News

The Juneau School District building, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Alaska enrolls students in Florida-based virtual school

The move garnered criticism from educators.

The Juneau School District building, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
State waives fees in a effort to ease economic damage

State waives fees in a effort to ease economic damage

Face coverings recommended.

State waives fees in a effort to ease economic damage
Bars and restaurants could serve to-go beer and wine, but will it make a financial difference?

Bars and restaurants could serve to-go beer and wine, but will it make a financial difference?

Business as the new usual.

Bars and restaurants could serve to-go beer and wine, but will it make a financial difference?
Health care infrastructure is increasing, Gov says

Health care infrastructure is increasing, Gov says

State unveils new data website.

Health care infrastructure is increasing, Gov says
State extends business closures indefinitely, announces virtual school

State extends business closures indefinitely, announces virtual school

Take out is still OK.

State extends business closures indefinitely, announces virtual school
Federal money is coming to Alaska, but exactly how it will be used is unclear

Federal money is coming to Alaska, but exactly how it will be used is unclear

‘There’s a lot of unknowns right now.’

Federal money is coming to Alaska, but exactly how it will be used is unclear
Cubicles

Judge sides with state after union asks for temporary restraining order

Follow-up hearing is April 6.

Cubicles
State suspends fees, regulations in effort to stabilize economy

State suspends fees, regulations in effort to stabilize economy

It’s stabilization, not a bailout, governor says.

State suspends fees, regulations in effort to stabilize economy
The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers approve $66.7M for Alaska Marine Highway System

Legislators increased the operating budget for ferry service by around $20 million.

The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
Congressional delegation says billions in relief coming to Alaska

Congressional delegation says billions in relief coming to Alaska

There may still be a need for more

Congressional delegation says billions in relief coming to Alaska
The budget is passed and lawmakers have gone home

The budget is passed and lawmakers have gone home

Now, it’s time to wait and see.

The budget is passed and lawmakers have gone home
Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire A patient, who tested positive for the coronavirus, had contact with the first floor of the state office building at 410 Willoughby Ave., according to an email from DEC Commissioner Jason Brune.

State workers share COVID-19 concerns

Supervisors’ hands feel tied.

Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire A patient, who tested positive for the coronavirus, had contact with the first floor of the state office building at 410 Willoughby Ave., according to an email from DEC Commissioner Jason Brune.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference in Anchorage on Thursday, March 26, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

First in-state COVID-19 death, new mandates announced

Alaskans are to remain at home.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference in Anchorage on Thursday, March 26, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference in Anchorage with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Officials say state must increase health care capacity to handle virus

State confirms 10 new COVID-19 cases statewide, including 1 in Juneau.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference in Anchorage with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Seated, from left to right, Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum, Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink at a press conference in Anchorage on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Dunleavy says ‘all options are on the table’ for COVID-19 response

Social distance over government mandate.

Seated, from left to right, Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum, Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink at a press conference in Anchorage on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. On Thursday, March 5, 2020, Tennessee’s Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey confirmed the state’s first case of the new coronavirus. (NIAID-RML via AP)

Alaska announces new virus cases — mostly in Anchorage

The number of reported coronavirus cases in Alaska rose to 59.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. On Thursday, March 5, 2020, Tennessee’s Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey confirmed the state’s first case of the new coronavirus. (NIAID-RML via AP)
House rejects supplemental budget once again

House rejects supplemental budget once again

Things are stalled.

House rejects supplemental budget once again
A patient, who tested positive for the coronavirus, had contact with the first floor of the state office building at 410 Willoughby Ave., according to an email from DEC Commissioner Jason Brune. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Breaking: Known COVID-19 case had ‘contact’ at state offices in Juneau

Building is ‘minimally staffed.’

A patient, who tested positive for the coronavirus, had contact with the first floor of the state office building at 410 Willoughby Ave., according to an email from DEC Commissioner Jason Brune. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
A Juneau Pioneer Home resident holds a paper crane made during a visit by Haborview Elementary School students in April 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Legislature passes bill lowering Pioneer Home rates

It next goes to Gov. Mike Dunleavy for consideration.

A Juneau Pioneer Home resident holds a paper crane made during a visit by Haborview Elementary School students in April 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage on Monday, March 23, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Alaska counts its first COVID-19 death

Stay six feet apart.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage on Monday, March 23, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)