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FILE - In this March 2, 2021, file photo, pharmacy technician Hollie Maloney loads a syringe with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at the Portland Expo in Portland, Maine. The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. (AP Photo / Robert F. Bukaty)

US regulators give full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

By Lauran Neergaard and Matthew Perrone Associated Press WASHINGTON — The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine Monday, a milestone that could boost… Continue reading

FILE - In this March 2, 2021, file photo, pharmacy technician Hollie Maloney loads a syringe with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at the Portland Expo in Portland, Maine. The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. (AP Photo / Robert F. Bukaty)
This Aug. 9, 2021 photo shows Chief Ranger Erika Jostad in Grand Teton National Park in Moose, Wyo. Erika Jostad’s baseline for what Grand Teton National Park is like in the summer, is skewed by 2021, easily the busiest year in the park’s 92-year-and-running history. Teton Park’s incoming permanent chief ranger has been in the job for months on an interim basis, during which time she’s overseen some 60 “incident responses” to fire — and that’s with a couple months of wildfire season remaining. The more general emergency call caseload has ballooned, too, outpacing gains in visitation and increasing nearly 70% over the average from the past five years.(Mike Koshmrl/Jackson Hole News & Guide)

New job keeping Grand Teton’s 1st female chief ranger busy

Teton Park’s incoming permanent chief ranger has been in the job for months on an interim basis.

This Aug. 9, 2021 photo shows Chief Ranger Erika Jostad in Grand Teton National Park in Moose, Wyo. Erika Jostad’s baseline for what Grand Teton National Park is like in the summer, is skewed by 2021, easily the busiest year in the park’s 92-year-and-running history. Teton Park’s incoming permanent chief ranger has been in the job for months on an interim basis, during which time she’s overseen some 60 “incident responses” to fire — and that’s with a couple months of wildfire season remaining. The more general emergency call caseload has ballooned, too, outpacing gains in visitation and increasing nearly 70% over the average from the past five years.(Mike Koshmrl/Jackson Hole News & Guide)
Marine Corps and Army veteran Darren Hafford does pushups in front of the Alaska State Capitol as part of a fundraising effort where Hafford is traveling to every state capitol building and doing pushups in front of them to raise awareness and money for veteran suicide prevention. Juneau is his 49th, with only Hawaii remaining. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

49 down, 1 to go: Man raising veteran suicide awareness in all 50 state capitals

A whirlwind tour for a worthy cause.

Marine Corps and Army veteran Darren Hafford does pushups in front of the Alaska State Capitol as part of a fundraising effort where Hafford is traveling to every state capitol building and doing pushups in front of them to raise awareness and money for veteran suicide prevention. Juneau is his 49th, with only Hawaii remaining. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A marmot lies near the Shrine of St. Therese on Aug. 16. (Courtesy Photo / Carolyn Kelley)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

A marmot lies near the Shrine of St. Therese on Aug. 16. (Courtesy Photo / Carolyn Kelley)
A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Officials debunk COVID vaccine misinformation

State doctors say ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine aren’t effective at treating COVID-19.

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Contractors from SECON replace the parking of St. Vincent de Paul Juneau on Aug. 20, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

St. Vincent planning for future as it undertakes long-deferred maintenance

Decisions made decades ago are coming home to roost.

Contractors from SECON replace the parking of St. Vincent de Paul Juneau on Aug. 20, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes speaks to reporters after a floor session on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers are meeting in special session, with the annual dividend paid to residents a key topic. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

PFD size up for debate in legislative session

Dividends typically are paid out in the early fall.

  • Aug 20, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • PFD
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes speaks to reporters after a floor session on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers are meeting in special session, with the annual dividend paid to residents a key topic. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
Capital City Fire/Rescue are investigating a fire that occurred in an abandoned building in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 19, 2021 as suspicious. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

Mendenhall Valley fire under investigation as possible arson

There are a number of suspicious factors, the fire marshal said.

