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FILE - This May 8, 2008, file photo shows blank checks on an idle press at the Philadelphia Regional Financial Center, which disburses payments on behalf of federal agencies in Philadelphia. Officials at the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service said Friday, March 12, 2021 that processing the new round of stimulus payments has already begun, with the aim of having the first payments start showing up in bank accounts this weekend. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Feds: Relief checks are coming

The checks are in the mail.

FILE - This May 8, 2008, file photo shows blank checks on an idle press at the Philadelphia Regional Financial Center, which disburses payments on behalf of federal agencies in Philadelphia. Officials at the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service said Friday, March 12, 2021 that processing the new round of stimulus payments has already begun, with the aim of having the first payments start showing up in bank accounts this weekend. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., is questioned by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., during the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on her nomination to be Interior Secretary, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Jim Watson / Pool)

Haaland OK’d at Interior, 1st Native American Cabinet head

The Senate on Monday confirmed New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary.

Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., is questioned by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., during the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on her nomination to be Interior Secretary, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Jim Watson / Pool)
Courtesy photo / Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska The Biden administration says it wants to strengthen ties with tribal governments like Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, whose workers are seen here loading shipping containers full of supplies bound for needy communities in Southeast Alaska onto a barge in the Gastineau Channel on Oct. 21, 2020.

Nation to nation: A new day for tribal relations?

Feds need to ‘show their work.’

Courtesy photo / Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska The Biden administration says it wants to strengthen ties with tribal governments like Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, whose workers are seen here loading shipping containers full of supplies bound for needy communities in Southeast Alaska onto a barge in the Gastineau Channel on Oct. 21, 2020.
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Friday, March 12, 2021

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

  • Mar 14, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Erin Jaske and Scott Sandridge cross country ski across the Manette bridge in Bremerton, Wash., on a snowy day, in this Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, file photo. During the pandemic, people around the world sought relief from lock downs and working from home in leisure sports. (Meegan M. Reid / Kitsap Sun)

Call of the wild: Great outdoors is great escape in pandemic

Outdoor enthusiasts are certainly stepping outside to play in whatever environment.

Erin Jaske and Scott Sandridge cross country ski across the Manette bridge in Bremerton, Wash., on a snowy day, in this Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, file photo. During the pandemic, people around the world sought relief from lock downs and working from home in leisure sports. (Meegan M. Reid / Kitsap Sun)
Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold sits in a Senate gallery on Friday, March 12, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska Senate voted Wednesday to allow leadership to restrict access to the Capitol by Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, over violations of protocols meant to guard against COVID-19. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer, Pool)

State Senate leaders accommodate member over virus rules

The senate president on Friday called the standoff a distraction.

Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold sits in a Senate gallery on Friday, March 12, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska Senate voted Wednesday to allow leadership to restrict access to the Capitol by Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, over violations of protocols meant to guard against COVID-19. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer, Pool)
FILE - This May 8, 2008, file photo shows blank checks on an idle press at the Philadelphia Regional Financial Center, which disburses payments on behalf of federal agencies in Philadelphia. Officials at the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service said Friday, March 12, 2021 that processing the new round of stimulus payments has already begun, with the aim of having the first payments start showing up in bank accounts this weekend. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

IRS: New round of COVID relief payments on the way

Processing of the new round of stimulus payments has already begun.

  • Mar 12, 2021
  • By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer
  • National News
FILE - This May 8, 2008, file photo shows blank checks on an idle press at the Philadelphia Regional Financial Center, which disburses payments on behalf of federal agencies in Philadelphia. Officials at the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service said Friday, March 12, 2021 that processing the new round of stimulus payments has already begun, with the aim of having the first payments start showing up in bank accounts this weekend. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star steams under the aurora borealis during its current Arctic deployment patrolling the maritime boundary with Russia. (Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Oldham / U.S. Coast Guard)

‘Ice’ to be home again: looking back on record-setting icebreaker deployment

Long nights, thick ice, and hamsters: the Polar Star finishes a rare northern deployment.

Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star steams under the aurora borealis during its current Arctic deployment patrolling the maritime boundary with Russia. (Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Oldham / U.S. Coast Guard)
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Alaska Science Forum: Snow is the state of Alaska

Fun facts about snow gleaned from a new book.

