Mark Sabbatini

At left, homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Aug. 6. At center, students crowd into the commons area of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé before classes start on the first day of school Aug. 15. At right, Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation at Marine Park on May 10. (Left photo by Rich Ross/ City and Borough of Juneau; middle and right photos by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s 10 biggest news stories of 2024

Record flooding proves costly, while record financial crises result in a deluge of drastic changes.

 

Screenshots of the three most-read stories at the Juneau Empire’s website in 2024.

The 10 most-read news stories at the Juneau Empire’s website in 2024

A rather fishy list as world’s oldest humpback whale, limit on king salmon fishing get the most clicks.

 

A bear family sculpture decorated for the holidays awaits visitors at the entrance of the DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

DIPAC sounds alarm about proposal reducing Southeast hatchery pink and chum production by 25%

Backer says limits needed due to threat to wild chinook statewide; numerous similar proposals have failed.

A bear family sculpture decorated for the holidays awaits visitors at the entrance of the DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-related stories about tourism and flooding from The Guardian, The Washington Post and The New York Times were typical of most global coverage about Alaska’s capital city during 2024. (Screenshots from mobile websites of the respective publications)

Global warping: How the world saw Juneau in 2024

An “amusement park” for cruise tourists; site of “Titanic moment”; on Chick-fil-A fan’s bucket list.

Juneau-related stories about tourism and flooding from The Guardian, The Washington Post and The New York Times were typical of most global coverage about Alaska’s capital city during 2024. (Screenshots from mobile websites of the respective publications)
The Columbia state ferry is the first to provide Wi-Fi service to passengers. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)

AMHS debuts passenger Wi-Fi aboard Columbia, releases schedule for next summer

No cross-Gulf sailings planned until at least 2027 due to ongoing maintenance issues, officials say.

The Columbia state ferry is the first to provide Wi-Fi service to passengers. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)
Officials prepare to move Ashley Rae Johnston from the street where she was fatally shot by police on Wednesday near the Mendenhall Valley Breeze In. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Woman with hatchet shot by police on Christmas Day has long been in ‘a very dark place,’ mother says

Ashley Rae Johnston, 30, suffered early family hardship, first lived on the streets at the age of 12.

Officials prepare to move Ashley Rae Johnston from the street where she was fatally shot by police on Wednesday near the Mendenhall Valley Breeze In. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department officers close off an area around the intersection of Glacier Highway and Trout Street on Wednesday morning following an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a woman believed to be experiencing homelessness. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Update: Woman wielding hammer, hatchet dies in officer-involved shooting near valley Breeze In

Woman threatened person at convenience store with hammer, officers with hatchet, according to JPD

Juneau Police Department officers close off an area around the intersection of Glacier Highway and Trout Street on Wednesday morning following an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a woman believed to be experiencing homelessness. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 27, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 27, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Maria Laura Guollo Martins, 22, an Eaglecrest Ski Area employee from Urussanga, Brazil, working via a J-1 student visa, helps Juneau kids make holiday decorations during the resort’s annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade gathering on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Foreign students working at Eaglecrest trade Christmas Eve traditions for neon lights and lasagna

26 employees from Central and South America are far from family, yet among many at Torchlight Parade.

Maria Laura Guollo Martins, 22, an Eaglecrest Ski Area employee from Urussanga, Brazil, working via a J-1 student visa, helps Juneau kids make holiday decorations during the resort’s annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade gathering on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)

New Xunaa Borough gets OK in published decision, but opponents not yet done with challenges

State boundary commission reaffirms 3-2 vote; excluded communities likely to ask for reconsideration.

The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)
Bartlett Regional Hospital leaders listen to comments from residents during a forum June 13 about proposed cuts to some services, after officials said the reductions were necessary to keep the hospital from going bankrupt within a few years. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Bartlett rebounds from years of losses with profits past six months; staffing down 12% during past year

Hospital’s balance sheet shows dramatic bottom-line turnaround starting in May as services cut.

