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Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speaks to Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, before a floor session to debate a bill over a disaster declaration in the state on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The debate would take lawmakers into the evening Wednesday, as over 40 amendments were submitted on the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Disaster debate drags out in Senate

Even if bill advances, governor might not sign it.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speaks to Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, before a floor session to debate a bill over a disaster declaration in the state on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The debate would take lawmakers into the evening Wednesday, as over 40 amendments were submitted on the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
An Arizona man was arrested for his role bringing large quantities of methamphetamine to Fairbanks between 2019 and 2020 according to a Department of Justice news release. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Arizona man arrested for trafficking 60 pounds of meth to Fairbanks

The scale indicates it could be part of a larger operation.

An Arizona man was arrested for his role bringing large quantities of methamphetamine to Fairbanks between 2019 and 2020 according to a Department of Justice news release. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Bowls like those seen here will be available for sale or auction during the Glory Hall’s Empty Bowls fundraiser beginning Friday, April 30, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Mariya Lovishchuk)

Empty Bowls goes on amid reduced fanfare

The Glory Hall also recieved a major donation of cleaning supplies.

Bowls like those seen here will be available for sale or auction during the Glory Hall’s Empty Bowls fundraiser beginning Friday, April 30, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Mariya Lovishchuk)
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Capital City Weekly

Writers’ Weir: ‘Up A Creek’

Nonfiction prose by Steven Dahl.

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Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Karl Lewkowski’s book “Cool Man Lewk: My Journey from Orphan to Crimefighter” talks about Lewkowski’s seven years as an officer in the Juneau Police Department, among other aspects of his life.
Capital City Weekly

Former JPD officer, PI reflects on time in Juneau in new book

Lewkowski was a man of many hats.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Karl Lewkowski’s book “Cool Man Lewk: My Journey from Orphan to Crimefighter” talks about Lewkowski’s seven years as an officer in the Juneau Police Department, among other aspects of his life.
An Alaska Department of Corrections news release announced that all DOC facilities, including Lemon Creek Correctional Center, shown above, will reopen for public visitation on Friday, April 30, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Prisons to reopen public visitation statewide

All visits will be subject to health and safety guidelines.

An Alaska Department of Corrections news release announced that all DOC facilities, including Lemon Creek Correctional Center, shown above, will reopen for public visitation on Friday, April 30, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
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Rep Young announces reelection bid

He’s Congress’ longest-ever-serving Republican member.

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Police calls for Wednesday, April 28, 2021

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

  • Apr 28, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
State officials are trying to facilitate the transfer of federal lands to the University of Alaska but where those lands are hasn’t yet been determined. What is known is the lands will be drawn from the state’s allotment of federal lands granted to it under statehood, seen here in this July 30, 2020 Bureau of Land Management map. (Courtesy Image / U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

State pushes for university land grant transfer

Stable fiscal future.

State officials are trying to facilitate the transfer of federal lands to the University of Alaska but where those lands are hasn’t yet been determined. What is known is the lands will be drawn from the state’s allotment of federal lands granted to it under statehood, seen here in this July 30, 2020 Bureau of Land Management map. (Courtesy Image / U.S. Bureau of Land Management)
In this September 2019 photo, then-Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka addresses reporters in Anchorage, Alaska. Tshibaka a candidate for U.S. Senate in Alaska previously wrote articles in support of an organization that espoused gay conversion therapy, questioned the integrity of elections and described the “Twilight” books and movies as evil. Many of the past articles, blogs and posts from candidate Tshibaka have been deleted but some are available through archived internet pages, as first reported Tuesday, April 27, 2021, by CNN. The CNN article, Tshibaka said in an email to The Associated Press, “is just proof that our campaign is gaining momentum, which has Lisa Murkowski and her allies scared to death. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Senate candidate shadowed by anti-gay article, election post

She previously wrote articles in support of an organization that espoused gay conversion therapy.

