James Brooks

Copies of the Goldbelt Corp. annual report are seen Tuesday, July 17, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Copies of the Goldbelt Corp. annual report are seen Tuesday, July 17, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signs bill banning indoor smoking

Effective Oct. 1, ban mirrors similar regulations approved by Bethel, Juneau, Anchorage.

In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)
In this screenshot from a video shared Monday by Capital City Fire/Rescue, the waters of Suicide Basin have topped the low point in the dam holding the reservoir and are beginning to flow downhill. (Screenshot)

Suicide Basin begins releasing water, but flooding risk unknown

Suicide Basin began its long-awaited release of water late Monday, but there are no signs of incipient flooding along the banks of the Mendenhall River or Mendenhall Lake.

In this screenshot from a video shared Monday by Capital City Fire/Rescue, the waters of Suicide Basin have topped the low point in the dam holding the reservoir and are beginning to flow downhill. (Screenshot)
In this photo provided by the Alaska Division of Elections, Carolyn Brown (left) and Judy Andree of the Juneau Chapter of the League of Women Voters examine materials before visiting Lemon Creek Correctional Center on July 10, 2018. The division and league have begun a pilot program to allow eligible Alaska inmates to register to vote and seek absentee ballots. (Samantha Miller | Courtesy Photo)
In this photo provided by the Alaska Division of Elections, Carolyn Brown (left) and Judy Andree of the Juneau Chapter of the League of Women Voters examine materials before visiting Lemon Creek Correctional Center on July 10, 2018. The division and league have begun a pilot program to allow eligible Alaska inmates to register to vote and seek absentee ballots. (Samantha Miller | Courtesy Photo)
Suicide Basin is seen on July 12, 2018 in this photograph provided by U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist Jamie Pierce. (Courtesy photo)
Suicide Basin is seen on July 12, 2018 in this photograph provided by U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist Jamie Pierce. (Courtesy photo)

‘Warrior of Peace’ June Degnan dies at 81

Activist and community organizer June Degnan has died from complications related to recent brain surgery. She was 81. Degnan, who was born and raised in… Continue reading

Juneau’s cost of living rises; is now more expensive than Anchorage or Fairbanks

Juneau’s cost of living rises; is now more expensive than Anchorage or Fairbanks

Juneau’s cost of living has risen in the past year, according to new figures from the Council for Community and Economic Research. Each year, the… Continue reading

Juneau’s cost of living rises; is now more expensive than Anchorage or Fairbanks
This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)

Gas pipeline negotiations continue

Correction: The proposed pipeline would be 807 miles, not 907 miles. The multibillion-dollar trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline project is still advancing, state lawmakers were told… Continue reading

This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)
A salmon is seen in an undated file photo. (Juneau Empire)

Alaska fisheries ballot battle becomes more expensive

This year’s fish fight is already half as expensive as the 2014 ballot battle over Alaska’s oil and gas tax system. According to new filings… Continue reading

A salmon is seen in an undated file photo. (Juneau Empire)
This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)

Gas pipeline negotiations continue

The multibillion-dollar trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline project is still advancing, state lawmakers were told in a Wednesday morning hearing. At a regular quarterly update in… Continue reading

This image from the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s Wednesday presentation to the Alaska Legislature shows the major components of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. (screenshot)

Alaska fisheries ballot battle becomes more expensive

This year’s fish fight is already half as expensive as the 2014 ballot battle over Alaska’s oil and gas tax system. According to new filings… Continue reading

The intersection of Riverside Drive and Stephen Richards Drive is seen in the Mendenhall Valley on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska DOT plans changes to Valley intersection

An open house at 5-7 p.m. tonight is planned to fix traffic congestion at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Stephen Richards Memorial Drive.

The intersection of Riverside Drive and Stephen Richards Drive is seen in the Mendenhall Valley on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska pauses plan to borrow $1 billion for oil-company payouts

State officials confirmed Tuesday that a billion-dollar bond issue is on hold amid a pending lawsuit by two Juneau men.

Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska DOT plans changes to Valley intersection

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will host an open house from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday night to hear from members… Continue reading

Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska pauses plan to borrow $1 billion for oil-company payouts

State officials confirmed Tuesday that a billion-dollar bond issue is on hold amid a pending lawsuit by two Juneau men. The bonds, authorized by the… Continue reading

Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the state of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau parades will be packed with political participants

In the first week of July 1776, John Adams sat down to write a letter to his wife about the Continental Congress’ recent adoption of… Continue reading

Parcel of land being logged along Eaglecrest road, purpose unclear

A significant land-clearing operation is under way on a parcel near the road leading to Eaglecrest Ski Area, and the purpose of the clearing could… Continue reading

Police arrest man for punching ex-girlfriend, stealing her car

A man was arrested on felony charges on Friday for reportedly trying to take his ex-girlfriend’s cellphone, punching her in the head and driving off… Continue reading

In 2017, a Rural Power System Upgrade grant from the Alaska Energy Authority paid for renovations by the Inside Passage Electric Cooperative to the diesel powerhouse in Kake, seen here in a photograph provided by IPEC CEO Jodi Mitchell. The AEA is considering changes to the program, with major implications for rural electric customers. (Courtesy photo)

As funding dries up, Alaska seeks new way to pay for rural power

With state funding drying up, the Alaska Energy Authority is considering a major change to the way it supports rural power projects, and customers are… Continue reading

In 2017, a Rural Power System Upgrade grant from the Alaska Energy Authority paid for renovations by the Inside Passage Electric Cooperative to the diesel powerhouse in Kake, seen here in a photograph provided by IPEC CEO Jodi Mitchell. The AEA is considering changes to the program, with major implications for rural electric customers. (Courtesy photo)
Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEW Local 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mark Begich makes campaign stop in Juneau

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich made a campaign stop Thursday in Juneau, speaking to about 45 people at the local IBEW union hall. As attendees… Continue reading

Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEW Local 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)