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A view of the auroras from our most recent geomagnetic storm, shot from North Douglas on Friday, Oct. 23. (Courtesy Photo / Eric Bleicher)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

A view of the auroras from our most recent geomagnetic storm, shot from North Douglas on Friday, Oct. 23. (Courtesy Photo / Eric Bleicher)
Peter Sidmore fills out paperwork prior to voting early and in-person in the 2020 general election on Thursday, Oct. 22. Election officials said the fourth day of early voting was slower than the three days when hundreds of voters showed up to vote in person. Thursday morning, fewer than a dozen people had voted as of 8:45 a.m. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Set expectations for a very different Election Day

Results may vary.

Peter Sidmore fills out paperwork prior to voting early and in-person in the 2020 general election on Thursday, Oct. 22. Election officials said the fourth day of early voting was slower than the three days when hundreds of voters showed up to vote in person. Thursday morning, fewer than a dozen people had voted as of 8:45 a.m. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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)
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

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)
From left, University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Daniel White, UA Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen and then-UA Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield speak at a UA Board of Regents meeting in Anchorage on July 30, 2019. Sandeen, the chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage has announced her intention to take a new position as the president of a California university, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.(AP Photo / Dan Joling)

Alaska university chancellor accepts new job in California

Her last day is early next year.

From left, University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Daniel White, UA Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen and then-UA Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield speak at a UA Board of Regents meeting in Anchorage on July 30, 2019. Sandeen, the chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage has announced her intention to take a new position as the president of a California university, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.(AP Photo / Dan Joling)
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 July 17, 2017 photo shows the Governor’s Mansion. The Calhoun Avenue residence will be open for trick-or-treaters the evening of Saturday, Oct. 31. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Governor’s Mansion to open for trick-or-treaters

“Not even a global pandemic could stop this spooky-fun event!”

  • Oct 30, 2020
This July 17, 2017 photo shows the Governor’s Mansion. The Calhoun Avenue residence will be open for trick-or-treaters the evening of Saturday, Oct. 31. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This is a police car. It has always been a police car.

Police calls for Friday, Oct. 30, 2020

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

  • Oct 30, 2020
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
This is a police car. It has always been a police car.
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)
The Iliamna Lake monster, depicted in this illustration by Alex Wit, is often described as shark-like in appearance. (Courtesy Image / Alex Wit)

Pride of Bristol Bay: Catching the Iliamna Lake Monster

““I was skeptical. I’m not skeptical anymore.”

The Iliamna Lake monster, depicted in this illustration by Alex Wit, is often described as shark-like in appearance. (Courtesy Image / Alex Wit)