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Alaska U.S. Senate candidate Al Gross speaks to supporters at an event at a downtown park in Juneau, Alaska, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, as his wife, Monica Gross, at right, looks on. The event, held on a rainy, windy morning, is among those Gross is holding in the lead-up to the Nov. 3, 2020, general election, in which Gross, an independent running with Democratic backing, is facing Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Senate campaigns make last push for votes in Alaska

Race has been heated in recent weeks.

Alaska U.S. Senate candidate Al Gross speaks to supporters at an event at a downtown park in Juneau, Alaska, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, as his wife, Monica Gross, at right, looks on. The event, held on a rainy, windy morning, is among those Gross is holding in the lead-up to the Nov. 3, 2020, general election, in which Gross, an independent running with Democratic backing, is facing Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
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)

COVID at a glance

The most recent state and local numbers.

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)
The U.S. Flag and Alaska state flag fly on the roof of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Alaska to require masks and COVID-19 screens at Capitol

The council also voted on Thursday to keep the Capitol closed to the public until at least January.

The U.S. Flag and Alaska state flag fly on the roof of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Peter Sidmore fills out paperwork prior to voting early and in-person in the 2020 general election on Thursday, Oct. 22. Election officials said the fourth day of early voting was slower than the three days when hundreds of voters showed up to vote in person. Thursday morning, fewer than a dozen people had voted as of 8:45 a.m. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Set expectations for a very different Election Day

Results may vary.

Peter Sidmore fills out paperwork prior to voting early and in-person in the 2020 general election on Thursday, Oct. 22. Election officials said the fourth day of early voting was slower than the three days when hundreds of voters showed up to vote in person. Thursday morning, fewer than a dozen people had voted as of 8:45 a.m. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers, governor express interest in extending disaster declaration

It’s set to expire on Nov. 15.

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. State public health officials reiterated that advice during a news briefing Thursday.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State counts new deaths, sheds light on old ones

77 people have died so far, according to data.

A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. State public health officials reiterated that advice during a news briefing Thursday.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Blank Unemployment Benefits formq

State cites tech woes for delay in increased jobless aid

Payments had been expected this week.

Blank Unemployment Benefits formq
A Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. On Wednesday, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its decision to exempt the nation’s largest national forest from the Roadless Rule. Proponents say the rule change will make it easier for responsible resource development while critics say it removes essential protections on critical environments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

USDA exempts Tongass National Forest from Roadless Rule

Reactions are pouring in.

A Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. On Wednesday, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its decision to exempt the nation’s largest national forest from the Roadless Rule. Proponents say the rule change will make it easier for responsible resource development while critics say it removes essential protections on critical environments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Al Gross, right, an independent in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, holds a document during a debate with Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan on Friday, in Anchorage. Sullivan participated remotely, as the Senate prepares to vote on President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee in Washington. (Jeff Chen / Alaska Public Media)

Sullivan, Gross trade barbs in broadcast debate

The race has drawn national attention as the parties vie for control of the Senate.

Al Gross, right, an independent in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, holds a document during a debate with Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan on Friday, in Anchorage. Sullivan participated remotely, as the Senate prepares to vote on President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee in Washington. (Jeff Chen / Alaska Public Media)
Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. (courtesy photo)

Election 2020: A conversation with U.S. House Rep. Don Young

The congressman discusses economics, oil and the stimulus

Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. (courtesy photo)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire The MV Kennicott, docked at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, was out of commission awaiting repairs on Friday. A report released by the the Alaska Marine Highway Work Group made several recommendations to make the ferry system more effective, but the ferries’ stakeholders say they’ve given up enough already.

Reshaping recommendations roil stakeholders

How much more can you cut?

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire The MV Kennicott, docked at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, was out of commission awaiting repairs on Friday. A report released by the the Alaska Marine Highway Work Group made several recommendations to make the ferry system more effective, but the ferries’ stakeholders say they’ve given up enough already.
U.S. Rep. Don Young, left, and Alyse Galvin square off in a debate for the sole Alaska house seat Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. The debate between the candidates for Alaska’s sole seat in Congress became contentious Thursday, with challenger Galvin saying she’s tired of Young misrepresenting her position on issues. (Jeff Chen / Pool Photo)

Galvin, Young accuse each of other of lying during debate

The debate between became contentious Thursday

U.S. Rep. Don Young, left, and Alyse Galvin square off in a debate for the sole Alaska house seat Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. The debate between the candidates for Alaska’s sole seat in Congress became contentious Thursday, with challenger Galvin saying she’s tired of Young misrepresenting her position on issues. (Jeff Chen / Pool Photo)
In this photo provided by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, clinical research coordinator Tammy Lewis-McCauley administers an injection to Katelyn Evans, a trial participant, as part of the hospital’s clinical trial of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center via AP)

City offers free flu shots to bolster public health

Bring a pen.

In this photo provided by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, clinical research coordinator Tammy Lewis-McCauley administers an injection to Katelyn Evans, a trial participant, as part of the hospital’s clinical trial of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center via AP)
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.

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)
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.

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)
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.

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)
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 CorpsU.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 CorpsU.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)