National News

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)
A law enforcement member walks past damage from an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. Buildings shook in the immediate area and beyond after a loud boom was heard early Christmas morning. (AP Photo / Mark Humphrey)

Police: Suspicious blast wounds 3 in Nashville on Christmas

Nashville Mayor John Cooper said the city was lucky that the number of injuries was limited.

A law enforcement member walks past damage from an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. Buildings shook in the immediate area and beyond after a loud boom was heard early Christmas morning. (AP Photo / Mark Humphrey)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) transits the waters of Puget Sound near Seattle on Dec. 4, 2020. The crew is deploying on rare wintertime mission to the Arctic Circle. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)

Coast Guard needs more focus on Alaska bases and ships, Sullivan says

Recent Russian exercises and America’s sole functional icebreaker are all cause for concern, the senator opined.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) transits the waters of Puget Sound near Seattle on Dec. 4, 2020. The crew is deploying on rare wintertime mission to the Arctic Circle. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)
A view of the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

Sullivan announces intent to override Trump’s defense budget veto

The bill to provide Americans with $600 is also in danger of a Trump veto.

A view of the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)
A lawsuit against the Trump Administration for removing protections on the Tongass National Forest, seen here on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, was filed in U.S. District Court on Dec. 23, 2020. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Coalition files lawsuit against Trump Administration over Roadless Repeal

The lawsuit, formed with 21 plaintiffs, was filed in U.S. District court Wednesday.

A lawsuit against the Trump Administration for removing protections on the Tongass National Forest, seen here on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, was filed in U.S. District Court on Dec. 23, 2020. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. The most improbable of presidents, Donald Trump reshaped the office and shattered its centuries-old norms and traditions while dominating the national discourse like no one before. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Trump threatens to torpedo COVID relief with new demands

Trump assailed the bipartisan $900 billion package in a video he tweeted out Tuesday night.

President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. The most improbable of presidents, Donald Trump reshaped the office and shattered its centuries-old norms and traditions while dominating the national discourse like no one before. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
Dusk falls over the Capitol, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, in Washington. Congressional leaders have hashed out a massive, year-end catchall bill that combines $900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $1.4 trillion spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes, energy, education and health care. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)

$900B COVID relief bill passed by Congress, sent to Trump

Lawmakers added a $1.4 trillion catchall bill and other end-of-session business in a massive bundle.

Dusk falls over the Capitol, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, in Washington. Congressional leaders have hashed out a massive, year-end catchall bill that combines $900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $1.4 trillion spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes, energy, education and health care. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)
Brandon Earl, right, helps David Lenus, a job seeker, fill out an application at a drive up job fair for Allied Universal during the coronavirus pandemic, in Gardena, Calif. Coronavirus restrictions in California have put millions of people out of work, increasing the state’s unemployment rate earlier this year to levels not seen since the Great Depression. (AP Photo / Chris Carlson)

Congress’ rescue aid: A dose of support, but is it enough?

With the economy still gripped by the pandemic, yet more federal help will likely be needed soon.

Brandon Earl, right, helps David Lenus, a job seeker, fill out an application at a drive up job fair for Allied Universal during the coronavirus pandemic, in Gardena, Calif. Coronavirus restrictions in California have put millions of people out of work, increasing the state’s unemployment rate earlier this year to levels not seen since the Great Depression. (AP Photo / Chris Carlson)
Peter Crimp, kelp supply director for Atlantic Sea Farms, checks on tanks of seaweed spores growing at the company's nursery, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Saco, Maine. Seaweed harvesting and farming in Maine has grown for several years as interest in foods and nutritional products made with the marine algae have risen in popularity. (AP Photo / Robert F. Bukaty)

Seaweed industry stays afloat, seeks growth during pandemic

At least one sector of the industry has found a way to grow during the crisis

Peter Crimp, kelp supply director for Atlantic Sea Farms, checks on tanks of seaweed spores growing at the company's nursery, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Saco, Maine. Seaweed harvesting and farming in Maine has grown for several years as interest in foods and nutritional products made with the marine algae have risen in popularity. (AP Photo / Robert F. Bukaty)
Douglas Island, part of the Tongass National Forest, breaks through the fog on Dec. 15, 2020. A federal investigation found the U.S. Forest Service violated federal law in 2018 when it appropriated a $2 million grant to Alaska for input on Roadless Rule changes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Feds say $2 million grant from Forest Service didn’t follow the law

More to come.

Douglas Island, part of the Tongass National Forest, breaks through the fog on Dec. 15, 2020. A federal investigation found the U.S. Forest Service violated federal law in 2018 when it appropriated a $2 million grant to Alaska for input on Roadless Rule changes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A vial of the Pfizer vaccine used at The Reservoir nursing facility, is shown, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in West Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo / Stephen Dunn,Pool)

Fairbanks health system reports vaccine reaction in employee

The woman had been observed after receiving their shots, in accordance with vaccine protocols.

