconference.

This Jan. 8, 2021, photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Alaska Senate on Wednesday OK’d a resolution that would allow remote voting, if necessary, during the pandemic. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A pair of ravens cast a wary eye about on the downtown waterfront as snow falls across Juneau on Feb. 3, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Heavy snow precedes a sunny end to the week

But forecasters expect a snowy weekend.

A pair of ravens cast a wary eye about on the downtown waterfront as snow falls across Juneau on Feb. 3, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
In this Dec. 24 photo, Arsenio “Pastor” Credo receives the Moderna coronavirus vaccine from nurse Courtney Taber at the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Ethel Lund Medical Center. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

City and Borough of Juneau seeks seniors for potential early vaccination

Leftover vaccine doses are expected.

  • Feb 3, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
In this Dec. 24 photo, Arsenio “Pastor” Credo receives the Moderna coronavirus vaccine from nurse Courtney Taber at the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Ethel Lund Medical Center. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo/Hall Anderson, United States Artists Nathan Jackson, a Ketchikan-based Traditional Woodcarver and Sculptor was named a 2021 USA Fellow on Wednesday.
Capital City Weekly

Renowned Northwest Coast artist named USA Fellow

United States Artists awards $50,000 to the Ketchikan-based artist.

Courtesy Photo/Hall Anderson, United States Artists Nathan Jackson, a Ketchikan-based Traditional Woodcarver and Sculptor was named a 2021 USA Fellow on Wednesday.
Screenshot This still image from a Gavel Alaska livestream shows Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum as he speaks to a Senate committee on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Lawmakers questioned Crum on the legality of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s emergency disaster declarations and extensions.

Different reasons, same conclusion: Disaster extensions concerns state lawmakers

Committee to resume Thursday.

Screenshot This still image from a Gavel Alaska livestream shows Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum as he speaks to a Senate committee on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Lawmakers questioned Crum on the legality of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s emergency disaster declarations and extensions.
Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. Appointments are still available for the second vaccine clinic for elderly residents 65 and older on Feb. 11-12 as of Feb. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Appointments available for next city vaccine clinic

It’s also just about time for the second dose for those who went to the first clinic.

Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. Appointments are still available for the second vaccine clinic for elderly residents 65 and older on Feb. 11-12 as of Feb. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
On Wednesday night, the Finance Committee will meet to discuss the future of the Household Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. The programs, which are were funded with federal CARES Act money, aim to help people who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ Finance Committee to consider expanding relief programs

With nearly $5 million already distributed, more need remains.

On Wednesday night, the Finance Committee will meet to discuss the future of the Household Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. The programs, which are were funded with federal CARES Act money, aim to help people who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year's Eve. Based on resident complaints, CBJ is considering new regulations that will restrict the types of fireworks that can be used in different parts of the borough, limit the sale of fireworks and impose fines of $500 for violations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ considers new restrictions on fireworks

Fuse is lit, but final decision is still a ways off.

Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year's Eve. Based on resident complaints, CBJ is considering new regulations that will restrict the types of fireworks that can be used in different parts of the borough, limit the sale of fireworks and impose fines of $500 for violations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)