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City leaders are waiting to learn more about the City and Borough of Juneau’s protocols that allow cruise ships to resume sailing. The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Amid COVID, cruise season planning is off to a slow start

The Assembly faces obstacles in setting local health protocols for visitors.

City leaders are waiting to learn more about the City and Borough of Juneau’s protocols that allow cruise ships to resume sailing. The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Juneau School District Superintendent Dr. Bridget Weiss, center-right, talks to students as they re-enter school Monday morning with distancing strategies and mitigation protocols in place at Floyd Dryden Middle School. Below, students reentered school Monday morning with distancing strategies and mitigation protocols, including this sign in Tlingit reminding students to wear masks.

Juneau students begin to return to classrooms

In-person learning resumed for some elementary and middle school students on Monday.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Juneau School District Superintendent Dr. Bridget Weiss, center-right, talks to students as they re-enter school Monday morning with distancing strategies and mitigation protocols in place at Floyd Dryden Middle School. Below, students reentered school Monday morning with distancing strategies and mitigation protocols, including this sign in Tlingit reminding students to wear masks.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to local leaders at the Alaska Municipal League’s legislative conference in this February 2020 photo. (Peter Segall/ Juneau Empire File)

Judge refuses to invalidate Dunleavy appointments

The Legislative Council had argued that appointments presented early last year lapsed in December.

  • Jan 11, 2021
  • By Wire Service
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to local leaders at the Alaska Municipal League’s legislative conference in this February 2020 photo. (Peter Segall/ Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows vials of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. Rollout to the next group of eligible recipients, Alaska residents 65 or over, has been weighted by technical issues and limited vaccine supplies. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Vaccine slots filled within minutes — followed by uncertainty

While there was high demand in Juneau, the state’s vaccine website proved frustrating for many.

This photo shows vials of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. Rollout to the next group of eligible recipients, Alaska residents 65 or over, has been weighted by technical issues and limited vaccine supplies. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Don Young, all Republicans. Following a riot at the U.S. Capitol last week, Democrats and some Republicans have called for President Donald Trump to be removed from office before Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Precautions are taken here as inauguration day approaches

Meanwhile, Alaska’s delegation has been mostly quiet on the issue of impeachment.

Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Don Young, all Republicans. Following a riot at the U.S. Capitol last week, Democrats and some Republicans have called for President Donald Trump to be removed from office before Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A sign in the window of a shop in downtown Juneau informs customers of rules for entering the business on Dec. 15, 2020. On Monday the City and Borough of Juneau announced it was relaxing some of the restrictions on businesses as the spread of COVID-19 in the community had decreased. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City relaxes health restrictions as COVID risk declines

Restaurants can fully open but are strongly urged to ensure distancing among customers.

A sign in the window of a shop in downtown Juneau informs customers of rules for entering the business on Dec. 15, 2020. On Monday the City and Borough of Juneau announced it was relaxing some of the restrictions on businesses as the spread of COVID-19 in the community had decreased. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Despite howling winds and plenty of slush, dozens of people attended a scoping open house in February 2020 at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area proposal is a head-scratcher

Now’s the time to speak out.

  • Jan 11, 2021
  • By Ken Post
Despite howling winds and plenty of slush, dozens of people attended a scoping open house in February 2020 at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Do you really need to reply to all? This year, writes Geoff Kirsch, you should think before you click. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Slack Tide: Resolutions for Alaska’s Capital City 2021

Try not to reply all unless it applies to all.

  • Jan 10, 2021
  • By Geoff Kirsch For the Juneau Empire
Do you really need to reply to all? This year, writes Geoff Kirsch, you should think before you click. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the Juneau Empire building in July 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

The Empire welcomes new reporter

She’s a veteran of the news and communications business.

