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The Alaska flag flies from the bow of a boat in one of Ketchikan’s small-boat harbors on July 24. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

With Alaska’s maritime heritage at risk of being lost, program seeks to preserve it

Alaska Maritime Heritage Preservation Program is open to funding projects by museums, others

The Alaska flag flies from the bow of a boat in one of Ketchikan’s small-boat harbors on July 24. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
A black bear catches a salmon, causing eggs to squirt out, at Peterson Lake on July 26. The bear then ignored the salmon and ate the eggs before hunting for more fish. (Photo by Steve Hamilton)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

A black bear catches a salmon, causing eggs to squirt out, at Peterson Lake on July 26. The bear then ignored the salmon and ate the eggs before hunting for more fish. (Photo by Steve Hamilton)
This is a photo of a Capital City Fire/Rescue vehicle at the scene of a fire in June. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Police investigate abandoned vehicle fire as arson

The possible intentional fire appears to be an isolated incident, fire marshal says.

This is a photo of a Capital City Fire/Rescue vehicle at the scene of a fire in June. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Two people ride an all-terrain vehicle on Utqiagvik’s beach on Aug. 2, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska natural resources agency OKs bigger off-road vehicles on most state land

Alaskans can now use larger and heavier recreational off-road vehicles on most state land without a specialty permit, a move intended to accommodate the growth… Continue reading

Two people ride an all-terrain vehicle on Utqiagvik’s beach on Aug. 2, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A sexual assault kit. (Photo from Alaska Department of Public Safety)

Sexual assault survivors in Alaska can now track their rape kits online

A new online tool will allow survivors to check the status of their sexual assault kits, Alaska’s Department of Public Safety announced last week. The… Continue reading

A sexual assault kit. (Photo from Alaska Department of Public Safety)
Juneau catcher Isaac Kirsch looks to catch a pop-up foul against Dimond West in the deciding fifth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage. (Screenshot from Gastineau Channel Little League video of game)

Juneau all-stars defeated 14-7 in state Little League championship game

Anchorage’s Dimond West breaks away from earlier close games to win best-of-five series

Juneau catcher Isaac Kirsch looks to catch a pop-up foul against Dimond West in the deciding fifth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage. (Screenshot from Gastineau Channel Little League video of game)
A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Doctor: ‘Inhumane treatment’ of behavioral health care patients at Bartlett Regional Hospital

Staff shortage puts patients and employees at risk, some officials say; hospital CEO blames policies

A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A construction worker uses machinery Monday afternoon while working on the construction site of Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s revived Haven House. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Revived Haven House means safety and stability for women after incarceration

The construction of the non-congregate shelter is expected to be completed in spring 2024.

A construction worker uses machinery Monday afternoon while working on the construction site of Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s revived Haven House. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Longtime Juneau Board of Education member Brian Holst listens during a board meeting in May. Holst rescinded his run for candidacy for a fourth term on the board late last week. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Longtime school board member rescinds candidacy

Brian Holst pulls from race days after submitting, set to step away after nine years.

Longtime Juneau Board of Education member Brian Holst listens during a board meeting in May. Holst rescinded his run for candidacy for a fourth term on the board late last week. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Golfers test their skills at the “chip shot challenge” during the Annual Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic on Saturday at the Mendenhall Golf Course. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

It’s not easy being on the green

88 participants brave heat, go clubbing on “fast” turf during annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic.

Golfers test their skills at the “chip shot challenge” during the Annual Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic on Saturday at the Mendenhall Golf Course. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of the Treadwell Ditch Trail on South Douglas. On Saturday a teenage boy died after he failed to make it to shore after jumping into the water by the Glory Hole. His body was later recovered Sunday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Teenage boy dies after jumping in water near Treadwell Trail

The body of the boy was recovered Sunday afternoon by the Alaska State Troopers.

This is a photo of the Treadwell Ditch Trail on South Douglas. On Saturday a teenage boy died after he failed to make it to shore after jumping into the water by the Glory Hole. His body was later recovered Sunday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A Juneau player connects on a hit against Dimond West during the fourth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage on Sunday. Juneau won the game 3-1, tying the best-of-five series at two games apiece. The deciding fifth game for the state title is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Anchorage. (Screenshot from video of game by Gastineau Channel Little League)

Juneau’s all-star Little League baseball team to play for state title Monday

Win on Sunday ties best-of-five series against Anchorage’s Dimond West at 2-2.

