News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an Aug. 11 news briefing. Dunleavy held his first news conference in over a month on Wednesday. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Dunleavy says rising case load is manageable

It’s the first one in a long time.

 

A banner protesting resource extraction in the Arctic was hung from a building in downtown Juneau on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Similar banners were hung in cities around the state and nation, part of a protest mounted by Alaska Native activists. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Banner day: Activists display anti-drilling message throughout state

A Not For Sale sign.

 

This undated photo shows Independent candidate Al Gross. Gross, an independent running with Democratic support, is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska, a state that has long been a GOP stronghold. Across the country, Republicans are nervous about Senate seats like Sullivan's they once thought safe as Democrats hope to capitalize on President Donald Trump's unpopularity to retake the chamber. (Gross for Senate Campaign)

Alaska Senate candidate hopes to ride Democratic wave

Republicans are nervous about Senate seats like Sen. Dan Sullivan’s they once thought safe.

 

Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. The City and Borough of Juneau raised its health alert level Tuesday as the number of cases grows locally and statewide. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Increase in COVID cases could overwhelm hospitals, experts warn

Mask now so businesses stay open later, they say.

Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. The City and Borough of Juneau raised its health alert level Tuesday as the number of cases grows locally and statewide. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Morning mist is seen on a late September morning near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is part of the Tongass National Forest. A process is underway to enact a polarizing rule change that would exempt the largest national forest from the Roadless Rule. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Alaska tribes say agency ignored Tongass exemption request

Tribal officials: The government ignored Alaska Native groups’ requests to uphold the Roadless Rule.

Morning mist is seen on a late September morning near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is part of the Tongass National Forest. A process is underway to enact a polarizing rule change that would exempt the largest national forest from the Roadless Rule. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornets assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 prepare to take off from the flightline during Red Flag-Alaska 17-2 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in 2017.

Military leaders: Partnerships are key as Alaska’s strategic importance grows

The Alaska Native community and military must work together, commanders say

U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornets assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 prepare to take off from the flightline during Red Flag-Alaska 17-2 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in 2017.
Rebecca Carrillo (Courtesy Photo)

Juneau woman sworn in as Philippine Honorary Consul for Alaska

The appointment was approved by the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Rebecca Carrillo (Courtesy Photo)
A COVID-19 test sits sealed on a counter in Juneau International Airport on Oct. 12. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

3 COVID-19 cases reported among Dunleavy administration

No new cases reported as of Thursday morning.

A COVID-19 test sits sealed on a counter in Juneau International Airport on Oct. 12. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
U.S.Attorney General William Barr speaks during a roundtable discussion on Operation Legend, a federal program to help cities combat violent crime, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in St. Louis. Barr also spoke via recorded message at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson)

Alaska Natives, law enforcement affirm partnership against public safety crisis

Partnerships, tribal authority, and reliable funding cam help strangle this crisis.

U.S.Attorney General William Barr speaks during a roundtable discussion on Operation Legend, a federal program to help cities combat violent crime, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in St. Louis. Barr also spoke via recorded message at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson)
A screenshot of Gov. Mike Dunleavy giving his address to the Alaska Federation of Natives 2020 Annual Convention.
Video

Watch: Dunleavy addresses AFN

State has made strides.

A screenshot of Gov. Mike Dunleavy giving his address to the Alaska Federation of Natives 2020 Annual Convention.
Video
House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, in the House Chambers before a joint session in January, 2020. Speaking to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention Thursday, Edgmon cited his relationship with Giessel as evidence of good bipartisanship in the legislature, but Giessel and other moderate Republicans lost their primaries to more conservative challengers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

At AFN, Edgmon stresses need for Alaska Natives in government

Every hand makes a difference.

House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, in the House Chambers before a joint session in January, 2020. Speaking to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention Thursday, Edgmon cited his relationship with Giessel as evidence of good bipartisanship in the legislature, but Giessel and other moderate Republicans lost their primaries to more conservative challengers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration to end the 2020 census was another case of whiplash for the census, which has faced stops from the pandemic, natural disasters and court rulings. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya, File)

Elected officials urge census response ahead of deadline

Alaskans have until 11:59 p.m. Oct. 15.

This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration to end the 2020 census was another case of whiplash for the census, which has faced stops from the pandemic, natural disasters and court rulings. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya, File)
A sign in the window of a business on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau on April 14, 2020. State officials say additional employments payments will be sent out next week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

State says increased unemployment payments start next week

‘We’re trapped with this COVID thing.’

A sign in the window of a business on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau on April 14, 2020. State officials say additional employments payments will be sent out next week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The University of Alaska Southeast Juneau campus on July 31, 2020. UAS and Willamette University College of Law recently announced a direct admissions partnership between the two schools to try and make it easier for Alaskan students to study law. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

UAS and Willamette partner for law program

$10,000 in yearly scholarship will be available.

The University of Alaska Southeast Juneau campus on July 31, 2020. UAS and Willamette University College of Law recently announced a direct admissions partnership between the two schools to try and make it easier for Alaskan students to study law. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage in November 2016. Berkowitz on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with a female reporter, three days after she made online allegations against the married Berkowitz. (AP Photos / Mark Thiessen)

Anchorage mayor admits to inappropriate relationship

“I’m embarrassed and ashamed for the hurt I’ve caused my family and our community.”

Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage in November 2016. Berkowitz on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with a female reporter, three days after she made online allegations against the married Berkowitz. (AP Photos / Mark Thiessen)
Ballot Measure 1, which will raise taxes on certain North Slope oil fields, is on the ballot for Alaska’s general election in November. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Economists try to square Fair Share Act

Long-term goals and short-term uncertainty make it hard to predict potential effects.

Ballot Measure 1, which will raise taxes on certain North Slope oil fields, is on the ballot for Alaska’s general election in November. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows an Alaska ballot, return envelope and by-mail voting instructions. Step No. 4, having a signature witnessed, is being debated with opponents saying requiring a witness creates an unnecessary hurdle for voters who do not live with someone 18 or older. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Court waives signature requirement for absentee ballots

By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press The Alaska Supreme Court on Monday affirmed a lower court ruling eliminating witness requirements for absentee ballots for the general… Continue reading

This photo shows an Alaska ballot, return envelope and by-mail voting instructions. Step No. 4, having a signature witnessed, is being debated with opponents saying requiring a witness creates an unnecessary hurdle for voters who do not live with someone 18 or older. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Teasers

Senate debate focuses on mine, money, fisheries

Associated Press ANCHORAGE — U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and challenger Al Gross met in a debate focused on fisheries policy that ended up focusing on… Continue reading

Teasers
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)

State reports nearly 500 new cases over the weekend

Almost half were in Anchorage.

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)
Independent candidate for Senate Dr. Al Gross at a campaign event at Marine Park in downtown Juneau on Sept. 19, 2020. A letter from state GOP lawmakers raised allegations against one of Gross' staffers, setting off denials and accusations of hypocrisy between political parties. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Denials and accusations follow from state Republicans’ letter

‘Couldn’t be more baseless,’ says campaign spokeswoman.

Independent candidate for Senate Dr. Al Gross at a campaign event at Marine Park in downtown Juneau on Sept. 19, 2020. A letter from state GOP lawmakers raised allegations against one of Gross' staffers, setting off denials and accusations of hypocrisy between political parties. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)