The Fairbanks Experimental Farm, shown in this 2014 photo, on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus opened in 1906.(Courtesy Photo /  by Todd Paris, UAF)

Alaska Science Forum: The gardening potential of the Last Frontier

The potential for more is here.

  • Jan 1, 2021
  • By Ned Rozell
The Fairbanks Experimental Farm, shown in this 2014 photo, on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus opened in 1906.(Courtesy Photo /  by Todd Paris, UAF)
Fireworks light up the sky above the Mendenhall Valley the evening of Dec. 31, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Fireworks light up the sky above the Mendenhall Valley the evening of Dec. 31, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walks off of the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)

Chaotic Congress comes to close

Shutdown, impeachment, virus and more.

  • Jan 1, 2021
  • By LISA MASCARO AP Congressional Correspondent
  • National News
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walks off of the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Friday, Jan. 1, 2021

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

  • Jan 1, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Composite Image / Juneau Empire staff and Unsplash
This composite image shows a Tongass National Forest sign that stands near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer at an event held following the killing of George Floyd, a man voting in the November general election, the effects of early December storms in Juneau and a health care worker at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site.

5 stories that shaped Juneau’s 2020

The year was defined by more than COVID-19.

Composite Image / Juneau Empire staff and Unsplash
This composite image shows a Tongass National Forest sign that stands near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer at an event held following the killing of George Floyd, a man voting in the November general election, the effects of early December storms in Juneau and a health care worker at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site.
Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Officials: More vaccine doses are on the way

Older Alaskans and frontline essential workers among those next in line for vaccine.

Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Sarah Palmer talks to a driver before administering a COVID-19 test. The City and Borough of Juneau is offering free, asymptomatic testing. The drive-thru testing is available daily through Jan. 10 with the exception of New Year’s Day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

COVID-19 among leading causes of death for Alaska in 2020

When the final numbers come in, the disease may be fourth or fifth leading cause of death in-state.

Sarah Palmer talks to a driver before administering a COVID-19 test. The City and Borough of Juneau is offering free, asymptomatic testing. The drive-thru testing is available daily through Jan. 10 with the exception of New Year’s Day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit. On Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court stopped the once-a-decade head count of every U.S. resident from continuing through the end of October. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya)

Census: Early analysis shows falsifying data was rare

By MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press Responding to criticism that a shortened schedule jeopardized data quality, the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday said less than a… Continue reading

This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit. On Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court stopped the once-a-decade head count of every U.S. resident from continuing through the end of October. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya)
The Juneau Empire is offering an advertising stimulus program to help local businesses get the New Year off to a good start. To apply for an advertising grant visit: www.soundcommunitygrant.com. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Empire launches advertising stimulus program

Grant applications are available till the end of June.

The Juneau Empire is offering an advertising stimulus program to help local businesses get the New Year off to a good start. To apply for an advertising grant visit: www.soundcommunitygrant.com. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows vials of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Race to vaccinate millions in US off to slow, messy start

Health departments are scrambling to patch together plans for administering vaccines.

This photo shows vials of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Archie, a 4-year-old Parson Russell terrier mix, is a dog lawfully registered with Juneau Animal Rescue for 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Stay out of the dog house: Annual pet registration deadline looms

CBJ requires annual registration for all dogs by Jan. 1

Archie, a 4-year-old Parson Russell terrier mix, is a dog lawfully registered with Juneau Animal Rescue for 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020

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

  • Dec 31, 2020
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, Dec. 30

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
Fulfillment must come from a broader vision of life than an Instagram feed filled with hunting and hashtags. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went To the Woods: Stop being a modern Walter Mitty

When we buy gear to make us look like who we wish we were, we lose.

  • Dec 30, 2020
  • By Jeff Lund For the Juneau Empire
Fulfillment must come from a broader vision of life than an Instagram feed filled with hunting and hashtags. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Elizabeth Peratrovich was featured in a Google doodle, seen above, on Dec. 30, 2020. The Tlingit civil rights activist was illustrated by a Sitka-based Tlingit artist for the tech company. (Courtesy art / Google)
Elizabeth Peratrovich was featured in a Google doodle, seen above, on Dec. 30, 2020. The Tlingit civil rights activist was illustrated by a Sitka-based Tlingit artist for the tech company. (Courtesy art / Google)
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020

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

  • Dec 30, 2020
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a North American wolf. (Courtesy Photo / Mark Kent, Wikimedia)
This photo shows a North American wolf. (Courtesy Photo / Mark Kent, Wikimedia)
A sign along Montana Creek Road encourages Juneau residents to wear face masks in public settings on Dec. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Local COVID risk level could move from high to moderate as soon as next week

Several key indicators are trending in the right direction

A sign along Montana Creek Road encourages Juneau residents to wear face masks in public settings on Dec. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Legislative Council sets mask policy for upcoming session

Only one representative out of twelve legislators voted against the mask policy.

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Tuesday, Dec. 29

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)