Mark Sabbatini

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Christopher Koch, music director of the Juneau Symphony, conducts a rehearsal of the theme from the 1989 “Batman” movie in the auditorium at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in preparation for two concerts this weekend at the school featuring familiar soundtrack compositions from films with “showdown” plot lines. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A final ‘Showdown’ for Juneau Symphony’s 60th season

Songs from epic confrontation films and an original by Taylor Vidic scheduled this weekend at JDHS.

Christopher Koch, music director of the Juneau Symphony, conducts a rehearsal of the theme from the 1989 “Batman” movie in the auditorium at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in preparation for two concerts this weekend at the school featuring familiar soundtrack compositions from films with “showdown” plot lines. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A troller fishes in Sitka Sound on Feb. 2, 2021. A charter fishing vessel sank in the area Sunday, resulting in one person dead and four missing. The U.S. Coast Guard called off a search for the missing persons Monday night. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)

1 dead, 4 missing after fishing charter boat sinks near Sitka

Coast Guard calls off search Monday night after company reports vessel overdue Sunday.

A troller fishes in Sitka Sound on Feb. 2, 2021. A charter fishing vessel sank in the area Sunday, resulting in one person dead and four missing. The U.S. Coast Guard called off a search for the missing persons Monday night. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)
A student touches her tassel as she greets family members during the entrance procession of the graduation ceremony at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘We figured out how to stay together’: Commonalities at core of JDHS graduation

Ceremony was a show of promise for JDHS graduating seniors.

A student touches her tassel as she greets family members during the entrance procession of the graduation ceremony at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kaydence Ernzen sheds tears of joy after getting a surprise call from her father minutes after she graduated from Yaakoosgé Daakahídi High School on Sunday. Her father was in the Philippines on the day of the ceremony as Ernzen graduated months earlier than originally anticipated. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Yaakoosgé Daakahídi graduation: ‘Small and mighty’

Stories of all 31 seniors at alternative high school shared by staff who know them best

Kaydence Ernzen sheds tears of joy after getting a surprise call from her father minutes after she graduated from Yaakoosgé Daakahídi High School on Sunday. Her father was in the Philippines on the day of the ceremony as Ernzen graduated months earlier than originally anticipated. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Matthew Murray, an attorney representing the Alaska State Employees Association, presents the union’s arguments in its lawsuit against the Dunleavy administration to the Alaska Supreme Court on Oct. 13, 2022. (Screenshot from Gavel Alaska livestream)

Dunleavy illegally altered rules for union dues, state supreme court rules

Nearly $450,000 in damages and costs awarded to ASEA as judgement in 2019 lawsuit upheld

Matthew Murray, an attorney representing the Alaska State Employees Association, presents the union’s arguments in its lawsuit against the Dunleavy administration to the Alaska Supreme Court on Oct. 13, 2022. (Screenshot from Gavel Alaska livestream)
Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

What’s next for the most debated bills pending in the Legislature?

Education funding increase, “parental rights” and other proposals will resurface next year.

Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
This combination image shows senior students Kiley Morris, 18, of Thunder Mountain High School, Helen John, 17, of Yaakoosgé Daakahídi High School, and Krishna Bathija, 18, of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Each is scheduled to speak at their respective graduation ceremonies on Sunday. (Photos by Juneau Empire staff)

3 on ‘23: Graduating seniors discuss past lessons and future plans

Students among speakers at Juneau’s three high school ceremonies Sunday

This combination image shows senior students Kiley Morris, 18, of Thunder Mountain High School, Helen John, 17, of Yaakoosgé Daakahídi High School, and Krishna Bathija, 18, of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Each is scheduled to speak at their respective graduation ceremonies on Sunday. (Photos by Juneau Empire staff)
An employee at Barnacle Foods in Juneau chops up bull kelp as it makes it was down a conveyor belt. The company is among many in Alaska seeking to use kelp for a variety of commercial and scientific purposes.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Seeking the rich rewards of sustainability