Capital City Fire/Rescue are investigating a fire that occurred in an abandoned building in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 19, 2021 as suspicious. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
The windows of the downtown branch of the Juneau Public Library tell passers-by that the city's overall COVID-19 alert level is high on August 20. City officials raised the alert level to curb the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, which has been spreading rapidly throughout Alaska, including Juneau. All three Juneau Public Libraries will have reduced hours starting Monday, August 23, as staff are reassigned to help with the pandemic response, city officials said in a news release late Friday. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

City takes action to slow spread; calls for community support

Renew your commitment, hospital official urges

The windows of the downtown branch of the Juneau Public Library tell passers-by that the city's overall COVID-19 alert level is high on August 20. City officials raised the alert level to curb the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, which has been spreading rapidly throughout Alaska, including Juneau. All three Juneau Public Libraries will have reduced hours starting Monday, August 23, as staff are reassigned to help with the pandemic response, city officials said in a news release late Friday. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Beavers get more than their share of blame for spreading Giardia. (Courtesy Photo / Frank Zmuda, Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

Alaska Science Forum: Beavers not always to blame for fever

If river spray hits you in the face, keep your mouth shut.

Beavers get more than their share of blame for spreading Giardia. (Courtesy Photo / Frank Zmuda, Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
teaser

Opinion: There was no escaping humiliation in Afghanistan

Humiliation from the killing done in our name should mean America never fights another needless war.

  • Aug 20, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
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FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2019, file photo, Kelly Tshibaka speaks to reporters in Anchorage. Law enforcement officials have completed their investigation whether Tshibaka, a U.S. Senate candidate and former State of Alaska official, illegally obtained a fishing license for a sportfishing event two years ago, and turned it over to a special prosecutorial branch of the Department of Law, an official said Thursday, Aug. 19. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Prosecutors vet US Senate candidate’s fishing license case

It’s been turned over to a special prosecutorial branch of the Department of Law

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2019, file photo, Kelly Tshibaka speaks to reporters in Anchorage. Law enforcement officials have completed their investigation whether Tshibaka, a U.S. Senate candidate and former State of Alaska official, illegally obtained a fishing license for a sportfishing event two years ago, and turned it over to a special prosecutorial branch of the Department of Law, an official said Thursday, Aug. 19. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy adds bill for PFD to session agenda

Senators applaud move.

(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Hank Shaw holds coho salmon caught on the Taku River. Shaw, a hunter, angler, gardener, chef and award-winning writer, is in town this week to promote his new book "Hook, Line and Supper." (Courtesy Photo / Holly A. Heyser)

Stuffed to the gills with recipes: Award-winning writer talks new fish cookbook

Angler, hunter, cook and award-winning writer talks new book while in town.

Hank Shaw holds coho salmon caught on the Taku River. Shaw, a hunter, angler, gardener, chef and award-winning writer, is in town this week to promote his new book "Hook, Line and Supper." (Courtesy Photo / Holly A. Heyser)
Travelers check their cellphones near a sign promoting COVID-19 vaccinations in the Juneau International Airport on Thursday. Federal officials are recommending a booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine, and local health authorities say the rollout will likely be similar to the initial vaccine distribution. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City, state officials plan for September vaccine boosters

Federal details not yet released.

Travelers check their cellphones near a sign promoting COVID-19 vaccinations in the Juneau International Airport on Thursday. Federal officials are recommending a booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine, and local health authorities say the rollout will likely be similar to the initial vaccine distribution. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The waiting room at Custom Cuts II in the Jordan Creek Mall sits empty on Aug. 19. Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, new citywide COVID-19 mitigation measures mean that all personal services businesses must operate by appointment only and close all waiting areas. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Local business owners prepare to pivot

City announces increasing risk level and mitigation measures.

The waiting room at Custom Cuts II in the Jordan Creek Mall sits empty on Aug. 19. Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, new citywide COVID-19 mitigation measures mean that all personal services businesses must operate by appointment only and close all waiting areas. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
(Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Good news and bad news

The good news we need to hear soon is that we have a balanced budget.

  • Aug 19, 2021
  • By Win Gruening
(Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire This Aug. 13 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Ibn Bailey.

Bailey seeks school board seat

Local business owner says he brings unique perspective

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire This Aug. 13 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Ibn Bailey.
A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. The BBA is currently experiencing critical shortages of multiple blood types statewide. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Alaska blood bank faces critical shortages of multiple blood types

Pandemic conditions, summer and trauma rates all add to the need.

A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. The BBA is currently experiencing critical shortages of multiple blood types statewide. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Judge throws out Trump-era approvals for Willow Project

The Trump administration approved the project, and the Biden administration defended it in court.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)

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