Wire Service

(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)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in the House chambers on Feb. 7, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: How Sen. Sullivan is prepared to help Putin succeed

Back in March, Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan asked Sen. Dan Sullivan if he was comfortable with Donald Trump’s mental fitness to serve as… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in the House chambers on Feb. 7, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A sign at Anchorage’s Service High School, seen on Aug. 13, 2024, explains that tobacco use is prohibited at the property. High school students’ use of electronic cigarettes has declined since 2019, one of the positive trends emerging from the latest Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Survey of Alaska youth reveals more mental health problems, but also some positive trends

More anxiety and suicidal thoughts, but less use of harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol.

A sign at Anchorage’s Service High School, seen on Aug. 13, 2024, explains that tobacco use is prohibited at the property. High school students’ use of electronic cigarettes has declined since 2019, one of the positive trends emerging from the latest Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Monday, Aug. 12, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Photo by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: Forgiveness

Has someone you deeply care about and trust done something that hurt you so much that you almost died from the emotional pain, which lingered… Continue reading

(Photo by Gina Del Rosario)
A drone image shows widespread flooding in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)

Opinion: Juneau’s flood is a wake-up call from Mother Nature

Last week’s sudden catastrophic flooding of the Mendenhall River is one of the worst disasters in Juneau’s history. The 1917 Treadwell Mine cave-in and the… Continue reading

A drone image shows widespread flooding in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)
In a photo provided by Adam Pack and NOAA, the humpback whale Old Timer is seen in Frederick Sound in Southeast Alaska, on July 29, 2024. Old Timer, a male first photographed in 1972, was spotted last month near Alaska, enduring in the Pacific Ocean while some other humpbacks have struggled in a changing environment. (Adam Pack/NOAA via The New York Times)

Survival of world’s oldest humpback whale, spotted in Southeast Alaska last month, is a mystery

Male known as “Old Timer” is now at least 53 years old, according to marine mammal researcher.

In a photo provided by Adam Pack and NOAA, the humpback whale Old Timer is seen in Frederick Sound in Southeast Alaska, on July 29, 2024. Old Timer, a male first photographed in 1972, was spotted last month near Alaska, enduring in the Pacific Ocean while some other humpbacks have struggled in a changing environment. (Adam Pack/NOAA via The New York Times)
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 still holds fundraising cash advantage in U.S. House race, new figures show

Ahead of Alaska’s Aug. 20 primary election, incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola continues to hold a fundraising advantage against her 11 competitors, new filings… Continue reading

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)
Bordetella pertussis, the bacteria that causes the disease pertussis, is show in this 2019 medical illustration based on microscopic images. This image, in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publication on antibiotic resistance threats, shows a strain that has developed a resistance to drugs used to treat the disease. Pertussis cases are rising in Alaska and nationwide following a lull during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Image by Dan Higgins/Provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Rising cases of ‘whooping cough’ in Alaska prompt warnings and prevention recommendations

A spike in pertussis, a contagious disease commonly known as whooping cough, has swept through Alaska, the state Department of Health reported. Through the end… Continue reading

Bordetella pertussis, the bacteria that causes the disease pertussis, is show in this 2019 medical illustration based on microscopic images. This image, in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publication on antibiotic resistance threats, shows a strain that has developed a resistance to drugs used to treat the disease. Pertussis cases are rising in Alaska and nationwide following a lull during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Image by Dan Higgins/Provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Brenna Heintz explains work being done at the Melvin Park flood recovery center to U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola on Sunday. Two disaster assistance centers are scheduled to open at other locations in Juneau from Wednesday through Friday of this week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Two Disaster Assistance Centers for people affected by record floods open Wednesday through Friday

Updated official survey of 287 flooded homes reports 51 sustained major damage.

Brenna Heintz explains work being done at the Melvin Park flood recovery center to U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola on Sunday. Two disaster assistance centers are scheduled to open at other locations in Juneau from Wednesday through Friday of this week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)