Bartlett Regional Hospital leaders listen to comments from residents during a forum June 13 about proposed cuts to some services, after officials said the reductions were necessary to keep the hospital from going bankrupt within a few years. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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A street in a Mendenhall Valley neighborhood is closed following record flooding on Aug. 6 that damaged nearly 300 homes. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Flood district protection plan faces high barrier if enough property owners protest $6,300 payments

Eight of nine Assembly members need to OK plan if enough objections filed; at least two already have doubts.

A street in a Mendenhall Valley neighborhood is closed following record flooding on Aug. 6 that damaged nearly 300 homes. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
The newly named Ka-PLOW is seen with other Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities equipment in Juneau in a video announcing the names of three local snowplows in a contest featuring more than 400 entries. (Screenshot from Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities video)

Newly named DOT snowplows probably won’t visit Juneau neighborhoods until after Christmas

Berminator, Salt-O-Saurus Rex, Ka-PLOW selected as winners in contest with more than 400 entries.

The newly named Ka-PLOW is seen with other Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities equipment in Juneau in a video announcing the names of three local snowplows in a contest featuring more than 400 entries. (Screenshot from Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities video)
Denali as seen in a picture distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 when the nation’s tallest mountain was renamed from Mount McKinley. (National Park Service photo)

Trump vows name of highest mountain in U.S. will be changed from Denali back to Mt. McKinley

Similar declaration by Trump in 2016 abandoned after Alaska’s U.S. senators expressed opposition.

Denali as seen in a picture distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 when the nation’s tallest mountain was renamed from Mount McKinley. (National Park Service photo)
State Rep. Sara Hannan talks with visitors outside her office at the Alaska State Capitol during the annual holiday open house hosted by Juneau’s legislative delegation on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A moving holiday season for Juneau’s legislators

Delegation hosts annual open house as at least two prepare to occupy better offices as majority members.

State Rep. Sara Hannan talks with visitors outside her office at the Alaska State Capitol during the annual holiday open house hosted by Juneau’s legislative delegation on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy says he plans to reestablish state Department of Agriculture via executive order

Demoted to division status after statehood, governor says revival will improve food production policies.

Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Alan Steffert, a project engineer for the City and Borough of Juneau, explains alternatives considered when assessing infrastructure improvements including utilities upgrades during a meeting to discuss a proposed fee increase Thursday night at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hike of more than 60% in water rates, 80% in sewer over next five years proposed by CBJ utilities

Increase needed due to rates not keeping up with inflation, officials say; Assembly will need to OK plan.

Alan Steffert, a project engineer for the City and Borough of Juneau, explains alternatives considered when assessing infrastructure improvements including utilities upgrades during a meeting to discuss a proposed fee increase Thursday night at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy and President-elect Donald Trump (left) will be working as chief executives at opposite ends of the U.S. next year, a face constructed of rocks on Sandy Beach is seen among snow in November (center), and KINY’s prize patrol van (right) flashes its colors outside the station this summer. (Photos, from left to right, from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office, Elliot Welch via Juneau Parks and Recreation, and Mark Sabbatini via the Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s 10 strangest news stories of 2024

Governor’s captivating journey to nowhere, woman who won’t leave the beach among those making waves.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and President-elect Donald Trump (left) will be working as chief executives at opposite ends of the U.S. next year, a face constructed of rocks on Sandy Beach is seen among snow in November (center), and KINY’s prize patrol van (right) flashes its colors outside the station this summer. (Photos, from left to right, from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office, Elliot Welch via Juneau Parks and Recreation, and Mark Sabbatini via the Juneau Empire)
Rep. Alyse Galvin, an Anchorage independent, takes a photo with Meadow Stanley, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on April before they took part in a march protesting education funding from the school to the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Drops in Alaska’s student test scores and education funding follow similar paths past 20 years, study claims

Fourth graders now are a year behind their 2007 peers in reading and math, author of report asserts.

Rep. Alyse Galvin, an Anchorage independent, takes a photo with Meadow Stanley, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on April before they took part in a march protesting education funding from the school to the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)