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Dusk falls over the Capitol, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, in Washington. Congressional leaders have hashed out a massive, year-end catchall bill that combines $900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $1.4 trillion spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes, energy, education and health care. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)

$900B COVID relief bill passed by Congress, sent to Trump

Lawmakers added a $1.4 trillion catchall bill and other end-of-session business in a massive bundle.

Dusk falls over the Capitol, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, in Washington. Congressional leaders have hashed out a massive, year-end catchall bill that combines $900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $1.4 trillion spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes, energy, education and health care. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)
Bill Conrow, Juneau resident and long-time, free-lance stage director and light designer stands in front of a holiday light display near Juneau-Douglas City Museum. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Holiday lights bring cheer to winter solstice and city museum

By Dana Zigmund Juneau Empire Juneau residents gathered in front of the Juneau-Douglas City Museum to enjoy holiday lights and mark the winter solstice Monday… Continue reading

Bill Conrow, Juneau resident and long-time, free-lance stage director and light designer stands in front of a holiday light display near Juneau-Douglas City Museum. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
This October photo shows the MV Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. The ferry's schedule has been changed due to predicted storms. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Storm delays Kennicott sailing

A winter storm will alter the schedule for the next two weeks.

This October photo shows the MV Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. The ferry's schedule has been changed due to predicted storms. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Pharmacist Katrina Green administers a COVID-19 vaccine to Justin Washburn, a CRNA student at Alaska Native Medical Center. (Courtesy Photo / Shirley Young, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium)

Chief medical officer: Vaccine reactions should be considered in context

Negative reactions to medicine aren’t uncommon, said Dr. Anne Zink.

Pharmacist Katrina Green administers a COVID-19 vaccine to Justin Washburn, a CRNA student at Alaska Native Medical Center. (Courtesy Photo / Shirley Young, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium)
Brandon Earl, right, helps David Lenus, a job seeker, fill out an application at a drive up job fair for Allied Universal during the coronavirus pandemic, in Gardena, Calif. Coronavirus restrictions in California have put millions of people out of work, increasing the state’s unemployment rate earlier this year to levels not seen since the Great Depression. (AP Photo / Chris Carlson)

Congress’ rescue aid: A dose of support, but is it enough?

With the economy still gripped by the pandemic, yet more federal help will likely be needed soon.

Brandon Earl, right, helps David Lenus, a job seeker, fill out an application at a drive up job fair for Allied Universal during the coronavirus pandemic, in Gardena, Calif. Coronavirus restrictions in California have put millions of people out of work, increasing the state’s unemployment rate earlier this year to levels not seen since the Great Depression. (AP Photo / Chris Carlson)
Peter Crimp, kelp supply director for Atlantic Sea Farms, checks on tanks of seaweed spores growing at the company's nursery, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Saco, Maine. Seaweed harvesting and farming in Maine has grown for several years as interest in foods and nutritional products made with the marine algae have risen in popularity. (AP Photo / Robert F. Bukaty)

Seaweed industry stays afloat, seeks growth during pandemic

At least one sector of the industry has found a way to grow during the crisis

Peter Crimp, kelp supply director for Atlantic Sea Farms, checks on tanks of seaweed spores growing at the company's nursery, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Saco, Maine. Seaweed harvesting and farming in Maine has grown for several years as interest in foods and nutritional products made with the marine algae have risen in popularity. (AP Photo / Robert F. Bukaty)
Douglas Island, part of the Tongass National Forest, breaks through the fog on Dec. 15, 2020. A federal investigation found the U.S. Forest Service violated federal law in 2018 when it appropriated a $2 million grant to Alaska for input on Roadless Rule changes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Feds say $2 million grant from Forest Service didn’t follow the law

More to come.

Douglas Island, part of the Tongass National Forest, breaks through the fog on Dec. 15, 2020. A federal investigation found the U.S. Forest Service violated federal law in 2018 when it appropriated a $2 million grant to Alaska for input on Roadless Rule changes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Eaglecrest Ski Area, seen above, is delaying its opening until colder weather and snowfall replenish areas affected by warm temperatures and heavy rainfall. (Courtesy photo / Chris Miller)

Eaglecrest opens for the season

The ski area will be open almost every day through Jan. 10

Eaglecrest Ski Area, seen above, is delaying its opening until colder weather and snowfall replenish areas affected by warm temperatures and heavy rainfall. (Courtesy photo / Chris Miller)
When lawmakers return to the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, they’ll have to decide what to do about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposals for kickstarting the economy. But some of the proposals are so far too vague for municipalities to know where they stand. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City leaders want stability, but can lawmakers deliver?

