Mark Sabbatini

A profile of a South African model is seen on the surface of Sandy Beach on Nov 18. (Photo by Elliot Welch shared by Juneau Parks and Recreation)

So…who is that woman that’s been stretched out on Sandy Beach all month?

Artist Blake Byers uses nearby rocks to depict South African model as part of “exhibit” of people on shores.

A profile of a South African model is seen on the surface of Sandy Beach on Nov 18. (Photo by Elliot Welch shared by Juneau Parks and Recreation)
President Donald Trump and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy pose for a photo aboard Air Force One during a stopover at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage in 2019. (Sheila Craighead / White House photo)

With virtually all of the top Trump spots filled, Dunleavy says he’s staying as governor

Governor, who has two years remaining in his second term, makes announcement on talk radio Monday

President Donald Trump and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy pose for a photo aboard Air Force One during a stopover at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage in 2019. (Sheila Craighead / White House photo)
The village of Kake on Kupreanof Island. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development photo)

Group of residents and a flock of frozen turkeys catch catamaran to Kake in time for Thanksgiving

Hosts of community celebrations on boat Tuesday after weekend ferry mishap strands them in Juneau.

The village of Kake on Kupreanof Island. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development photo)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
The Hubbard state ferry docks at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Auke Bay on Monday, June 26.

Break in Kake’s ferry dock mooring fouls Thanksgiving plans for dozens of people stranded in Juneau

Ship loaded with vehicles and food forced back to Juneau after wind damage to village’s dock Saturday.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
The Hubbard state ferry docks at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Auke Bay on Monday, June 26.
Ann Stepetin (left) and Marion Dau (center) talk to Pauline Duncan about her woven aprons and other items for sale at the Indigenous Artists and Vendors Holiday Market on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau Public Market expected to be biggest since 2019 — and online shoppers can start browsing now

41st annual three-day event starts Friday, along with Indigenous Artists and Vendors Holiday Market.

Ann Stepetin (left) and Marion Dau (center) talk to Pauline Duncan about her woven aprons and other items for sale at the Indigenous Artists and Vendors Holiday Market on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ranked choice votes in Alaska’s U.S. House race are tallied Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the state Division of Election’s office. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Recount of defeated ranked choice repeal ballot measure faces long odds — but has an ardent attorney

Lawyer for other “election integrity” efforts argued Supreme Court should overturn Trump’s 2020 defeat.

Ranked choice votes in Alaska’s U.S. House race are tallied Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the state Division of Election’s office. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, listens to a presentation during a House Education Committee meeting May 3, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. Story has been named co-chair of the committee for the upcoming legislative session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

State Rep. Andi Story to co-chair House Education Committee under new Democrat-led majority

Sara Hannan remains on Finance Committee as Juneau representatives look to play bigger roles

Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, listens to a presentation during a House Education Committee meeting May 3, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. Story has been named co-chair of the committee for the upcoming legislative session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Larry Gamez and Rachel Ceja collect items for a Thanksgiving food basket to deliver to a house in the Mendenhall Valley on Saturday morning as part of St. Vincent de Paul’s annual distribution program. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Matching those hungry to help with those hungry to feast carries on as pre-Thanksgiving ritual

Food baskets delivered to hundreds of homes, food bank hosts annual drive on Saturday before holiday.

Larry Gamez and Rachel Ceja collect items for a Thanksgiving food basket to deliver to a house in the Mendenhall Valley on Saturday morning as part of St. Vincent de Paul’s annual distribution program. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JPD’s daily incident reports getting thinner and vaguer. Why and does it matter?

Average of 5.12 daily incidents in October down from 10.74 a decade ago; details also far fewer.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 19, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 19, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Douglas Island Breeze In on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

New owner seeks to transfer Douglas Island Breeze In’s retail alcohol license to Foodland IGA

Transfer would allow company to take over space next to supermarket occupied by Kenny’s Liquor Market.

