Ben Hohenstatt

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. State public health officials reiterated that advice during a news briefing Thursday.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State counts new deaths, sheds light on old ones

77 people have died so far, according to data.

A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. State public health officials reiterated that advice during a news briefing Thursday.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage on Aug. 11, 2020. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Watch: Gov. Dunleavy holds COVID-19 news conference

Watch live beginning at 5 p.m.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage on Aug. 11, 2020. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Frank Henry Kaash Katasse is the writer and director of the new play "The Spirit of the Valley." The all-ages comedy began as something like a writing exercise for Katasse's wife and kids. It's his first time writing and directing a full-length play. “This is certainly a different beast than anything I’ve ever been a part of," he said. “It’s been a really fun experience.” (Courtesy Photo)

Stage is set for all-ages comedy with a message

Thinking green and green screens factor into new play.

Frank Henry Kaash Katasse is the writer and director of the new play "The Spirit of the Valley." The all-ages comedy began as something like a writing exercise for Katasse's wife and kids. It's his first time writing and directing a full-length play. “This is certainly a different beast than anything I’ve ever been a part of," he said. “It’s been a really fun experience.” (Courtesy Photo)
Sherry Simpson, shown in this 2013 photo, passed away recently at the age of 60. Simpson is widely respected and beloved as a writer and educator. (Courtesy Photo / Scott Kiefer)

Sherry Simpson, much-loved writer and educator, dies at 60

Alaska recently lost one of its most influential writers and impactful writing teachers.

Sherry Simpson, shown in this 2013 photo, passed away recently at the age of 60. Simpson is widely respected and beloved as a writer and educator. (Courtesy Photo / Scott Kiefer)
]This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 particle isolated from a patient, in a laboratory in Fort Detrick, Md. Coronaviruses, including the newest one, are named for the spikes that cover their outer surface like a crown, or corona in Latin. Using those club-shaped spikes, the virus latches on to the outer wall of a human cell, invades it and replicates, creating viruses to hijack more cells. (NIAID / NIH)

COVID-19 case numbers soar over the weekend

State broke its single-day record twice.

]This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 particle isolated from a patient, in a laboratory in Fort Detrick, Md. Coronaviruses, including the newest one, are named for the spikes that cover their outer surface like a crown, or corona in Latin. Using those club-shaped spikes, the virus latches on to the outer wall of a human cell, invades it and replicates, creating viruses to hijack more cells. (NIAID / NIH)
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Firefighters respond to a Friday night fire

At about 10:30 p.m., CCFR responded to a residential fire on the 8000 block of Thunder Street.

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Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alma Messing, 5, raises her fist during a women’s march and rally held Saturday, Oct. 17 in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau joins in nationwide rallies

“Women vote, so count on us.”

Alma Messing, 5, raises her fist during a women’s march and rally held Saturday, Oct. 17 in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The march from the State Capitol to Mayor Bill Overstreet Park pauses for drumming and song on Saturday, Oct. 17. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

See photos from the women’s march

A women’s march and rally was held Saturday, Oct. 17, in Juneau. The event was part of a national day of rallies and protests. Marchers… Continue reading

The march from the State Capitol to Mayor Bill Overstreet Park pauses for drumming and song on Saturday, Oct. 17. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Emergency worker Amyrlin Thorne prepares a test kit for the screening station at Juneau International Airport on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State changes interstate and international travel guidelines

New guidelines for visitors and residents.

Emergency worker Amyrlin Thorne prepares a test kit for the screening station at Juneau International Airport on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
First Student employees and Juneau School District food services supervisor Adrianne Schwartz, left, carry student meals off the bus they’re being distributed from near Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé, March 16, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau schools announce free meals ahead of Alaska Day weekend

Four days worth of food will be available on Friday.

First Student employees and Juneau School District food services supervisor Adrianne Schwartz, left, carry student meals off the bus they’re being distributed from near Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé, March 16, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration to end the 2020 census was another case of whiplash for the census, which has faced stops from the pandemic, natural disasters and court rulings. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya, File)

Elected officials urge census response ahead of deadline

Alaskans have until 11:59 p.m. Oct. 15.

This photo shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident in Detroit. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump administration to end the 2020 census was another case of whiplash for the census, which has faced stops from the pandemic, natural disasters and court rulings. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya, File)
This temporary shelter was set up earlier this year outside Bartlett Regional Hospital for the staff screening people entering the hospital. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Bartlett Regional Hospital reports first coronavirus death

A Juneau woman in her 60s died early Tuesday morning.

This temporary shelter was set up earlier this year outside Bartlett Regional Hospital for the staff screening people entering the hospital. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. The City and Borough of Juneau announced 17 new COVID-19 cases over a three-day period. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City reports 17 new virus cases over 3 days

Forty-four active cases locally.

Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. The City and Borough of Juneau announced 17 new COVID-19 cases over a three-day period. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Vecchi Store is a location featured in the recently released video game “Tell My Why.” The mural adorning the outside of the market was designed by Hoonah-based artist Gordon Greenwald. The game is set in a fictional Southeast Alaska village, and care was taken to realistically portray the region’s art and culture.(Courtesy Image / Xbox)
The Vecchi Store is a location featured in the recently released video game “Tell My Why.” The mural adorning the outside of the market was designed by Hoonah-based artist Gordon Greenwald. The game is set in a fictional Southeast Alaska village, and care was taken to realistically portray the region’s art and culture.(Courtesy Image / Xbox)
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City announces 8 new COVID-19 cases

Total includes two at Lemon Creek Correctional Center

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This image provided by 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. (NIAID-RML via AP)
This image provided by 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. (NIAID-RML via AP)
Web tease

Recognition for Oct. 4, 2020

Juneau student named to dean’s list

Web tease