Reaction mixed to governor’s proposed budget, amendments.

When lawmakers return to the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, they’ll have to decide what to do about Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposals for kickstarting the economy. But some of the proposals are so far too vague for municipalities to know where they stand. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Alaskans encouraged to ‘Bring Back the Light’

Any kind of light will do.

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks with reporters following her address to the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Filling the leadership void

Alaskans should be proud that Sen. Lisa Murkowski was part of bipartisan effort.

  • Dec 19, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks with reporters following her address to the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A vial of the Pfizer vaccine used at The Reservoir nursing facility, is shown, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in West Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo / Stephen Dunn,Pool)

Fairbanks health system reports vaccine reaction in employee

The woman had been observed after receiving their shots, in accordance with vaccine protocols.

A vial of the Pfizer vaccine used at The Reservoir nursing facility, is shown, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in West Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo / Stephen Dunn,Pool)
A multiple-exposure photo of the winter-solstice sun arcing over the Alaska Range, taken from the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on Dec. 21, 2012. (Courtesy Photo / Todd Paris)

Alaska Science Forum: Time stands still on winter solstice

Alaska Science Forum: Time stands still on winter solstice

A multiple-exposure photo of the winter-solstice sun arcing over the Alaska Range, taken from the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on Dec. 21, 2012. (Courtesy Photo / Todd Paris)
A beached vessel is anchored to the shoreline in Barlow Cove, about 15 miles northeast of Juneau, Alaska, Dec. 17, 2020. The crew of Coast Guard cutter Bailey Barco rescued three hunters who ended up stranded on shore after the vessel took on water. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bailey Barco)

Coast Guard rescues 3 from foundered vessel at Barlow Cove

No injuries were reported.

A beached vessel is anchored to the shoreline in Barlow Cove, about 15 miles northeast of Juneau, Alaska, Dec. 17, 2020. The crew of Coast Guard cutter Bailey Barco rescued three hunters who ended up stranded on shore after the vessel took on water. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bailey Barco)
Courtesy photo / Katie Bausler Justin Richardson, a pharmacy technician with Bartlett Regional Hospital, prepares the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday.

Feds, state monitor for adverse reactions as vaccinations ramp up

Juneau played reluctant host to the country’s first adverse reaction on Tuesday.

Courtesy photo / Katie Bausler Justin Richardson, a pharmacy technician with Bartlett Regional Hospital, prepares the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday.
Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacy personnel Justin Richardson, Andrea Stats, Krischelle Batac and Ursula Iha take delivery of the first shipment of the coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Juneau

Vaccination of key healthcare staff began immediately.

Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacy personnel Justin Richardson, Andrea Stats, Krischelle Batac and Ursula Iha take delivery of the first shipment of the coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at an Anchorage news conference on Sept. 15, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Governor says he considers board appointments valid

By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he views as valid his appointment of a revenue commissioner and picks for boards and commissions… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy at an Anchorage news conference on Sept. 15, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s chief of staff Ben Stevens, seen here speaking during the Southeast Conference Mid-Session Summit on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, spoke to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy was proposing bonds for infrastructure projects across the state, Stevens said. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Proposed bonds would fund ‘shovel-ready’ projects, says governor’s chief of staff

Shovel-ready in Southeast?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s chief of staff Ben Stevens, seen here speaking during the Southeast Conference Mid-Session Summit on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, spoke to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy was proposing bonds for infrastructure projects across the state, Stevens said. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows signage outside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. A group of 35 states as well as the District of Columbia and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Google on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, alleging that the search giant has an illegal monopoly over the online search market that hurts consumers and advertisers. The lawsuit, announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. by states represented by bipartisan attorneys general. (AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Alaska joins anti-trust lawsuit against Google

States allege the search giant has an illegal monopoly over the online search market.

This photo shows signage outside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. A group of 35 states as well as the District of Columbia and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Google on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, alleging that the search giant has an illegal monopoly over the online search market that hurts consumers and advertisers. The lawsuit, announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. by states represented by bipartisan attorneys general. (AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Courtesy photo / City and Borough of Juneau Capital Transit received its first electric bus, seen here, on Wednesday. The bus will enter active service in February.

Leading the charge: City welcomes fleet’s 1st electric bus

Bus is expected to be rider-ready in February.

Courtesy photo / City and Borough of Juneau Capital Transit received its first electric bus, seen here, on Wednesday. The bus will enter active service in February.