Coronavirus

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. On Friday, May 29, 2020, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly asserting that coronavirus has an HIV protein that proves it was genetically modified. Experts say the coronavirus has no HIV sequences in it’s genetic makeup. Since the early days of the coronavirus outbreak, social media posts have tried to cast doubt on its origins. (NIAID-RML via AP)

State confirms another new case for Juneau

That’s 35 total and the second new case in two days.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. On Friday, May 29, 2020, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly asserting that coronavirus has an HIV protein that proves it was genetically modified. Experts say the coronavirus has no HIV sequences in it’s genetic makeup. Since the early days of the coronavirus outbreak, social media posts have tried to cast doubt on its origins. (NIAID-RML via AP)
A member of Capital City Fire/Rescue’s Airport Screening Task Force greets passengers disembarking from a flight arriving at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. All passengers are handed fliers with health and safety information as they leave the plane. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

City votes against local quarantine measure, citing state mandate

Governor’s mandate seems like enough for Assembly.

A member of Capital City Fire/Rescue’s Airport Screening Task Force greets passengers disembarking from a flight arriving at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. All passengers are handed fliers with health and safety information as they leave the plane. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Members of Top Hat Cannabis pose with members of the Southeast Alaska Food Bank as they make a $10,000 donation to the food bank on Friday, May 29, 2020. (Courtesy photo | John Nemeth)

Local cannabis company donates $10,000 to food bank

Cannabis industry donations are usually clandestine, but not this one.

Members of Top Hat Cannabis pose with members of the Southeast Alaska Food Bank as they make a $10,000 donation to the food bank on Friday, May 29, 2020. (Courtesy photo | John Nemeth)
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly will decide Wednesday evening whether to extend a mandate that requires out-of-state visitors, such as the ones that come in through Juneau International Airport, to self-quarantine for two weeks. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

City says new visitor regulations are difficult to apply

Assembly also considering a local extension of state’s quarantine mandate

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly will decide Wednesday evening whether to extend a mandate that requires out-of-state visitors, such as the ones that come in through Juneau International Airport, to self-quarantine for two weeks. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
State lawmakers call for mask mandate

State lawmakers call for mask mandate

A mask mandate?

State lawmakers call for mask mandate
New AMHS rule denied some Hoonah residents their trip home

New AMHS rule denied some Hoonah residents their trip home

They got home, but it was pricey.

New AMHS rule denied some Hoonah residents their trip home
Gabe Donohoe, lead sewer, works on creating face shields for people with hearing loss. Rapid Response PPE, founded at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic, is creating specialized PPE, allowing people with hearing loss or dead people to easily see the speaker’s face, May 29, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Local mask-making company continues to grow

In two weeks, they’ve produced and shipped more than 6,000 of the specialized face masks.

Gabe Donohoe, lead sewer, works on creating face shields for people with hearing loss. Rapid Response PPE, founded at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic, is creating specialized PPE, allowing people with hearing loss or dead people to easily see the speaker’s face, May 29, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Quarantine expected to be lifted in favor of proof of test

Quarantine expected to be lifted in favor of proof of test

State will provide tests for travelers

Quarantine expected to be lifted in favor of proof of test
State announces another new COVID-19 case

State announces another new COVID-19 case

That’s back-to-back days.

State announces another new COVID-19 case
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Finance committee votes to hold line on property tax

“Projects will still go on. Services will still go on.”

Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
A sign on the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. Under a proposal being put before the UA Board of Regents next week, UAS could be merged with one of the other two schools in the system. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska president says difficult changes are coming

Regents to meet next week.

A sign on the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. Under a proposal being put before the UA Board of Regents next week, UAS could be merged with one of the other two schools in the system. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
A bald eagle perches on top of the whale statue at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on May 26, 2020. The pump rooms for the whale have been repaired after being damaged by flooding last October, but theywill remain turned off for now to save costs and discourage gatherings. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Thar she doesn’t blow: Whale statue all fixed up, but will remain off for now

Cost-saving and crowd-prevention will keep the statue quiet for now.

A bald eagle perches on top of the whale statue at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on May 26, 2020. The pump rooms for the whale have been repaired after being damaged by flooding last October, but theywill remain turned off for now to save costs and discourage gatherings. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
With social distancing making signature-gathering difficult, the Recall Dunleavy campaign has had to find new ways to get people to sign. There’ll be drive-thru signings in Anchorage and Fairbanks this weekend but nothing’s yet planned for Juneau. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Drive-thru Recall? Not in Juneau

Doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

With social distancing making signature-gathering difficult, the Recall Dunleavy campaign has had to find new ways to get people to sign. There’ll be drive-thru signings in Anchorage and Fairbanks this weekend but nothing’s yet planned for Juneau. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: We are all each other’s Island Trader

Opinion: We are all each other’s Island Trader

We’re entering a long phase, where we need to figure out collectively what the duration looks like.

Opinion: We are all each other’s Island Trader
Assembly may approve $1M for child care providers

Assembly may approve $1M for child care providers

Vote expected on Thursday.

Assembly may approve $1M for child care providers
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire The senior class of 2020 graduates with much less pomp and circumstance as the coronavirus keeps gatherings truncated and social interaction at arms length, May 22, 2020.

‘In a word, it’s been weird’: It’s been a different sort of graduation season for the Class of 2020

Seniors prepare to enter a new world.

Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire The senior class of 2020 graduates with much less pomp and circumstance as the coronavirus keeps gatherings truncated and social interaction at arms length, May 22, 2020.
Salaries and benefits for police and firefighters will be one of the immediate uses for federal coronavirus relief money, said city officials. However, there is lingering uncertainty over how else that money will, or even can be, spent. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

First responder salaries, child care and business grants are top priority for CARES money

Juneau to receive $25 million in first payment.

Salaries and benefits for police and firefighters will be one of the immediate uses for federal coronavirus relief money, said city officials. However, there is lingering uncertainty over how else that money will, or even can be, spent. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
State announces additional COVID case in Juneau

State announces additional COVID case in Juneau

Case announced as state reopens.

State announces additional COVID case in Juneau
Alaskans pick up and turn in Permanent Fund Dividend applications at the Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building in March 2011. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy: PFD checks are going out early

July 1 is the targeted date.

Alaskans pick up and turn in Permanent Fund Dividend applications at the Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building in March 2011. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire File School districts throughout the state will put together plans for what the next school year will look like. Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weisse said smaller groups and less mixing are expected to remain important.

Juneau School District readies for summer assignment

Districts will plan for how to safely continue education.

Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire File School districts throughout the state will put together plans for what the next school year will look like. Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weisse said smaller groups and less mixing are expected to remain important.