In this newscast:
Gov. Dunleavy announces non-residents will no longer have the option to be tested for COVID-19 on arrival at airports, a municipal organization leader questions if second-class boroughs have the legal authority to impose health mandates, Alaska State Troopers continue investigating a Petersburg area car crash that killed four, Republicans are campaigning against fellow Republican Rep. David Eastman of Wasilla, the U.S. Department of Interior announces it will open its first office dedicated to investigating cold cases of murdered and missing indigenous people, a Juneau hiker walks into a strange sign on the trail about “poop pumping,” Juneau is on track to break a summer rainfall record, and local parks officials close Twin Lakes to swimming because of high levels of fecal bacteria.
Jeremy Hsieh, KTOO
Juneau School District offers more details on reopening and outlines new instruction option at public forum
For parents who are uncomfortable physically sending their kids back but don’t want to lose their connection to their neighborhood school, there will be a distance learning option through neighborhood schools.
What does this sign even mean?
“I had no idea what that could possibly mean,” said hiker Roald Simonson. The weird sign led him to a learn about how the Forest Service maintains remote outhouses.
Juneau Assembly considers systemic racism review committee
Assembly members and the public expressed support for rooting out systemic racism. But there were also concerns that the proposal would introduce a major hurdle to local policymaking.
No boatloads of tourists, no tourism, right? Not quite.
Tourism in Southeast Alaska has scaled down this season, but there are signs that visitors are still making their way to town.
Fred Meyer, Safeway, Home Depot and Petco are latest big retailers in Juneau to make customers mask up
The announcements follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calling on Americans to wear masks.
In surprise Juneau Assembly visit, Sen. Sullivan talks CARES Act and pandemic response
Sullivan also repeatedly urged constituents to reach out to his local office for help working through federal relief programs.
Juneau Assembly meeting — July 13, 2020
The agenda includes public hearings and likely votes on several ordinances, including committing Alaska Energy Authority grant money toward Juneau’s first electric bus.
Why Alaska’s COVID-19 airport screening lines might be skipped or unstaffed
Some travelers in Alaska have seen airport screening lines being bypassed en masse or unstaffed. Screening officials looked into it and think they know why.
Juneau’s former Walmart is for sale — and the asking price seems low
The property’s broker says she’s gotten inquiries from marijuana businesses, but a use restriction on the property would block such a use until 2025. The owner would have to begin leasing or buy the land then, too.