News

A COVID-19 test sits sealed on a counter in Juneau International Airport on Oct. 12. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

3 COVID-19 cases reported among Dunleavy administration

No new cases reported as of Thursday morning.

A COVID-19 test sits sealed on a counter in Juneau International Airport on Oct. 12. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
U.S.Attorney General William Barr speaks during a roundtable discussion on Operation Legend, a federal program to help cities combat violent crime, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in St. Louis. Barr also spoke via recorded message at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson)

Alaska Natives, law enforcement affirm partnership against public safety crisis

Partnerships, tribal authority, and reliable funding cam help strangle this crisis.

U.S.Attorney General William Barr speaks during a roundtable discussion on Operation Legend, a federal program to help cities combat violent crime, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in St. Louis. Barr also spoke via recorded message at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson)
A screenshot of Gov. Mike Dunleavy giving his address to the Alaska Federation of Natives 2020 Annual Convention.
Video

Watch: Dunleavy addresses AFN

State has made strides.

A screenshot of Gov. Mike Dunleavy giving his address to the Alaska Federation of Natives 2020 Annual Convention.
Video
House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, in the House Chambers before a joint session in January, 2020. Speaking to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention Thursday, Edgmon cited his relationship with Giessel as evidence of good bipartisanship in the legislature, but Giessel and other moderate Republicans lost their primaries to more conservative challengers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

At AFN, Edgmon stresses need for Alaska Natives in government

Every hand makes a difference.

House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, in the House Chambers before a joint session in January, 2020. Speaking to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention Thursday, Edgmon cited his relationship with Giessel as evidence of good bipartisanship in the legislature, but Giessel and other moderate Republicans lost their primaries to more conservative challengers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration to end the 2020 census was another case of whiplash for the census, which has faced stops from the pandemic, natural disasters and court rulings. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya, File)

Elected officials urge census response ahead of deadline

Alaskans have until 11:59 p.m. Oct. 15.

This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration to end the 2020 census was another case of whiplash for the census, which has faced stops from the pandemic, natural disasters and court rulings. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya, File)
A sign in the window of a business on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau on April 14, 2020. State officials say additional employments payments will be sent out next week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

State says increased unemployment payments start next week

‘We’re trapped with this COVID thing.’

A sign in the window of a business on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau on April 14, 2020. State officials say additional employments payments will be sent out next week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The University of Alaska Southeast Juneau campus on July 31, 2020. UAS and Willamette University College of Law recently announced a direct admissions partnership between the two schools to try and make it easier for Alaskan students to study law. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

UAS and Willamette partner for law program

$10,000 in yearly scholarship will be available.

The University of Alaska Southeast Juneau campus on July 31, 2020. UAS and Willamette University College of Law recently announced a direct admissions partnership between the two schools to try and make it easier for Alaskan students to study law. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage in November 2016. Berkowitz on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with a female reporter, three days after she made online allegations against the married Berkowitz. (AP Photos / Mark Thiessen)

Anchorage mayor admits to inappropriate relationship

“I’m embarrassed and ashamed for the hurt I’ve caused my family and our community.”

Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage in November 2016. Berkowitz on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with a female reporter, three days after she made online allegations against the married Berkowitz. (AP Photos / Mark Thiessen)
Ballot Measure 1, which will raise taxes on certain North Slope oil fields, is on the ballot for Alaska’s general election in November. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Economists try to square Fair Share Act

Long-term goals and short-term uncertainty make it hard to predict potential effects.

Ballot Measure 1, which will raise taxes on certain North Slope oil fields, is on the ballot for Alaska’s general election in November. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows an Alaska ballot, return envelope and by-mail voting instructions. Step No. 4, having a signature witnessed, is being debated with opponents saying requiring a witness creates an unnecessary hurdle for voters who do not live with someone 18 or older. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Court waives signature requirement for absentee ballots

By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press The Alaska Supreme Court on Monday affirmed a lower court ruling eliminating witness requirements for absentee ballots for the general… Continue reading

This photo shows an Alaska ballot, return envelope and by-mail voting instructions. Step No. 4, having a signature witnessed, is being debated with opponents saying requiring a witness creates an unnecessary hurdle for voters who do not live with someone 18 or older. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Teasers

Senate debate focuses on mine, money, fisheries

Associated Press ANCHORAGE — U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and challenger Al Gross met in a debate focused on fisheries policy that ended up focusing on… Continue reading

Teasers
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)

State reports nearly 500 new cases over the weekend

Almost half were in Anchorage.

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)
Independent candidate for Senate Dr. Al Gross at a campaign event at Marine Park in downtown Juneau on Sept. 19, 2020. A letter from state GOP lawmakers raised allegations against one of Gross' staffers, setting off denials and accusations of hypocrisy between political parties. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Denials and accusations follow from state Republicans’ letter

‘Couldn’t be more baseless,’ says campaign spokeswoman.

Independent candidate for Senate Dr. Al Gross at a campaign event at Marine Park in downtown Juneau on Sept. 19, 2020. A letter from state GOP lawmakers raised allegations against one of Gross' staffers, setting off denials and accusations of hypocrisy between political parties. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska may have illegally directed $5M consulting contract

Former Alaska state employees said they believe a government consulting contract was illegal.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium staff in Wrangell pose with an imaging machine used for mammograms. In honor of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SEARHC is offering free screenings to women in Sitka and Wrangell. (Courtesy photo / SEARHC)

Health care workers remind women breast cancer screening is important

Better technology, less uncertainty.

Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium staff in Wrangell pose with an imaging machine used for mammograms. In honor of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SEARHC is offering free screenings to women in Sitka and Wrangell. (Courtesy photo / SEARHC)
This photo shows the Juneau Pioneer Home on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. Weekly staff testing and vigilance about infection control have kept cases out of the home according to JPH Administrator Gina Del Rosario. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Pioneer Home administrator: No cases in Juneau

Update comes in light of coronavirus cases in Fairbanks home.

This photo shows the Juneau Pioneer Home on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. Weekly staff testing and vigilance about infection control have kept cases out of the home according to JPH Administrator Gina Del Rosario. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, leaves a Senate Republican policy meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington. Sullivan said Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, he plans to vote for President Donald Trump, telling a radio program Trump and his administration “have been fully committed to helping our state.” Four years ago, after a 2005 video surfaced in which Trump made lewd comments about women, Sullivan cited the “reprehensible revelations” about Trump in withdrawing his support of Trump’s candidacy. (AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Sullivan says he plans to vote for Trump

Senator said the choice to support Trump this go-round is, to him, “very clear.”

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, leaves a Senate Republican policy meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington. Sullivan said Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, he plans to vote for President Donald Trump, telling a radio program Trump and his administration “have been fully committed to helping our state.” Four years ago, after a 2005 video surfaced in which Trump made lewd comments about women, Sullivan cited the “reprehensible revelations” about Trump in withdrawing his support of Trump’s candidacy. (AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
A sign in the window of a business on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau on April 14, 2020. State officials say additional employments payments will be sent out soon. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Increased unemployment payments expected this month

Alaska has had to wait 6 to 8 weeks.

A sign in the window of a business on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau on April 14, 2020. State officials say additional employments payments will be sent out soon. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
tease

Judge finds issue with ballot witness requirements

Expect more developments by Tuesday.

tease
Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson speaks at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Elizabeth Peratovich Hall on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Peterson was elected to his third term as President during the 85th Tribal Assembly held virtually this year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Peterson reelected in condensed Tribal Assembly

It’s a third term.

Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson speaks at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Elizabeth Peratovich Hall on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Peterson was elected to his third term as President during the 85th Tribal Assembly held virtually this year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)