National News

President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens at right. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)

How will the student loan forgiveness plan impact Alaskans?

Biden’s $10K relief effort will aid 20 million people who are expected to have their debt completely.

 

FILE - Sarah Palin, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. The judge who presided over Palin's libel case against The New York Times denied her request Tuesday, May 31, 2022, for a new trial, saying she failed to introduce "even a speck” of evidence necessary to prove actual malice. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Judge: No ‘speck’ of proof in Palin’s libel case against NYT

NEW YORK (AP) — The judge who presided over Sarah Palin’s libel case against The New York Times denied her request Tuesday for a new… Continue reading

 

Capt. Corey Wheeler, front, commander of B Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, walks away from a Chinook helicopter that landed on the glacier near Denali, April 24, 2016, on the Kahiltna Glacier in Alaska. The U.S. Army helped set up base camp on North America's tallest mountain. The U.S. Army is poised to revamp its forces in Alaska to better prepare for future cold-weather conflicts, and it is expected to replace the larger, heavily equipped Stryker Brigade there with a more mobile, infantry unit better suited for the frigid fight, according to Army leaders. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Army poised to revamp Alaska forces to prep for Arctic fight

The U.S. has long viewed the Arctic as a growing area of competition.

 

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks to an aide as senators arrive before a procedural vote on the Women's Health Protection Act to codify the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, May 11, 2022. President Joe Biden called on Congress to pass legislation that would guarantee the constitutional right to abortion services after the disclosure of a draft Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Effort to secure Roe v. Wade falls to filibuster

“The American people are watching.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks to an aide as senators arrive before a procedural vote on the Women's Health Protection Act to codify the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, May 11, 2022. President Joe Biden called on Congress to pass legislation that would guarantee the constitutional right to abortion services after the disclosure of a draft Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
Adm. Linda L. Fagan has been nominated by the president to serve as the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

Fagan nominated as next Coast Guard Commandant

If confirmed, she’ll be the first woman to lead one of the armed services.

Adm. Linda L. Fagan has been nominated by the president to serve as the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. (Courtesy photo / USCG)
Juneau members of Veterans for Peace Craig Wilson, left, and K.J. Metcalf, wave signs urging a diplomatic solution in Ukraine the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s Veterans for Peace urge diplomacy amid Ukraine tensions

‘War is our default setting.’

Juneau members of Veterans for Peace Craig Wilson, left, and K.J. Metcalf, wave signs urging a diplomatic solution in Ukraine the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, an Anchorage Democrat, filed her paperwork on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 at the Division of Elections offices in Juneau, to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Lisa Murkowski. Gray-Jackson, a Democrat, is the first from her party to enter the race and the first Black woman to run for a U.S. Senate seat from Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Democratic state senator files to unseat Murkowski

“Alaskans have a choice now.”

State Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, an Anchorage Democrat, filed her paperwork on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 at the Division of Elections offices in Juneau, to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Lisa Murkowski. Gray-Jackson, a Democrat, is the first from her party to enter the race and the first Black woman to run for a U.S. Senate seat from Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Dorothy Thomson stands while giving a thumbs down as Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of Alaska Address during the 2019 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. The 2019 convention was the last in-person convention as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the meeting to go digital for the second year in a row. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

‘Relationships are key’: AFN Convention brings leaders to the table

All levels of leadership.

Dorothy Thomson stands while giving a thumbs down as Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of Alaska Address during the 2019 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. The 2019 convention was the last in-person convention as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the meeting to go digital for the second year in a row. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)
This picture shows a trigger lock, which according to local activists, is an inexpensive way to secure guns and help prevent unintentional shootings. (Courtesy photo/Sally Rue)

Local group urges residents to Be SMART about guns

‘Unintentional child shootings are 100% preventable’

This picture shows a trigger lock, which according to local activists, is an inexpensive way to secure guns and help prevent unintentional shootings. (Courtesy photo/Sally Rue)
A flu shot is administered at a free vaccine clinic in Juneau on Nov. 23, 2021, and on Thursday health officials nationwide urged people to get inoculated for both COVID-19 and the flu ahead of the holiday season. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Health officials push vaccines, boosters to combat variant

A lot of unknowns.

A flu shot is administered at a free vaccine clinic in Juneau on Nov. 23, 2021, and on Thursday health officials nationwide urged people to get inoculated for both COVID-19 and the flu ahead of the holiday season. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
AP Photo / Jae C. Hong Air China flight crew members in hazmat suits walk through the arrivals area Tuesday at Los Angeles International Airport. The U.S. on Wednesday reported its first case of the omicron variant.

