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Participants race in the Halloween Half Marathon and 5K on Saturday along North Douglas Highway. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Nothing scares runners at Halloween Half Marathon

Over 100 ghouls entered in 13.27-mile and 5-kilometer races.

Participants race in the Halloween Half Marathon and 5K on Saturday along North Douglas Highway. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
A row of businesses along South Franklin Street are closed on Friday, the day after the departure of the final cruise ship in Juneau during the 2024 season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Downtown businesses open after last ship leaves plan for lean winter, worry about proposed Douglas dock

Entire blocks along Franklin Street now shut down, but some stores seek to lure what locals they can.

A row of businesses along South Franklin Street are closed on Friday, the day after the departure of the final cruise ship in Juneau during the 2024 season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Camden Messmer pins Skagway junior Brenden Moncibaiz in their 119-pound title match on Saturday at the Southeast Showdown Wrestling Tournament in Juneau’s George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS takes team title as champion grapplers crowned in Southeast Showdown

Top high school wrestlers in the Panhandle gave fans a return to the ultimate showcase in Juneau.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Camden Messmer pins Skagway junior Brenden Moncibaiz in their 119-pound title match on Saturday at the Southeast Showdown Wrestling Tournament in Juneau’s George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Klondike gold rush stampeders stand beside a fragile sign marking the Alaska-Canada border. (Alaska State Library historical collections ASL-P21-54)

Border Patrol: Drawing the line between Alaska and Canada

Southeast Alaska boundary originated as uncertain line created by 1825 treaty between Russia, Great Britain.

Klondike gold rush stampeders stand beside a fragile sign marking the Alaska-Canada border. (Alaska State Library historical collections ASL-P21-54)
President Joe Biden waves after delivering remarks on the federal government’s role in running boarding schools for Native American children at the Gila Crossing Community School in Gila River Indian Community near Phoenix, Ariz., Oct. 25, 2024. Biden on Friday formally apologized for the role of the federal government in running boarding schools where thousands of Native American children faced abuse, neglect and the erasure of their tribal identities. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

Biden highlights Rosita Worl’s harsh childhood, life achievements in apology for U.S. abuse of Native children

Remarks come days after Biden gives Sealaska Heritage Institute president National Humanities Medal

  • Oct 26, 2024
  • By Peter Baker and Aishvarya Kavi ©2024 The New York Times Company
  • Indigenous apology
President Joe Biden waves after delivering remarks on the federal government’s role in running boarding schools for Native American children at the Gila Crossing Community School in Gila River Indian Community near Phoenix, Ariz., Oct. 25, 2024. Biden on Friday formally apologized for the role of the federal government in running boarding schools where thousands of Native American children faced abuse, neglect and the erasure of their tribal identities. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Another record year: 1.68 million cruise passengers visit in 2024, up from 1.64 million in 2023

Biggest issues for visitors were lack of connectivity and crossing guards, tourism director says.

Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Volunteers operate an in-person polling place for the special U.S. House primary election on Friday, May 27, 2022, in the atrium of the State Office Building at Juneau, Alaska. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Early voting in Alaska is off to a fast start and is on pace for a record, figures show

On Monday, Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich urged supporters to vote early and lock in their votes. He followed his own advice this week,… Continue reading

Volunteers operate an in-person polling place for the special U.S. House primary election on Friday, May 27, 2022, in the atrium of the State Office Building at Juneau, Alaska. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, shakes hands with members of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, following her annual address in the state Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski again endorses Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola

Alaska’s senior U.S. Senator endorsed Peltola in 2022 and says cross-party collaboration is important.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, shakes hands with members of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, following her annual address in the state Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Elizabeth Pisel-Davis and Roblin Davis rehearse Thursday evening for “Love Letters” at McPhetres Hall. The play staged by Juneau Ghost Light Theatre debuts Friday. (Photo by Max Rosen)

Different cast and director every weekend as ‘Love Letters’ opens Juneau Ghost Light Theatre’s season

Production will also feature different musicians each weekend and first sign-language interpreters.

Elizabeth Pisel-Davis and Roblin Davis rehearse Thursday evening for “Love Letters” at McPhetres Hall. The play staged by Juneau Ghost Light Theatre debuts Friday. (Photo by Max Rosen)
The Norwegian Jewel begins its departure from Juneau on Thursday evening, marking the official end of the 2024 cruise ship season. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Cruise ship season dominated by politics ends on a pleasant — and short — day for Juneau visitors

Departure of Norwegian Jewel two hours early due to wind warnings comes in wake of stormy ship debate.

