James Brooks

Contents of a State of Alaska Sexual Assault Evidence Kit.

JPD audits rape kit backlog

The Juneau Police Department is examining the reasons for a backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits, deputy chief David Campbell told members of the… Continue reading

Contents of a State of Alaska Sexual Assault Evidence Kit.

Hydro One refiles paperwork to take over AEL&P

Canadian electrical firm Hydro One has re-filed its request to take over Alaska Electric Light and Power. On Friday, state regulators announced that Hydro One… Continue reading

Brothers James and Giono Barrett, owners of Rainforest Farms, arrange a display of their cannabis products at their retail store in Juneau on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. The brothers just celebrated the one year anniversary of their business. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska marijuana sales set another record

For Gallery Walk, the owners of Rainforest Farms decided to throw a party celebrating one year in business. There were special products and live music,… Continue reading

Brothers James and Giono Barrett, owners of Rainforest Farms, arrange a display of their cannabis products at their retail store in Juneau on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. The brothers just celebrated the one year anniversary of their business. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sweetheart dam gets OK from Forest Service

A hydroelectric dam proposed for a lake southeast of Juneau has moved one step closer to construction, and its backers say groundbreaking could take place… Continue reading

The governor’s open house is seen Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file

Governor hosts holiday open house today

One of Juneau’s longest-running holiday traditions continues today as Gov. Bill Walker opens the governor’s mansion to the public. From 3-6 p.m., the public is… Continue reading

The governor’s open house is seen Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file
Harbor seals make use of an empty berth at Andrew’s Marina in Auke Bay on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

November finishes as 10th snowiest

A cold and snowy November turned warmer and wet as the month concluded, but this year will still rank in the top 10 for flurries… Continue reading

Harbor seals make use of an empty berth at Andrew’s Marina in Auke Bay on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this Dec. 2, 2016 photo, a multi-vehicle accident at the Fred Meyer intersection just as rush hour started. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

DOT will talk about Fred Meyer intersection at public meeting

The Alaska Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting next week to discuss one of Juneau’s most dangerous traffic intersections. On Dec. 12, DOT… Continue reading

In this Dec. 2, 2016 photo, a multi-vehicle accident at the Fred Meyer intersection just as rush hour started. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The bronze statue of William Seward is seen in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire file)

A look at what has changed under the new crime bill

One week ago, Gov. Bill Walker signed Senate Bill 54 after an extended special session. Crafted by lawmakers in response to a statewide crime wave,… Continue reading

The bronze statue of William Seward is seen in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire file)
The State of Alaska is considering selling the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Taku. The ship was commissioned in 1963. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Taku sale falls through, ferry may head to Philippines instead of Portland

The ferry Taku will not become a Portland hotel. Instead, it may live on as a ferry in the Philippines or be bound for an… Continue reading

The State of Alaska is considering selling the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Taku. The ship was commissioned in 1963. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 as the Senate debates a Republican tax cut proposal. (C-SPAN video)

Sen. Sullivan reaffirms support for tax cut

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, has reaffirmed his support for the Republican tax cut as the measure approaches a final vote in the U.S. Senate.… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 as the Senate debates a Republican tax cut proposal. (C-SPAN video)
Briana Brint, president of Southeast Alaska Organization for Animals, holds Sid who is blind and deaf at a animal foster home in Juneau on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. Sid is from a litter rescued from Prince of Wales by the organization. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Blind, but no pause: Rescued puppies travel from rural Alaska to Juneau

Every morning, Cathy Dobson walks into her kitchen to make breakfast. The moment she steps into the room, her slippers are covered in rollicking puppies.… Continue reading

Briana Brint, president of Southeast Alaska Organization for Animals, holds Sid who is blind and deaf at a animal foster home in Juneau on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. Sid is from a litter rescued from Prince of Wales by the organization. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Luann McVey, right, joins about a dozen people to protest the U.S. Senate’s proposed tax reform bill in front of Juneau’s Congressional Delegation Office on Glacier Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Murkowski will vote for GOP tax bill

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, will support the Republican tax reform plan, she announced in a written statement Wednesday afternoon. “After thoroughly reviewing the good… Continue reading

Luann McVey, right, joins about a dozen people to protest the U.S. Senate’s proposed tax reform bill in front of Juneau’s Congressional Delegation Office on Glacier Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s rape kit backlog is ‘one of the worst’ nationwide

Juneau’s rape kit backlog is ‘one of the worst’ nationwide

Since April, Vanessa Nason has been trying to track rape. More specifically, the researcher and journalist with the news site MuckRock has been trying to… Continue reading

Juneau’s rape kit backlog is ‘one of the worst’ nationwide
Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, and Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, preside over a meeting of the Alaska Legislature’s Legislative Council on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Legislators launch secret internal investigation

The Alaska Legislature’s internal Legislative Council is opening an internal investigation, but after a six-hour closed-door meeting, lawmakers on Tuesday refused to reveal the subject… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, and Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, preside over a meeting of the Alaska Legislature’s Legislative Council on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Gov. Walker reveals details of Chinese gas pipeline deal

Gov. Bill Walker on Tuesday released the details of a multibillion-dollar agreement signed between Alaska and China earlier this month and promised reporters at a… Continue reading

A bald eagle perches above Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. The National Weather Service says Juneau could receive as much as 6 inches of snow by noon Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Juneau will have a white(r) Thanksgiving

Juneau won’t have to dream of a white Thanksgiving. It’ll soon be here, just like the ones it used to know. The National Weather Service… Continue reading

A bald eagle perches above Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. The National Weather Service says Juneau could receive as much as 6 inches of snow by noon Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Legislature will end special session today

There will be no grand ceremonies or speeches as the Alaska Legislature ends the fourth special session of the 30th Alaska Legislature today. In fact,… Continue reading

Assistant District Attorney Angie Kemp speaks to Juneau Police Department Officer Jason Van Sickle during the trial of Leron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday. Graham is representing himself on 14 counts of allegedly assaulting a woman and stealing a car in the Lemon Creek area in March. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Budget cuts hit prosecutors hard

This is a part of a continuing series examining the effects of budget cuts to state services. To see how state budget cuts are affecting… Continue reading

Assistant District Attorney Angie Kemp speaks to Juneau Police Department Officer Jason Van Sickle during the trial of Leron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday. Graham is representing himself on 14 counts of allegedly assaulting a woman and stealing a car in the Lemon Creek area in March. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, center, leaves the House chambers with Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, left, and Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, after holding a short technical session at the Capitol on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. The Alaska Senate on Friday approved a constitutionally problematic criminal justice reform bill, then adjourned the fourth special session of the 30th Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislature’s special session lives in limbo without legislators

The Alaska Legislature’s special session will continue — without most legislators. On Monday, the Alaska House of Representatives failed to adjourn the ongoing fourth special… Continue reading

Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, center, leaves the House chambers with Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, left, and Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, after holding a short technical session at the Capitol on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. The Alaska Senate on Friday approved a constitutionally problematic criminal justice reform bill, then adjourned the fourth special session of the 30th Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Amalga Distillery sports a full house during First Friday on Oct. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alcohol board still allows ‘fun’ at distilleries and breweries

Alaska’s alcohol control board declined to ban distilleries and breweries from hosting fundraisers and special events, but the board did vote to advance a proposal… Continue reading

Amalga Distillery sports a full house during First Friday on Oct. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)