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Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. Bartlett Regional Hospital staff are hoping to have a testing machine operational early next year that will allow the city to process its own COVID-19 samples. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Testing machine timeline starts to take shape

More uses outside of COVID.

Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. Bartlett Regional Hospital staff are hoping to have a testing machine operational early next year that will allow the city to process its own COVID-19 samples. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Blank Unemployment Benefits form

State says FEMA-boosted jobless aid starts soon

Announcement was made on Wednesday.

Blank Unemployment Benefits form
Protesters gather at a protect the vote rally in downtown San Antonio, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. (AP Photo / Eric Gay)

Biden pushes closer to victory as Trump presses legal moves

By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER, JILL COLVIN and ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press WASHINGTON — Democrat Joe Biden pushed closer Thursday to the 270 Electoral College… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2020
  • By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER, JILL COLVIN and ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press
  • National News
Protesters gather at a protect the vote rally in downtown San Antonio, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. (AP Photo / Eric Gay)
Coast Guard personnel from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka rescued a 70-year-old man from the water near Union Bay on Nov. 1, 2020. (Screenshot / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard rescues man from water Sunday evening

Weather at the scene was 57-mph winds and 10 foot seas.

Coast Guard personnel from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka rescued a 70-year-old man from the water near Union Bay on Nov. 1, 2020. (Screenshot / U.S. Coast Guard)
Election official Steve Lewis directs voter Patrick Endozo, who attempts to feed his completed ballot into a scanning machine at a polling place inside Nugget Mall on Election Day. Election officials said shortly before 5 p.m. that about 150 more people had voted at the polling place than voted there in the state's August primary. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Election Night trends continue, but no winners yet

It’s not over til it’s over.

Election official Steve Lewis directs voter Patrick Endozo, who attempts to feed his completed ballot into a scanning machine at a polling place inside Nugget Mall on Election Day. Election officials said shortly before 5 p.m. that about 150 more people had voted at the polling place than voted there in the state's August primary. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. Lawmakers may have to hold a special session to extend the disaster declaration over COVID-19, but who makes the call for the special session is still up in the air. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Leg leaders: Governor’s support needed to call special session

Who is gonna call…a special session

The Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. Lawmakers may have to hold a special session to extend the disaster declaration over COVID-19, but who makes the call for the special session is still up in the air. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Election challengers observe as ballots are counted at the central counting board, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo / Carlos Osorio)

Election officials scramble to count ballots in key states

Still no call, but here’s the latest.

  • Nov 4, 2020
  • By CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY Associated Press
Election challengers observe as ballots are counted at the central counting board, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo / Carlos Osorio)
Chester County, Pa. election workers process mail-in and absentee ballots for the 2020 general election in the United States at West Chester University, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in West Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Biden wins Michigan, Wisconsin, now on brink of White House

Counting continues day after Election Day.

  • Nov 4, 2020
  • By JONATHAN LEMIRE, AAMER MADHANI, ZEKE MILLER, JILL COLVIN and ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press
  • Election 2020National News
Chester County, Pa. election workers process mail-in and absentee ballots for the 2020 general election in the United States at West Chester University, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in West Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Courtesy photo / JAMM Inmates at Lemon Creek Correctional Center are working with the nonprofit Juneau Alaska Music Matters to make xylophones.
Capital City Weekly

Inmates work with nonprofit to make instruments for kids

The xylophones come as part of a pandemic-driven curriculum shift.

Courtesy photo / JAMM Inmates at Lemon Creek Correctional Center are working with the nonprofit Juneau Alaska Music Matters to make xylophones.
The author was in the right place, but at the wrong time. This typifies his rut hunting program. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went To The Woods: Growing as a hunter

Romanticizing the storm.

The author was in the right place, but at the wrong time. This typifies his rut hunting program. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Election officials said early turnout was steady but slightly slower than in past years--perhaps due to a surge in early voting within the precinct. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

With absentee ballots uncounted, many races too close to call

Over 100,000 ballots remain uncounted.

