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Sarah Palmer holds up a swab before administering a COVID-19 test in late December. The state announced on Tuesday that a variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 had been detected in Alaska for the first time. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Virus variant detected in Alaska for the first time

There is no evidence of a difference in clinical outcomes associated with the variant.

Sarah Palmer holds up a swab before administering a COVID-19 test in late December. The state announced on Tuesday that a variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 had been detected in Alaska for the first time. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This January 2020 photo shows cars piled up at an illegal junkyard on River Road in the Mendenhall Valley. On Monday night, the City and Borough City Assembly moved a step closer to starting to clean up the site. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Illegal junkyard headed toward the trash heap

CBJ to solicit bids to clean up the property.

This January 2020 photo shows cars piled up at an illegal junkyard on River Road in the Mendenhall Valley. On Monday night, the City and Borough City Assembly moved a step closer to starting to clean up the site. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
n this April 9, 2014, photo, oil rigs stand in the Loco Hills field on U.S. Highway 82 in Eddy County near Artesia, N.M., one of the most active regions of the Permian Basin. President Joe Biden is set to announce a wide-ranging moratorium on new oil and gas leasing on U.S. lands, as his administration moves quickly to reverse Trump administration policies on energy and the environment and address climate change. (AP Photo/Jeri Clausing, File)

Biden to pause oil drilling on public lands

Biden is set to announce a wide-ranging moratorium on new oil and gas leasing on U.S. lands.

n this April 9, 2014, photo, oil rigs stand in the Loco Hills field on U.S. Highway 82 in Eddy County near Artesia, N.M., one of the most active regions of the Permian Basin. President Joe Biden is set to announce a wide-ranging moratorium on new oil and gas leasing on U.S. lands, as his administration moves quickly to reverse Trump administration policies on energy and the environment and address climate change. (AP Photo/Jeri Clausing, File)
Cars zoom down the track at Saturday's Pinewood Derby. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the race to move a virtual format. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

The race must go on

Cub Scouts take the Pinewood Derby high tech.

Cars zoom down the track at Saturday's Pinewood Derby. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the race to move a virtual format. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
This cover image released by Roaring Brook Press shows "We Are Water Protectors," written by Carol Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade. Goade became the first Native American to win the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal for best children's picture story. Goade is a member of the Tlingit and Haida Indian tribes in Southeast Alaska. “We Are Water Protectors,” is a call for environmental protection that was conceived in response to the planned construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline through Standing Rock Sioux territory. (Roaring Brook Press via AP)

Goade becomes first Native American to win Caldecott Medal

The award was announced on Monday.

This cover image released by Roaring Brook Press shows "We Are Water Protectors," written by Carol Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade. Goade became the first Native American to win the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal for best children's picture story. Goade is a member of the Tlingit and Haida Indian tribes in Southeast Alaska. “We Are Water Protectors,” is a call for environmental protection that was conceived in response to the planned construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline through Standing Rock Sioux territory. (Roaring Brook Press via AP)
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer leaves the Alaska House of Representatives chamber Monday, Jan. 25, 2020 after presiding over yet another floor session in which lawmakers were unable to elect leadership. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House deadlock remains, lawmakers to meet Wednesday

They’ll try again Wednesday.

Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer leaves the Alaska House of Representatives chamber Monday, Jan. 25, 2020 after presiding over yet another floor session in which lawmakers were unable to elect leadership. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The valleys of Jim River and Prospect Creek in northern Alaska, where an official thermometer registered Alaska’s all-time low of minus 80 degrees F on Jan. 23, 1971. Photo by Ned Rozell

Alaska Science Forum: Alaska’s all-time cold record turns 50

The camp was there to house workers building the trans-Alaska pipeline

The valleys of Jim River and Prospect Creek in northern Alaska, where an official thermometer registered Alaska’s all-time low of minus 80 degrees F on Jan. 23, 1971. Photo by Ned Rozell
AmeriCorps members pose with a Conex box full of PPE they helped to load for Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska during a day of service on Sept. 11, 2020. The members are also assisting with early literacy programs. (Courtesy photo / Jordan Frodge)

Back to the basics: AmeriCorps members assist with early literacy programs in Juneau

This year’s group of thirteen is heavily involved in early literacy education.

AmeriCorps members pose with a Conex box full of PPE they helped to load for Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska during a day of service on Sept. 11, 2020. The members are also assisting with early literacy programs. (Courtesy photo / Jordan Frodge)
Capitol

Opinion: Censuring acts of conscience is un-American

It’s only with dignity and respect for one another that we can work through our disagreements…

  • Jan 24, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
Capitol
Chef Jermaine Wall stacks containers of soups at Community Servings, which prepares and delivers scratch-made, medically tailored meals to individuals & families living with critical & chronic illnesses, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. Food is a growing focus for insurers as they look to improve the health of the people they cover and cut costs. Insurers first started covering Community Servings meals about five years ago, and CEO David Waters says they now cover close to 40%. (AP Photo / Charles Krupa)

Insurers add food to coverage menu as way to improve health

Food has become a bigger focus for health insurers as they look to expand their coverage.