Economic as well as environmental prospects emphasized at second annual energy conference

An employee at Barnacle Foods in Juneau chops up bull kelp as it makes it was down a conveyor belt. The company is among many in Alaska seeking to use kelp for a variety of commercial and scientific purposes.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs legislation allowing the state to set up a carbon offset program Tuesday in Anchorage. Dunleavy signed the bill with Alaska lawmakers and administration officials standing behind him during the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy signs carbon ‘trees’ bill at sustainable energy conference

National and state leaders discuss Alaska’s green market prospects in-state and internationally

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs legislation allowing the state to set up a carbon offset program Tuesday in Anchorage. Dunleavy signed the bill with Alaska lawmakers and administration officials standing behind him during the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Juneau state representatives Sara Hannan, left, and Andi Story discuss legislative business during a break in the House floor session on Tuesday. Both Democratic members were part of the minority caucus this session after being in the majority during their first two terms. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A trio of Capitol recaps from the local delegation

From passage of PFAS limits to postponing vaping tax, Juneau’s legislators tally wins and losses.

Juneau state representatives Sara Hannan, left, and Andi Story discuss legislative business during a break in the House floor session on Tuesday. Both Democratic members were part of the minority caucus this session after being in the majority during their first two terms. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Witty Youngman performs a set Saturday evening at Crystal Saloon during the Amplify Alaska Fundraising Festival on behalf of the Áak’w Rock Indigenous Music Festival scheduled in September. The event featuring five mini-concerts raised more than $5,000. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Stocking up for Aak’w Rock

Livestreamed multi-artist gig raises more than $5K for Indigenous music festival

Witty Youngman performs a set Saturday evening at Crystal Saloon during the Amplify Alaska Fundraising Festival on behalf of the Áak’w Rock Indigenous Music Festival scheduled in September. The event featuring five mini-concerts raised more than $5,000. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican who co-chairs the Senate Finance Committee, details a list of 24 projects costing about $34 million that were added to the state budget during negotiations with House members Thursday. Behind Stedman in the audience section is nearly the entire 16-member House minority caucus, which voted in favor of the budget along with 10 members of the Republican-led House majority. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Unusual House coalition OKs budget to end special session on first day

10 members of Republican-led majority join minority after $34M in targeted capital projects added

State Sen. Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican who co-chairs the Senate Finance Committee, details a list of 24 projects costing about $34 million that were added to the state budget during negotiations with House members Thursday. Behind Stedman in the audience section is nearly the entire 16-member House minority caucus, which voted in favor of the budget along with 10 members of the Republican-led House majority. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, exits the House chambers Wednesday night after members voted to adjourn the session without passing the Senate’s version of a budget bill for next year. Gov Mike Dunleavy immediately ordered a 30-day special session beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Special session set to begin today after Legislature adjourns without budget

House refuses to consider Senate spending bill sent over hours before adjournment deadline

State House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, exits the House chambers Wednesday night after members voted to adjourn the session without passing the Senate’s version of a budget bill for next year. Gov Mike Dunleavy immediately ordered a 30-day special session beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State senators leave the chamber after adjourning for the year Wednesday evening, leaving the fate of passing the bill for next year’s budget — and a special session if they fail to do so — to the House. The House gaveled in at 8 p.m., four hours before the adjournment deadline. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Capitol Live: House adjourns after refusing to OK Senate’s budget; Governor orders special session

The latest from the Captiol.