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A Juneau man was arrested on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, for two charges of sexual abuse of a minor for an incident in Anchorage. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man indicted on sexual abuse of a minor charges

He was indicted by an Anchorage grand jury on Thursday.

A Juneau man was arrested on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, for two charges of sexual abuse of a minor for an incident in Anchorage. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June, 2014.

State’s fast ferries sold for over $5M

They’ll be headed to Spain soon.

The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June, 2014.
This screenshot from a video posted by Salty Lady Seafood Co. shows an orca swimming close to a boat. "I thought for sure it would splash us with its tail or nose the skiff," the company said in a social media post. "It was just checking us out though. Fun end to a hard day of work at the farm." (Screenshot)

A whale of a tale

Salty Lady Seafoods crew enjoy an unexpected visit.

This screenshot from a video posted by Salty Lady Seafood Co. shows an orca swimming close to a boat. "I thought for sure it would splash us with its tail or nose the skiff," the company said in a social media post. "It was just checking us out though. Fun end to a hard day of work at the farm." (Screenshot)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an August news conference. On thursday, Dunleavy withdrew an executive order reorganizing the state’s largest department, the Department of Health and Social Services, after lawmakers sought to block it. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Governor withdraws DHSS split order

Reorganizing the department remains a priority.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an August news conference. On thursday, Dunleavy withdrew an executive order reorganizing the state’s largest department, the Department of Health and Social Services, after lawmakers sought to block it. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters seek to extinguish a house fire near Point Lena on March 10, 2021. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Point Lena house fire ignition source under investigation

The damage to the roof is substantial, but no injuries occured.

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters seek to extinguish a house fire near Point Lena on March 10, 2021. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)
Bridget Weiss, superintendent of the Juneau School District, has been nominated for a Women of Distinction award. She is pictured here addressing the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

Board praises superintendent, nominates her for award

Superintendent subject of glowing remarks from school board during Women’s History Month

Bridget Weiss, superintendent of the Juneau School District, has been nominated for a Women of Distinction award. She is pictured here addressing the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)
Lisa Daugherty of Juneau Composts says composting is an important way for Juneau to address both climate change and a rapidly filling local landfill. (Courtesy Photo / Brian Wallace for Juneau Climate Change Solutionists)

Juneau Climate Change Solutionists: Composting organic waste with Lisa Daugherty

Composting is on the rise locally —with good reason.

Lisa Daugherty of Juneau Composts says composting is an important way for Juneau to address both climate change and a rapidly filling local landfill. (Courtesy Photo / Brian Wallace for Juneau Climate Change Solutionists)
Alaska Senate Secretary Liz Clark, right, holds a copy of the Alaska Legislature's uniform rules as she talks to Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, center, while Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna and Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Reinbold was excluded from most spaces in the Alaska State Capitol until she follows the Legislature's anti-COVID policies. (James Brooks / Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)

State Senate takes action against member over virus rules

An 18-1 vote allows leadership to enforce COVID-19 mitigation policies.

Alaska Senate Secretary Liz Clark, right, holds a copy of the Alaska Legislature's uniform rules as she talks to Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, center, while Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna and Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Reinbold was excluded from most spaces in the Alaska State Capitol until she follows the Legislature's anti-COVID policies. (James Brooks / Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)
A bill from Gov. Mike Dunleavy would rework the Marine Transportation Advisory Board to help the Alaska Marine Highway System with long-term planning to provide better service for passengers like the ones seen here at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on May 16, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Governor’s new bill would change long-term planning for state’s ferry system

In it for the long haul?

A bill from Gov. Mike Dunleavy would rework the Marine Transportation Advisory Board to help the Alaska Marine Highway System with long-term planning to provide better service for passengers like the ones seen here at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on May 16, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Thursday, March 11, 2021

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

  • Mar 11, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Perseverance Theatre This composite image shows M.C. MoHagani Magnetek, Leslie Ishii and Molly Smith. All three will be part of upcoming Perseverance Theatre events that will share often-overlooked perspectives.
Capital City Weekly

Theater events will highlight often untold stories

Black Alaskans, women in theater to be focus of livestreams.

Courtesy Photo / Perseverance Theatre This composite image shows M.C. MoHagani Magnetek, Leslie Ishii and Molly Smith. All three will be part of upcoming Perseverance Theatre events that will share often-overlooked perspectives.