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This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 particle isolated from a patient, in a laboratory in Fort Detrick, Md. Coronaviruses, including the newest one, are named for the spikes that cover their outer surface like a crown, or corona in Latin. Using those club-shaped spikes, the virus latches on to the outer wall of a human cell, invades it and replicates, creating viruses to hijack more cells. (NIAID / NIH)

CBJ reports 26 new COVID-19 cases

None are in the homeless population.

This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 particle isolated from a patient, in a laboratory in Fort Detrick, Md. Coronaviruses, including the newest one, are named for the spikes that cover their outer surface like a crown, or corona in Latin. Using those club-shaped spikes, the virus latches on to the outer wall of a human cell, invades it and replicates, creating viruses to hijack more cells. (NIAID / NIH)
A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. State public health officials reiterated that advice during a news briefing Thursday.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State counts new deaths, sheds light on old ones

77 people have died so far, according to data.

A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. State public health officials reiterated that advice during a news briefing Thursday.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
First Student employees load meals on school buses so the meals can be distributed to Juneau youths. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau School District)

School district updates meal pickup schedules

The break and holiday meal schedule is coming.

First Student employees load meals on school buses so the meals can be distributed to Juneau youths. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau School District)
David Katzeek, leader of the Shangukeidi clan, speaks about the power of language during an interview on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019.(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
David Katzeek, leader of the Shangukeidi clan, speaks about the power of language during an interview on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019.(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Blank Unemployment Benefits formq

State cites tech woes for delay in increased jobless aid

Payments had been expected this week.

Blank Unemployment Benefits formq
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage on Aug. 11, 2020. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage on Aug. 11, 2020. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Foodstuffs sit on tables at St. Vincent de Paul on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2019, to be bagged to feed up to 200 families for Thanksgiving. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Charities prepare for a pandemic-conscious Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving meal will go on, albeit in very modified form.

Foodstuffs sit on tables at St. Vincent de Paul on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2019, to be bagged to feed up to 200 families for Thanksgiving. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. On Wednesday, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its decision to exempt the nation’s largest national forest from the Roadless Rule. Proponents say the rule change will make it easier for responsible resource development while critics say it removes essential protections on critical environments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. On Wednesday, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its decision to exempt the nation’s largest national forest from the Roadless Rule. Proponents say the rule change will make it easier for responsible resource development while critics say it removes essential protections on critical environments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Victor Martinez is awarded the Alaska Fighting Championship bantamweight title on Feb. 26 at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Maria Bundy)

Hitting the big time: Soldotna man signs 4-fight deal with UFC

He will take his 7-2 professional record into a UFC Fight Night 181 matchup.

Victor Martinez is awarded the Alaska Fighting Championship bantamweight title on Feb. 26 at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Maria Bundy)
Sherry Simpson, shown in this 2013 photo, passed away recently at the age of 60. Simpson is widely respected and beloved as a writer and educator. (Courtesy Photo / Scott Kiefer)

Sherry Simpson, much-loved writer and educator, dies at 60

Alaska recently lost one of its most influential writers and impactful writing teachers.

Sherry Simpson, shown in this 2013 photo, passed away recently at the age of 60. Simpson is widely respected and beloved as a writer and educator. (Courtesy Photo / Scott Kiefer)
This photos shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday. The City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance requiring the confidential disclosure to the city assessor's office of the sales price of real estate transactions in the borough. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

New local law could change how property is valued. Here’s how

Supports say it’s more accurate, opponents say it’s an invasion of privacy.

This photos shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday. The City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance requiring the confidential disclosure to the city assessor's office of the sales price of real estate transactions in the borough. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire 
Downtown Juneau will soon have improved signage and maps like this one at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park for tourists as part of the Wayfinding Project on Oct. 10, 2020.

Update to downtown signage on track for 2021 completion

Technical concerns delayed aspects of the project.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire 
Downtown Juneau will soon have improved signage and maps like this one at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park for tourists as part of the Wayfinding Project on Oct. 10, 2020.
Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. City officials said Tuesday contact tracers are behind in tracking down positive COVID-19 cases. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. City officials said Tuesday contact tracers are behind in tracking down positive COVID-19 cases. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Brock Pierce may not be the best-known presidential candidate, but his name appears first on ballots in Alaska. Pierce, a former child actor and current cryptocurrency billionaire, who is running for president. (Courtesy photo / Brock Pierce campaign)
Brock Pierce may not be the best-known presidential candidate, but his name appears first on ballots in Alaska. Pierce, a former child actor and current cryptocurrency billionaire, who is running for president. (Courtesy photo / Brock Pierce campaign)
Members of the Juneau Ski Club take ski during a Sunday recreation day. (Courtesy photo / Frankie Pillifant)

Nordic Ski Club and teams prepare to ski into season

It’s easy to distance skiing on the trails.

Members of the Juneau Ski Club take ski during a Sunday recreation day. (Courtesy photo / Frankie Pillifant)
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, meets with Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Greg Nash / Pool)

Barrett confirmed as Supreme Court justice in partisan vote

Monday’s 52-48 vote was the closest high court confirmation ever to a presidential election.

Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, meets with Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Greg Nash / Pool)
A skeleton beset by flamingos stands sentinel in Dana Hanselman’s front yard next to Glacier Highway on Oct. 9, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau readies for coronavirus-adjusted Halloween

Flamingos, trunk-or-treating, and masks are all part of the holiday in pandemic.

A skeleton beset by flamingos stands sentinel in Dana Hanselman’s front yard next to Glacier Highway on Oct. 9, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Health workers and volunteers guide hundreds of cars through drive-thru flu shot clinics at Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. A collaboration between state and local authorities, health officials set up the clinic to mass vaccinate Juneauites as an additional deterrent against the spread of the coronavirus. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Health workers and volunteers guide hundreds of cars through drive-thru flu shot clinics at Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. A collaboration between state and local authorities, health officials set up the clinic to mass vaccinate Juneauites as an additional deterrent against the spread of the coronavirus. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Hand sanitizer and declaration forms for out-of-state arrivals to the Juneau International Airport on Oct. 12, 2020. An update to the state's travel mandates and to the way tests from the airport are processed, out-of-state arrivals must now register both with the state's traveler website and a private lab's website. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Hand sanitizer and declaration forms for out-of-state arrivals to the Juneau International Airport on Oct. 12, 2020. An update to the state's travel mandates and to the way tests from the airport are processed, out-of-state arrivals must now register both with the state's traveler website and a private lab's website. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a by-mail ballot sent to an Alaska voter in October. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Voter rights in jeopardy — then and now

Unless we have voting rights equity for all, we can neither have nor maintain our democracy.

  • Oct 26, 2020
  • By carolyn Brown
This photo shows a by-mail ballot sent to an Alaska voter in October. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)