Wire Service

Juneau Municipal Clerk Laurie Sica in her office on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. Sica is retiring this month. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Churn that butter’: Municipal clerk retires after 22 years working for the city

Laurie Sica never knows exactly what her day may entail. And for her, that is part of why she will miss her job. Sica, who… Continue reading

Juneau Municipal Clerk Laurie Sica in her office on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. Sica is retiring this month. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Governor Hilario Davide, from the Philippines Province of Cebu, meets with Mayor Ken Koelsch, left, and Assembly members Mary Becker, center, Jerry Nankervis and Jesse Kiehl (not pictured) at City Hall on Friday, June 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Filipino gov makes a trip to historic enclave

Gov. Hilario P. Davide III sat in front of a bowl of karioko on Friday at city hall, Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch at his side.… Continue reading

Governor Hilario Davide, from the Philippines Province of Cebu, meets with Mayor Ken Koelsch, left, and Assembly members Mary Becker, center, Jerry Nankervis and Jesse Kiehl (not pictured) at City Hall on Friday, June 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska will ban mandatory tip pooling

The State of Alaska is banning mandatory tip-pooling starting this Friday, restoring labor protections revoked by the administration ofPresident Donald Trump.

Inside seven of Juneau’s greatest gardens

Inside seven of Juneau’s greatest gardens

It takes persistence to grow in Juneau. Frosts last longer, our cold soils don’t drain. Sometimes it seems the sun doesn’t poke through the clouds… Continue reading

Inside seven of Juneau’s greatest gardens

Instacart hires Alaska lobbyist

Internet grocery firm Instacart has hired an Alaska lobbyist, according to filings released June 20 by the Alaska Public Offices Commission.

In this June 2017 photo, a pedestrian walks by City Hall on June 7, 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

City discussing possible ballot measure for pre-K funding program

Funding for a pre-K funding program aimed to help children prepare for kindergarten may be part of the Oct. 2, 2018 municipal ballot. There will… Continue reading

In this June 2017 photo, a pedestrian walks by City Hall on June 7, 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Dave Branding, CEO of JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc., greets Angelina Lundy during an open house at JAMHI’s Midtown Clinic located at the House First Project on Friday, June 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Open to all, new clinic at Housing First gaining patients

The Juneau Alliance for Mental Health Inc. recently added the phrase “Health and Wellness” to their name. It’s not a distinction without a difference, said… Continue reading

Dave Branding, CEO of JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc., greets Angelina Lundy during an open house at JAMHI’s Midtown Clinic located at the House First Project on Friday, June 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Border crisis

Question: Why are so many people fleeing their country of origin? Answer: They claim their country is lawless and dangerous. Question: Why are many Americans… Continue reading

Protecting salmon is good business and the right thing to do

Propaganda is, by definition, information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.… Continue reading

Judgment or Grace?

Judgment or Grace?

Why are some people “put off” by church? Could it be that they were victims of “judging one another?” This has been on my mind… Continue reading

Judgment or Grace?
Alaskaepoedia — The Whale Edition

Alaskaepoedia — The Whale Edition

Everything you’ve always wanted to know about The Last Frontier … and less.

Alaskaepoedia — The Whale Edition

East Glacier Trail Tangle results

The Juneau Trail and Road Runners hosted the East Glacier Trail Tangle on Thursday night. Well over 60 runners participated in the 6.7 and 1-mile… Continue reading

Brice Norton, right, waits his turn as Coach Mark Kappler watches Mackenzie Lam practice trap shooting at the Juneau Gun Club on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Youth to test marksmanship at trap nationals

For the second year in a row, the Juneau Trap Shooting Team is sending four shooters to compete in the National Junior Clay Target Championships.… Continue reading

Brice Norton, right, waits his turn as Coach Mark Kappler watches Mackenzie Lam practice trap shooting at the Juneau Gun Club on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Police and Fire for Sunday, June 24, 2018

Police and Fire for Sunday, June 24, 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

Police and Fire for Sunday, June 24, 2018
Ten challenges Southeast Alaskans face on a sunny day

Ten challenges Southeast Alaskans face on a sunny day

We don’t know what to wear.

Ten challenges Southeast Alaskans face on a sunny day
This so-called “Silent City” appeared above the Muir Glacier in late June every year, Juneau pioneer Richard “Dick” Willoughby claimed. This photograph was circulated far and wide as people sought to get a look at the mirage. (Alaska State Library, Historical Collections | Courtesy Photo)

The glacial hoax that captured the nation’s attention

Richard “Dick” Willoughby was the kind of person to gaze into a raincloud and see the sun. One of the most colorful characters in Juneau’s… Continue reading

This so-called “Silent City” appeared above the Muir Glacier in late June every year, Juneau pioneer Richard “Dick” Willoughby claimed. This photograph was circulated far and wide as people sought to get a look at the mirage. (Alaska State Library, Historical Collections | Courtesy Photo)

There’s no such thing as a nonprofit

The news about furloughs at Perseverance Theatre isn’t good, especially for the employees who will be missing out on regular paychecks. The possibility the theater… Continue reading

Shaken System: Alaska’s disaster warning program has critical flaws, documents reveal

Shaken System: Alaska’s disaster warning program has critical flaws, documents reveal

On the night of Jan. 23, Alaskans across the Gulf Coast were awakened by one of the most significant earthquakes to hit Alaska since the… Continue reading

Shaken System: Alaska’s disaster warning program has critical flaws, documents reveal
Pirates’ first baseman Mason Ackman fields a Red Sox infield hit at the Gastineau Channel Little League Junior Division Championship game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on Friday. The Pirates won 8-6 on Friday and 14-3 on Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Little League: Pirates surge past Red Sox for title

Gastineau Channel Little League’s Flying Squirrel Pirates won the Junior Division championship on Saturday night at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field. Similar to the Pirates’ win on… Continue reading

Pirates’ first baseman Mason Ackman fields a Red Sox infield hit at the Gastineau Channel Little League Junior Division Championship game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on Friday. The Pirates won 8-6 on Friday and 14-3 on Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Red Sox player Eli Torres slides safely into third base in the Gastineau Channel Little League Minor Division championship game on Saturday at Miller Field. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Little League: Fick’s grand slam sends Marlins past Red Sox

The IBEW Marlins claimed the Gastineau Channel Little League Minor Division championship on Saturday evening at Miller Field. The Marlins won 21-20 over the Red… Continue reading

Red Sox player Eli Torres slides safely into third base in the Gastineau Channel Little League Minor Division championship game on Saturday at Miller Field. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)