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Peter Segall/Juneau Empire
One of the last cruise ships of the 2021 season docks in Juneau on Oct. 20, 2021. Local operators say it’s too early to know how the upcoming cruise season will unfold, but they’re cautiously optimistic.

Smooth sailing for the 2022 season?

Cautious optimism reigns, but operators say it’s too early to tell.

Peter Segall/Juneau Empire
One of the last cruise ships of the 2021 season docks in Juneau on Oct. 20, 2021. Local operators say it’s too early to know how the upcoming cruise season will unfold, but they’re cautiously optimistic.
FILE - Participants wave signs as they walk back to Orlando City Hall during the March for Abortion Access on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Orlando, Fla.  State-by-state battles over the future of abortion in the U.S. are setting up across the country as lawmakers in Republican-led states propose new restrictions modeled on laws passed in Texas and Mississippi even as some Democratic-controlled states work to preserve access.  (Chasity Maynard/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)

With Roe in doubt, states act on abortion limits, expansions

“This could be a really, really dramatic year…”

  • Jan 22, 2022
  • By Lindsay Whitehurst Associated Press
  • Nation-World
FILE - Participants wave signs as they walk back to Orlando City Hall during the March for Abortion Access on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Orlando, Fla.  State-by-state battles over the future of abortion in the U.S. are setting up across the country as lawmakers in Republican-led states propose new restrictions modeled on laws passed in Texas and Mississippi even as some Democratic-controlled states work to preserve access.  (Chasity Maynard/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)
The Alaska Redistricting Board’s decision to pair District 21 (teal) and District 22 (purple) into one senate district is the subject of a lawsuit from East Anchorage residents of District 21. An Anchorage Superior Court heard the first arguments in that case on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, part of several lawsuits against the Redistricting Board that have been consolidated into a single case. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)
The Alaska Redistricting Board’s decision to pair District 21 (teal) and District 22 (purple) into one senate district is the subject of a lawsuit from East Anchorage residents of District 21. An Anchorage Superior Court heard the first arguments in that case on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, part of several lawsuits against the Redistricting Board that have been consolidated into a single case. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)
Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Clarion office in Kenai, Alaska, on Sept. 25, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor joins race for governor

The borough mayor notified local officials in an email Thursday

Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Clarion office in Kenai, Alaska, on Sept. 25, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Ted Nordgaarden of the Alaska Bureau of Investigation imitates the gesture made by the defendant during the trial of a man charged with killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Screenshot)

Investigator testifies as trial concludes second week

The jury watched video of the defendant’s initial interview in custody.

Ted Nordgaarden of the Alaska Bureau of Investigation imitates the gesture made by the defendant during the trial of a man charged with killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Screenshot)
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Alaska Science Forum: Fun with ice physics in the cryosphere

Here’s why some found recent winter weather fascinating.

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Former Alaska Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Bakalar speaks a news conference on Jan. 10, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska, after she sued the state. A federal judge on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, ruled that Bakalar was wrongfully terminated by the then-new administration of Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy for violating her freedom of speech rights. (AP File Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Judge sides with Alaska attorney who alleged wrongful firing

Judge: Firing violated free speech rights under the U.S. and state constitutions.

Former Alaska Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Bakalar speaks a news conference on Jan. 10, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska, after she sued the state. A federal judge on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, ruled that Bakalar was wrongfully terminated by the then-new administration of Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy for violating her freedom of speech rights. (AP File Photo / Mark Thiessen)
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District Attorney Angie Kemp and public defender Eric Hedland consult with Superior Court Judge Amy Mead on Jan. 20, 2022 during a trial of a man accused of killing another man in Yakutat in 2018.

Experts weigh in on technical aspects of 2018 killing

Two expert witnesses and an investigator testified on a busy Thursday of the trial.

