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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)

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

Part 2. SeaLife finds a way.

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.

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

Hearing scheduled for mid-January.

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)

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Lt. Gov. announces he will not seek reelection

Announcement came during new elections bill conference.

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)

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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.

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)

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To the rescue: Animal ambassadors educate, recuperate

Part 1

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)

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And checking it twice: Officials share their holiday wish lists

Two front teeth didn’t crack the list.

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)

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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.

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)

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Officials report second case of omicron in Alaska

Study shows fewer hospitalizations with new variant

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)

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50 years after ANCSA, some still fighting for land

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

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.

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Prison investigated for medical treatment amid pandemic

Report stems from four complaints.

AP Photo / Jessica Hill Miss Alaska Emma Broyles reacts after being crowned Miss America, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

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

The contestant from Alaska was crowned Miss America.

Julie Anderson is the commissioner for the state of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Her January retirement was announced on Friday.

News

Commerce department commissioner to retire

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

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)

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

And then there were two?

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)

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Governor unveils budget

Priorities include public safety, infrastructure and substantial PFDs.

Technicians at the Alaska State Crime Lab recently identified the human remains found in a shoe that washed up near the Seawalk in 2020. (Courtesy photo / Department of Public Safety)

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How it works: crime lab specialist talks ID’ing human remains

Deep muscle tissue is best for identifying workable DNA.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell was fired as CEO on Dec. 10 by APFC's board, a decision which has lawmakers and others asking 'why?' (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

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Lawmakers want answers on CEO firing at permanent fund corp

Record earnings reported.

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)

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Dunleavy announces package of public safety measures

Programs, laws and reforms.

A float plane takes off over Gastineau Channel in Juneau, Alaska., on May 30, 2018. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, that he will propose a $5 million grant in his upcoming budget to support tourism marketing efforts amid the ongoing pandemic. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

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Dunleavy proposes grant for Alaska tourism effort

Proposal part of upcoming budget.

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, but if voters choose to have a constitutional convention next year, the state’s foundational document could be re-written entirely. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Group warns of costs, time and changes from constitutional convention

You say you’ll change the constitution.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

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Cities hope to see full state budget, bolstered by federal funds

School bond debt.