Wire Service

The City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department has issued a public survey as they consider improvements to the North Douglas Boat Launch Ramp, seen here on Aug. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: New plans have familiar problems

Who does D&H think will benefit?

The City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department has issued a public survey as they consider improvements to the North Douglas Boat Launch Ramp, seen here on Aug. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Skunk cabbage, shown in this undated photo, is not very cabbage-y and not at all skunky. Many common English names for plants are misnomers. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Reflections on plant names

Skunk cabbage by another name…

Skunk cabbage, shown in this undated photo, is not very cabbage-y and not at all skunky. Many common English names for plants are misnomers. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021

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

It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
In this file photo Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
In this file photo Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
FILE - In this March 2, 2021, file photo, pharmacy technician Hollie Maloney loads a syringe with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at the Portland Expo in Portland, Maine. The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. (AP Photo / Robert F. Bukaty)

US regulators give full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

By Lauran Neergaard and Matthew Perrone Associated Press WASHINGTON — The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine Monday, a milestone that could boost… Continue reading

FILE - In this March 2, 2021, file photo, pharmacy technician Hollie Maloney loads a syringe with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at the Portland Expo in Portland, Maine. The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. (AP Photo / Robert F. Bukaty)
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Opinion: Be careful with campfires

The only safe fire to leave is one that is completely out and cold to the touch.

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This Aug. 9, 2021 photo shows Chief Ranger Erika Jostad in Grand Teton National Park in Moose, Wyo. Erika Jostad’s baseline for what Grand Teton National Park is like in the summer, is skewed by 2021, easily the busiest year in the park’s 92-year-and-running history. Teton Park’s incoming permanent chief ranger has been in the job for months on an interim basis, during which time she’s overseen some 60 “incident responses” to fire — and that’s with a couple months of wildfire season remaining. The more general emergency call caseload has ballooned, too, outpacing gains in visitation and increasing nearly 70% over the average from the past five years.(Mike Koshmrl/Jackson Hole News & Guide)

New job keeping Grand Teton’s 1st female chief ranger busy

Teton Park’s incoming permanent chief ranger has been in the job for months on an interim basis.

This Aug. 9, 2021 photo shows Chief Ranger Erika Jostad in Grand Teton National Park in Moose, Wyo. Erika Jostad’s baseline for what Grand Teton National Park is like in the summer, is skewed by 2021, easily the busiest year in the park’s 92-year-and-running history. Teton Park’s incoming permanent chief ranger has been in the job for months on an interim basis, during which time she’s overseen some 60 “incident responses” to fire — and that’s with a couple months of wildfire season remaining. The more general emergency call caseload has ballooned, too, outpacing gains in visitation and increasing nearly 70% over the average from the past five years.(Mike Koshmrl/Jackson Hole News & Guide)
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021

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

It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
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Thank you letters for the week of Aug. 22, 2021

Thank you, merci, danke, gracias, gunalchéesh.

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A marmot lies near the Shrine of St. Therese on Aug. 16. (Courtesy Photo / Carolyn Kelley)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

A marmot lies near the Shrine of St. Therese on Aug. 16. (Courtesy Photo / Carolyn Kelley)
FILE - This Jan. 29, 2014 file photo shows former Denver Broncos offensive lineman and ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth in New York.   Schlereth returned home to Alaska this week to encourage people to get the COVID-19 vaccine.  The Service High alumnus made a halftime appearance Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 at West High, where his alma mater squared off against the West Eagles.  (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

Ex-NFL player Mark Schlereth urges Alaskans to get vaccine

“I just want to encourage everybody to do your part.”

FILE - This Jan. 29, 2014 file photo shows former Denver Broncos offensive lineman and ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth in New York.   Schlereth returned home to Alaska this week to encourage people to get the COVID-19 vaccine.  The Service High alumnus made a halftime appearance Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 at West High, where his alma mater squared off against the West Eagles.  (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes speaks to reporters after a floor session on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers are meeting in special session, with the annual dividend paid to residents a key topic. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

PFD size up for debate in legislative session

Dividends typically are paid out in the early fall.

Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes speaks to reporters after a floor session on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers are meeting in special session, with the annual dividend paid to residents a key topic. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
Beavers get more than their share of blame for spreading Giardia. (Courtesy Photo / Frank Zmuda, Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

Alaska Science Forum: Beavers not always to blame for fever

If river spray hits you in the face, keep your mouth shut.

Beavers get more than their share of blame for spreading Giardia. (Courtesy Photo / Frank Zmuda, Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
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Opinion: Masking and distancing are important —even for vaccinated people

Vaccinated and unvaccinated people should both be playing by the same rules.

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Opinion: There was no escaping humiliation in Afghanistan

Humiliation from the killing done in our name should mean America never fights another needless war.

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FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2019, file photo, Kelly Tshibaka speaks to reporters in Anchorage. Law enforcement officials have completed their investigation whether Tshibaka, a U.S. Senate candidate and former State of Alaska official, illegally obtained a fishing license for a sportfishing event two years ago, and turned it over to a special prosecutorial branch of the Department of Law, an official said Thursday, Aug. 19. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Prosecutors vet US Senate candidate’s fishing license case

It’s been turned over to a special prosecutorial branch of the Department of Law

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2019, file photo, Kelly Tshibaka speaks to reporters in Anchorage. Law enforcement officials have completed their investigation whether Tshibaka, a U.S. Senate candidate and former State of Alaska official, illegally obtained a fishing license for a sportfishing event two years ago, and turned it over to a special prosecutorial branch of the Department of Law, an official said Thursday, Aug. 19. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a Thursday evening structure fire. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to structure fire

Firefighters say blaze is in abandoned home.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a Thursday evening structure fire. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This October 2020 photo shows the MV Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Transportation department seeks review of proposed summer ferry schedule

Teleconferences are scheduled for early September.

This October 2020 photo shows the MV Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Good news and bad news

The good news we need to hear soon is that we have a balanced budget.

(Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)