A vial of the Pfizer vaccine used at The Reservoir nursing facility, is shown, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in West Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo / Stephen Dunn,Pool)
This photo shows signage outside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. A group of 35 states as well as the District of Columbia and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Google on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, alleging that the search giant has an illegal monopoly over the online search market that hurts consumers and advertisers. The lawsuit, announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. by states represented by bipartisan attorneys general. (AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Alaska joins anti-trust lawsuit against Google

States allege the search giant has an illegal monopoly over the online search market.

This photo shows signage outside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. A group of 35 states as well as the District of Columbia and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Google on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, alleging that the search giant has an illegal monopoly over the online search market that hurts consumers and advertisers. The lawsuit, announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. by states represented by bipartisan attorneys general. (AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows vials of COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine.

Adverse reaction to new vaccine reported

Health officials say it’s the first such reaction.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows vials of COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine.
Margaret Keenan, 90, the first patient in the U.K. to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, receives an injection by nurse May Parsons at University Hospital, Coventry, England. (Jacob King/Pool via AP)

States will start getting COVID-19 vaccine Monday, US says

The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday.

Margaret Keenan, 90, the first patient in the U.K. to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, receives an injection by nurse May Parsons at University Hospital, Coventry, England. (Jacob King/Pool via AP)
The Supreme Court is seen as sundown in Washington. The Supreme Court rejected on Dec. 11,a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation’s highest court. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Supreme Court rejects Texas-led election lawsuit

Polarizing suit had backing from Alaska among other states

  • Dec 11, 2020
  • By NOMAAN MERCHANT, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
  • NewsNational News
The Supreme Court is seen as sundown in Washington. The Supreme Court rejected on Dec. 11,a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation’s highest court. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
A pharmacist labels syringes in a clean room where doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be handled, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, at Mount Sinai Queens hospital in New York. The hospital expects to receive doses once a vaccine gets the emergency green light by U.S. regulators. (AP Photo / Mark Lennihan)

Advisory panel endorses widespread use of new COVID-19 vaccine

Backing comes same day new disaster declaration is announced

A pharmacist labels syringes in a clean room where doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be handled, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, at Mount Sinai Queens hospital in New York. The hospital expects to receive doses once a vaccine gets the emergency green light by U.S. regulators. (AP Photo / Mark Lennihan)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to local leaders at the Alaska Municipal League’s legislative conference in this February 2020 photo. Dunleavy issued a statement regarding a lawsuit out of Texas seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election. (Peter Segall/ Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy: Alaska will not join Texas-led election suit

Governor said his office did not have enough time to review the facts of the case

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to local leaders at the Alaska Municipal League’s legislative conference in this February 2020 photo. Dunleavy issued a statement regarding a lawsuit out of Texas seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election. (Peter Segall/ Juneau Empire File)
Phyllis Marder poses with her cat, Nellie, with food she recently obtained from a local food bank in the dining room of her home in Evanston, Ill., on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. At first, Marder, 66, didn’t tell anyone about going to food pantries. Then she had a change of heart. “Keeping a secret makes things get worse,” she says ’”… and makes me feel worse about myself, and so I decided that it was more important to talk about it.” (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Pandemic pushes newly hungry Americans to crowded food lines

Millions of Americans are worried about empty refrigerators and barren cupboards.

Phyllis Marder poses with her cat, Nellie, with food she recently obtained from a local food bank in the dining room of her home in Evanston, Ill., on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. At first, Marder, 66, didn’t tell anyone about going to food pantries. Then she had a change of heart. “Keeping a secret makes things get worse,” she says ’”… and makes me feel worse about myself, and so I decided that it was more important to talk about it.” (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

Trump administration denies permit for divisive Pebble Mine

This story has been updated. By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press ANCHORAGE — The Trump administration on Wednesday effectively killed a contentious proposed mine in Alaska,… Continue reading

In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
A Chatham County election official posts a sign in the public viewing area before the start of a ballot audit, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Savannah, Ga. Election officials in Georgia’s 159 counties are undertaking a hand tally of the presidential race that stems from an audit required by state law. (AP Photo / Stephen B. Morton)

EXPLAINER: What’s going on with audits in Alaska and elsewhere

It’s happening in several states at once.

A Chatham County election official posts a sign in the public viewing area before the start of a ballot audit, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Savannah, Ga. Election officials in Georgia’s 159 counties are undertaking a hand tally of the presidential race that stems from an audit required by state law. (AP Photo / Stephen B. Morton)