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Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at a news conference on April 9, 2021, to promote the state’s tourism industry, announced Tuesday Alaska was joining Florida’s lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for preventing cruise ship sailings. Dunleavy had said at the conference joining the suit was a possibility. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Alaska joins Florida lawsuit over cruise ship pause

CDC stands by decision.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at a news conference on April 9, 2021, to promote the state’s tourism industry, announced Tuesday Alaska was joining Florida’s lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for preventing cruise ship sailings. Dunleavy had said at the conference joining the suit was a possibility. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB investigator Clint Crookshanks, left, and member Jennifer Homendy stand near the site of some of the wreckage of the DHC-2 Beaver, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, that was involved in a midair collision near Ketchikan, Alaska, a couple of days earlier. The pilots of two Alaskan sightseeing planes that collided in midair couldn’t see the other aircraft because airplane structures or a passenger blocked their views, and they didn’t get electronic alerts about close aircraft because safety systems weren’t working properly. That’s what the staff of the National Transportation Safety board found in their investigation. (Peter Knudson / NTSB)

Pilot views obstructed, alerts missing in 2019 plane crash near Ketchikan

Collission occurred near Ketchikan.

In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB investigator Clint Crookshanks, left, and member Jennifer Homendy stand near the site of some of the wreckage of the DHC-2 Beaver, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, that was involved in a midair collision near Ketchikan, Alaska, a couple of days earlier. The pilots of two Alaskan sightseeing planes that collided in midair couldn’t see the other aircraft because airplane structures or a passenger blocked their views, and they didn’t get electronic alerts about close aircraft because safety systems weren’t working properly. That’s what the staff of the National Transportation Safety board found in their investigation. (Peter Knudson / NTSB)
Rachel Saylor / Tanana Chiefs Conference In this undated photo provided by the, shows PJ Simon, chief and chairman of the Tanana Chiefs Conference in Fairbanks, Alaska, displays a COVID-19 vaccination sticker.

Alaska tribal health groups distribute vaccine far and wide

Alaska’s highest vaccination rates have been in some of its remotest, hardest-to-access communities.

Rachel Saylor / Tanana Chiefs Conference In this undated photo provided by the, shows PJ Simon, chief and chairman of the Tanana Chiefs Conference in Fairbanks, Alaska, displays a COVID-19 vaccination sticker.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, removes her face mask Monday moments after being removed from her committee chairmanship.

Senator removed as chair of Judiciary Committee

Multiple incidents, mostly around masking, led to the decision.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, removes her face mask Monday moments after being removed from her committee chairmanship.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Susan Moseby, left, SAFE program administrator, and Jenny Farley, a nurse with the child advocacy center, man a table at IGA Foodland for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month, giving information and resources to those who ask on April 16, 2021.

Child abuse referrals are climbing after declining during pandemic

Children were especially hard hit by the isolation, stress, weight of events.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Susan Moseby, left, SAFE program administrator, and Jenny Farley, a nurse with the child advocacy center, man a table at IGA Foodland for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month, giving information and resources to those who ask on April 16, 2021.
Juneauites enjoyed the sun on the downtown waterfront on Friday, April 16, 2021, but the city would normally be gearing up for cruise season. Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a proposal Friday for using more the $1 billion in federal relief money meant to boost local economies and update local infrastructure. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy unveils proposals for over $1 billion in federal aid

Waiting for further guidance.

Juneauites enjoyed the sun on the downtown waterfront on Friday, April 16, 2021, but the city would normally be gearing up for cruise season. Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a proposal Friday for using more the $1 billion in federal relief money meant to boost local economies and update local infrastructure. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, shown here on April 9, held a news conference in Anchorage on April 16, 2021 announcing his office’s plans for supporting tourism in Alaska going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Free vaccines for tourists: Governor talks future of tourism industry

The governor wants $150 million to aid the tourism industry.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, shown here on April 9, held a news conference in Anchorage on April 16, 2021 announcing his office’s plans for supporting tourism in Alaska going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 15, 2021, about a bill of his to reform Alaska's elections. An earlier version of the bill drew sharp criticism but Shower says his bill is not meant to be partisan. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Polarizing election reform bill reintroduced with changes

Bill gets another run.

Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 15, 2021, about a bill of his to reform Alaska's elections. An earlier version of the bill drew sharp criticism but Shower says his bill is not meant to be partisan. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A man holds a U.S. and a rainbow flag outside the Supreme Court in Washington in 2015 after the court legalized gay marriage nationwide. Court documents show the state of Alaska for years maintains a discriminatory policy that denied some same-sex spouses benefits by wrongly claiming gay marriage was not recognized in Alaska, long after courts ordered they be recognized. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)

Alaska denied benefits to gay couples despite court rulings

Division staff listed about 40 people who were denied.

