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This photo shows Bartlett Regional Hospital on Oct. 4, 2021. As hospitals across the state move to crisis standards of care due to surging COVID-19 cases, local hospital officials say that Bartlett Regional Hospital is not at a crisis point. (Michael S. Lockett/Juneau Empire)

Bartlett Hospital services are stable

Hospital officials say no need to delay care

This photo shows Bartlett Regional Hospital on Oct. 4, 2021. As hospitals across the state move to crisis standards of care due to surging COVID-19 cases, local hospital officials say that Bartlett Regional Hospital is not at a crisis point. (Michael S. Lockett/Juneau Empire)
A Juneau resident receives the booster shot for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at Centennial Hall on Oct. 2, 2021. More than 1,300 Juneau residents received booster shots at the clinic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

More than 1,300 receive booster shots over weekend

More than 700 doubled down and also got their flu shot for the year.

A Juneau resident receives the booster shot for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at Centennial Hall on Oct. 2, 2021. More than 1,300 Juneau residents received booster shots at the clinic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael Williams scans the shoreline for moose while traveling up the Yukon River on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, near Stevens Village, Alaska. For the first time in memory, both king and chum salmon have dwindled to almost nothing and the state has banned salmon fishing on the Yukon. The remote communities that dot the river and live off its bounty are desperate and doubling down on moose and caribou hunts in the waning days of fall. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Dwindling Alaska salmon leave Yukon River tribes in crisis

For the first time in memory, both king and chum salmon have dwindled to almost nothing.

Michael Williams scans the shoreline for moose while traveling up the Yukon River on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, near Stevens Village, Alaska. For the first time in memory, both king and chum salmon have dwindled to almost nothing and the state has banned salmon fishing on the Yukon. The remote communities that dot the river and live off its bounty are desperate and doubling down on moose and caribou hunts in the waning days of fall. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
This photo shows Bartlett Regional Hospital, which was among the 20 facilities for which the state activated crisis standards of care on Saturday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

State activates crisis standards of care for 20 health care facilities, including Bartlett Regional Hospital

Surging COVID cases, strained resources in some hospitals cited as reason.

This photo shows Bartlett Regional Hospital, which was among the 20 facilities for which the state activated crisis standards of care on Saturday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Electric Vehicle Association held its 8th annual meet up for National Drive Electric Week on Oct. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Leafs of autumn: Juneau Electric Vehicle Association holds meet-up

Owners and enthusiasts had the event as the skies briefly cleared.

The Juneau Electric Vehicle Association held its 8th annual meet up for National Drive Electric Week on Oct. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This screenshot from the National Weather Service website shows a low pressure system coming ashore from the Gulf of Alaska hit Juneau hard on Oct. 1, 2021, downing trees and causing widespread power outages. (Screenshot)

High winds and heavy rain makes for a busy night for firefighters, power company crews

AEL&P responding to widespread tree downings and outages.

This screenshot from the National Weather Service website shows a low pressure system coming ashore from the Gulf of Alaska hit Juneau hard on Oct. 1, 2021, downing trees and causing widespread power outages. (Screenshot)
This combination photo shows Sydney Akagi, Ishmael Angaluuk Hope and Xʼunei Lance Twitchell, all of Juneau, who are winners of Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Awards. (Courtesy Photos, Juneau Empire File)
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Local artists use grants to pursue dreams

Rasmuson awards will support Lingít-language projects, traditional weaving.

This combination photo shows Sydney Akagi, Ishmael Angaluuk Hope and Xʼunei Lance Twitchell, all of Juneau, who are winners of Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Awards. (Courtesy Photos, Juneau Empire File)
A man stands in the doorway of a downtown shop on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, the day after the City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance requiring masks in public places. When passed, the rules included a $25 fine for non-compliance. This week, assembly members reinstated the fine, after they had voted to drop it earlier this summer. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire File)

City officials explain why COVID fines are back

City officials share why they matter

A man stands in the doorway of a downtown shop on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, the day after the City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance requiring masks in public places. When passed, the rules included a $25 fine for non-compliance. This week, assembly members reinstated the fine, after they had voted to drop it earlier this summer. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire File)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire More than a hundred gathered at an Orange Shirt Day event near Sandy Beach on Sept. 30, 2021, a remembrance of the Indigenous children killed in North America in the residential school system.

Passionate crowd turns out for Orange Shirt Day event

More than a hundred braved driving rain for remembrance of missing children.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire More than a hundred gathered at an Orange Shirt Day event near Sandy Beach on Sept. 30, 2021, a remembrance of the Indigenous children killed in North America in the residential school system.
Alaska Airlines planes are shown parked at gates with Mount Rainier in the background at sunrise, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. Alaska Air Group has told its 22,000 employees they will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccination. There are some exceptions to the policy, which has shifted since last month, the The Seattle Times reported. In an email Thursday evening to all Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees, the Seattle-based company said employees will now be required to be fully vaccinated or approved for a reasonable accommodation. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren)

Alaska Air to require COVID-19 vaccine for employees

Alaska Air Group has told its 22,000 employees they will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

  • Oct 1, 2021
  • Associated Press
Alaska Airlines planes are shown parked at gates with Mount Rainier in the background at sunrise, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. Alaska Air Group has told its 22,000 employees they will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccination. There are some exceptions to the policy, which has shifted since last month, the The Seattle Times reported. In an email Thursday evening to all Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees, the Seattle-based company said employees will now be required to be fully vaccinated or approved for a reasonable accommodation. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren)
Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire Several people participated in a protest in front of City Hall on Sept. 29, before the CBJ Assembly considered extending the current COVID-19 mitigation measures. At the meeting, assembly members voted to extend the measures through March 1, 2022.

