Nonresidents must submit documentation of a COVID-19 test upon arrival, and will also be able to do so via an online hub: “All nonresidents must arrive with a negative COVID PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or proof of a pending test result from a test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. This new strategy will allow us to focus resources on travel through the state.”

Senators Murkowski and Sullivan will provide updates on Congressional activity in Washington, D.C., including their ongoing efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to provide an opportunity for Alaskans to directly connect with Alaska’s Senate delegation about their concerns, thoughts, and ideas.

The Governor says, ultimately, the heart of the matter is communicating with local school districts to get questions answered: “It’s going to be really important that you talk to your local school district and your local school to get any of the details on the openings and the plans that they’ve put together. From my perspective, we want to get kids education. We want to get kids back to school.”

Following that veto, an effort throughout the Kenai Peninsula pushed for signatures to put the issue for voters to decide at the polls.  Petition packets were returned to the borough clerk on July 27. After a review, she decided that the petitioners collected the requisite 1,362 signatures of qualified voters. The issue is now a referendum that will face voters on an October 6 ballot.

According to the fundraiser description, the goal is to fund travel expenses to Alaska for the families,  as well as the funeral expenses.

The Alaska Local Boundary Commission will hold a public hearing to discuss the City of Soldotna annexation petition today, August 4, at 2:00 p.m.

Proceeds generated from the Kenai River Marathon will go to the Kenai Community Foundation to support the development of parks and recreation in and around Kenai. The Kenai River Marathon is hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in partnership with the City of Kenai, as well as many community volunteers.

The Alaska Department of Health and Human Services announced 80 new people with COVID-19 in Alaska and one new death, in a Monday press release. 61 are residents in 13 communities: Anchorage (40), Fairbanks (4), Juneau (3), Palmer (2), Wasilla (2), Utqiaġvik (2), Northwest Arctic Borough (2) and one each in Bethel Census Area, Eagle River, Kusilvak Census Area, Metlakatla, Wrangell, and Valdez.

California-based Astra scrubbed the Sunday, August 2, launch of its Rocket 3.1 booster from the Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island. The cancellation was for safety reasons, after a ship wandered into downrange waters. The rocket would have been their first to be sent into Earth orbit.

Anchorage Democrats hosted a forum that featured candidates in contested primary races. It was held on Sunday, August 2, billed as an opportunity to hear from and about candidates before the August primary. Early voting began Monday, August 3.