This photo shows the Juneau Empire building in July 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Cpl. Jose M. Barragan, a bulk fuel specialist with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, prepares to conduct a live-fire and maneuver range in Fort Greely, Alaska, Feb. 11, 2020, prior to exercise Arctic Edge 20. (U.S. Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Christopher W. England)

Elected officials welcome Navy’s new Arctic strategy

The Arctic — and the Navy’s strategy — are changing.

Cpl. Jose M. Barragan, a bulk fuel specialist with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, prepares to conduct a live-fire and maneuver range in Fort Greely, Alaska, Feb. 11, 2020, prior to exercise Arctic Edge 20. (U.S. Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Christopher W. England)
Then-Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Director John Neary smiles outside the visitor center, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Forest Service proposal lacks necessary vision

The Forest Service needs to demonstrate solutions that do not burn fossil fuels…

  • Jan 9, 2021
  • By John Neary
Then-Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Director John Neary smiles outside the visitor center, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
teeze

Opinion: The truth of what America has become

No, we aren’t better. This is what we’ve become.

  • Jan 9, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
teeze
In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
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Alaska Republican House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt, left, speaks with Rep. George Rauscher on the floor of the House in March 2020. A recount found Pruitt lost his Anchorage seat to Democrat Liz Snyder by 11 votes. Pruitt's attorney says the court should order a new election, arguing that election officials did not do enough to notify voters of a polling place change. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Alaska Supreme Court rules against Pruitt election challenge

No new election, court says.

  • Jan 8, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
Alaska Republican House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt, left, speaks with Rep. George Rauscher on the floor of the House in March 2020. A recount found Pruitt lost his Anchorage seat to Democrat Liz Snyder by 11 votes. Pruitt's attorney says the court should order a new election, arguing that election officials did not do enough to notify voters of a polling place change. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks to a reporter as she arrives for a Republican policy luncheon on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Murkowski becomes 1st GOP senator to say Trump should resign

“I want him to resign. I want him out. He has caused enough damage.”

  • Jan 8, 2021
  • By MARK THIESSEN and ALAN FRAM Associated Press
  • National News
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks to a reporter as she arrives for a Republican policy luncheon on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Juneau’s students can choose to return to a limited schedule of in-person learning next week. Schedules and start dates vary by grade and building. Students will begin returning to Juneau Douglas Hight School: Yadaa.at Kale, pictured here in November 2020 on Tuesday. Mondays are designated distance learning days. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Schools to reopen to students on Monday

Voluntary in-person schedules add new options for families, students

Juneau’s students can choose to return to a limited schedule of in-person learning next week. Schedules and start dates vary by grade and building. Students will begin returning to Juneau Douglas Hight School: Yadaa.at Kale, pictured here in November 2020 on Tuesday. Mondays are designated distance learning days. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium nurse Courtney Taber helps Arsenio “Pastor” Credo as he prepares to receive the Moderna coronavirus vaccine at the Ethel Lund Medical Center on Dec. 24, 2020. The City and Borough of Juneau will be holding a clinic to vaccinate seniors and medical professionals at Centennial Hall, with registration beginning on Jan. 11, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium nurse Courtney Taber helps Arsenio “Pastor” Credo as he prepares to receive the Moderna coronavirus vaccine at the Ethel Lund Medical Center on Dec. 24, 2020. The City and Borough of Juneau will be holding a clinic to vaccinate seniors and medical professionals at Centennial Hall, with registration beginning on Jan. 11, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Howard Pass

Alaska Science Forum: Giant storms, big waves and chilly winds

Alaska went big for 2021.

Howard Pass
This photo shows the Juneau Arts & Culture Center. City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee agreed to move forward with a pair of proposals to study potential future options for the JACC and Centennial Hall. (Michael Penn  /Juneau Empire File)

Assembly could seek new plan for New JACC

A new study could offer new options

This photo shows the Juneau Arts & Culture Center. City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee agreed to move forward with a pair of proposals to study potential future options for the JACC and Centennial Hall. (Michael Penn  /Juneau Empire File)