A Juneau player connects on a hit against Dimond West during the fourth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage on Sunday. Juneau won the game 3-1, tying the best-of-five series at two games apiece. The deciding fifth game for the state title is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Anchorage. (Screenshot from video of game by Gastineau Channel Little League)
Samuel and Justine Carlisle, a couple from Asheville, North Carolina, cross the finish line of the Juneau Half Marathon on Saturday at Savikko Park. Organizers of the event, which includes full and half marathons, estimate about half of the participants are from outside Juneau because it is considered a "destination" race. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Trail and Road Runners)

A smokin’ Saturday for big crowd of racers in Juneau Marathon and Half Marathon

Big increase in runners this year who take on full- and half-length courses on hot and hazy day.

Samuel and Justine Carlisle, a couple from Asheville, North Carolina, cross the finish line of the Juneau Half Marathon on Saturday at Savikko Park. Organizers of the event, which includes full and half marathons, estimate about half of the participants are from outside Juneau because it is considered a "destination" race. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Trail and Road Runners)
The Adventure Bound tour boat is seen here docked at Aurora Harbor during the past week. The vessel’s owner-operator was given four notices of deficiencies last year, but continued to operate, according to a U.S. Coast Guard report that also raises questions about the agency’s handling of a grounding incident involving the company. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Adventure Bound Alaska was grounded, issued citations and continued to operate

U.S. Coast Guard report also raises questions about agency’s handling of incident

The Adventure Bound tour boat is seen here docked at Aurora Harbor during the past week. The vessel’s owner-operator was given four notices of deficiencies last year, but continued to operate, according to a U.S. Coast Guard report that also raises questions about the agency’s handling of a grounding incident involving the company. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Drag performer and event emcee Gigi Monroe struts the runway in front of hundreds gathered at the main stage of the Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines on Friday evening for the performance group’s debut show at the fair. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Southeast Alaska State Fair greets Juneau Drag with ‘incredible’ turnout

The debut show went on despite the group facing local scrutiny months prior to the event.

Juneau Drag performer and event emcee Gigi Monroe struts the runway in front of hundreds gathered at the main stage of the Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines on Friday evening for the performance group’s debut show at the fair. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Retiring Juneau Chief of Police Ed Mercer (left) and City Manager Rorie Watt (right) smile for a photo during Mercer’s retirement ceremony Friday afternoon at the Juneau Police Department station. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘He is the rock that this department rests on:’ Ceremony honors police chief’s retirement

Ed Mercer, JPD chief for six years, starting new job as head of anti-drug trafficking program.

Retiring Juneau Chief of Police Ed Mercer (left) and City Manager Rorie Watt (right) smile for a photo during Mercer’s retirement ceremony Friday afternoon at the Juneau Police Department station. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A disability pride activity sits in the lobby of Gold Town Theater. Southeast Alaska Independent Living hosted a showing of the movie “The Peanut Butter Falcon” on Wednesday to celebrate Disability Pride Month. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

In Disability Pride Month, Alaska advocates celebrate progress and look to a more accessible future

This year is the 33rd anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act

A disability pride activity sits in the lobby of Gold Town Theater. Southeast Alaska Independent Living hosted a showing of the movie “The Peanut Butter Falcon” on Wednesday to celebrate Disability Pride Month. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Davina Cole Drones participates in an Alaska Native dance during the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council’s 50th anniversary celebration Thursday at Sealaska Heritage Plaza.
Capital City Weekly

JAHC’s golden anniversary highlights present talent and big plans

Arts and culture organization celebrates 50th birthday with party and awards

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Davina Cole Drones participates in an Alaska Native dance during the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council’s 50th anniversary celebration Thursday at Sealaska Heritage Plaza.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Mark Whitman, a Douglas resident, joins others in offering opinions about the future of Telephone Hill during an open house at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Wednesday.

Residents say they feel disconnected at first Telephone Hill redevelopment meeting

Lots of possible projects for historic downtown area met with lots of doubts.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Mark Whitman, a Douglas resident, joins others in offering opinions about the future of Telephone Hill during an open house at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Wednesday.
The Juneau School District is responding to a letter from the Alaska Department of Education Early Development, which could endanger $2.28 million in “outside the cap” funding in the district’s budget for the current year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

State broadens challenge of ‘outside the cap’ funding to all school districts in Alaska

The years-long practice of extra funding may be halted across the state; Juneau board defends stance

The Juneau School District is responding to a letter from the Alaska Department of Education Early Development, which could endanger $2.28 million in “outside the cap” funding in the district’s budget for the current year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)