A man holds a U.S. and a rainbow flag outside the Supreme Court in Washington in 2015 after the court legalized gay marriage nationwide. Court documents show the state of Alaska for years maintains a discriminatory policy that denied some same-sex spouses benefits by wrongly claiming gay marriage was not recognized in Alaska, long after courts ordered they be recognized. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)
Doctors at Bartlett Regional Hospital, seen here in this January 2021 photo, often call consultants and specialist for medical advice, but a supreme court case out of Minnesota could make that dynamic legally questionable. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Bill seeks to shield doctors from liability when consulting

‘Curbside consultations’ are protected under proposal.

Doctors at Bartlett Regional Hospital, seen here in this January 2021 photo, often call consultants and specialist for medical advice, but a supreme court case out of Minnesota could make that dynamic legally questionable. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, April 14

The most recent state and local numbers.

A shop on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau has its doors open on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. In a normal year shops like this would be preparing for the summer tourist season and the thousands of tourists brought to Juneau daily by cruise ships. But the growth of the cruising in Alaska has some residents concerned about the regions dependence on the industry. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Ballot initiatives seek to curb cruise ships

Three initiatives for city election.

A shop on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau has its doors open on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. In a normal year shops like this would be preparing for the summer tourist season and the thousands of tourists brought to Juneau daily by cruise ships. But the growth of the cruising in Alaska has some residents concerned about the regions dependence on the industry. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident. On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the state of Ohio that tried to get the U.S. Census Bureau to provide data used for drawing congressional and legislative districts ahead of its planned release. (AP Photo / Matt Rourke)

Alaska joins 15 other states in backing Alabama’s challenge to Census privacy tool

The case could go directly to the Supreme Court if appealed.

This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident. On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the state of Ohio that tried to get the U.S. Census Bureau to provide data used for drawing congressional and legislative districts ahead of its planned release. (AP Photo / Matt Rourke)
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Banking on ‘green’ for energy independence

A good investment.

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COVID at a glance for Monday, April 12

The most recent state and local numbers.

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Senate hopeful Tshibaka makes rounds on Kenai Peninsula

The former DOA head is challenging Sen. Lisa Murkowski for her Senate seat.

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This photo shows Unangax̂ Gravesite at Funter Bay, the site where Aleut villagers forcibly relocated to the area during World War II are buried. A bill recently passed by the Alaska House of Representatives would make the area part of a neighboring state park. (Courtesy photo / Niko Sanguinetti, Juneau-Douglas City Museum) DO NOT REUSE THIS PHOTO WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM JUNEAU DOUGLAS CITY MUSEUM. -BEN HOHENSTATT

Bill to preserve Unangax̂ Gravesite passes House

Bill now heads to the state Senate.

This photo shows Unangax̂ Gravesite at Funter Bay, the site where Aleut villagers forcibly relocated to the area during World War II are buried. A bill recently passed by the Alaska House of Representatives would make the area part of a neighboring state park. (Courtesy photo / Niko Sanguinetti, Juneau-Douglas City Museum) DO NOT REUSE THIS PHOTO WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM JUNEAU DOUGLAS CITY MUSEUM. -BEN HOHENSTATT
State lawmakers including Juneau Democrats Sen. Jesse Kiehl and Rep. Andi Story, pose with a copy of a joint resolution urging federal action to allow cruising to return to Alaska this summer. Gov. Mike Dunleavy stands to the left and Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon is in the left background in the hangar of Wings Airways in Juneau on Friday, April 9, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Governor says help coming for beleaguered tourism industry

Alaska is open.

State lawmakers including Juneau Democrats Sen. Jesse Kiehl and Rep. Andi Story, pose with a copy of a joint resolution urging federal action to allow cruising to return to Alaska this summer. Gov. Mike Dunleavy stands to the left and Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon is in the left background in the hangar of Wings Airways in Juneau on Friday, April 9, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo | Chris Miller)

Elected officials: Safe mining needed for salmon

Virtual briefing focuses on transboundary waters.

In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo | Chris Miller)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy sent a letter to the White House asking for federal action to get cruise ship passengers, like the ones seen here in this 2017 file photo, back in Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy asks White House to allow cruises

Cites severe economic impact.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy sent a letter to the White House asking for federal action to get cruise ship passengers, like the ones seen here in this 2017 file photo, back in Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)