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This photo provided by the U.S. Air Force/Alaska National Guard photo shows the William Miller Memorial School, larger structure top right, which is being severely eroded by the nearby Kuskokwim River in the village of Napakiak, Alaska, on Dec. 3, 2019. The school is just 64 feet (19.51 meters) from the Kuskokwim River, and it's getting closer every year. Just two years ago, the school was less than 200 feet (60.96 meters) from the river. Climate change is a contributing factor in the erosion caused by the Kuskokwim, a river that becomes an ice highway for travelers in the winter. (Airman 1st Class Emily Farnsworth, U.S. Air Force/ Alaska National Guard)

Southwest Alaska school in race with climate change for new building

BETHEL — A school that is in danger of being lost to erosion because of climate change is at the top of the state’s list… Continue reading

This photo provided by the U.S. Air Force/Alaska National Guard photo shows the William Miller Memorial School, larger structure top right, which is being severely eroded by the nearby Kuskokwim River in the village of Napakiak, Alaska, on Dec. 3, 2019. The school is just 64 feet (19.51 meters) from the Kuskokwim River, and it's getting closer every year. Just two years ago, the school was less than 200 feet (60.96 meters) from the river. Climate change is a contributing factor in the erosion caused by the Kuskokwim, a river that becomes an ice highway for travelers in the winter. (Airman 1st Class Emily Farnsworth, U.S. Air Force/ Alaska National Guard)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. A committee proposed increasing pay for state lawmakers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Panel proposes higher Alaska lawmaker pay, allowance change

From $50,400 to $64,000.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. A committee proposed increasing pay for state lawmakers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, leave the chamber after a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, early Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Jay Allen Johnson, 65, who faced charges of sending a series of profanity-laced voice messages to the two senators, entered guilty pleas, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in federal court in Fairbanks, Alaska, to two counts of threatening to kill a U.S. official. U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline accepted Johnson’s pleas and set sentencing for April 8. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Man who threatened US senators pleads guilty

He faces up 10 years in jail on each charge.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, leave the chamber after a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, early Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Jay Allen Johnson, 65, who faced charges of sending a series of profanity-laced voice messages to the two senators, entered guilty pleas, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in federal court in Fairbanks, Alaska, to two counts of threatening to kill a U.S. official. U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline accepted Johnson’s pleas and set sentencing for April 8. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
This photo shows humpack whales in Juneau. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)

To the rescue: Volunteers stand ready to help stranded marine animals

Part 4. All’s well that ends whale.

This photo shows humpack whales in Juneau. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)
An emergency worker holds a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport in Juneau, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

COVID tests at airports catch 6K cases since June 2020

The program to test travelers will stop at Alaska airports at the end of January.

An emergency worker holds a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport in Juneau, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This marbled murrelet seabird was found in the waters of Auke Bay in January looking “stunned.” Volunteers took the bird to the Juneau Raptor Center where it was treated for likely head trauma and released back into the wild. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Raptor Center)

To the rescue: Helping birds soar again

Part 3 swoops in.

This marbled murrelet seabird was found in the waters of Auke Bay in January looking “stunned.” Volunteers took the bird to the Juneau Raptor Center where it was treated for likely head trauma and released back into the wild. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Raptor Center)
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer announced the Election Integrity Bill on Tuesday, which combines a number of measures for the purpose of safeguarding election integrity. (Screenshot)

Lt. Gov. announces he will not seek reelection

Announcement came during new elections bill conference.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer announced the Election Integrity Bill on Tuesday, which combines a number of measures for the purpose of safeguarding election integrity. (Screenshot)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Capitol will be the site of a committee hearing next month that will focus on the recent firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell.

Committee seeks answers, documents related to Permanent Fund Corp CEO’s firing

Hearing scheduled for mid-January.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Capitol will be the site of a committee hearing next month that will focus on the recent firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell.
Staff members at the Alaska SeaLife Center near Seward attend to a harbor seal pup. This summer, one of the pups in the center's care came from Juneau. The seal received treatment at the center and was released into the wild in September. (Courtesy photo/Alaska SeaLife Center/Kaiti Chritz)

To the rescue: Marine animals get a new lease on life

Part 2. SeaLife finds a way.

