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Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Aviation traffic at the Juneau International Airport was down 62% in 2020. Here, travelers arrive at the Juneau International Airport on Nov. 25, one of many days when air travel was much lower than historical norms.

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Airport traffic down 62% in 2020

Pandemic-related air travel losses could lead to higher fees, fewer services in future.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities used the DaisyBell device on Feb. 21, 2021 to precisely trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road, reducing the chances of a catastrophic natural avalanche, similar to the same practice shown above in 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire File)

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DOTPF conducts avalanche risk reduction along Thane Road

The snowpack got its bell rung.

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 cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

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COVID at a glance for Monday, Feb. 21

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 cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

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COVID at a glance for Tuesday, Feb. 23

The most recent state and local numbers.

Katie Hurley, seen here in an undated photo from the Alaska State Legislature biography page, died at the age of 99 on Sunday. (Courtesy photo / Alaska State Legislature)

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‘Grande Dame’ of Alaska politics, dies at 99

“Extraordinary Alaskan.”

Alaska Airlines is inspecting a 737-700 after it was struck by lightning while flying from Juneau to Sitka on Feb. 21, 2021 in accordance with the company’s policies. (Courtesy photo / National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration)

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Alaska Airlines inspecting flight after lightning strike near Sitka

An inspection is the airline’s standard procedure after a strike.

This photo shows medical supplies on a table at a Feb. 11 vaccination clinic at Centennial Hall. Another clinic is planned for next month, and registration for it will open Wednesday for people 65 and older. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

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Vaccine clinic registration to open early for seniors

The clinic is in mid-March. Here’s how to register.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks in an interview at the Empire's offices in Juneau on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Murkowski said rare earth resources was an area Alaska could, and should, take advantage of. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

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Could rare earth minerals be Alaska’s edge?

Green tech and defense tech.

Juneau recently dropped its community risk level to Level 1. The change allows bars and gyms to become slightly more flexible in their operations. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Lagers and joggers: Restrictions ease on local bars and gyms

The Level 1 distinction offers some subtle but important maneuvering room.

A conceptual drawing shows a possible use for Norwegian Cruise Line’s property on Egan Drive. This drawing shows the property with NCL’s largest ship, the Bliss, shown for scale. (Courtesy Image / MRV Architects)

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New cruise ship dock project moves ahead

Memorandum of understanding signed with proposed Alaska Ocean Center.

Additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine are expected to be available at an upcoming vaccine clinic due to a new partnership, City and Borough of Juneau announced.(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

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Partnership makes additional vaccines available in Juneau

Additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine are expected to be available at an upcoming vaccine clinic, City and Borough…

The Juneau School District building and Harborview Elementary School, seen here on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, will begin to offer expanded in-person instruction over the next few weeks. School officials cite the community’s stable infection rate and new science-based guidance for opening schools are driving factors behind the expanded offerings. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Lower COVID numbers mean more school options for Juneau students

District looks to add more in-person learning.

Thomas Moreno, Southeast Alaska Food Bank employee, unloads food at the food bank on Feb. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Amid adversity, Juneau’s food banks soldier on

Demand up and donations down is not a good trajectory.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File Despite the expiration of a statewide emergency declaration, COVID-19 testing remains available at the Juneau airport. Travelers into the capital city must show proof of a negative test or test at the airport after travel, based on local ordinance. Also, travelers must practice strict social distancing for five days after arriving in town.

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CBJ mitigation measures continue

Despite state’s expired emergency declaration, city rules still in effect

Youths play sandlot baseball at Miller Field in the summer of 2020. After COVID-19 sidelined a competitive season last summer, local players gathered to play sandlot ball. Thanks to a city-approved COVID-19 mitigation plan, the Gastineau Channel Baseball and Softball Leagues are planning a full, competitive season this summer. Registration is now open for players between the ages of 5 and 16. (Courtesy Photo / Geoff Kirsch)

Sports

Take me out to the ball game

The Gastineau Channel Baseball and Softball Leagues expect a full, competitive season.

Juneau Police Department officers arrested a man obstructing traffic and acting erratically on Egan Drive Tuesday evening, Feb. 16, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

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Police detain man obstructing traffic on Glacier Highway

The man sustained minor injuries when he was being apprehended Tuesday evening.

Wendy Wallers administers the coronavirus vaccine to Christina MacDougall during a clinic at Centennial Hall on Feb. 11, 2021. The City and Borough of Juneau lowered the risk level for the coronavirus to Level 1 on Feb. 17, the lowest since the system was put in place. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Juneau lowers community risk level

The risk level is the lowest it’s been since the risk system was put in place.

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 cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

News

COVID at a glance for Tuesday, Feb. 16

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 cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

News

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, Feb. 17

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 cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

News

COVID at a glance for Thursday, Feb. 18

The most recent state and local numbers.