The Douglas Island Breeze In on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Media members and other observers gather at the Alaska Division of Elections office on Wednesday evening as the results of all ballots, including ranked choice tabulations, were announced. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Ranked choice voting repeal fails by 0.2%, Begich defeats Peltola 51.3%-48.7% on final day of counting

Tally released Wednesday night remains unofficial until Nov. 30 certification.

Media members and other observers gather at the Alaska Division of Elections office on Wednesday evening as the results of all ballots, including ranked choice tabulations, were announced. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The drive-through of the Mendenhall Valley branch of True North Federal Credit Union, seen on June 13, is where a man was laying down when he was fatally struck by a truck during the early morning hours of June 1. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police: Driver of CBJ truck not at fault in death of man struck in drive-through lane of bank

Victim laying on pavement during early-morning incident in June couldn’t be seen in time, JPD chief says.

The drive-through of the Mendenhall Valley branch of True North Federal Credit Union, seen on June 13, is where a man was laying down when he was fatally struck by a truck during the early morning hours of June 1. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau Assembly members confer with city administrative leaders about details of a proposed resolution asking the state for more alcohol licenses during an Assembly meeting Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Petition seeking one-third expansion of alcohol-serving establishments gets Assembly OK

Request to state would allow 31 licensees in Juneau instead of 23; Assembly rejects increase to 43.

Juneau Assembly members confer with city administrative leaders about details of a proposed resolution asking the state for more alcohol licenses during an Assembly meeting Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A statue of William Henry Seward stands outside the Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau on Monday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau man arrested on suspicion of murdering 1-month-old girl after seven-month investigation

James White, 44, accused of killing child by fracturing her skull in a motel room in April.

A statue of William Henry Seward stands outside the Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau on Monday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A voter talks to election officials at a early voting station at the State Office Building on Monday, Nov. 4. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ranked choice voting repeal trails for first time in ballot count; Begich’s lead exceeds uncounted votes

Finally tally scheduled Wednesday; recounts possible after certification on Nov. 30.

A voter talks to election officials at a early voting station at the State Office Building on Monday, Nov. 4. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Noah Teshner (right) exhibits the physical impact military-grade flood barriers will have on properties with the help of other residents at a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Locals protesting $8K payment for temporary flood barriers told rejection may endanger permanent fix

Feds providing barriers free, but more help in danger if locals won’t pay to install them, city manager says.

Noah Teshner (right) exhibits the physical impact military-grade flood barriers will have on properties with the help of other residents at a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Tlingit “I Voted” stickers are displayed on a table at the voting station at the Mendenhall Mall during early voting in the Nov. 5 general election. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ranked choice voting repeal coming down to wire, Begich claims U.S. House win in latest ballot counts

Repeal has 0.28% lead as of Saturday, down from 0.84% Thursday — an 895-vote gap with 9,000 left to count.

Tlingit “I Voted” stickers are displayed on a table at the voting station at the Mendenhall Mall during early voting in the Nov. 5 general election. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
A map shows properties within a proposed Local Improvement District whose owners could be charged nearly $8,000 each for the installation of a semi-permanent levee to protect the area from floods. (City and Borough of Juneau map)

Hundreds of property owners in flood zone may have to pay $7,972 apiece for Hesco barrier levee

City, property owners to split $7.83M project cost under plan Juneau Assembly will consider Monday.

A map shows properties within a proposed Local Improvement District whose owners could be charged nearly $8,000 each for the installation of a semi-permanent levee to protect the area from floods. (City and Borough of Juneau map)
Dan Allard (right), a flood fighting expert for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, explains how Hesco barriers function at a table where miniature replicas of the three-foot square and four-foot high barriers are displayed during an open house Thursday evening at Thunder Mountain Middle School to discuss flood prevention options in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Residents express deluge of concerns about flood barriers as experts host meetings to offer advice

City, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say range of protection options are still being evaluated

Dan Allard (right), a flood fighting expert for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, explains how Hesco barriers function at a table where miniature replicas of the three-foot square and four-foot high barriers are displayed during an open house Thursday evening at Thunder Mountain Middle School to discuss flood prevention options in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)