Chef Jermaine Wall stacks containers of soups at Community Servings, which prepares and delivers scratch-made, medically tailored meals to individuals & families living with critical & chronic illnesses, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. Food is a growing focus for insurers as they look to improve the health of the people they cover and cut costs. Insurers first started covering Community Servings meals about five years ago, and CEO David Waters says they now cover close to 40%. (AP Photo / Charles Krupa)
Geoff Kirsch

Slack Tide: 13 things I’d tell my 13-year-old self

Oh, there are so many things I wish I could tell could the 13-year-old me.

  • Jan 23, 2021
  • By Geoff Kirsch
Geoff Kirsch
This August 2019 photos shows a redline at Treadwell Arena designed by Tsimshian artist Abel Ryan. The arena is adding new weekly events to its schedule, City and Borough of Juneau announced. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Treadwell Arena adds new weekly events

Hockey and open skate are on the schedule.

This August 2019 photos shows a redline at Treadwell Arena designed by Tsimshian artist Abel Ryan. The arena is adding new weekly events to its schedule, City and Borough of Juneau announced. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. He said he was hopeful about finding a path forward for the state and that he wanted better communication between the Legislature and the public. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

‘It must be done this year’: Senate president eyes fiscal plan

“We have to solve this problem.”

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. He said he was hopeful about finding a path forward for the state and that he wanted better communication between the Legislature and the public. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Someone holds up an inflatable Alaska Marine Highway ferry at at a rally to support of the Alaska Marine Highway System on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Reshaping coastal Alaska transportation

The focus of the Alaska Marine Highway System Reshaping Work Group was too narrow

  • Jan 23, 2021
  • Andy Hughes
Someone holds up an inflatable Alaska Marine Highway ferry at at a rally to support of the Alaska Marine Highway System on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Protesters march for women’s rights in Juneau in 2020. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced a bipartisan bill Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 to move forward the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, granting equal legal protection to the sexes, stalled in its ratification stage since 1972. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Murkowski co-sponsors bipartisan bill to affirm ratification of Equal Rights Amendment

Stalled since 1972, the ERA would guarantee equal legal protection to all sexes.

Protesters march for women’s rights in Juneau in 2020. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced a bipartisan bill Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 to move forward the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, granting equal legal protection to the sexes, stalled in its ratification stage since 1972. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
On Inauguration Day, President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing the review of the Trump administration's decision to lift the Roadless Rule in the Tongass National Forest. The news has lead to optimism among local conservation groups. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Conservationists welcome Biden’s Roadless Rule review order

Local conservation group reacts to news, looks to the future.

On Inauguration Day, President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing the review of the Trump administration's decision to lift the Roadless Rule in the Tongass National Forest. The news has lead to optimism among local conservation groups. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018. A response boat similar to the one in the photo was struck by a laser near Ketchikan on Saturday, Jan. 17, prompting an investigation into the crime. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard wants information after laser pointed at boat

“Laser strikes jeopardize the safety of our boat crews…”

A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018. A response boat similar to the one in the photo was struck by a laser near Ketchikan on Saturday, Jan. 17, prompting an investigation into the crime. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)
Courtesy Photo / Erin Cutts, Inspiring Girls Expeditions The 2019 Girls on Ice Alaska team travels down Gulkana Glacier at the end of their expedition. The group is currently accepting applications for three expeditions planned for this summer.

Inspiring Girls Expeditions to resume this summer

Three Alaska-based trips are planned for 2021

Courtesy Photo / Erin Cutts, Inspiring Girls Expeditions The 2019 Girls on Ice Alaska team travels down Gulkana Glacier at the end of their expedition. The group is currently accepting applications for three expeditions planned for this summer.
There are a number of ways you can save energy as Juneau flirts with having actual winter weather over the weekend. (Unsplash / Wilhelm Gunkel)

Want to keep energy costs down? Local experts make recommendations

Cold is temporary but savings are savings.

There are a number of ways you can save energy as Juneau flirts with having actual winter weather over the weekend. (Unsplash / Wilhelm Gunkel)
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, left, leaves the Alaska House of Representatives chamber Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, with George Rauscher, R-Sutton, after a brief floor session where lawmakers failed to nominate a temporary speaker. Meyer will preside over the body until a leadership is elected. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House members optimistic, but still deadlocked

‘Not everyone stand at once here.’

Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, left, leaves the Alaska House of Representatives chamber Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, with George Rauscher, R-Sutton, after a brief floor session where lawmakers failed to nominate a temporary speaker. Meyer will preside over the body until a leadership is elected. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)