Wire Service

A handful of rock flour, or glacial flour, scooped up at Mendenhall Lake on Wednesday, June 27, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Curious by Nature: What is glacial flour?

The short answer is that it’s ground up rock. And no, you can’t cook with it (it’s ground up rock).

A handful of rock flour, or glacial flour, scooped up at Mendenhall Lake on Wednesday, June 27, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Empire file.

Police and fire for Friday, June 29, 2018

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Juneau Empire file.
Dave Scanlan, general manager of the Eaglecrest Ski Area, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, June 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘A lot of potential’: Eaglecrest general manager talks future plans, goals at ski area

Summer at Eaglecrest Ski Area means working and planning for the future. Dave Scanlan, general manager of the city-owned operation, spoke about the past year… Continue reading

Dave Scanlan, general manager of the Eaglecrest Ski Area, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, June 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Celebrate your Alaskan Fourth of July

Celebrate your Alaskan Fourth of July

As Alaskans, we treasure our uniqueness along with the common history that defines all Americans. We see ourselves as self-reliant, independent people with an intense… Continue reading

Celebrate your Alaskan Fourth of July
Jake Metcalfe

Opinion: Alaskans should be free to join unions that can fix an unfair economy

Greedy special interests have rigged our economy and democracy against working people for little cost to their bottom line.

Jake Metcalfe
Naval M.D. Mark Lund (the author’s brother) with his first king salmon in almost a decade.

Seasonal overload

I’ve never been in one of those phone booths with the $100 bills flying around, but summer time in Alaska feels a lot like it sometimes.

Naval M.D. Mark Lund (the author’s brother) with his first king salmon in almost a decade.
A view of Cropley Lake, from one of the streams feeding into it, on Sunday, June 24, 2018. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Photos: Hiking to Cropley Lake

This past weekend, my friend Zach Gianotti was back in town for a summer visit, which means I had new company for this week’s adventure.… Continue reading

A view of Cropley Lake, from one of the streams feeding into it, on Sunday, June 24, 2018. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)
The Gastineau Channel Little League Junior Softball all-star team poses in front of the whale statue downtown. (Courtesy Photo | Lexie Razor)

Junior all-stars prep for district tournament

The Gastineau Channel Little League Junior Softball all-star team begins the District 2 Junior Softball Tournament on Monday in Ketchikan. The Juneau team will play… Continue reading

The Gastineau Channel Little League Junior Softball all-star team poses in front of the whale statue downtown. (Courtesy Photo | Lexie Razor)
Mark Neidhold, left, starts his 12-mile ride as Jamie Bursell, right, and others make the transition from swimming to bicycling during their triathlon camp at the University of Alaska Southeast in July 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Aukeman camp gearing up

It’s not too late to get in shape for August’s Aukeman Triathlon. High Cadence Triathlon Training, headed up by Jamie Bursell, is putting on the… Continue reading

Mark Neidhold, left, starts his 12-mile ride as Jamie Bursell, right, and others make the transition from swimming to bicycling during their triathlon camp at the University of Alaska Southeast in July 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In 2017, a Rural Power System Upgrade grant from the Alaska Energy Authority paid for renovations by the Inside Passage Electric Cooperative to the diesel powerhouse in Kake, seen here in a photograph provided by IPEC CEO Jodi Mitchell. The AEA is considering changes to the program, with major implications for rural electric customers. (Courtesy photo)

As funding dries up, Alaska seeks new way to pay for rural power

The Alaska Energy Authority is considering a major change to the way it supports rural power projects, and customers are likely to pay more as a result.

