Through COVID haze, Alaska’s Olympic contingent eyes medals in Beijing

As Alaska’s COVID-19 case rate slows, some see a potential sign of the omicron surge’s peak Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( [Anchorage Daily News]( Today's sponsor: [Today's sponsor: Matson]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Wednesday, February 2. In today's newsletter: - Alaskans will be at the center of the action at this month’s Winter Olympics in China. Here's who's competing and how to watch. - Alaska's rate of new COVID-19 infections has begun to slow — a potential sign of the omicron surge’s peak in the state. - After a COVID-19 exposure among several lawmakers, the House canceled a floor session in which disciplinary proceedings against Wasilla Rep. David Eastman were expected to be considered. How do you get to the Olympic Winter Games? Practice, practice, practice. How do you get to report on the Winter Games? In 2022, it can take a battery of COVID-tests, a burner laptop and phone, a daily shaving regime and then —assuming you get to Beijing — strict instructions not to mingle outside the Olympic bubble known as the “closed loop," writes reporter Nat Herz. Read more about a very unusual reporting trip [here](. 🌤️ Anchorage weather Expect partly sunny skies, with a high near 22 degrees. There’s a 30% chance of snow overnight, mainly after 3 a.m. Snow is likely Thursday morning, mainly after 9 a.m. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Victoria Barber, vbarber@adn.com [Through COVID haze, Alaska’s Olympic contingent eyes medals in Beijing]( [Through COVID haze, Alaska’s Olympic contingent eyes medals in Beijing]( The 49th state is sending cross-country skiers, curlers, a hockey player and a figure skater to China. Here’s how to watch the Winter Games, and a quick roundup on the contingent of Alaskans, and other athletes with ties to the state, who will be competing in China. [Read More]( [Slowdown in Alaska’s COVID-19 case rate is a potential sign of omicron surge’s peak]( [Slowdown in Alaska’s COVID-19 case rate is a potential sign of omicron surge’s peak]( While case counts remain high, there’s been a 19% week-to-week decrease in new cases, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services — a hopeful sign that the state is approaching or has already reached a peak in cases. [Read More]( [‘Large portion’ of Alaska House lawmakers exposed to COVID-19]( [‘Large portion’ of Alaska House lawmakers exposed to COVID-19]( Through an aide, Speaker of the House Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, said that contact tracing is ongoing, but "in an abundance of caution, we have decided to hold a technical session today." The House canceled a floor session in which members had been expected to consider disciplinary proceedings against Wasilla Rep. David Eastman. [Read More]( [State will pay $495,000 to settle wrongful-firing lawsuit brought by two Alaska Psychiatric Institute doctors]( [State will pay $495,000 to settle wrongful-firing lawsuit brought by two Alaska Psychiatric Institute doctors]( In addition to the payment, Dr. Anthony Blanford and Dr. John Bellville's settlement includes a promise that similar firings will not take place again. [Read More]( [Donlin Gold starts biggest drilling program in a decade]( [Donlin Gold starts biggest drilling program in a decade]( Donlin Gold is starting its $60 million 2022 drilling program with two rigs and will ramp up to five or six active rigs by midsummer, according to a spokeswoman. As proposed, the open-pit mine in the upper Kuskokwim River drainage would be one of the world’s largest, producing more than 33 million ounces of gold over an initial 27-year life. [Read More]( More from the ADN [Three Alaska storylines to follow at the Beijing Winter Olympics]( [Three Alaska storylines to follow at the Beijing Winter Olympics]( [Read More]( [East Anchorage Thunderbirds extend winning streak to 38 games]( [East Anchorage Thunderbirds extend winning streak to 38 games]( [Read More]( [Alaska state Rep. Ron Gillham suffers heart attack, returns to Capitol after treatment]( [Alaska state Rep. Ron Gillham suffers heart attack, returns to Capitol after treatment]( [Read More]( [Alaska curler Vicky Persinger and teammate notch first mixed doubles win in Beijing]( [Alaska curler Vicky Persinger and teammate notch first mixed doubles win in Beijing]( [Read More]( [Protesters block U.S.-Canada border crossing as truckers challenge vaccine mandates]( [Protesters block U.S.-Canada border crossing as truckers challenge vaccine mandates]( [Read More]( The ADN relies on readers like you. [Get digital access to the ADN for about $4 per week]( and help us cover the news that matters most here in Alaska. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News Anchorage Daily News 300 W 31st Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99503