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The Grand Princess maintains a holding pattern about 30 miles off the coast of San Francisco, carrying multiple people who have tested positive for the coronavirus in March. On Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, U.S. federal health officials issued new rules that will enable large cruise ships to start sailing again in U.S. waters, though not immediately. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)

CDC sets rules for cruise ships to resume sailing

Testing and a seven day limit are among requirements.

  • Oct 31, 2020
  • By MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer
  • Cruises
The Grand Princess maintains a holding pattern about 30 miles off the coast of San Francisco, carrying multiple people who have tested positive for the coronavirus in March. On Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, U.S. federal health officials issued new rules that will enable large cruise ships to start sailing again in U.S. waters, though not immediately. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)
A male Steller sea lion amid others on the coast of Alaska in Southeast. (Courtesy Photo / Michell Trifari)

Alaska Science Forum: Steller sea lions and mercury

Tiny bits of fish and squid may contain big answers.

A male Steller sea lion amid others on the coast of Alaska in Southeast. (Courtesy Photo / Michell Trifari)
Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers, governor express interest in extending disaster declaration

It’s set to expire on Nov. 15.

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) is in the fast Ice Jan. 2, 2020, approximately 20 miles north of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. (Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi / USCG)

Coast Guard heavy icebreaker retasked for Arctic deployment

The ship typically spends these months breaking trail to McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) is in the fast Ice Jan. 2, 2020, approximately 20 miles north of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. (Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi / USCG)
The Juneau Police Department, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Police to allow beards, purple hair for child cancer awareness

The fundraiser will last for two months.

The Juneau Police Department, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
The Tailing Treatment Facility and Upper Slate Lake at the Kensington Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. Coeur Alaska wants to expand the life of the mine which will require expanding this lake which holds processed material from the mine. The lake has its own water treatment plant which continually processes wastewater. The company says it follows the strictest environmental precautions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Comment period opens for proposed mine operations extension

Begins Oct. 30, ends Dec. 14 for Kensington Gold Mine.

The Tailing Treatment Facility and Upper Slate Lake at the Kensington Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. Coeur Alaska wants to expand the life of the mine which will require expanding this lake which holds processed material from the mine. The lake has its own water treatment plant which continually processes wastewater. The company says it follows the strictest environmental precautions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a fire that occurred near an apartment on Willoughby Avenue on Oct. 25, 2020 as arson. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Authorities investigate probable downtown arson

Video footage shows an unidentified man stuffing newspaper into a butt can and lighting it.

Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a fire that occurred near an apartment on Willoughby Avenue on Oct. 25, 2020 as arson. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)
This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 particle isolated from a patient, in a laboratory in Fort Detrick, Md. Coronaviruses, including the newest one, are named for the spikes that cover their outer surface like a crown, or corona in Latin. Using those club-shaped spikes, the virus latches on to the outer wall of a human cell, invades it and replicates, creating viruses to hijack more cells. (NIAID / NIH)

CBJ reports 26 new COVID-19 cases

None are in the homeless population.

This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 particle isolated from a patient, in a laboratory in Fort Detrick, Md. Coronaviruses, including the newest one, are named for the spikes that cover their outer surface like a crown, or corona in Latin. Using those club-shaped spikes, the virus latches on to the outer wall of a human cell, invades it and replicates, creating viruses to hijack more cells. (NIAID / NIH)
A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. State public health officials reiterated that advice during a news briefing Thursday.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State counts new deaths, sheds light on old ones

77 people have died so far, according to data.

A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. State public health officials reiterated that advice during a news briefing Thursday.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
First Student employees load meals on school buses so the meals can be distributed to Juneau youths. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau School District)

School district updates meal pickup schedules

The break and holiday meal schedule is coming.

First Student employees load meals on school buses so the meals can be distributed to Juneau youths. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau School District)
David Katzeek, leader of the Shangukeidi clan, speaks about the power of language during an interview on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019.(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Clan leader and Tlingit language education pioneer has died

“An unimaginable void.”

David Katzeek, leader of the Shangukeidi clan, speaks about the power of language during an interview on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019.(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Blank Unemployment Benefits formq

State cites tech woes for delay in increased jobless aid

Payments had been expected this week.

Blank Unemployment Benefits formq
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage on Aug. 11, 2020. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Watch: Gov. Dunleavy holds COVID-19 news conference

Watch live beginning at 5 p.m.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage on Aug. 11, 2020. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Foodstuffs sit on tables at St. Vincent de Paul on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2019, to be bagged to feed up to 200 families for Thanksgiving. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Charities prepare for a pandemic-conscious Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving meal will go on, albeit in very modified form.

Foodstuffs sit on tables at St. Vincent de Paul on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2019, to be bagged to feed up to 200 families for Thanksgiving. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. On Wednesday, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its decision to exempt the nation’s largest national forest from the Roadless Rule. Proponents say the rule change will make it easier for responsible resource development while critics say it removes essential protections on critical environments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

USDA exempts Tongass National Forest from Roadless Rule

Reactions are pouring in.

A Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. On Wednesday, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its decision to exempt the nation’s largest national forest from the Roadless Rule. Proponents say the rule change will make it easier for responsible resource development while critics say it removes essential protections on critical environments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Victor Martinez is awarded the Alaska Fighting Championship bantamweight title on Feb. 26 at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Maria Bundy)

Hitting the big time: Soldotna man signs 4-fight deal with UFC

He will take his 7-2 professional record into a UFC Fight Night 181 matchup.

Victor Martinez is awarded the Alaska Fighting Championship bantamweight title on Feb. 26 at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Maria Bundy)
Sherry Simpson, shown in this 2013 photo, passed away recently at the age of 60. Simpson is widely respected and beloved as a writer and educator. (Courtesy Photo / Scott Kiefer)
Capital City Weekly

Sherry Simpson, much-loved writer and educator, dies at 60

Alaska recently lost one of its most influential writers and impactful writing teachers.

Sherry Simpson, shown in this 2013 photo, passed away recently at the age of 60. Simpson is widely respected and beloved as a writer and educator. (Courtesy Photo / Scott Kiefer)
This photos shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday. The City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance requiring the confidential disclosure to the city assessor's office of the sales price of real estate transactions in the borough. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

New local law could change how property is valued. Here’s how

Supports say it’s more accurate, opponents say it’s an invasion of privacy.

This photos shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday. The City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance requiring the confidential disclosure to the city assessor's office of the sales price of real estate transactions in the borough. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Downtown Juneau will soon have improved signage and maps like this one at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park for tourists as part of the Wayfinding Project on Oct. 10, 2020.

Update to downtown signage on track for 2021 completion

Technical concerns delayed aspects of the project.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Downtown Juneau will soon have improved signage and maps like this one at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park for tourists as part of the Wayfinding Project on Oct. 10, 2020.
Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. City officials said Tuesday contact tracers are behind in tracking down positive COVID-19 cases. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City asks residents to help with contact tracing

Limit your social circle.

Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. City officials said Tuesday contact tracers are behind in tracking down positive COVID-19 cases. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)