James Brooks

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Sockeye salmon splash their way up Steep Creek in 2012. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a ballot initiative that would have made it more difficult to build projects that affect salmon streams. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Mallott kills fish measure

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a proposed pro-fisheries ballot initiative as inappropriately restricting the powers of the Alaska Legislature. On Tuesday morning, the lieutenant… Continue reading

Sockeye salmon splash their way up Steep Creek in 2012. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a ballot initiative that would have made it more difficult to build projects that affect salmon streams. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In this March 2016 photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, questions Dr. Susan McCauley, Interim Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, during a Senate Education Committee on SB 191 at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy quits governor’s race; Huggins is in

There’s been a shakeup in the Republican lineup for the 2018 governor’s race. On Tuesday morning, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, announced that he is suspending… Continue reading

In this March 2016 photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, questions Dr. Susan McCauley, Interim Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, during a Senate Education Committee on SB 191 at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this April photo, University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

University regents to talk tuition hike, Title IX

The leaders of the University of Alaska are coming to Juneau with tuition increases and plenty else on their minds. The UA Board of Regents… Continue reading

In this April photo, University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Coghlan Island is seen at the entrance to Auke Bay in 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

NTSB: Crash focus on fuel

The National Transportation Safety Board is focusing on the fuel system of an Alaska Seaplanes aircraft that crashed in Auke Bay Aug. 14 as it… Continue reading

Coghlan Island is seen at the entrance to Auke Bay in 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Charles Biles of Humboldt State University presents a lecture at the University of Alaska Southeast on Wednesday night, Sept. 7, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Electoral math could stress America’s democracy, lecturer says

On Oct. 3, the nation’s eyes will turn to Washington, D.C. as the U.S. Supreme Court considers oral arguments on a case that will determine… Continue reading

Charles Biles of Humboldt State University presents a lecture at the University of Alaska Southeast on Wednesday night, Sept. 7, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Sheldon Fisher, right, will replace Randall Hoffbeck, left, as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue. Here, they are seen in 2015 discussing the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) with the Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Walker administration turns to familiar face for new revenue commissioner

Alaska has a new commissioner of revenue. On Thursday, the office of Gov. Bill Walker announced that Sheldon Fisher, commissioner of the Department of Administration,… Continue reading

Sheldon Fisher, right, will replace Randall Hoffbeck, left, as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue. Here, they are seen in 2015 discussing the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) with the Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
The body of Robert Harold Houtary was discovered near the intersection of Radcliffe Road and Eagle Street on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Man found dead near airport

A 44-year-old Juneau man was found dead Thursday morning in a residential neighborhood near Juneau International Airport. The body of Robert Harold Houtary was discovered… Continue reading

The body of Robert Harold Houtary was discovered near the intersection of Radcliffe Road and Eagle Street on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s delegation reacts to Trump’s suspension of DACA

On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the federal government will end a program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in… Continue reading

The sky over the Mendenhall Wetlands Game Preserve is seen Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Juneau sees first 70-degree September day in 7 years

Summer’s last gasp may have come in the first days of September. On Tuesday, the temperature at Juneau International Airport hit 70 degrees. It’s only… Continue reading

The sky over the Mendenhall Wetlands Game Preserve is seen Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
In this April 2011 photo, Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, left, and former Juneau Rep. Bill Hudson, right, speak with John Torgerson, chairman of the Alaska Redistricting Board during a break in hearing public testimony at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State seeks to end partisan gerrymandering nationwide

The state of Alaska is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to rule partisan gerrymandering illegal. On Tuesday, the Alaska Department of Law announced it has… Continue reading

In this April 2011 photo, Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, left, and former Juneau Rep. Bill Hudson, right, speak with John Torgerson, chairman of the Alaska Redistricting Board during a break in hearing public testimony at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A landslide blocks Sitka’s Halibut Point Road on Monday. No one was injured in the slide, the city’s worst in two years, and one home suffered superficial damage. ^ Roberta White | Sitka Fire Department

Boats defeat landslide

No one was injured and no homes were significantly damaged in a major landslide Monday in Sitka. The trouble was with the ferry. About 12:30… Continue reading

A landslide blocks Sitka’s Halibut Point Road on Monday. No one was injured in the slide, the city’s worst in two years, and one home suffered superficial damage. ^ Roberta White | Sitka Fire Department
Michele Elfers, Chief Landscape Architect for the city, instructs fourth-grade students from Harborview Elementary School on how to plant salmonberries on a newly created island next to the Seawalk on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. Harborview students will get a chance to plant 300 native species on the island over the next week to transform the area into habitat for birds. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Greening ‘Apocalypse’: Students learn and beautify Juneau’s new downtown island

It’s been nicknamed “Apocalypse Island” for its barren, rocky look, but the unnamed island built at the mouth of Gold Creek may need a new… Continue reading

Michele Elfers, Chief Landscape Architect for the city, instructs fourth-grade students from Harborview Elementary School on how to plant salmonberries on a newly created island next to the Seawalk on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. Harborview students will get a chance to plant 300 native species on the island over the next week to transform the area into habitat for birds. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coast Guard reports busy Friday with twin Southeast medevacs

Coast Guard Air Station Sitka reported a busy morning with a pair of medevacs from unrelated medical emergencies in Southeast Alaska. According to Coast Guard… Continue reading

A panoramic view of downtown Juneau on Aug. 22. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire)

After hot start, August cools off with rain

In hindsight, the switch was thrown on Aug. 11. In the first 11 days of August, the high temperature was no lower than 67 degrees.… Continue reading

A panoramic view of downtown Juneau on Aug. 22. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire)

Summer marijuana boom continues with sales high

In just one month, the state of Alaska has collected a third of the marijuana tax revenue it recouped in the entire last fiscal year.… Continue reading

Close up of a failed mathematics test (Thinkstock)

Alaska’s students failing, state tests show

More than half of Alaska’s schoolchildren are not proficient in math, science and English, according to the results of the state’s new standardized tests. According… Continue reading

Close up of a failed mathematics test (Thinkstock)

Walker to call fourth special session

The Alaska Legislature will try to find a new hope in the fourth special session of the year. On Thursday morning, lawmakers were informed by… Continue reading

Anything made at least 51 percent in the state of Alaska can feature this logo, including marijuana businesses.

State allows marijuana businesses to apply for ‘Made in Alaska’ logos

The state-run “Made in Alaska” program is accepting applications from marijuana businesses. According to records obtained by the Empire via a state information act request,… Continue reading

Anything made at least 51 percent in the state of Alaska can feature this logo, including marijuana businesses.

Brewing change: Alaskans are drinking less, and they’re drinking differently

If you want to see the changes, go to Franklin Street. Start up north, above 2nd street, where Matt Barnaby’s Barnaby Brewing is coming up… Continue reading

A couple walks along the West Douglas Pioneer Road on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. The city has asked for permission to extend the road to Middle Creek. The road is now open to non-motorized traffic. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

West Douglas pioneer road gets another mile

A new 2.4-mile gravel road on the west side of Douglas Island is just about complete, but the City and Borough is looking for some… Continue reading

A couple walks along the West Douglas Pioneer Road on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. The city has asked for permission to extend the road to Middle Creek. The road is now open to non-motorized traffic. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)