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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)
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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
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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)
Arsenio “Pastor” Credo receives the Moderna coronavirus vaccine from nurse Courtney Taber at the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Ethel Lund Medical Center on Dec. 24, 2020. He’s one of the first non-healthcare professionals to be vaccinated. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Arsenio “Pastor” Credo receives the Moderna coronavirus vaccine from nurse Courtney Taber at the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Ethel Lund Medical Center on Dec. 24, 2020. He’s one of the first non-healthcare professionals to be vaccinated. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A bird flies by on the sort of gray day typical of December 2020 in Juneau. While there was persistent precipitation this year, Juneau is poised to fall several inches short of the record. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A bird flies by on the sort of gray day typical of December 2020 in Juneau. While there was persistent precipitation this year, Juneau is poised to fall several inches short of the record. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
(Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Corrections)

State reports 5th inmate COVID-19 death

The department did not identify the man.

(Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Corrections)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Governor’s DHSS plan offers chance for API improvement

We can have a higher standard for psychiatric patient care.

  • Dec 28, 2020
  • By Faith Myers
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka pose with the family they rescued about an hour earlier from Yamani Islets, Dec. 25, 2020. The aircrew hoisted all four family members to safety after their boat capsized. (Courtesy Photo / Coast Guard Air Station Sitka)

Coast Guard rescues 4 near Sitka on Christmas

“We want to stress the importance of letting people know where you are going on the water…”

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka pose with the family they rescued about an hour earlier from Yamani Islets, Dec. 25, 2020. The aircrew hoisted all four family members to safety after their boat capsized. (Courtesy Photo / Coast Guard Air Station Sitka)
Goodbye, 2020. Good riddance, more likely. We had such high hopes for you—you were supposed to be this shiny new year to start off a new decade.

Gimme a Smile: Goodbye and good riddance to 2020

We all have high hopes for the year 2021. It’s got to be better than this past year.

  • Dec 27, 2020
  • By Peggy McKee Barnhill For the Juneau Empire
Goodbye, 2020. Good riddance, more likely. We had such high hopes for you—you were supposed to be this shiny new year to start off a new decade.
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Juneau students earn academic honors

Recognitions for Dec. 27, 2020.

  • Dec 27, 2020
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Living & Growing: Finding hope at Christmas

By the Rev. Dan Wiese My thoughts are with those who are having a hard time finding the joy of Christmas. It has been a… Continue reading

  • Dec 27, 2020
  • By the Rev. Dan Wiese
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