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This photo composite shows Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Don Young, all Republicans. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska senators vote for veto override

It’s the first veto override of the Trump presidency.

This photo composite shows Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Don Young, all Republicans. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A bald eagle found near Montana Creek Road on Dec. 22 had to be euthanized due to injuries, visible here, received from a lead shot fired from a shotgun. The Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward for information on the shooter. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Raptor Center)

Authorities investigate fatal shooting of bald eagle

The otherwise healthy, adult bird had to be euthanized for its injuries.

A bald eagle found near Montana Creek Road on Dec. 22 had to be euthanized due to injuries, visible here, received from a lead shot fired from a shotgun. The Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward for information on the shooter. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Raptor Center)
This bookmark made by Virginia Potts is one of 11 winning entries in Juneau Public Libraries annual bookmark contest. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Public Libraries)
This bookmark made by Virginia Potts is one of 11 winning entries in Juneau Public Libraries annual bookmark contest. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Public Libraries)
The Fairbanks Experimental Farm, shown in this 2014 photo, on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus opened in 1906.(Courtesy Photo /  by Todd Paris, UAF)

Alaska Science Forum: The gardening potential of the Last Frontier

The potential for more is here.

  • Jan 1, 2021
  • By Ned Rozell
The Fairbanks Experimental Farm, shown in this 2014 photo, on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus opened in 1906.(Courtesy Photo /  by Todd Paris, UAF)
Fireworks light up the sky above the Mendenhall Valley the evening of Dec. 31, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Fireworks light up the sky above the Mendenhall Valley the evening of Dec. 31, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walks off of the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)

Chaotic Congress comes to close

Shutdown, impeachment, virus and more.

  • Jan 1, 2021
  • By LISA MASCARO AP Congressional Correspondent
  • National News
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walks off of the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)
Composite Image / Juneau Empire staff and Unsplash
This composite image shows a Tongass National Forest sign that stands near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer at an event held following the killing of George Floyd, a man voting in the November general election, the effects of early December storms in Juneau and a health care worker at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site.

5 stories that shaped Juneau’s 2020

The year was defined by more than COVID-19.

Composite Image / Juneau Empire staff and Unsplash
This composite image shows a Tongass National Forest sign that stands near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer at an event held following the killing of George Floyd, a man voting in the November general election, the effects of early December storms in Juneau and a health care worker at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site.
Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Officials: More vaccine doses are on the way

Older Alaskans and frontline essential workers among those next in line for vaccine.

Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Sarah Palmer talks to a driver before administering a COVID-19 test. The City and Borough of Juneau is offering free, asymptomatic testing. The drive-thru testing is available daily through Jan. 10 with the exception of New Year’s Day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

COVID-19 among leading causes of death for Alaska in 2020

When the final numbers come in, the disease may be fourth or fifth leading cause of death in-state.

Sarah Palmer talks to a driver before administering a COVID-19 test. The City and Borough of Juneau is offering free, asymptomatic testing. The drive-thru testing is available daily through Jan. 10 with the exception of New Year’s Day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Empire is offering an advertising stimulus program to help local businesses get the New Year off to a good start. To apply for an advertising grant visit: www.soundcommunitygrant.com. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Empire launches advertising stimulus program

Grant applications are available till the end of June.

The Juneau Empire is offering an advertising stimulus program to help local businesses get the New Year off to a good start. To apply for an advertising grant visit: www.soundcommunitygrant.com. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows vials of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Race to vaccinate millions in US off to slow, messy start

Health departments are scrambling to patch together plans for administering vaccines.

This photo shows vials of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Archie, a 4-year-old Parson Russell terrier mix, is a dog lawfully registered with Juneau Animal Rescue for 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Stay out of the dog house: Annual pet registration deadline looms

CBJ requires annual registration for all dogs by Jan. 1

Archie, a 4-year-old Parson Russell terrier mix, is a dog lawfully registered with Juneau Animal Rescue for 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Fulfillment must come from a broader vision of life than an Instagram feed filled with hunting and hashtags. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went To the Woods: Stop being a modern Walter Mitty

When we buy gear to make us look like who we wish we were, we lose.

  • Dec 30, 2020
  • By Jeff Lund For the Juneau Empire
Fulfillment must come from a broader vision of life than an Instagram feed filled with hunting and hashtags. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Elizabeth Peratrovich was featured in a Google doodle, seen above, on Dec. 30, 2020. The Tlingit civil rights activist was illustrated by a Sitka-based Tlingit artist for the tech company. (Courtesy art / Google)
Elizabeth Peratrovich was featured in a Google doodle, seen above, on Dec. 30, 2020. The Tlingit civil rights activist was illustrated by a Sitka-based Tlingit artist for the tech company. (Courtesy art / Google)
teeze

Opinion: I appreciate Murkowski’s climate and energy leadership

The real sleeper is the relief and hope this bill offers for a rapidly warming Earth.

  • Dec 30, 2020
  • By Kate Troll
teeze
This photo shows a North American wolf. (Courtesy Photo / Mark Kent, Wikimedia)
This photo shows a North American wolf. (Courtesy Photo / Mark Kent, Wikimedia)
A sign along Montana Creek Road encourages Juneau residents to wear face masks in public settings on Dec. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Local COVID risk level could move from high to moderate as soon as next week

Several key indicators are trending in the right direction

A sign along Montana Creek Road encourages Juneau residents to wear face masks in public settings on Dec. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Legislative Council sets mask policy for upcoming session

Only one representative out of twelve legislators voted against the mask policy.

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Allison Smith, a member of the Juneau Nordic Ski Club, passes another skier on her way along Montana Creek Road. Ski trails around Juneau will soon be hiding clues for Juneau Nordic Ski Club's ski-o’cache event. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Grab your skis and phone — it’s time for ski-o’caching

Juneau’s Nordic Ski Club offers a new event

Allison Smith, a member of the Juneau Nordic Ski Club, passes another skier on her way along Montana Creek Road. Ski trails around Juneau will soon be hiding clues for Juneau Nordic Ski Club's ski-o’cache event. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
Polar Bear Dip participants make a mad dash Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, into the cold water at Auke Bay Recreation Area. This year’s dip is cancelled due to pandemic concerns. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

No polar bears in Juneau: Dip canceled for pandemic

The 30-year-tradition is taking a pause for safety.

Polar Bear Dip participants make a mad dash Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, into the cold water at Auke Bay Recreation Area. This year’s dip is cancelled due to pandemic concerns. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)