City extends COVID mitigation measures, restores fines for violations

Decision generates intense public input

Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire Several people participated in a protest in front of City Hall on Sept. 29, before the CBJ Assembly considered extending the current COVID-19 mitigation measures. At the meeting, assembly members voted to extend the measures through March 1, 2022.
Courtesy photo / Paxson Woelber, The Alaska Landmine Christine Hill sits in the Municipality of Anchorage Assembly’s chambers on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, wearing a yellow Star of David reading “do not consent” to protest the implementation of masking requirements in public places meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Jewish groups say Holocaust comparisons a worrisome trend

Anchorage protest most recent, high-profile example.

Courtesy photo / Paxson Woelber, The Alaska Landmine Christine Hill sits in the Municipality of Anchorage Assembly’s chambers on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, wearing a yellow Star of David reading “do not consent” to protest the implementation of masking requirements in public places meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Office Max at the Nugget Mall in the Mendenhall Valley advertised Permanent Fund dividend sales on Thursday, July 2, 2020. This year's PFD will be $1,114, the Alaska Department of Revenue announced. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Revenue Department announces 2021 PFD amount

It’s a little more filling than last year.

Office Max at the Nugget Mall in the Mendenhall Valley advertised Permanent Fund dividend sales on Thursday, July 2, 2020. This year's PFD will be $1,114, the Alaska Department of Revenue announced. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A woman died of injuries sustained after being struck by a car on Glacier Highway near the old Walmart on Sept. 30, 2021, said a police spokesperson in a news release. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Woman dies after being struck by SUV

The driver stopped and immediately tried to help

A woman died of injuries sustained after being struck by a car on Glacier Highway near the old Walmart on Sept. 30, 2021, said a police spokesperson in a news release. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
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Gov names new commissioner of Department of Administration

Cabinet changes.

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Images: 1. A crested auklet, a seabird that breeds on the islands of western Alaska including the Aleutians.(Courtesy Photo / Hector Douglas)

Alaska Science Forum: Fluorescent bill may be seabird’s neon sign

Follow your nose?

  • Oct 1, 2021
  • By Ned Rozell
Images: 1. A crested auklet, a seabird that breeds on the islands of western Alaska including the Aleutians.(Courtesy Photo / Hector Douglas)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Airlift Northwest flight nurse Diana Paul shows off some of the improved patient care features of the medevac organization’s new Learjet 45XR aircraft, recently arrived in Juneau for service around the Southeast, on Sept. 30, 2021.

Aid aloft: Medevac organization gets new aircraft

It’s not the cheapest way to travel but it may save your life.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Airlift Northwest flight nurse Diana Paul shows off some of the improved patient care features of the medevac organization’s new Learjet 45XR aircraft, recently arrived in Juneau for service around the Southeast, on Sept. 30, 2021.
Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Daniel Winfree spoke with the Empire about Alaska's court system and its judicial selection process. Winfree is the first Chief Justice to be born in Alaska and spent 25 years in private practice before joining the court. (Courtesy photo/ Alaska Court System)

Chief Justice: Cases decided on merit, not politics

Merit-based system.

Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Daniel Winfree spoke with the Empire about Alaska's court system and its judicial selection process. Winfree is the first Chief Justice to be born in Alaska and spent 25 years in private practice before joining the court. (Courtesy photo/ Alaska Court System)
Water rushes down Gold Creek on Aug. 13, 2021. Juneau residents can expect heavy rain and strong winds beginning Friday. Forecasters expect the strongest winds late Friday night. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)

A hard rain’s a-gonna fall: National Weather Service predicts heavy rain and wind

Forecasters suggest securing lawn furniture, loose items

Water rushes down Gold Creek on Aug. 13, 2021. Juneau residents can expect heavy rain and strong winds beginning Friday. Forecasters expect the strongest winds late Friday night. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)
Les Gara, who represented Anchorage in the Alaska House of Representatives from 2003-2018, is running as a Democrat to unseat Gov. Mike Dunleavy in the 2022 general election. He told the Empire in an interview he wanted to ensure oppportunities were available in Alaska in the future. (Courtesy photo / Les Gara)

Looking to unseat Dunleavy, Les Gara says Alaska doesn’t need austerity

Former Anchorage House rep running for governor is coming to Juneau.

Les Gara, who represented Anchorage in the Alaska House of Representatives from 2003-2018, is running as a Democrat to unseat Gov. Mike Dunleavy in the 2022 general election. He told the Empire in an interview he wanted to ensure oppportunities were available in Alaska in the future. (Courtesy photo / Les Gara)