State senators leave the chamber after adjourning for the year Wednesday evening, leaving the fate of passing the bill for next year’s budget — and a special session if they fail to do so — to the House. The House gaveled in at 8 p.m., four hours before the adjournment deadline. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, tells reporters why the bill for next year’s budget was held over Tuesday until the final day of the session on Wednesday. The Senate floor session is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., giving the Senate and House 13 hours to resolve their differences before the 121-day session deadline. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Senate stalls budget for suspenseful final day

Legislature will have 13 hours to solve differences over PFD, other issues to avoid special session

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, tells reporters why the bill for next year’s budget was held over Tuesday until the final day of the session on Wednesday. The Senate floor session is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., giving the Senate and House 13 hours to resolve their differences before the 121-day session deadline. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks in opposition Tuesday to a bill prohibiting state and municipal officials from closing firearms businesses during declared emergencies if other essential businesses remain open. The Senate voted 17-3 to pass the bill, which sets the stage for it to pass the full Legislature before the session adjourns Wednesday as part of a package agreement on various bills. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Ban on gun store shutdowns during disasters passes Senate

Kiehl among dissenters in 17-3 vote; proposal may be part of final negotiations with Housde

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks in opposition Tuesday to a bill prohibiting state and municipal officials from closing firearms businesses during declared emergencies if other essential businesses remain open. The Senate voted 17-3 to pass the bill, which sets the stage for it to pass the full Legislature before the session adjourns Wednesday as part of a package agreement on various bills. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, talks with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, following the Senate’s unanimous passage of carbon credits bill Monday. Hughes and Se. Mike Shower, center, voted for the bill despite voicing strong concerns about some of its provisions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Carbon credits bill unanimously passes Senate, House quickly takes it up

Legislature seeks to OK priority bill for Dunleavy as part of package to adjourn session in time

State Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, talks with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, following the Senate’s unanimous passage of carbon credits bill Monday. Hughes and Se. Mike Shower, center, voted for the bill despite voicing strong concerns about some of its provisions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Senate leaders depart the House Speaker’s office following a long meeting between members of both chambers Saturday afternoon that failed to resolve budget differences with only four days left until the scheduled adjournment of the legislative session. Leaders with both chambers have said there’s a strong likelihood of a special session, but a breakthrough on some key items late Monday may allow legislators to finish in time on Wednesday if they work at a whirlwind pace. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘It’s the weirdest session I’ve ever seen’: Odds for special session fluctuating drastically

Accusations by House and Senate leaders lead to late pacts as Legislature tries to adjourn on time

State Senate leaders depart the House Speaker’s office following a long meeting between members of both chambers Saturday afternoon that failed to resolve budget differences with only four days left until the scheduled adjournment of the legislative session. Leaders with both chambers have said there’s a strong likelihood of a special session, but a breakthrough on some key items late Monday may allow legislators to finish in time on Wednesday if they work at a whirlwind pace. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, left, offers her opinion during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Sunday about changes the committee made to a bill she’s sponsoring that would prevent state and municipal officials from closing stores that sell firearms during disaster declarations. The committee, which watered down some aspects of the original version, advanced the bill to a potential floor vote after a 50-minute hearing that featured heated public testimony both for and against the proposal. At right, state Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, presiding over the meeting as chair of the committee, denied the sudden hearing scheduled with less than a day’s notice is related to efforts to advance a bill of his that’s stalled in a House committee. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Gun legislation gets short-notice hearing on Mother’s Day

Senate holds expedited meeting to advance House Speaker’s bill lessening disaster restrictions.

State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, left, offers her opinion during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Sunday about changes the committee made to a bill she’s sponsoring that would prevent state and municipal officials from closing stores that sell firearms during disaster declarations. The committee, which watered down some aspects of the original version, advanced the bill to a potential floor vote after a 50-minute hearing that featured heated public testimony both for and against the proposal. At right, state Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, presiding over the meeting as chair of the committee, denied the sudden hearing scheduled with less than a day’s notice is related to efforts to advance a bill of his that’s stalled in a House committee. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A marijuana plant is displayed in a cannabis shop. (Jeff Chiu/AP)

House OKs making some marijuana convictions private

Bill expanding court’s decision to limit public web access for minor offenses passes 36-4.

A marijuana plant is displayed in a cannabis shop. (Jeff Chiu/AP)