The Norwegian Jewel begins its departure from Juneau on Thursday evening, marking the official end of the 2024 cruise ship season. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
JDHS senior Evelyn Richards (8) serves against Wasilla last weekend. The Crimson Bears fell at East Anchorage on Thursday and will play in the Dimond/Service Tournament on Friday and Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Crimson Bears spikers fall to Thunderbirds on the road

JDHS swept under East Anchorage power net attack

JDHS senior Evelyn Richards (8) serves against Wasilla last weekend. The Crimson Bears fell at East Anchorage on Thursday and will play in the Dimond/Service Tournament on Friday and Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
Jonathan Swinton, executive director of Gastineau Human Services, presides over a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of a remodeled behavioral health clinic at the nonprofit organization’s Lemon Creek campus on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Gastineau Human Services completes hasty expansion one month after Rainforest Recovery Center closes

Two four-bed apartments added to 19 existing beds for substance abuse recovery at nonprofit’s campus.

Jonathan Swinton, executive director of Gastineau Human Services, presides over a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of a remodeled behavioral health clinic at the nonprofit organization’s Lemon Creek campus on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mt. Edgecumbe junior Haley Osborne fends off a takedown attempt by Homer senior Jaydin Mann during their 285-pound title match at the 2018 ASAA State Wrestling Championships in Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. One of the most anticipated and competitive matches this reporter has ever witnessed. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Pure Sole: Wrestling is hard — as more than 200 grapplers will demonstrate at Southeast Showdown

High schoolers from throughout Southeast will compete in Juneau tournament starting Friday

Mt. Edgecumbe junior Haley Osborne fends off a takedown attempt by Homer senior Jaydin Mann during their 285-pound title match at the 2018 ASAA State Wrestling Championships in Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. One of the most anticipated and competitive matches this reporter has ever witnessed. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
Pershlie Ami, a citizen of the Hopi tribe, shares her experience of attending Phoenix Indian School when she was a kid during the Road to Healing tour hosted by the U.S. Department of Interior at the Gila Crossing Community School on Jan. 20, 2023. (Shondiin Silversmith/Arizona Mirror)

‘We have persevered’: Biden will apologize for Native American boarding school history

For the first time in history, a sitting U.S. president is set to apologize to Indigenous communities for the role the federal government played in… Continue reading

Pershlie Ami, a citizen of the Hopi tribe, shares her experience of attending Phoenix Indian School when she was a kid during the Road to Healing tour hosted by the U.S. Department of Interior at the Gila Crossing Community School on Jan. 20, 2023. (Shondiin Silversmith/Arizona Mirror)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 20, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 20, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A sign at the end of the publicly accessible road on north Douglas Island on Oct. 16, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

North Douglas is suddenly hot property for lots of developmental projects

Planning Commission OKs zoning changes as wary locals eye gondola, second crossing, proposed cruise port.

A sign at the end of the publicly accessible road on north Douglas Island on Oct. 16, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey seniors are (front row l-r) Loren Platt, Emilio Holbrook, Caleb Friend, Dylan Sowa and Zander Smith. (back l-r) Angel Aranda-Jackson, Carter Miller, Luke Bovitz, Matthew Plang and Ike Puustinen. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS hockey team returns to ice seeking championship rinks ahead

Leading scorers, top goaltender, and fast-paced skaters return seeking state title trophy.

The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey seniors are (front row l-r) Loren Platt, Emilio Holbrook, Caleb Friend, Dylan Sowa and Zander Smith. (back l-r) Angel Aranda-Jackson, Carter Miller, Luke Bovitz, Matthew Plang and Ike Puustinen. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Prince of Wales Alaska Youth Stewards crew members perform landslide assessment fieldwork. (Photo by Zofia Danielson)

Woven Peoples and Place: Ḵutí expands across Southeast Alaska

Project seeks to address community concerns about landslides and other natural hazards in the region.

Prince of Wales Alaska Youth Stewards crew members perform landslide assessment fieldwork. (Photo by Zofia Danielson)
A panel discussion about cultural tourism in Alaska takes place Tuesday between (left to right) Camille Ferguson, economic development director of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska; Zach Dunlap, operations manager for Doyon; Susan Bell, vice president of strategic initiatives for Huna Totem Corp.; Emily Edenshaw, president and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center; and McHugh Pierre, president and CEO of Goldbelt Inc. during the opening day of the Alaska Travel Industry Association convention at Centennial Hall. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Native cultural tourism is ‘Alaska’s sleeping giant,’ panel tells industry leaders at statewide convention

“Alaska is not ‘The Last Frontier.’ Alaska always has been and always will be a Native place.”

A panel discussion about cultural tourism in Alaska takes place Tuesday between (left to right) Camille Ferguson, economic development director of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska; Zach Dunlap, operations manager for Doyon; Susan Bell, vice president of strategic initiatives for Huna Totem Corp.; Emily Edenshaw, president and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center; and McHugh Pierre, president and CEO of Goldbelt Inc. during the opening day of the Alaska Travel Industry Association convention at Centennial Hall. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
A student texts on a cellphone in this stock photo. (Ariel Skelley/Getty Images)

Alaska joins growing number of states considering crackdown on cellphones in schools

Most U.S. adults support cellphone bans in middle and high schools, research shows

A student texts on a cellphone in this stock photo. (Ariel Skelley/Getty Images)