Wire Service

From left to right, Nick Begich, Republican candidate for U.S. House; Alaskan Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe and Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, hold up paddles indicating their opposition to finfish farming in Alaska. Howe had jokingly looked at Begich’s paddle before making a decision. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

At U.S. House debate in Kodiak, candidates differ on future of Alaska fisheries

Begich emphasizes fighting for the state, Peltola focuses on building support in Congress.

From left to right, Nick Begich, Republican candidate for U.S. House; Alaskan Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe and Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, hold up paddles indicating their opposition to finfish farming in Alaska. Howe had jokingly looked at Begich’s paddle before making a decision. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Exhausted at the finish Colony senior third-place race finisher Ella Hopkins, JDHS senior second-place finisher Ida Meyer, and Anchorage junior fourth-place finisher Mia Stiassny hug as Wasilla sophomore race winner Hailee Giacobbe approaches to congratulate them at the Division I girls 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: Vomit, REI and a Diet Coke with a splash of lime

Only one time in my life have I run so hard that I had to vomit when I crossed that particular “glory days” event. It… Continue reading

Exhausted at the finish Colony senior third-place race finisher Ella Hopkins, JDHS senior second-place finisher Ida Meyer, and Anchorage junior fourth-place finisher Mia Stiassny hug as Wasilla sophomore race winner Hailee Giacobbe approaches to congratulate them at the Division I girls 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

My Turn: Time to revisit long-ago captain’s vision of ferry system with smaller, affordable day vessels

In the early 1950s, renowned Captain GD Gitkov commanded Alaska’s ferry system, serving as both skipper and operator. As traffic and demand increased, Gitkov offered… Continue reading

(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, Oct. 4, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Republican challenger Nick Begich III and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are on the stage at the beginning of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s candidate forum on Aug. 28, 2024. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska’s U.S. House candidates face each other three times in three days this week

Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, and her leading challenger, Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich, will appear on stage at three election forums and debates this… Continue reading

Republican challenger Nick Begich III and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are on the stage at the beginning of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s candidate forum on Aug. 28, 2024. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
Spotted tussock moth caterpillars are the local version of woolly bears. (Photo by Bob Armstong)

On the Trails: Woolly bears and spider webs

It’s early fall and we sometimes enjoy seeing fuzzy orange and black caterpillars trekking over the trails on their way to better foraging or a… Continue reading

Spotted tussock moth caterpillars are the local version of woolly bears. (Photo by Bob Armstong)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
An early voting station is set up in the atrium of the State Office Building on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, the first day of early voting for the 2024 Alaska primary election. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska records show no evidence of widespread noncitizen voting or registration

Trump and in-state Republicans have falsely claimed that noncitizens are voting in large numbers.

An early voting station is set up in the atrium of the State Office Building on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, the first day of early voting for the 2024 Alaska primary election. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Four businesses and four apartments in a building owned by Mike Ward burn on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Haines. It’s not yet clear exactly how the fire started, but Ward and others on the scene said it appeared to have been set in one of the apartments. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)

Building fire destroys four businesses and four apartments in Haines

“I feel like I’m losing part of my life here,” Haines Quick Shop owner Mike Ward says.

Four businesses and four apartments in a building owned by Mike Ward burn on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Haines. It’s not yet clear exactly how the fire started, but Ward and others on the scene said it appeared to have been set in one of the apartments. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)
The Division I girls begin their first loop during the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears leave large paw prints at state cross-country running championships

Meyer places second for Division I girls, Thompson second among Division I boys.

The Division I girls begin their first loop during the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Petersburg junior Gaje Ventress (413) leads classmate Alex Holmgrain (407) to the finish of the Division III boys 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Petersburg boys and girls sweep Division III State XC team titles

Craig’s Nelson defeats state boys field, Unalakleet’s Busk defends girls championship.

Petersburg junior Gaje Ventress (413) leads classmate Alex Holmgrain (407) to the finish of the Division III boys 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Sitka senior Clare Mullin defends her Division II state championship as she approaches the finish of the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Division II state cross-country harriers fed to the Wolves and Lions

Sitka’s Clare Mullin, Grace’s Robbie Annett defend their crowns.

Sitka senior Clare Mullin defends her Division II state championship as she approaches the finish of the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
A person seen at an entrance sign to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is being sought by the Juneau Police Department following several instances of swastikas being spray painted at locations in the Mendenhall Valley in recent days. (Juneau Police Department)

Man sought following multiple incidents of swastika graffiti in the Mendenhall Valley

Several incidents of swastikas being spray painted at locations in the Mendenhall Valley have been reported since Wednesday, with the Juneau Police Department publishing photos… Continue reading

A person seen at an entrance sign to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is being sought by the Juneau Police Department following several instances of swastikas being spray painted at locations in the Mendenhall Valley in recent days. (Juneau Police Department)
Juneau Huskies’ senior Jayden Johnson (4) runs for a 51-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter of Friday night’s game against Colony High School in Palmer. Johnson scored five touchdowns in the first half as Juneau defeated Colony 42-6. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Jayden Johnson puts on super-hot show on frigid night as Huskies run over Colony 42-6

Juneau senior runs for 5 TDs, more than 150 yards in first half; Huskies enter playoffs as likely sixth seed.

Juneau Huskies’ senior Jayden Johnson (4) runs for a 51-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter of Friday night’s game against Colony High School in Palmer. Johnson scored five touchdowns in the first half as Juneau defeated Colony 42-6. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Museum is seen in the fall sun on Wednesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Grant increases museum access for Alaska Native artists and culture bearers

The Access to Alaska Native Collections grant is part of a broader movement.

The Alaska State Museum is seen in the fall sun on Wednesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
32 Chunk is competing in this year’s Fat Bear Week, after he made a lot of progress on his salmon-eating goals this summer. (E. Johnston/National Park Service)

Ten years in, Fat Bear Week has drawn millions of viewers to a live webcam in Alaska

Weeklong competition in Katmai National Park culminates Tuesday after delayed start due to a death.

32 Chunk is competing in this year’s Fat Bear Week, after he made a lot of progress on his salmon-eating goals this summer. (E. Johnston/National Park Service)
Twin rainbows are seen from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Neighbors briefs

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center shifts to winter hours The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (MGVC) transitioned to winter hours Oct. 1, with exceptions on days when… Continue reading

Twin rainbows are seen from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
An aerial view of part of Southeast Alaska’s Kensington gold mine. (James Brooks via Wikipedia under Creative Commons 2.0)

Dozens of fish died near the Kensington mine. Two months later, state regulators haven’t determined what killed them.

Scientists say circumstances suggest a water quality problem, but awaiting data from mine’s operator.

An aerial view of part of Southeast Alaska’s Kensington gold mine. (James Brooks via Wikipedia under Creative Commons 2.0)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Monday, Sept. 30, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)