In this September 2019 photo, then-Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka addresses reporters in Anchorage, Alaska. Tshibaka a candidate for U.S. Senate in Alaska previously wrote articles in support of an organization that espoused gay conversion therapy, questioned the integrity of elections and described the “Twilight” books and movies as evil. Many of the past articles, blogs and posts from candidate Tshibaka have been deleted but some are available through archived internet pages, as first reported Tuesday, April 27, 2021, by CNN. The CNN article, Tshibaka said in an email to The Associated Press, “is just proof that our campaign is gaining momentum, which has Lisa Murkowski and her allies scared to death. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
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. A medical director at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control says the numbers of active COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern are higher than what has been publicly reported in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP

COVID at a glance for Tuesday, April 27

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. A medical director at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control says the numbers of active COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern are higher than what has been publicly reported in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP
Maralee Guiher drops off her ballot during the City and Borough of Juneau Municipal Election on Oct. 6, 2020. On Monday, city assembly members decided to follow the 2020 playbook for the 2021 municipal election. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters and at least two polling places and drop boxes will be available. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Municipal election to be conducted mostly by mail

At least two polling places and drop boxes will be available

Maralee Guiher drops off her ballot during the City and Borough of Juneau Municipal Election on Oct. 6, 2020. On Monday, city assembly members decided to follow the 2020 playbook for the 2021 municipal election. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters and at least two polling places and drop boxes will be available. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro is moored at the cutter’s homeport of Kodiak, Alaska, April 24, 2021. The Douglas Munro was decommissioned during a ceremony following 49-years of service. (Chief Petty Officer Matt Masaschi / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard decommissions cutter Douglas Munro

The vessel has been in service since 1971 and undertaken many high-profile rescues and operations.

The Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro is moored at the cutter’s homeport of Kodiak, Alaska, April 24, 2021. The Douglas Munro was decommissioned during a ceremony following 49-years of service. (Chief Petty Officer Matt Masaschi / U.S. Coast Guard)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire A sign seen on a downtown Juneau business reminds customers that masks are required. On Monday night, CBJ officials voted to add flexibility to the city’s COVID-related ordinances and adopted a tiered mitigation strategy within the lowest risk level that changes as local vaccination rates increase.

CBJ adds flexibility, adopts tiered COVID mitigation strategies

Travel-related testing mandate expires Saturday

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire A sign seen on a downtown Juneau business reminds customers that masks are required. On Monday night, CBJ officials voted to add flexibility to the city’s COVID-related ordinances and adopted a tiered mitigation strategy within the lowest risk level that changes as local vaccination rates increase.
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Report recommends public database for police use of force

Mental health issues stand out.

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Police calls for Tuesday, April 27

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

  • Apr 27, 2021
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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. A medical director at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control says the numbers of active COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern are higher than what has been publicly reported in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP

COVID at a glance for Monday, April 26

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. A medical director at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control says the numbers of active COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern are higher than what has been publicly reported in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP
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On The Trails: Spending sunny days at beaches and tide flats

Maybe it’s really spring!

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The Alaska State Capitol remained closed to the public on Monday, April 26, 2021, but with high rates of vaccinations among staff, lawmakers have relaxed some of the health rules in place since the start of the session in January. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

With vaccines available, lawmakers relax rules at Capitol

Returning to normal.

The Alaska State Capitol remained closed to the public on Monday, April 26, 2021, but with high rates of vaccinations among staff, lawmakers have relaxed some of the health rules in place since the start of the session in January. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School seniors celebrate their graduation on Sunday, May 26, 2019. The class of 2020 was forced to skip graduation ceremonies due to COVID-19 restrictions. Discussions are underway to allow the class of 2021 an opportunity to participate in commencement in accordance with CBJ’s mitigation strategies. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Plans coming together for COVID-conscious graduation, prom

Plans coming together for COVID-style graduation, prom

Thunder Mountain High School seniors celebrate their graduation on Sunday, May 26, 2019. The class of 2020 was forced to skip graduation ceremonies due to COVID-19 restrictions. Discussions are underway to allow the class of 2021 an opportunity to participate in commencement in accordance with CBJ’s mitigation strategies. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)