Wire Service

A large primnoid coral loaded with brittle stars, a marine relative of sea stars. The underwater image was captured on the Dickins Seamount during a 2004 research cruise in the Gulf of Alaska. A new lawsuit claims fishery managers have failed to adequately protect Gulf of Alaska corals and sponges. (Photo provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Lawsuit claims fishery managers have failed to adequately protect Alaska’s coral gardens

Environmental group seeks stronger limits to bottom trawling in the Gulf of Alaska.

A large primnoid coral loaded with brittle stars, a marine relative of sea stars. The underwater image was captured on the Dickins Seamount during a 2004 research cruise in the Gulf of Alaska. A new lawsuit claims fishery managers have failed to adequately protect Gulf of Alaska corals and sponges. (Photo provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Republican businessperson Nick Begich III, Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are among 12 candidates competing in the primary for the seat currently held by Peltola. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Peltola leads in Alaska U.S. House primary, with Begich ahead of Dahlstrom

Turnout appears to be low in primary with only one statewide race.

Republican businessperson Nick Begich III, Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are among 12 candidates competing in the primary for the seat currently held by Peltola. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A ballot box containing absentee ballots dropped off at Anchorage City Hall is seen on Aug. 19, 2024. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

Progressive candidates show unusual strength in Alaska state legislative primaries

Near-record-low turnout has experts warning against drawing conclusions before November election.

A ballot box containing absentee ballots dropped off at Anchorage City Hall is seen on Aug. 19, 2024. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
Voters walk across the map of Alaska on the floor of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Two rural Alaska precincts fail to open for primary voting after workers don’t respond to state

Voting stations in Wales and Kaktovik never opened for the primary on Tuesday, according to the Alaska Division of Elections director. “Despite trying multiple ways… Continue reading

Voters walk across the map of Alaska on the floor of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(U.S. Forest Service photo)

My Turn: Tongass management plan revision a chance to support values, traditions and livelihoods

I had the privilege of growing up in Southeast Alaska which means that I also had the privilege of learning how to live off of… Continue reading

(U.S. Forest Service photo)
(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

My Turn: Supporting ‘Ship-Free Saturday’ is voting to take away other people’s income

How will you vote on Proposition #2 (no cruise ships on Saturdays)? Proponents of no-cruise Saturdays are sincere about their desire to roll back the… Continue reading

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Red elderberry is toxic to humans, but birds consume the fruits readily. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Late summer fruits — lots of questions

Mid-August and the berry crops of wild currants are ripe. The stink currant (reportedly so-called for the smell of crushed leaves) sometimes bears large crops… Continue reading

Red elderberry is toxic to humans, but birds consume the fruits readily. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ships in port for the week of Aug. 17

Here’s what to expect this week.

Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, Aug. 16, 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 Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A tracker used by the Alaska Division of Elections is seen on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 at the division’s offices in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska elections officials plan to debut new ballot-tracking system with Aug. 20 primary

The Alaska Division of Elections is using a new tool this year in an attempt to avoid the kinds of ballot-counting problems that have occurred… Continue reading

A tracker used by the Alaska Division of Elections is seen on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 at the division’s offices in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

JPD: Washington state woman arrested at Juneau airport with about $100K of illegal drugs

38-year-old suspect confronted by police Thursday moring after her arrival from Seattle

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A king salmon. (Photo by Ryan Hagerty/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Federal appeals court ruling eliminates — for now — legal threat facing Southeast Alaska fishers

A three-judge panel at 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned a lower-court decision that could have temporarily halted troll fishing for salmon in… Continue reading

A king salmon. (Photo by Ryan Hagerty/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, Aug. 14, 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 Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Curried rice artichoke salad ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking for Pleasure: Curried rice artichoke salad

One of my family’s favorite picnic salads is this one with curried rice and marinated artichokes. I originally got the recipe off the back of… Continue reading

Curried rice artichoke salad ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)
A piece of obsidian rock sits on display in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. William Healey Dall collected the rock in 1868 near the Nowitna River in Interior Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Rasic)

Alaska Science Forum: The recent history of a black rock

In June of 1867 — a few months before Alaska would become part of the United States with the transfer of $7.2 million to Russia… Continue reading

A piece of obsidian rock sits on display in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. William Healey Dall collected the rock in 1868 near the Nowitna River in Interior Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Rasic)
For the author the suspense of checking shrimp pots begins with finding the buoy, not pulling the pot. (Screenshot from video by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Moment of truth

“Is that our buoy?” Terror. What is it doing there? It’s supposed to be around the rocky corner in a little nook protected from the… Continue reading

For the author the suspense of checking shrimp pots begins with finding the buoy, not pulling the pot. (Screenshot from video by Jeff Lund)
This screenshot from a body camera video was attached to criminal charging documents published Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, by the Alaska Department of Law. It shows an Alaska State trooper kicking a man in May 2024. The trooper and one other have been charged with misdemeanor assault. (Screenshot)

Alaska Department of Law charges two state troopers after bloody arrest in Kenai

Officers pepper-sprayed man, directed a dog to bite him, shocked him with a Taser and kicked him.

This screenshot from a body camera video was attached to criminal charging documents published Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, by the Alaska Department of Law. It shows an Alaska State trooper kicking a man in May 2024. The trooper and one other have been charged with misdemeanor assault. (Screenshot)