Rashah McChesney, KTOO - Juneau
Alaska to end $300 per week unemployment payments
Alaska will join at least a dozen other states in opting out of extra federal benefits for unemployed workers, citing workforce shortages.
The withdrawal will end a $300 weekly payment that was added under the Federal Pandemic...
Alaska providers pause use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine while feds investigate rare risk of blood clots
Alaska providers are following the federal recommendation to pause use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines while they figure out the clotting risk.
Juneau’s Bartlett Regional Hospital cited for infection control issues
Inspectors from the state’s health department visited Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau in January after an employee complained of an unsafe workplace.
Two Alaska Senate staff members test positive for COVID-19
Two staff members in Alaska’s Senate tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.
State launches new COVID-19 grant program requiring officials to address barriers to health care
The state health department is rolling out a new program designed to get millions in federal funds directly to boroughs and communities to help them combat COVID-19.
Dunleavy’s public safety commissioner says she was forced to resign
Amanda Price says she was told that the administration is “taking public safety in a different direction.”
Juneau nursing home could be model for COVID-19 outbreaks in a vaccinated world
At least a dozen people in a Juneau nursing home tested positive for COVID-19, but almost no one showed symptoms.
Alaska legislature returns with COVID-19 precautions, but no clear enforcement for lawmakers
https://youtu.be/qnV9kV2-enE
There are more than 130 legislators and staff in Juneau for the legislative session. The legislature is taking steps to limit the spread of COVID-19. For instance, the Capitol building is closed to the...
‘You can’t bubble the Legislature’: How Alaska lawmakers and capital city are coping with COVID-19
Lawmakers are required to be tested for COVID-19 every few days.
In Juneau, state and local officials are on edge but hopeful there won’t be local violence
State lawmakers in Juneau and local law enforcement are preparing for the possibility of violence after the FBI warned of potential armed protests in each state capital on Sunday.
Dunleavy will appeal permit denial for the proposed Pebble Mine
Gov. Mike Dunleavy is calling the denial a “dangerous precedent” that would harm Alaska’s future.
Alaska Supreme Court strikes down Rep. Lance Pruitt’s challenge to his election loss
State Republican Rep. Lance Pruitt lost his legal challenge attempting to overturn the results of his East Anchorage district election. He lost to Democrat challenger Liz Snyder by just 11 votes.
Online news outlet Alaska Landmine sues Dunleavy administration over access
Alaska Landmine owner and journalist Jeff Landfield is suing Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration. He said the administration has violated his constitutional rights by excluding him from Dunleavy’s news conferences.
Dunleavy splits Alaska Department of Health and Social Services into two new agencies
Dunleavy said the idea is to provide better services for Alaskans as the department has continued to grow.
Dunleavy pitches budget that draws billions from Permanent Fund earnings next year
Gov. Mike Dunleavy debuted a budget proposal Friday for next year that will lean heavily on earnings from the Permanent Fund to help Alaska recover from the pandemic.
Juneau woman among thousands of Americans taking part in COVID-19 vaccine trials
When Juneau woman Fiona Brown saw an ad on Facebook looking for volunteers for Pfizer’s clinical trials for its COVID-19 vaccine, she knew that as a science nerd she had an edge.
Economists try to see what’s ahead for Alaska’s pandemic recession
And some parts of the state have felt the impacts of the downturn more than others. Interior Alaska has had a boost from the military. The Anchorage region has been buoyed by growth in the Mat-Su. But it’s a different story in Southeast.
State reports 4 deaths on another day of triple-digit COVID-19 cases in Alaska
Three of those who died are from Anchorage and one is from Juneau, say state health officials.
State announces four new COVID-19 deaths over weekend
10 deaths were announced by the state since Friday, though most aren't considered 'recent' and were found through data review.
Hunter fatally mauled by grizzly bear in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
It’s the first time a bear mauling has been recorded in the park since it was established in 1980.