James Brooks

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Juneau Police Sgt. Jeremy Weske speaks from the witness stand during the trial of Christopher Strawn in Juneau Superior Court on Friday. 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.

Police, paramedic take stand in murder trial

“Are you asking me if he was dead?” “Yes.” “He was dead, and there was no struggle or anything. The blood was in a perfect… Continue reading

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Juneau Police Sgt. Jeremy Weske speaks from the witness stand during the trial of Christopher Strawn in Juneau Superior Court on Friday. 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.
In this July 2015 photo, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Juneau International Airport. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau’s legislators will hold a town hall before special session

If you’re concerned about crime or the state’s fiscal health, Juneau lawmakers want to hear from you. Juneau’s three delegates to the Alaska Legislature will… Continue reading

In this July 2015 photo, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Juneau International Airport. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Christopher Strawn speaks with Juneau Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige at the start of his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, Oct. 5, 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)

Strawn murder trial begins, again

Brandon Cook was killed two years ago this month in Kodzoff Acres Mobile Home Park. On Thursday, following three and a half days of jury… Continue reading

Christopher Strawn speaks with Juneau Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige at the start of his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, Oct. 5, 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)

AEL&P gets OK for special electric-vehicle charging rate

Alaska’s state utility regulator has approved a plan from Alaska Electric Light and Power to help the utility cope with Juneau’s rising number of electric… Continue reading

Mallott approves two health care ballot measures

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has approved two health care-related ballot measures, an act that allows backers to begin gathering signatures to put them on the… Continue reading

Alaska marijuana sales break records for sixth straight month

On the same day that voters in Kenai and Fairbanks enthusiastically cast votes supporting Alaska’s legal marijuana industry, the Alaska Department of Revenue reported new… Continue reading

Bartlett Regional Hospital Emergency Department Director Kim McDowell, left, talks to Community Relations Director Katie Bausler on Wednesday about the flooding caused by a fire in the department’s bathroom early Wednesday morning. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Hospital bathroom set on fire overnight

For the second straight day, in much a similar way, a bathroom was burned by an arsonist in Juneau. Shortly after 3 a.m. Wednesday morning,… Continue reading

Bartlett Regional Hospital Emergency Department Director Kim McDowell, left, talks to Community Relations Director Katie Bausler on Wednesday about the flooding caused by a fire in the department’s bathroom early Wednesday morning. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
School Board candidates Jeff Short, left, and Brian Holst enjoy their victory at the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Short, Holst elected to Juneau School Board

For the past week, school board candidate Jeff Short has been fighting a cold. On Election Day, he skipped the traditional campaign events for a… Continue reading

School Board candidates Jeff Short, left, and Brian Holst enjoy their victory at the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A Trucano Construction crew installs a 94-foot-long bridge over Jordan Creek next to Egan Drive in 2015. A ballot measure debated in Anchorage Superior Court on Tuesday would have significant implications for bridges and other projects that affect salmon-bearing streams.  Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file

Mines, roads and more may hinge on constitutional clause

The future of Pebble Mine, the Susitna dam and any trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline may be determined by an obscure clause of the Alaska Constitution.… Continue reading

A Trucano Construction crew installs a 94-foot-long bridge over Jordan Creek next to Egan Drive in 2015. A ballot measure debated in Anchorage Superior Court on Tuesday would have significant implications for bridges and other projects that affect salmon-bearing streams.  Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file
This photo was taken on the Under Thunder Trail in April 2014. (Juneau Empire)

Duck hunter finds human remains near Thunder Mountain

A Juneau duck hunter found human remains near the base of Thunder Mountain on Monday afternoon, Juneau police say. In an email Tuesday afternoon, Lt.… Continue reading

This photo was taken on the Under Thunder Trail in April 2014. (Juneau Empire)

Police seek high school arsonist

The Juneau Police Department is seeking an arsonist after a small fire halted classes at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday morning. “The fire marshal… Continue reading

In this February 8 photo, Christopher D. Strawn appears in Juneau Superior Court during jury selection for his trial on charges in the murder of 30-year-old Brandon C. Cook at the Kodzoff Acres Mobile Home Park Oct. 20, 2015.

Jury selection opens in new Strawn trial

Jury selection has begun in a new trial for a Juneau man accused of murder. Christopher Strawn, 34, is accused of killing 30-year-old Brandon Cook… Continue reading

In this February 8 photo, Christopher D. Strawn appears in Juneau Superior Court during jury selection for his trial on charges in the murder of 30-year-old Brandon C. Cook at the Kodzoff Acres Mobile Home Park Oct. 20, 2015.

Juneau police shoot man with bean bag, then arrest him

A Juneau man is in custody Monday after a fight with police that saw an officer shoot the man with a nonlethal beanbag round fired… Continue reading

Petitioners try again to put salmon on the ballot

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has said no, but backers of a pro-salmon ballot measure are trying to go over his head. On Tuesday in Anchorage,… Continue reading

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation director Angela Rodell is seen at her desk in the Permanent Fund headquarters building on Sept. 29, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Advisers recommend Permanent Fund lower its expectations; trustees defer action

The Alaska Permanent Fund’s trustees are putting off advice from the fund’s advisers and staff to lower their expectations. The decision, made this week at… Continue reading

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation director Angela Rodell is seen at her desk in the Permanent Fund headquarters building on Sept. 29, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

DEC rejects climate change petition

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has rejected a petition from a group of Alaska youths that sought tougher state regulation of greenhouse gases. In… Continue reading

Juneau man, convicted of manslaughter in infant’s death, loses his appeal

A Juneau man convicted of killing an infant has lost his appeal. On Wednesday, the Alaska Court of Appeals upheld the manslaughter conviction of David… Continue reading

Alaska mayors again plead for Legislature to fix deficit

For the past two years, mayors across Alaska have pleaded for the Alaska Legislature to do something — anything — to solve the state’s multibillion-dollar… Continue reading

Coordinator Carmaleeda Estrada stands next to an eagle headdress by artist Duane Pasco at the Walter Soboleff Center on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. The artwork is one of more than 50 pieces featured in Sealaska Heritage Institute’s second Tin&

Top artists return to Juneau for Sealaska Heritage auction

Three years ago, Sealaska Heritage Institute organized an art auction to partially pay for construction of the Walter Soboleff Center in downtown Juneau. Today, that… Continue reading

Coordinator Carmaleeda Estrada stands next to an eagle headdress by artist Duane Pasco at the Walter Soboleff Center on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. The artwork is one of more than 50 pieces featured in Sealaska Heritage Institute’s second Tin&

Arts council tries to put salmon (and Denali) on your plate

The Alaska State Council for the Arts is offering salmon on a plate. It’s also offering the aurora, a raven and Denali. All are among… Continue reading