News

Jeff Doty and Faisai Minhaj check traps baited with oats and peanut butter for voles and squirrels in Interior Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Setting traps to catch an Alaska virus

Tracking down Alaskapox.

Jeff Doty and Faisai Minhaj check traps baited with oats and peanut butter for voles and squirrels in Interior Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Friday, Sept. 17, 2021

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Sep 17, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a glance for Thursday, Sept. 16

The most recent state and local figures

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML
This photo shows Thunder Mountain High School on April 18, 2021, during the window that school officials were administering PEAKS tests to students on campus. This week, the Department of Education and Early Development said only about 64% of Alaska’s eligible students took the tests in 2021. Locally, test participation was even lower. As a result of the low participation, DEED cautions against comparing 2021 PEAKS data to previous years at the statewide level. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

State officials release PEAKS test data

A peek at PEAKS.

This photo shows Thunder Mountain High School on April 18, 2021, during the window that school officials were administering PEAKS tests to students on campus. This week, the Department of Education and Early Development said only about 64% of Alaska’s eligible students took the tests in 2021. Locally, test participation was even lower. As a result of the low participation, DEED cautions against comparing 2021 PEAKS data to previous years at the statewide level. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Bartlett Regional Hospital

Hospital announces vaccine policy, resumes inpatient elective surgeries

The inpatient elective surgeries may be suspended if case counts continue to rise.

Bartlett Regional Hospital
From left to right: Miakah Nix, Daniel Ashenfelter, Shawn Merry and Conrad Revey, members of the Keex’ Kwaan Community Forest Partnership, one of the many existing programs set to benefit from the trust. The Keex’Kwaan Community Forest Partnership is a one of Sustainable Southeast Partnership’s collaborative land management programs. Programs work with private, state, and federal land managers. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)

New fund established for Indigenous-led development

Funding into the future.

From left to right: Miakah Nix, Daniel Ashenfelter, Shawn Merry and Conrad Revey, members of the Keex’ Kwaan Community Forest Partnership, one of the many existing programs set to benefit from the trust. The Keex’Kwaan Community Forest Partnership is a one of Sustainable Southeast Partnership’s collaborative land management programs. Programs work with private, state, and federal land managers. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)
Alaskans pick up and turn in Permanent Fund Dividend applications at the Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building in March 2011. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Dividend payments expected in 30 days

The bill passed, when do you get a check or deposit?

Alaskans pick up and turn in Permanent Fund Dividend applications at the Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building in March 2011. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
In this December 2020 photo, a syringe containing a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine sits in a container during a vaccine clinic at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Overwhelmed by a surge in COVID-19 patients, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska’s largest hospital, on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, implemented crisis standards of care, prioritizing resources and treatments to those patients who have the potential to benefit the most.(Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool) In this December 2020 photo, a syringe containing a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine sits in a container during a vaccine clinic at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Overwhelmed by a surge in COVID-19 patients, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska’s largest hospital, on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, implemented crisis standards of care, prioritizing resources and treatments to those patients who have the potential to benefit the most.(Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)

State records most daily COVID cases amid health care strain

1,068 new cases of COVID-19, with case counts 13% higher than last week. Juneau reports 61.

In this December 2020 photo, a syringe containing a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine sits in a container during a vaccine clinic at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Overwhelmed by a surge in COVID-19 patients, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska’s largest hospital, on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, implemented crisis standards of care, prioritizing resources and treatments to those patients who have the potential to benefit the most.(Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool) In this December 2020 photo, a syringe containing a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine sits in a container during a vaccine clinic at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Overwhelmed by a surge in COVID-19 patients, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska’s largest hospital, on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, implemented crisis standards of care, prioritizing resources and treatments to those patients who have the potential to benefit the most.(Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)
Signs on the doors at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé remind those entering the building to wear masks. The Juneau School District Board of Education voted on Tuesday unanimously adopted additional COVID-19 mitigation measures. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau schools add COVID-19 mitigation layers

School board candidates react.

Signs on the doors at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé remind those entering the building to wear masks. The Juneau School District Board of Education voted on Tuesday unanimously adopted additional COVID-19 mitigation measures. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The Baby Raven Reads-published book Shanyaak’utlaax̱ – Salmon Boy will represent Alaska at the 2021 National Book Festival, held by the Library of Congress. (Courtesy art / Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Capital City Weekly

Baby Raven Reads book is Alaska’s selection for National Book Festival

It’s the first time a book from the early literacy program has been selected.

