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Vials for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are seen at a temporary clinic in Exeter, N.H. on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized another booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for people age 50 and up, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (AP Photo / Charles Krupa)

FDA OKs another Pfizer, Moderna COVID booster for 50 and up

The Food and Drug Administration’s decision opens a fourth dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

  • Mar 29, 2022
  • By Lauran Neergaard and Matthew Perrone Associated Press
  • Coronavirus
Vials for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are seen at a temporary clinic in Exeter, N.H. on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized another booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for people age 50 and up, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (AP Photo / Charles Krupa)
A Coast Guardsmen rescues a 70-year-old man who fell off Mt. Verstovia while hiking on March 26, 2022. (Screenshot / USCG)

Coast Guard rescues 70-year-old hiker near Sitka after 200-foot fall

The man fell several hundred feet, according to the Coast Guard

A Coast Guardsmen rescues a 70-year-old man who fell off Mt. Verstovia while hiking on March 26, 2022. (Screenshot / USCG)
A floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives was canceled on Monday, March 28, 2022, after some lawmakers refused to wear face masks in the chamber. House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, reinstated the masking rule for the floor after several members of the body tested positive for COVID-19. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

COVID cases, mask debates delay House

Lawmaker absences push back timeline for budget bill.

A floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives was canceled on Monday, March 28, 2022, after some lawmakers refused to wear face masks in the chamber. House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, reinstated the masking rule for the floor after several members of the body tested positive for COVID-19. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
JDHS’ Jake Sleppy, right, vies for the ball in a tipoff against TMHS during the regular basketball season. JDHS just ended their season with an unsuccessful championship attempt. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

JDHS boys end season at state tournament

The long season gave players lots of time to refine their game.

JDHS’ Jake Sleppy, right, vies for the ball in a tipoff against TMHS during the regular basketball season. JDHS just ended their season with an unsuccessful championship attempt. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A map from the Bureau of Land Management shows lands that may be available for selection by Alaska Native veterans from the Vietnam War-era. Veterans have been waiting a long time to be able to select lands, and some have expressed frustration at the length of the process. (Screenshot)

Land selection process for Alaska Native veterans moves ahead, but slowly

Still a long time coming.

A map from the Bureau of Land Management shows lands that may be available for selection by Alaska Native veterans from the Vietnam War-era. Veterans have been waiting a long time to be able to select lands, and some have expressed frustration at the length of the process. (Screenshot)
Words

Gimme a Smile: Enjoy the charm of Wordle

I’ve jumped onto the Wordle bandwagon.

  • Mar 26, 2022
  • By Peggy McKee Barnhill
  • Columns
Words
A map from the Alaska Redistricting Board shows proposed House Districts in Anchorage, two of which were the subject of a lawsuit against the board for their being paired together in a single senate seat.The Alaska Supreme Court Ruled Friday the board acted unconstitutionally in one of its Senate district pairings. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)

Alaska Supreme Court says redistricting board acted unconstitutionally

A tight timeline.

A map from the Alaska Redistricting Board shows proposed House Districts in Anchorage, two of which were the subject of a lawsuit against the board for their being paired together in a single senate seat.The Alaska Supreme Court Ruled Friday the board acted unconstitutionally in one of its Senate district pairings. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)
The Naqsralugiaq Pass in the Brooks Range is one of two passes added to FAA charts in a recent update after consulting with Alaskan aviators. (Courtesy photo / FAA)

FAA adds two passes in Brooks Range to charts

The addition comes as part of a push by FAA for improved aviation safety in Alaska.

The Naqsralugiaq Pass in the Brooks Range is one of two passes added to FAA charts in a recent update after consulting with Alaskan aviators. (Courtesy photo / FAA)
Pharmacist Sandra Baker with the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium shows the safe where opioid medications are kept for Front Street Clinic's newly opened medically-assisted treatment program on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

New medically assisted treatment clinic opens

Harm reduction.

Pharmacist Sandra Baker with the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium shows the safe where opioid medications are kept for Front Street Clinic's newly opened medically-assisted treatment program on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
JDHS’ Mila Hargrave (24) sinks a shot during a game against TMHS on March 5, 2022. JDHS would go on to win the match. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

‘We certainly got better as the season went on’: JDHS coach reflects on the completed season

Only three teams bested the Crimson Bears this season.

