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Waterways in Southeast Alaska are seen from the air in this 2021 photo by a member of the Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The Native tribe is among many in the U.S. and Canada seeking faster and more definitive action by the two countries to cleanup polluted mining sites and safeguard areas against harm from future industrial activity. Complaints about contaminated sites in some border areas, including the Tulsequah Chief mine in British Columbia about 20 miles from Alaska near Juneau, have gone largely unaddressed for many years. (Courtesy Photo / CCTHITA)

U.S.-Canada summit leads to renewed calls for transboundary mining cleanups

Indigenous leaders — including Rep. Peltola, U.S. and Canadian tribes — seek joint oversight of areas

Waterways in Southeast Alaska are seen from the air in this 2021 photo by a member of the Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The Native tribe is among many in the U.S. and Canada seeking faster and more definitive action by the two countries to cleanup polluted mining sites and safeguard areas against harm from future industrial activity. Complaints about contaminated sites in some border areas, including the Tulsequah Chief mine in British Columbia about 20 miles from Alaska near Juneau, have gone largely unaddressed for many years. (Courtesy Photo / CCTHITA)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Another legislative session fails on the budget front

A fragmented approach to a complex problem is wrong.

  • Apr 28, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
In this photo released by the U.S. Army, AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, fly over a mountain range near Fort Wainwright, Alaska, on June 3, 2019. The U.S. Army says two Army helicopters similar to the ones in this picture crashed Thursday, April 27, 2023, near Healy, Alaska, killing three soldiers and injuring a fourth. The helicopters were returning from a training flight to Fort Wainwright, based near Fairbanks. (Cameron Roxberry / U.S. Army)

Army grounds aviators for training after fatal crashes

The U.S. Army has grounded aviation units for training after 12 soldiers died within the last month in helicopter crashes in Alaska and Kentucky, the… Continue reading

In this photo released by the U.S. Army, AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, fly over a mountain range near Fort Wainwright, Alaska, on June 3, 2019. The U.S. Army says two Army helicopters similar to the ones in this picture crashed Thursday, April 27, 2023, near Healy, Alaska, killing three soldiers and injuring a fourth. The helicopters were returning from a training flight to Fort Wainwright, based near Fairbanks. (Cameron Roxberry / U.S. Army)
Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, listens to a procedural discussion by senators during Friday’s floor session about a bill modifying how Permanent Fund dividends are calculated. The bill, which reduce PFDs significantly from those under previously calculations unless the state has an abundance of revenue, is scheduled for further debate and a vote on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘75-25’ PFD plan reaches Senate floor

Change would drastically shrink dividends, allocate most Permanent Fund earnings to state spending

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, listens to a procedural discussion by senators during Friday’s floor session about a bill modifying how Permanent Fund dividends are calculated. The bill, which reduce PFDs significantly from those under previously calculations unless the state has an abundance of revenue, is scheduled for further debate and a vote on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Teaser

State association considers transgender ban on student sports

Change would limit girls teams to birth-assigned sex; public meeting scheduled Monday

Teaser
City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors board members discuss a lease extension agreement with the University of Alaska Southeast during its Thursday evening meeting. The agreement would include the city offering a variety of “education benefits” to university students in exchange for a less than fair market value annual lease cost. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Board approves hefty benefits to UAS in exchange for land lease extension

Free Eaglecrest lift tickets, bus passes to students OK’d by Docks and Harbors.

City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors board members discuss a lease extension agreement with the University of Alaska Southeast during its Thursday evening meeting. The agreement would include the city offering a variety of “education benefits” to university students in exchange for a less than fair market value annual lease cost. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This Wednesday, April 26, 2023, photo shows Lemon Creek Correctional Center, where an incarcerated man was found hanging in his cell Saturday. The man, Mark Cook Jr. of Hoonah was later pronounced dead. Cook’s family expressed concerns that his death by suicide was preventable. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Family says man’s death in Lemon Creek Correctional Center was avoidable

Family says death could have been avoided.

This Wednesday, April 26, 2023, photo shows Lemon Creek Correctional Center, where an incarcerated man was found hanging in his cell Saturday. The man, Mark Cook Jr. of Hoonah was later pronounced dead. Cook’s family expressed concerns that his death by suicide was preventable. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Math

Gimme a Smile: Math is weird.

Sometimes math doesn’t make sense conceptually.