Biden to announce testing, booster expansion

Announcement Thursday.

AP Photo / Jae C. Hong Air China flight crew members in hazmat suits walk through the arrivals area Tuesday at Los Angeles International Airport. The U.S. on Wednesday reported its first case of the omicron variant.
The entrance to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area in the Tongass National Forest was covered in snow on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, a day after federal authorities announced the next step in restoring the 2001 Roadless Rule on the forest. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Feds put freeze on Roadless Rule rollback

On the Roadless Rule again.

The entrance to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area in the Tongass National Forest was covered in snow on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, a day after federal authorities announced the next step in restoring the 2001 Roadless Rule on the forest. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this Empire file photo, Juneau citizen Mary Ellen Yadao signs her name to vote in the City and Borough of Juneau Municipal Election on Oct. 6, 2020. Speaking to a panel of cybersecurity experts Thursday, Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer said the state is taking advantage of federal resources to bolster election security. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Lt Gov talks cybersecurity, election planning

Trust is key.

In this Empire file photo, Juneau citizen Mary Ellen Yadao signs her name to vote in the City and Borough of Juneau Municipal Election on Oct. 6, 2020. Speaking to a panel of cybersecurity experts Thursday, Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer said the state is taking advantage of federal resources to bolster election security. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This August photo shows the cutter Midgett moored in Juneau. The U.S. Coast Guard, including the Midgett, is as of early November edging toward total vaccination.

Coast Guard edges toward full active-duty vaccination nationwide

Along with the other armed services, more than 90% of active duty members are fully vaccinated.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This August photo shows the cutter Midgett moored in Juneau. The U.S. Coast Guard, including the Midgett, is as of early November edging toward total vaccination.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, speaks to reporters after filing for re-election Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, setting up a race against a primary challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
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Murkowski makes candidacy official

‘A feud from outside.’

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, speaks to reporters after filing for re-election Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, setting up a race against a primary challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
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This October 2021 photo provided by Pfizer shows boxes of kid-size doses of its COVID-19 vaccine. The U.S. moved a step closer to expanding vaccinations for millions more children as a panel of government advisers on Tuesday, Oct. 26, endorsed kid-size doses of Pfizer's shots for 5- to 11-year-olds. (Pfizer via AP)

City plans five pediatric vaccine clinic for next week

Sign ups to come.

This October 2021 photo provided by Pfizer shows boxes of kid-size doses of its COVID-19 vaccine. The U.S. moved a step closer to expanding vaccinations for millions more children as a panel of government advisers on Tuesday, Oct. 26, endorsed kid-size doses of Pfizer's shots for 5- to 11-year-olds. (Pfizer via AP)
Afghanistan

Goldbelt employees among those evacuated from Afghanistan

Landed in Qatar.

Afghanistan
Juneau residents gathered around the statue of William H. Seward in downtown Juneau on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, for the local version of a national rally for abortion rights. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau rallies for abortion rights

Tension over Texas.

Juneau residents gathered around the statue of William H. Seward in downtown Juneau on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, for the local version of a national rally for abortion rights. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy photo / Kate Troll Kate Troll, right, and Yalda Battori, stand in front of pictures colored by refugee children from Afghanistan at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. Troll recently returned from a two week deployment with the American Red Cross at McCoy, where nearly 13,000 Afghans are awaiting resettlement in the U.S.

‘This is something that unites us all’: Alaskans help refugees resettle

100 over six months.

Courtesy photo / Kate Troll Kate Troll, right, and Yalda Battori, stand in front of pictures colored by refugee children from Afghanistan at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. Troll recently returned from a two week deployment with the American Red Cross at McCoy, where nearly 13,000 Afghans are awaiting resettlement in the U.S.
Courtesy photo / Paxson Woelber, The Alaska Landmine Christine Hill sits in the Municipality of Anchorage Assembly’s chambers on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, wearing a yellow Star of David reading “do not consent” to protest the implementation of masking requirements in public places meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Jewish groups say Holocaust comparisons a worrisome trend

Anchorage protest most recent, high-profile example.

Courtesy photo / Paxson Woelber, The Alaska Landmine Christine Hill sits in the Municipality of Anchorage Assembly’s chambers on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, wearing a yellow Star of David reading “do not consent” to protest the implementation of masking requirements in public places meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.