JDHS’ Mila Hargrave (24) sinks a shot during a game against TMHS on March 5, 2022. JDHS would go on to win the match. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Lance Fenumiai, Juneau local and rugby player for St. Vincent College and recently named All-American by National Collegiate Rugby, pauses during a game against Wheeling University. (Terry Hancock / Wheeling University)

Juneau man named All-American college rugby player

He was also the first player from his school invited to a national college rugby event.

Lance Fenumiai, Juneau local and rugby player for St. Vincent College and recently named All-American by National Collegiate Rugby, pauses during a game against Wheeling University. (Terry Hancock / Wheeling University)
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Alaska has millions in unclaimed property. Some of it might be yours

Over $240 million.

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Dozens of Ukranian dumplings, called varenyky, sit after being prepared for a benefit dinner and silent auction to benefit children in war-torn Ukraine on Friday, March 25, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Olena Zubya)

Charity dinner and auction to benefit Ukraine

Much ado about dumplings.

Dozens of Ukranian dumplings, called varenyky, sit after being prepared for a benefit dinner and silent auction to benefit children in war-torn Ukraine on Friday, March 25, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Olena Zubya)
Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Daniel, an aviation maintenance technician at Air Station Sitka, observes an oil sheen surrounding the Western Mariner, an 83-foot inspected tug, in Neva Strait March, 21, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Wereda)

Recovery efforts for grounded tug near Sitka continue

Nearly a thousand gallons of diesel have been recovered from the ruptured tank.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Daniel, an aviation maintenance technician at Air Station Sitka, observes an oil sheen surrounding the Western Mariner, an 83-foot inspected tug, in Neva Strait March, 21, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Wereda)
A would-be voter considers the candidates on a sample ballot released by the state of Alaska in March 2021. The Alaska Division of Elections has announced the dates for the special elections to select a replacement for Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who died recently. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Filing for special election to fill House seat officially open

Filing deadline is April 1.

A would-be voter considers the candidates on a sample ballot released by the state of Alaska in March 2021. The Alaska Division of Elections has announced the dates for the special elections to select a replacement for Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who died recently. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
The deadline for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, which comes from the fund managed by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is coming up fast, landing on March 31, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Deadline approaching to apply for PFD

This year’s payout is still being decided.

The deadline for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, which comes from the fund managed by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is coming up fast, landing on March 31, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A brown bear sleeps after taking a break from grazing on spring vegetation. (Courtesy Photo / Bjorn Dihle)

Pride of Bristol Bay: The brown bears of Bristol Bay and Alaska Peninsula

Bristol Bay and Alaska Peninsula makes up about one third of Alaska’s entire brown bear population.

A brown bear sleeps after taking a break from grazing on spring vegetation. (Courtesy Photo / Bjorn Dihle)
National Guardsmen Sgt. Andrew Hunt and Sgt. Jason Williams, survey team members for the 103rd Civil Support Team, suit up as they prepare to investigate a simulated hazardous material situation in an exercise with Juneau’s emergency organizations on march 22, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Suiting up: Juneau agencies practice hazmat ops with National Guard, FBI

Planning for the exercise began early last year.

National Guardsmen Sgt. Andrew Hunt and Sgt. Jason Williams, survey team members for the 103rd Civil Support Team, suit up as they prepare to investigate a simulated hazardous material situation in an exercise with Juneau’s emergency organizations on march 22, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, about the upcoming special election to fill the U.S. House of Representatives vacated following the death of Don Young last week. Screenshot)

Dates set for race to fill House seat

State officials set the dates Tuesday for the special elections to fill Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, recently vacated by the… Continue reading

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, about the upcoming special election to fill the U.S. House of Representatives vacated following the death of Don Young last week. Screenshot)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s executive order to split the Department of Health and Social Services, its Juneau offices seen here on Monday into two new departments became law over the weekend, but the split won’t go into effect until July.

State begins process for health department split

Still some concerns.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s executive order to split the Department of Health and Social Services, its Juneau offices seen here on Monday into two new departments became law over the weekend, but the split won’t go into effect until July.