James Brooks

Two will plead guilty in meth-by-mail scheme

A man and a woman accused of participating in a meth-by-mail drug deal will plead guilty, according to court records and federal Assistant Public Defender… Continue reading

Fourth special session starts today, but no new hope for fiscal fix

Gov. Bill Walker called a fourth special session of the Alaska Legislature to address the state’s fiscal crisis. The crisis may be one of the… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court decides backyard dispute over a Montana Creek fence

It started with a backyard fence and ended up in front of the Alaska Supreme Court. In a decision issued Friday, the justices said a… Continue reading

FBI arrests former Bergmann manager, accuses him of dealing meth

The FBI has arrested a former Bergmann Hotel manager and resident for four counts of felony drug distribution. According to a federal grand jury indictment… Continue reading

The Baranof Hotel, pictured Friday, Oct. 20, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

FBI raids Baranof Hotel room

Update: The FBI has arrested Charles E. Cotten Jr., the former Bergmann manager, for meth distribution, according to court records online. Updated story here: FBI arrests former Bergmann… Continue reading

The Baranof Hotel, pictured Friday, Oct. 20, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
The Amalga Distillery sports a full house during First Friday on Oct. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Bar wars hit stalemate as alcohol board deadlocks over distillery cocktails

The status quo will stay. Despite almost three hours of debate and discussion, a deeply divided state alcohol board was unable to decide Monday whether… Continue reading

The Amalga Distillery sports a full house during First Friday on Oct. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Aileen Sanchez speaks from the witness chair during Christopher Strawn’s trial in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Prosecutors wrap up murder case against Christopher Strawn

Christopher Strawn’s life is now in his own hands. On Monday, Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige finished building the state’s case against Strawn, who has… Continue reading

Aileen Sanchez speaks from the witness chair during Christopher Strawn’s trial in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Robert J. Shem, a retired firearms examiner for the state of Alaska crime lab, speaks from the witness chair during the Christopher Strawn’s trial in Juneau Superior Court on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Firearms expert testifies as Strawn murder trial ends second week

Earlier this year, Yvette Soutiere was defending Christopher Strawn. On Friday morning, the assistant public defender held her head in her hands as Strawn, 34,… Continue reading

Robert J. Shem, a retired firearms examiner for the state of Alaska crime lab, speaks from the witness chair during the Christopher Strawn’s trial in Juneau Superior Court on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers hold hearings Monday on pipeline, SB 91 rollback

In a pair of hearings Monday, the Alaska Legislature will consider the past and the future. At 10 a.m., the House Judiciary Committee will hear… Continue reading

Christopher Strawn, right, confers with criminal defense attorney Nicholas Polasky during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Missing weapon is hole in state’s murder case

As the state prepares to wrap up its case against Christopher Strawn, one big unanswered question lingers over the trial. If Strawn killed Brandon Cook… Continue reading

Christopher Strawn, right, confers with criminal defense attorney Nicholas Polasky during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Frost on a fern along the Gastineau Meadows Trail on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Don’t believe your iPhone: Snow unlikely here

Juneau residents awoke Thursday to a rime of frost glazing windshields and roads. On their iPhones, there was a forecast of something else to come:… Continue reading

Frost on a fern along the Gastineau Meadows Trail on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Christopher Strawn, right, confers with criminal defense attorney Nicholas Polasky during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Judge refuses last-minute request to throw out search warrant, evidence in murder trial

Defendant Christopher Strawn suffered another setback in his murder trial Wednesday as Judge Philip Pallenberg denied his request to have three search warrants ruled invalid.… Continue reading

Christopher Strawn, right, confers with criminal defense attorney Nicholas Polasky during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaskans are getting fatter, report finds

Two-thirds of Alaska adults are obese or overweight, according to a report released Monday by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. According to… Continue reading

From left to right, Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau; Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau; and Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau; speak to an audience of about 60 people during a town hall meeting at Juneau-Douglas High School. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Should Alaska roll back its criminal justice reform law?

Town hall meetings in Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Mat-Su have blown a windstorm of criticism against the criminal justice reform program known as Senate Bill… Continue reading

From left to right, Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau; Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau; and Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau; speak to an audience of about 60 people during a town hall meeting at Juneau-Douglas High School. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Christopher Strawn raises an objection against Juneau Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige’s question of a witness at his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

As murder trial continues, Strawn prods eyewitness

Tuesday was a pivotal day in the ongoing murder trial of Christopher Strawn, as eyewitness Tiffany Johnson endured several hours of tense cross-examination from the… Continue reading

Christopher Strawn raises an objection against Juneau Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige’s question of a witness at his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, listens to comments about improving the nation’s tax code as he holds a meeting with local business owners at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s office on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sullivan talks taxes on ‘milk run’ swing

As the U.S. Senate considers a sweeping revision of American income tax laws, Sen. Dan Sullivan is gathering the thoughts of Alaskans. On Monday, he… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, listens to comments about improving the nation’s tax code as he holds a meeting with local business owners at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s office on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Christopher Strawn, right, confers with criminal defense attorney Nicholas Polasky during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Eyewitness takes stand in murder retrial

Tiffany Johnson was shaken but undeterred as, for the second time in eight months, she took the witness stand and described the most terrifying night… Continue reading

Christopher Strawn, right, confers with criminal defense attorney Nicholas Polasky during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Judge overrules Lt. Gov. Mallott on fisheries ballot measure

Anchorage Superior Court Judge Mark Rindner has overruled Lt. Gov Byron Mallott: A proposed fisheries ballot initiative is legal. The decision may be appealed to… Continue reading

Lt. Gov. Mallott approves per diem ballot measure

Alaskans who think their legislators are overpaid will get to decide the issue. On Friday, Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott approved a ballot measure that would… Continue reading

Flu knocks murder from list of state’s top killers

Murder is no longer one of the 10 leading causes of death in Alaska. On Friday, the Alaska Health Analytics &Vital Records section of the… Continue reading