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Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, to discuss the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package soon to be signed into law by President Joe Biden. (Screenshot)

‘It is a win for Alaska’ Murkowski touts bipartisan infrastructure bill

Bipartisan bill.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, to discuss the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package soon to be signed into law by President Joe Biden. (Screenshot)
This photo Pride flags. A bipartisan, interfaith group of Alaskans are advocating for federal protections for LGBTQ people. The group, which includes over 40 organizations, says the time is right for the U.S. Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would bar discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity when it comes to public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit and the jury system. (Cecilie Johnson / Unsplash)

Alaskans throw support behind federal LGBTQ protections

Over 40 organizations and congregations stump for equality legislation.

This photo Pride flags. A bipartisan, interfaith group of Alaskans are advocating for federal protections for LGBTQ people. The group, which includes over 40 organizations, says the time is right for the U.S. Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would bar discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity when it comes to public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit and the jury system. (Cecilie Johnson / Unsplash)
The final proposed map for legislative districts in the Alaska House of Representatives from the Alaska Redistricting Board and set to be finalized Nov. 10, but the once-a-decade process has always faced litigation. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)

Redistricting board draws fire for senate pairings

Lawsuits are expected.

The final proposed map for legislative districts in the Alaska House of Representatives from the Alaska Redistricting Board and set to be finalized Nov. 10, but the once-a-decade process has always faced litigation. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)
Rona

State reports 53 COVID-19 deaths

Fifty among residents, three among nonresidents.

Rona
Haines-based author and Alaska’s current writer laureate will be at Hearthside Books Nugget Mall location on Sunday, Nov. 7, to read from her latest book “Of Bears and Ballots: An Alaskan Adventure in Small-Town Politics.”

Heather Lende, Haines writer, to read from latest book in Juneau

Alaska’s writer laureate reflects on ‘difficult’ writing.

Haines-based author and Alaska’s current writer laureate will be at Hearthside Books Nugget Mall location on Sunday, Nov. 7, to read from her latest book “Of Bears and Ballots: An Alaskan Adventure in Small-Town Politics.”
In this Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, photo provided by Primary Health Medical Group, Ben Weiss, 10, gets a COVID-19 vaccine at Primary Health Medical Group in Meridian, Idaho. (Tracy Morris/Primary Health Medical Group via AP)

Officials recommend vaccination ahead of holidays

Safe holiday gatherings.

In this Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, photo provided by Primary Health Medical Group, Ben Weiss, 10, gets a COVID-19 vaccine at Primary Health Medical Group in Meridian, Idaho. (Tracy Morris/Primary Health Medical Group via AP)
A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium during the 2020 general election. With more than a year to go before the 2022 election, spending is ramping up. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Statewide campaign coffers are filling up

Lots more to come.

A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium during the 2020 general election. With more than a year to go before the 2022 election, spending is ramping up. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Judge grants request to expand medication abortion providers

The ruling came on an injunction request by Planned Parenthood.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Screenshot Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a Western Governors Association workshop held in Ketchikan on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Dunleavy gave the opening remarks Tuesday and said President Joe Biden’s policies were hurting Alaska.

Dunleavy criticizes Biden policies during multistate conference

Familiar remarks.

Screenshot Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a Western Governors Association workshop held in Ketchikan on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Dunleavy gave the opening remarks Tuesday and said President Joe Biden’s policies were hurting Alaska.
lights

Village president: Shooter surrendered in Kake with no injuries reported

More details to come.

lights
The Alaska Permanent Fund saw record earnings this year and lawmakers are deeply divided about what to do with the earnings. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Permanent fund earnings were record-breaking, but annual draws are average

Record earnings.

The Alaska Permanent Fund saw record earnings this year and lawmakers are deeply divided about what to do with the earnings. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The Biden administration previously announced it would require employees of certain contractors and large employers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. On Friday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Attorney General Treg Taylor announced the state is joining a lawsuit over the announced mandate. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Alaska joins lawsuit over federal vaccine mandate

Smallpox precedents.

The Biden administration previously announced it would require employees of certain contractors and large employers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. On Friday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Attorney General Treg Taylor announced the state is joining a lawsuit over the announced mandate. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
Nicholas Begich III, middle, speaks with supporters ahead of announcing his plans to run for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Wasilla, Alaska. Begich, a Republican, plans to run for the seat that has been held since 1973 by Republican Rep. Don Young. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Begich announces US House bid: ‘Alaska needs new energy’

“This race is not about Don Young,” Begich told The Associated Press.

Nicholas Begich III, middle, speaks with supporters ahead of announcing his plans to run for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Wasilla, Alaska. Begich, a Republican, plans to run for the seat that has been held since 1973 by Republican Rep. Don Young. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Alaska state Rep. Laddie Shaw, an Anchorage Republican, waits for the start of a so-called technical session on the House floor, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The fourth special legislative session of the year began Oct. 4, in Juneau, but there has been little action at the Capitol and little progress toward resolving Alaska’s fiscal issues. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Special session trudges on with little action

Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he will not call another special session this year.

Alaska state Rep. Laddie Shaw, an Anchorage Republican, waits for the start of a so-called technical session on the House floor, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The fourth special legislative session of the year began Oct. 4, in Juneau, but there has been little action at the Capitol and little progress toward resolving Alaska’s fiscal issues. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

State drops open container citation against Alaska lawmaker

Trooper who issued citation no longer with state after being accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

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

Last week of special session looks light

Slow session.

Cap
In this June 6, 2021 file photo, a youth receives a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the central Israeli city of Rishon LeZion. The pharmaceuticals Pfizer and BioNTech say they have requested that their coronavirus vaccine be licensed for children aged 5 to 11 across the European Union. If authorized, it would be the first opportunity for younger children in Europe to be get immunized against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

City: COVID vaccine for kids may be available soon

Sign up may be ready Nov. 2.

In this June 6, 2021 file photo, a youth receives a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the central Israeli city of Rishon LeZion. The pharmaceuticals Pfizer and BioNTech say they have requested that their coronavirus vaccine be licensed for children aged 5 to 11 across the European Union. If authorized, it would be the first opportunity for younger children in Europe to be get immunized against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Charles Maier fills goodie bags at the Kenai Senior Center on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 for next weekend’s drive-through trick-or-treat event. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘This has been a lifesaver’

Seniors seek human connection as pandemic continues.

Charles Maier fills goodie bags at the Kenai Senior Center on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 for next weekend’s drive-through trick-or-treat event. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol

Rep. Young faces Republican challenger in reelection bid

Young remains undefeated.

Capitol
This photo shows Robin Pelkey just before her 18th birthday, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Pelkey was recently identified as a victim of convicted serial killer Robert Hansen. (Courtesy Photo)
Video

Authorities identify serial killer victim with help from genealogy database

“Horseshoe Harriet” no more.

This photo shows Robin Pelkey just before her 18th birthday, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Pelkey was recently identified as a victim of convicted serial killer Robert Hansen. (Courtesy Photo)
Video