Math
Kristen Rozell skis past grizzly bear tracks pressed into a snowmachine trail near Fairbanks on April 23, 2023. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Bear tracks on snow a sign of the season

Melt season is a sad time for people who enjoy the magic of snow crystals bonding so well to one another, resulting in a web… Continue reading

Kristen Rozell skis past grizzly bear tracks pressed into a snowmachine trail near Fairbanks on April 23, 2023. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Brig. Gen. John Lubas address the press in regards to the Black Hawk helicopter crash, Thursday, March 30, 2023, outside of Fort Campbell in Christian County, Ky. There have been three U.S. military helicopter crashes and a rollover recorded so far this year, in Alabama, Kentucky, and Alaska. Two of the crashes involved Black Hawk helicopters; the third crash and the rollover involved Apache helicopters. (Liam Kennedy /The Tennessean)

Recent U.S. military helicopter crashes in training missions

There have been three U.S. military helicopter crashes and a rollover recorded so far this year.

Brig. Gen. John Lubas address the press in regards to the Black Hawk helicopter crash, Thursday, March 30, 2023, outside of Fort Campbell in Christian County, Ky. There have been three U.S. military helicopter crashes and a rollover recorded so far this year, in Alabama, Kentucky, and Alaska. Two of the crashes involved Black Hawk helicopters; the third crash and the rollover involved Apache helicopters. (Liam Kennedy /The Tennessean)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Friday, April 28, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Activist Alyssa Milano, left, is greeted by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., center, as they arrive to tell reporters they want to remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 27, 2023. Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic measure to revive the Equal Rights Amendment. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Latest push to revive Equal Rights Amendment fails in Senate

The 51-47 vote included support from two Republicans, Murkowski and Collins.

  • Apr 27, 2023
  • By Mary Clare Jalonick Associated Press
  • Nation-World
Activist Alyssa Milano, left, is greeted by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., center, as they arrive to tell reporters they want to remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 27, 2023. Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic measure to revive the Equal Rights Amendment. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in which options for a long-range fiscal plan were discussed. Dunleavy said in the coming days, he expects a sales tax proposal to be drafted and that a special session to create long-term plan is possible. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Show we the money: Governor, legislators stage news conference vowing again to work together on long-range fiscal plan

Sales tax and special session loom as possibilities.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in which options for a long-range fiscal plan were discussed. Dunleavy said in the coming days, he expects a sales tax proposal to be drafted and that a special session to create long-term plan is possible. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Authorities respond Wednesday evening to a fatal two-vehicle crash at Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police seek more info on fatal crash

Investigation continues into two-vehicle collision at Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive.

Authorities respond Wednesday evening to a fatal two-vehicle crash at Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Michelle Bonnet Hale, Greg Smith and Christine Woll listen to discussion Wednesday night from other Assembly members about the community funding requests for the 2023 fiscal year budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Several community asks are on the outs following Wednesday night city meeting

Assembly members makes some tough calls as it works through the budget process.

From left to right, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Michelle Bonnet Hale, Greg Smith and Christine Woll listen to discussion Wednesday night from other Assembly members about the community funding requests for the 2023 fiscal year budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Admiral Richard J. Knapp, RIP

Admiral Knapp packed more into his life than most of us could ever hope to in several lifetimes.

  • Apr 27, 2023
  • By Win Gruening
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2Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, of the House Judiciary Committee listen to Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Executive Director Robert Corbisier explain why his agency is seeking changes to its name and duties, including exempting religious and other nonprofit organizations from anti-discrimination workplace rules. A bill making those changes got its first hearing by the committee Wednesday about an hour after it was introduced on the House floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bill seeks to allow workplace discrimination by religious, nonprofit organizations

State human rights commission seeking change after eliminating LGBTQ+ protections

2Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, of the House Judiciary Committee listen to Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Executive Director Robert Corbisier explain why his agency is seeking changes to its name and duties, including exempting religious and other nonprofit organizations from anti-discrimination workplace rules. A bill making those changes got its first hearing by the committee Wednesday about an hour after it was introduced on the House floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A moose walks into the lobby of the Kenai Cinemas in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Photo courtesy Kenai Cinemas)

Video of movie theater moose encounter goes viral

As of Tuesday evening, the video had amassed more than 2.3 million views on TikTok

A moose walks into the lobby of the Kenai Cinemas in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Photo courtesy Kenai Cinemas)
A line of vehicles responds to the scene of a fatal wreck at Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road. The two-vehicle crash involved a car and a truck. Three people in critical condition were taken to the hospital after the wreck, and one person died at the scene, according to Juneau Police Department. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police investigate wreck after one dead, three injured

Authorities say avoid Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive.

A line of vehicles responds to the scene of a fatal wreck at Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road. The two-vehicle crash involved a car and a truck. Three people in critical condition were taken to the hospital after the wreck, and one person died at the scene, according to Juneau Police Department. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, April 27, 2023

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

  • Apr 27, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)