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District Attorney Angie Kemp and public defender Eric Hedland consult with Superior Court Judge Amy Mead on Jan. 20, 2022 during a trial of a man accused of killing another man in Yakutat in 2018.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters during a news briefing on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Dunleavy said he doesn't see his acceptance of former President Donald Trump's endorsement as hurting his relationship with the state's senior U.S. senator, Republican Lisa Murkowski, who voted to convict Trump at his impeachment trial last year and whom Trump has vowed to fight in her reelection bid. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy: Work with Murkowski endures after Trump nod

Both Dunleavy and Murkowski face reelection this year.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters during a news briefing on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Dunleavy said he doesn't see his acceptance of former President Donald Trump's endorsement as hurting his relationship with the state's senior U.S. senator, Republican Lisa Murkowski, who voted to convict Trump at his impeachment trial last year and whom Trump has vowed to fight in her reelection bid. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, speaks to the Empire in his office of the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. Begich introduced the Alaska Reads Act with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020, but despite strong bipartisan support, disruptions from COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the bill’s progression. But Begich is confident this will be the year a reading bill passes the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, speaks to the Empire in his office of the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. Begich introduced the Alaska Reads Act with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020, but despite strong bipartisan support, disruptions from COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the bill’s progression. But Begich is confident this will be the year a reading bill passes the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Wayne Carnes prepares to begin his volunteer grooming run at Pioneer Road on Jan. 18. Carnes is a volunteer with the Juneau Nordic Ski Club. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Volunteers make winter cool for local skiers

Juneau Nordic Ski Club offers fun and learning

Wayne Carnes prepares to begin his volunteer grooming run at Pioneer Road on Jan. 18. Carnes is a volunteer with the Juneau Nordic Ski Club. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
A United States government website is displayed on a computer, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Walpole, Mass., that features a page where people can order free, at-home COVID-19 tests. The website, COVIDTests.gov, allows people to order four at-home tests per residence and have them delivered by mail. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

City, state report rising COVID case numbers

Federal officials say despite the surge, country better off than last year

A United States government website is displayed on a computer, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Walpole, Mass., that features a page where people can order free, at-home COVID-19 tests. The website, COVIDTests.gov, allows people to order four at-home tests per residence and have them delivered by mail. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
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Alaska State Trooper Andrew Adams holds up a knife identified as a possible weapon involved in the killing of a man in Yakutat several years ago as he testifies in court on Wednesday.
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Alaska State Trooper Andrew Adams holds up a knife identified as a possible weapon involved in the killing of a man in Yakutat several years ago as he testifies in court on Wednesday.
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State high court upholds voter-approved election changes

A brief order affirmed a lower court ruling from last year.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this month a $500,000 grant to regional development corporation Southeast Conference to help design a processing facility on Prince of Wales Island to aid the mariculture industry there. The planned facility will help small mariculture farms, like this oyster farm north of Juneau seen in a February 2019 file photo, to process and ship their products. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this month a $500,000 grant to regional development corporation Southeast Conference to help design a processing facility on Prince of Wales Island to aid the mariculture industry there. The planned facility will help small mariculture farms, like this oyster farm north of Juneau seen in a February 2019 file photo, to process and ship their products. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
Alwen Carrillo, one of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boy’s basketball team captains, dribbles during practice on Dec. 15, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau boys basketball hitting the road

One team is bound for Anchorage, the other for Utqiagvik

Alwen Carrillo, one of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boy’s basketball team captains, dribbles during practice on Dec. 15, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
The author bought his bike in Wyoming this summer. It didn't come with fenders because Wyoming doesn't have water. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Fending off the cold

While biking, cool air turns cold, and cold air turns bitter.

The author bought his bike in Wyoming this summer. It didn't come with fenders because Wyoming doesn't have water. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, gave a stern warning about decorum to members of the Alaska House of Representatives on the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, Jan 18, 2022. Last year the Legislature was so divided it took a full regular session and four special sessions before work was completed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, gave a stern warning about decorum to members of the Alaska House of Representatives on the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, Jan 18, 2022. Last year the Legislature was so divided it took a full regular session and four special sessions before work was completed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Officer John Waldron of the Yakutat Borough Police Department looks at a print of a photograph as he testifies about a stabbing he responded to in 2018. (Screenshot)

Police who responded to, investigated killing testify

A Yakutat police officer and Alaska State Trooper testified Tuesday.

Officer John Waldron of the Yakutat Borough Police Department looks at a print of a photograph as he testifies about a stabbing he responded to in 2018. (Screenshot)
Goldbelt Transportation and Allen Marine Tours will contract with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to provide ferry service through the Southeast for the remainder of the winter, according to a news release. (Courtesy photo / Goldbelt Transportation)

Goldbelt, Allen Marine pick up winter ferry contracts

Contracts were signed this January for several winter runs to Southeast communities.

Goldbelt Transportation and Allen Marine Tours will contract with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to provide ferry service through the Southeast for the remainder of the winter, according to a news release. (Courtesy photo / Goldbelt Transportation)