Doctors at Bartlett Regional Hospital, seen here in this January 2021 photo, often call consultants and specialist for medical advice, but a supreme court case out of Minnesota could make that dynamic legally questionable. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Bill seeks to shield doctors from liability when consulting

‘Curbside consultations’ are protected under proposal.

Doctors at Bartlett Regional Hospital, seen here in this January 2021 photo, often call consultants and specialist for medical advice, but a supreme court case out of Minnesota could make that dynamic legally questionable. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, April 14

The most recent state and local numbers.

A shop on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau has its doors open on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. In a normal year shops like this would be preparing for the summer tourist season and the thousands of tourists brought to Juneau daily by cruise ships. But the growth of the cruising in Alaska has some residents concerned about the regions dependence on the industry. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A shop on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau has its doors open on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. In a normal year shops like this would be preparing for the summer tourist season and the thousands of tourists brought to Juneau daily by cruise ships. But the growth of the cruising in Alaska has some residents concerned about the regions dependence on the industry. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident. On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the state of Ohio that tried to get the U.S. Census Bureau to provide data used for drawing congressional and legislative districts ahead of its planned release. (AP Photo / Matt Rourke)

Alaska joins 15 other states in backing Alabama’s challenge to Census privacy tool

The case could go directly to the Supreme Court if appealed.

This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident. On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the state of Ohio that tried to get the U.S. Census Bureau to provide data used for drawing congressional and legislative districts ahead of its planned release. (AP Photo / Matt Rourke)
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COVID at a glance for Monday, April 12

The most recent state and local numbers.

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Senate hopeful Tshibaka makes rounds on Kenai Peninsula

The former DOA head is challenging Sen. Lisa Murkowski for her Senate seat.

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This photo shows Unangax̂ Gravesite at Funter Bay, the site where Aleut villagers forcibly relocated to the area during World War II are buried. A bill recently passed by the Alaska House of Representatives would make the area part of a neighboring state park. (Courtesy photo / Niko Sanguinetti, Juneau-Douglas City Museum) 
DO NOT REUSE THIS PHOTO WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM JUNEAU DOUGLAS CITY MUSEUM. -BEN HOHENSTATT
This photo shows Unangax̂ Gravesite at Funter Bay, the site where Aleut villagers forcibly relocated to the area during World War II are buried. A bill recently passed by the Alaska House of Representatives would make the area part of a neighboring state park. (Courtesy photo / Niko Sanguinetti, Juneau-Douglas City Museum) 
DO NOT REUSE THIS PHOTO WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM JUNEAU DOUGLAS CITY MUSEUM. -BEN HOHENSTATT
State lawmakers including Juneau Democrats Sen. Jesse Kiehl and Rep. Andi Story, pose with a copy of a joint resolution urging federal action to allow cruising to return to Alaska this summer. Gov. Mike Dunleavy stands to the left and Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon is in the left background in the hangar of Wings Airways in Juneau on Friday, April 9, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
State lawmakers including Juneau Democrats Sen. Jesse Kiehl and Rep. Andi Story, pose with a copy of a joint resolution urging federal action to allow cruising to return to Alaska this summer. Gov. Mike Dunleavy stands to the left and Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon is in the left background in the hangar of Wings Airways in Juneau on Friday, April 9, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo | Chris Miller)

Elected officials: Safe mining needed for salmon

Virtual briefing focuses on transboundary waters.

In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo | Chris Miller)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy sent a letter to the White House asking for federal action to get cruise ship passengers, like the ones seen here in this 2017 file photo, back in Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy sent a letter to the White House asking for federal action to get cruise ship passengers, like the ones seen here in this 2017 file photo, back in Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

COVID at a glance for Thursday, April 8

The most recent state and local numbers.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Court sides with Dunleavy in appointments dispute

The court, in a brief order, reversed a ruling by a superior court judge.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, April 7

The most recent state and local numbers.

In this file photo from April 13, 2017, firefighters spray foam during a drill at the Hagevig Regional Fire Training Center. The state filed a lawsuit against several foam manufacturers for not disclosing contaminants in their products. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this file photo from April 13, 2017, firefighters spray foam during a drill at the Hagevig Regional Fire Training Center. The state filed a lawsuit against several foam manufacturers for not disclosing contaminants in their products. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The new Glory Hall, currently under construction near the airport, is due to open on July 1, 2021, as the contract for the shelter at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center ends after a year and a half of pandemic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The new Glory Hall, currently under construction near the airport, is due to open on July 1, 2021, as the contract for the shelter at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center ends after a year and a half of pandemic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

COVID at a glance for Tuesday, April 6

The most recent state and local numbers.

A health care worker prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine. There's concern that COVID-19 vaccination could be made mandatory by businesses for activities such as travel-- or employment. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A health care worker prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine. There's concern that COVID-19 vaccination could be made mandatory by businesses for activities such as travel-- or employment. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Teaser

Alaska court hears arguments in dispute over appointments

State Supreme Court considers whether governor appointments to boards, commissions and his cabinet.

Teaser
Longtime Alaska law enforcement official Jim Cockrell, seen here in an undated photo in his role as a colonel with the Alaska State Troopers, was appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy as Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Dunleavy appoints new Public Safety Commissioner

Law enforcement veteran to lead state’s public safety department.

Longtime Alaska law enforcement official Jim Cockrell, seen here in an undated photo in his role as a colonel with the Alaska State Troopers, was appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy as Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)