Gunnar Johnson of Minnesota tested positive for COVID-19 at the checkpoint in McGrath, near race mile 310, more than a third of the way into the Iditarod.
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Sen. Reinbold banned from most of Capitol until she follows COVID-19 rules
Reinbold hasn’t followed requirements to wear a face mask and to undergo the COVID-19 rapid tests and temperature screenings required of everyone entering the Capitol.
Newscast — Wednesday, March 10, 2021
In this newscast: House lawmakers will be questioning a Department of Labor director this evening over its handling of COVID-related safety violations at two seafood plants; Three and a half weeks may not seem like a big deal in pandemic times but for local businesses that depend on tourism in Juneau, it could make or break the season; When a Haines couple lost their 4-month-old kitten within hours of departure, they didn’t expect her to return home on a regional flight ten days later; The Biden administration is supporting a controversial road through a remote refuge on the Alaska Peninsula that is home to migrating waterfowl; Today’s votes on Merrick Garland and Michael Regan divided Alaska’s senators: Lisa Murkowski voted yes on both, and Dan Sullivan voted no.
Lawmakers to quiz Department of Labor over its handling of COVID-19 related safety
Whistleblowers leaked documents to them showing that Department of Labor commissioner Tamika Ledbetter blocked about $450,000 in fines that her agency’s inspectors wanted to levy against Copper River Seafoods.
Juneau tourism businesses cautiously optimistic about upcoming season — with or without cruise ships
The Juneau Assembly recently loosened travel restrictions starting May 1. After the pandemic devastated business for last year’s tourism season, Liz Perry at Travel Juneau said the changes mean a lot for local businesses that depend on tourists.
Alaska announces 4 more cases of more contagious coronavirus strain first seen in Brazil
State health officials previously detected just one case of the P.1 variant. But they said last month that more were likely given that the person found to have the strain had not recently traveled outside the state and did not have a clear source of infection, making it a case of community spread.
Lost kitten tours Juneau before good Samaritans fly her home to Haines
It’s been over a week since Spot, a 4-month-old kitten, clawed out of the sunroof of a Haines couple’s vehicle and got lost somewhere on the car deck of the Matanuska.
Petersburg to take comment on Alaska Native land legislation
Community members have another chance to weigh in tonight on the potential transfer of Tongass National Forest land to five new urban Native corporations.
Anchorage’s largest soup kitchen pivots to packaged meal service, with long-lasting effects
Since the pandemic began, Anchorage’s largest soup kitchen has had to overhaul how it serves residents in need of a hot meal moving from communal meals to prepackaged ones.
Invasive mollusks hitch ride to Alaska on aquarium algae
The mussels could infiltrate local ecosystems if people dump their aquariums into lakes and rivers. They can wreak havoc on personal property, too.