A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Election officials said early turnout was steady but slightly slower than in past years--perhaps due to a surge in early voting within the precinct. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Election officials said early turnout was steady but slightly slower than in past years--perhaps due to a surge in early voting within the precinct. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State of Alaska releases unofficial results

It’s still very early in the count.

A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Election officials said early turnout was steady but slightly slower than in past years--perhaps due to a surge in early voting within the precinct. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
State Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks during a women's march held downtown on a sunny Saturday in October. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State House incumbents lead in unofficial results

District 33 race offers 1 of night’s few clear winners.

State Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks during a women's march held downtown on a sunny Saturday in October. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Alyse Galvin emerges from the voting booth after casting her early vote Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Galvin, an independent, is trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Don Young, Alaska’s sole member of the U.S. House and in office since 1973. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Contentious congressional races to be closely watched

A look at races for the U.S. House of Representative and Senate on Election Day.

  • Nov 3, 2020
  • By MARK THIESSEN and BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
Alyse Galvin emerges from the voting booth after casting her early vote Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Galvin, an independent, is trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Don Young, Alaska’s sole member of the U.S. House and in office since 1973. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Alaska U.S. Senate candidate Al Gross speaks to supporters at an event at a downtown park in Juneau, Alaska, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, as his wife, Monica Gross, at right, looks on. The event, held on a rainy, windy morning, is among those Gross is holding in the lead-up to the Nov. 3, 2020, general election, in which Gross, an independent running with Democratic backing, is facing Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Senate campaigns make last push for votes in Alaska

Race has been heated in recent weeks.

Alaska U.S. Senate candidate Al Gross speaks to supporters at an event at a downtown park in Juneau, Alaska, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, as his wife, Monica Gross, at right, looks on. The event, held on a rainy, windy morning, is among those Gross is holding in the lead-up to the Nov. 3, 2020, general election, in which Gross, an independent running with Democratic backing, is facing Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
A City and Borough of Juneau worker clears the road in a downtown neighborhood on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

‘Somewhere between mashed potatoes and wet concrete’: Heavy snow causes havoc

Not quite a wonderland.

A City and Borough of Juneau worker clears the road in a downtown neighborhood on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A man votes takes advantage of early voting at the Mendenhall Mall on Oct. 22, 2020. The FBI issued public guidance ahead of the General Election warning voters about what is and isn't federal election crime, and how to report such crimes if they're spotted. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

FBI issues guidance on election security

Trust only verified sources.

A man votes takes advantage of early voting at the Mendenhall Mall on Oct. 22, 2020. The FBI issued public guidance ahead of the General Election warning voters about what is and isn't federal election crime, and how to report such crimes if they're spotted. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Junerau Empire Capital City Fire/Rescue fire marshal Dan Jager demonstrates the proper stance for use of a fire extinguisher. CCFR recommends that all Juneau residents replace the batteries for their smoke alarms this weekend, and also have a fire extinguisher.

Day life saving time: Make sure batteries work while turning back clocks

Many organizations recommend checking smoke alarm batteries when clocks change.

Michael S. Lockett / Junerau Empire Capital City Fire/Rescue fire marshal Dan Jager demonstrates the proper stance for use of a fire extinguisher. CCFR recommends that all Juneau residents replace the batteries for their smoke alarms this weekend, and also have a fire extinguisher.
Tease

Stlack Tide: Crazy for Krazy Glue

Fond as I am of duct tape, I love another multi-use adhesive even more

  • Nov 1, 2020
  • By Geoff Kirsch For the Juneau Empire
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Peter Sidmore fills out paperwork prior to voting early and in-person in the 2020 general election on Thursday, Oct. 22. Election officials said the fourth day of early voting was slower than the three days when hundreds of voters showed up to vote in person. Thursday morning, fewer than a dozen people had voted as of 8:45 a.m. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Set expectations for a very different Election Day

Results may vary.

Peter Sidmore fills out paperwork prior to voting early and in-person in the 2020 general election on Thursday, Oct. 22. Election officials said the fourth day of early voting was slower than the three days when hundreds of voters showed up to vote in person. Thursday morning, fewer than a dozen people had voted as of 8:45 a.m. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)