The Baby Raven Reads-published book Shanyaak’utlaax̱ – Salmon Boy will represent Alaska at the 2021 National Book Festival, held by the Library of Congress. (Courtesy art / Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Local author Lindy Miller Ryan’s new book “Aloha With Love,” has been turned into a movie that will be released next year. She’s planning on writing a Christmas romance based in Juneau. (Courtesy photo/Meryl Moss Media Group)
Capital City Weekly

Local author pens love story

Rainy days inspire tale set in Hawaii

Local author Lindy Miller Ryan’s new book “Aloha With Love,” has been turned into a movie that will be released next year. She’s planning on writing a Christmas romance based in Juneau. (Courtesy photo/Meryl Moss Media Group)
This March 2020 phgoto shows Juneau's City Hall. On Wednesday, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly OK'd extending local mitigation measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
Video

Assembly candidates square off in annual forum

Read candidate answers to the questions.

This March 2020 phgoto shows Juneau's City Hall. On Wednesday, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly OK'd extending local mitigation measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
Video
The Juneau Police Department is seeking more information on a handful of crimes that occurred in Juneau in August. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police seeking information on recent crimes in Juneau

The police need more information if the investigations are to proceed.

The Juneau Police Department is seeking more information on a handful of crimes that occurred in Juneau in August. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaking at a July 2021 news conference.In a statement on Tuesday, Dunleavy said he would not veto the $1,100 Permanent Fund dividend passed by the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy says he won’t veto ‘partial’ PFD, calls fourth special session

Legislature is set to meet in Juneau on Oct. 1.

This photo shows Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaking at a July 2021 news conference.In a statement on Tuesday, Dunleavy said he would not veto the $1,100 Permanent Fund dividend passed by the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a glance for Tuesday, Sept. 14

The most recent state and local figures

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML
Senators converse during an At Ease in a floor session of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Senators passed a budget bill with a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,100, but there’s disagreement over the fund sources that may lead to legal action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate passes budget bill, $1,100 PFD hours before deadline

Next stop: The governor’s desk.

Senators converse during an At Ease in a floor session of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Senators passed a budget bill with a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,100, but there’s disagreement over the fund sources that may lead to legal action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A young patient is tested for COVID-19. More testing sites will come online as the city fends off the worst of the delta variant, said a city official. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Local officials: High vaccination rates staving off worst for Juneau

Case rates are still high but gradually improving.

A young patient is tested for COVID-19. More testing sites will come online as the city fends off the worst of the delta variant, said a city official. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File A voter leaves the assembly chambers in City Hall after voting in the Oct. 6, 2020, municipal election, which was primarily conducted via mail. Next month’s election will also be conducted mostly by mail with ballots counted in Anchorage. On Monday night, assembly members approved $700,000 to renovate a local warehouse and purchase equipment to count ballots locally.

City approves new ballot-counting center

City ok’s $700,000 to renovate warehouse

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File A voter leaves the assembly chambers in City Hall after voting in the Oct. 6, 2020, municipal election, which was primarily conducted via mail. Next month’s election will also be conducted mostly by mail with ballots counted in Anchorage. On Monday night, assembly members approved $700,000 to renovate a local warehouse and purchase equipment to count ballots locally.
This porcupine stubbornly refused to abandon its leafy lunch entirely, and went right back to it when we passed by. (Courtesy Photo / David Bergeson)

On the Trails: Here and there in August

These observations ’mite’ interest you.

  • Sep 14, 2021
  • By Mary F. Willson
This porcupine stubbornly refused to abandon its leafy lunch entirely, and went right back to it when we passed by. (Courtesy Photo / David Bergeson)
Lawmakers are set to meet in the Alaska State Capitol today, the last day of the state Legislature’s third special session. Multiple debates, including the size of this year’s Permanent Fund dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Special session nears end with unresolved debates

The special session is set to expire tonight.

Lawmakers are set to meet in the Alaska State Capitol today, the last day of the state Legislature’s third special session. Multiple debates, including the size of this year’s Permanent Fund dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)