In 2017, a Rural Power System Upgrade grant from the Alaska Energy Authority paid for renovations by the Inside Passage Electric Cooperative to the diesel powerhouse in Kake, seen here in a photograph provided by IPEC CEO Jodi Mitchell. The AEA is considering changes to the program, with major implications for rural electric customers. (Courtesy photo)
Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEW Local 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mark Begich makes campaign stop in Juneau

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich made a campaign stop Thursday in Juneau, speaking to about 45 people at the local IBEW union hall. As attendees… Continue reading

Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEW Local 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Bliss pulls out of Juneau’s downtown harbor on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Cruise industry’s lawsuit against city of Juneau is headed to trial

It’s official: the cruise ship industry and the City and Borough of Juneau can’t work it out. Court filings Thursday showed that mediation efforts failed,… Continue reading

The Norwegian Bliss pulls out of Juneau’s downtown harbor on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is warning Alaskans that a security breach may have affected more than 500 people who used public assistance in the Interior and northern Alaska. (Luca Bravo | Unsplash)

Security breach: Hackers access Alaskans’ information from state computer

A security breach may have exposed the personal information of at least 500 northern Alaskans to unknown hackers, possibly in Russia.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is warning Alaskans that a security breach may have affected more than 500 people who used public assistance in the Interior and northern Alaska. (Luca Bravo | Unsplash)
Legion baseball: Juneau takes down South

Legion baseball: Juneau takes down South

With one game still to play, Juneau Post 25 is a perfect 5-0 on its road trip to Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. Akin to… Continue reading

Legion baseball: Juneau takes down South
A humpback whale, not the one that is entangled. (Juneau Empire File)

Whale tangled in fishing gear in Lynn Canal

Marine mammal experts are asking mariners to keep an eye out for a humpback whale caught in a fishing net in Lynn Canal on Monday.… Continue reading

A humpback whale, not the one that is entangled. (Juneau Empire File)
Mary Lou Spartz talks about her interest in the SS Princess Sophia on Friday, June 22, 2018. The Sophia sank in 1918 with 343 or more people dying in the incident. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Haunting story’: Mary Lou Spartz talks about her fascination with Princess Sophia

Spartz, who is one of the founders of the committee committed to keeping the memory of the Sophia alive, is excited about what has been done and what is planned for this year’s 100th anniversary of the disaster.

Mary Lou Spartz talks about her interest in the SS Princess Sophia on Friday, June 22, 2018. The Sophia sank in 1918 with 343 or more people dying in the incident. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
This composite image, provided by Alaska Fur Gallery and taken by Guy Olson, shows the walrus-tusk plaque stolen from the Franklin Street gallery sometime last month. (Courtesy photo)

Juneau Crime Line seeks tips in case of missing walrus tusks

The Juneau Crime Line is seeking the public’s help finding two walrus tusks stolen from Alaska Fur Gallery on Franklin Street.

This composite image, provided by Alaska Fur Gallery and taken by Guy Olson, shows the walrus-tusk plaque stolen from the Franklin Street gallery sometime last month. (Courtesy photo)
Saralyn Tabachnick has announced she is running for mayor of Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

AWARE executive director announces run for mayor

The executive director of the Juneau domestic violence shelter, Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE), is running for mayor. Saralyn Tabachnick made the… Continue reading

Saralyn Tabachnick has announced she is running for mayor of Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks at the Alaska Capitol in February. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Tribes, environmental groups happy with Murkowski water quality money

Environmental and tribal groups worried about mining development in British Columbia are celebrating a recent move by Sen. Lisa Murkowski to spend $1.5 million on studying water quality on Southeast Alaska’s border-crossing rivers.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks at the Alaska Capitol in February. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Fireworks set off on shore along with a cruise ship illuminate Juneau’s waterfront prior to the city-funded fireworks show in Juneau’s downtown Harbor on Tuesday, July 3, 2017. (Juneau Empire File)

Where to go for fireworks for Juneau’s Independence Day celebration

It is time to start searching out the best spot to watch the fireworks show over Gastineau Channel Tuesday. With warm and dry weather predicted… Continue reading

Fireworks set off on shore along with a cruise ship illuminate Juneau’s waterfront prior to the city-funded fireworks show in Juneau’s downtown Harbor on Tuesday, July 3, 2017. (Juneau Empire File)