Staff members at the Alaska SeaLife Center near Seward attend to a harbor seal pup. This summer, one of the pups in the center's care came from Juneau. The seal received treatment at the center and was released into the wild in September. (Courtesy photo/Alaska SeaLife Center/Kaiti Chritz)
Rainbow, a Sitka black-tail deer now lives at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center after being found alone in the woods near Kruzof Island over the summer. Although Rainbow’s story has a happy ending, officials urge people who find animals not to touch or remove them. (Courtesy photo/Sarah Howard/Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center)

To the rescue: Animal ambassadors educate, recuperate

Part 1

Rainbow, a Sitka black-tail deer now lives at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center after being found alone in the woods near Kruzof Island over the summer. Although Rainbow’s story has a happy ending, officials urge people who find animals not to touch or remove them. (Courtesy photo/Sarah Howard/Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center)
This photo illustration shows some of the things city, state and federal officials told the Empire what they want for Christmas. Less COVID-19 cases and an end to the pandemic were popular requests. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

And checking it twice: Officials share their holiday wish lists

Two front teeth didn’t crack the list.

This photo illustration shows some of the things city, state and federal officials told the Empire what they want for Christmas. Less COVID-19 cases and an end to the pandemic were popular requests. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jake Paolucci, Company Gunnery Sgt. of Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, fist-bumps a child while dressed as Santa Claus in Kotzebue, Alaska, Dec. 11, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps / Cpl. Brendan Mullin)

Santa rides a C-130: Marines bring toys to Northwest Arctic Borough

More than 2,500 kids received toys from the Toys for Tots program.

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jake Paolucci, Company Gunnery Sgt. of Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, fist-bumps a child while dressed as Santa Claus in Kotzebue, Alaska, Dec. 11, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps / Cpl. Brendan Mullin)
A woman wears a face covering as she passes a Christmas lights, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that his government reserves the “possibility of taking further action” to protect public health as Omicron spreads across the country. (AP Photo / Frank Augstein)

Officials report second case of omicron in Alaska

Study shows fewer hospitalizations with new variant

A woman wears a face covering as she passes a Christmas lights, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that his government reserves the “possibility of taking further action” to protect public health as Omicron spreads across the country. (AP Photo / Frank Augstein)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File A number of complaints about issues at Lemon Creek Correctional Center as it dealt with COVID issues in 2020 were addressed in a recent news release from the state ombudsman’s office.

Prison investigated for medical treatment amid pandemic

Report stems from four complaints.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File A number of complaints about issues at Lemon Creek Correctional Center as it dealt with COVID issues in 2020 were addressed in a recent news release from the state ombudsman’s office.
This map, provided by Alaska Natives Without Land, shows possible federal land grants for the landless community of Tenakee Springs, one of five communities in Alaska not granted land by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971. (Screenshot)

50 years after ANCSA, some still fighting for land

The five landless communities and Vietnam veterans were left landless by the act.

This map, provided by Alaska Natives Without Land, shows possible federal land grants for the landless community of Tenakee Springs, one of five communities in Alaska not granted land by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971. (Screenshot)
Julie Anderson is the commissioner for the state of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Her January retirement was announced on Friday.

Commerce department commissioner to retire

New commissioner to be named later, governor’s office says.

Julie Anderson is the commissioner for the state of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Her January retirement was announced on Friday.
AP Photo / Jessica Hill Miss Alaska Emma Broyles reacts after being crowned Miss America, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

New Miss America is the first Alaskan, Korean American title holder

The contestant from Alaska was crowned Miss America.

AP Photo / Jessica Hill Miss Alaska Emma Broyles reacts after being crowned Miss America, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.
This screenshot shows an organizational chart for a proposed Department of Family and Community Services. The department would be created through bifurcating the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is expected to again issue an executive order splitting the state’s largest department. (Screenshot)

Take 2: Gov to introduce order splitting state’s largest department

And then there were two?

This screenshot shows an organizational chart for a proposed Department of Family and Community Services. The department would be created through bifurcating the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is expected to again issue an executive order splitting the state’s largest department. (Screenshot)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils the People First Initiative, a sweeping effort to target domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous people, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness, in a Tuesday news conference in Anchorage. The plan is a part of Dunleavy’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year. (Courtesy Photo / Office of the Governor)

Governor unveils budget

Priorities include public safety, infrastructure and substantial PFDs.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils the People First Initiative, a sweeping effort to target domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous people, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness, in a Tuesday news conference in Anchorage. The plan is a part of Dunleavy’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year. (Courtesy Photo / Office of the Governor)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced his People First Initiative - a package of programs and reforms aimed at increasing public safety - at a press conference in Anchorage on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. The package of reforms is meant to address five major intersecting topics, the governor said: domestic violence and sexual assault; Missing and Murdered Indigenous People; human/sex trafficking; foster care and homelessness. (screenshot)

Dunleavy announces package of public safety measures

Programs, laws and reforms.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced his People First Initiative - a package of programs and reforms aimed at increasing public safety - at a press conference in Anchorage on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. The package of reforms is meant to address five major intersecting topics, the governor said: domestic violence and sexual assault; Missing and Murdered Indigenous People; human/sex trafficking; foster care and homelessness. (screenshot)