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This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Friday, Jan. 8

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
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)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Friday, Jan. 8

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
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TV programming talks at an impasse, say negotiators

TV troubles.

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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)

Juneau to hold vaccine clinic for people 65 and up, health care workers

Appointments can be made starting at noon on Monday.

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)
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)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, Jan. 6

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Thursday, Jan. 7

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
The property at 9290 Hurlock Avenue near the intersection of Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road was vacant Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, but a group of nonprofit organizations are partnering to turn the site into a youth homeless center. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee voted unanimously Wednesday evening to draft an ordinance allocating funding to the project. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Plans for youth shelter moving forward

A proposed youth homeless program takes another step closer to reality

The property at 9290 Hurlock Avenue near the intersection of Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road was vacant Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, but a group of nonprofit organizations are partnering to turn the site into a youth homeless center. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee voted unanimously Wednesday evening to draft an ordinance allocating funding to the project. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Niko Sanguinetti, the curator of collections and exhibits at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, arranges artifacts that are being collected to document life in Juneau during the COVID-19 pandemic in the basement of the museum on Jan. 6, 2021. Beth Weigel, director of the museum watches in the background. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

City museum documents history in the making

The Juneau-Douglas City Museum is considering how the future may view the past.

Niko Sanguinetti, the curator of collections and exhibits at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, arranges artifacts that are being collected to document life in Juneau during the COVID-19 pandemic in the basement of the museum on Jan. 6, 2021. Beth Weigel, director of the museum watches in the background. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Abby Jones, an emergency worker for Capital City Fire/Rescue, checks in a Juneau resident for free asymptomatic testing on Dec. 31, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

City shares testing, vaccination updates

Less than 1 in 100 people being tested is coming up positive.

Abby Jones, an emergency worker for Capital City Fire/Rescue, checks in a Juneau resident for free asymptomatic testing on Dec. 31, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Tom Wagner, left and Bob Schroeder hold up a banner protesting resource extraction in the Arctic at Saviko Park on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2020. Members of environmental groups 350Juneau and Native Movement held a traveling demonstration Wednesday, taking the banner to several locations in Juneau, including the state capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Environmentalists in Juneau protest Arctic drilling, say fight continues

Similar “banner drops” were happening around the world.

Tom Wagner, left and Bob Schroeder hold up a banner protesting resource extraction in the Arctic at Saviko Park on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2020. Members of environmental groups 350Juneau and Native Movement held a traveling demonstration Wednesday, taking the banner to several locations in Juneau, including the state capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Deputy City Clerk Di Cathcart collects ballots from the ballot drop box at Don D. Statter Harbor the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 19. Ballot drop boxes could factor into future municipal elections, too, depending on direction from the assembly. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Assembly to consider voting processes for future elections

Hybrid vehicles are popular in the capital city, but hybrid elections?

Deputy City Clerk Di Cathcart collects ballots from the ballot drop box at Don D. Statter Harbor the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 19. Ballot drop boxes could factor into future municipal elections, too, depending on direction from the assembly. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Kevin McCallister and Alexus Forehand smile with their recently born daughter, Madelynn Rose. The McCallisters of Skagway are the parents of the first baby born at Bartlett Regional Hospital in 2021. (Courtesy Photo / BRH)

Bartlett Regional Hospital welcomes first baby of 2021

The Skagway family will return home with a baby- and a boat.

Kevin McCallister and Alexus Forehand smile with their recently born daughter, Madelynn Rose. The McCallisters of Skagway are the parents of the first baby born at Bartlett Regional Hospital in 2021. (Courtesy Photo / BRH)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Monday, Jan. 4

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
Sarah Palmer holds up a swab before administering a COVID-19 test. The City and Borough of Juneau is offering free, asymptomatic testing. The drive-thru testing is available daily through Jan. 10 with the exception of New Year's Day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

COVID cases trending down

Still on high alert.

Sarah Palmer holds up a swab before administering a COVID-19 test. The City and Borough of Juneau is offering free, asymptomatic testing. The drive-thru testing is available daily through Jan. 10 with the exception of New Year's Day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Residents on Wire Street near Twin Lakes clean up debris from a landslide caused by heavy rains on Dec. 2, 2020. The state of Alaska has set up a website to help people apply for state and federal relief money for damages caused by the storm. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Application opens for December storm disaster relief

There’s a Feb. 26. deadline.

Residents on Wire Street near Twin Lakes clean up debris from a landslide caused by heavy rains on Dec. 2, 2020. The state of Alaska has set up a website to help people apply for state and federal relief money for damages caused by the storm. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Saturday, Jan. 2

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
Sherri McDonald and Reid Tippets dry off after their annual dip in the water at Auke Recreation Picnic Area on New Years Day, Jan. 1, 2021. Tippets said he’d done the dip for 11 years in a row. The Polar Bear Dip, held for 30 years at Auke Rec, was canceled this year over pandemic concerns, but some individual households opted to make the dip with their families, with masks, distancing, and care very much in evidence, while other pods had fires or walked dogs next to the cold ocean. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Photos: A (distanced) dip

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Sherri McDonald and Reid Tippets dry off after their annual dip in the water at Auke Recreation Picnic Area on New Years Day, Jan. 1, 2021. Tippets said he’d done the dip for 11 years in a row. The Polar Bear Dip, held for 30 years at Auke Rec, was canceled this year over pandemic concerns, but some individual households opted to make the dip with their families, with masks, distancing, and care very much in evidence, while other pods had fires or walked dogs next to the cold ocean. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)