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State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks in opposition Tuesday to a bill prohibiting state and municipal officials from closing firearms businesses during declared emergencies if other essential businesses remain open. The Senate voted 17-3 to pass the bill, which sets the stage for it to pass the full Legislature before the session adjourns Wednesday as part of a package agreement on various bills. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Ban on gun store shutdowns during disasters passes Senate

Kiehl among dissenters in 17-3 vote; proposal may be part of final negotiations with Housde

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks in opposition Tuesday to a bill prohibiting state and municipal officials from closing firearms businesses during declared emergencies if other essential businesses remain open. The Senate voted 17-3 to pass the bill, which sets the stage for it to pass the full Legislature before the session adjourns Wednesday as part of a package agreement on various bills. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
People walk past an American flag inside the Oculus, part of the World Trade Center transportation hub, at the start of a work day in New York, Sept. 11, 2019. American lore is full of tales of a nation built on the foundations of individualism. In reality, loneliness in America can be deadly. In May 2023, the U.S. surgeon general declared it an epidemic, saying that it takes as deadly a toll as smoking. (AP Photo / Wong Maye-E)

How the American Dream convinces people loneliness is normal

In reality, loneliness in America can be deadly.

People walk past an American flag inside the Oculus, part of the World Trade Center transportation hub, at the start of a work day in New York, Sept. 11, 2019. American lore is full of tales of a nation built on the foundations of individualism. In reality, loneliness in America can be deadly. In May 2023, the U.S. surgeon general declared it an epidemic, saying that it takes as deadly a toll as smoking. (AP Photo / Wong Maye-E)
State Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, talks with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, following the Senate’s unanimous passage of carbon credits bill Monday. Hughes and Se. Mike Shower, center, voted for the bill despite voicing strong concerns about some of its provisions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Carbon credits bill unanimously passes Senate, House quickly takes it up

Legislature seeks to OK priority bill for Dunleavy as part of package to adjourn session in time

State Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, talks with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, following the Senate’s unanimous passage of carbon credits bill Monday. Hughes and Se. Mike Shower, center, voted for the bill despite voicing strong concerns about some of its provisions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Anna Dale signed a letter of intent Monday to play hockey for Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Anna Dale signs to compete in college hockey

JDHS senior will bring national level skills to powerhouse Lebanon Valley

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Anna Dale signed a letter of intent Monday to play hockey for Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
State Senate leaders depart the House Speaker’s office following a long meeting between members of both chambers Saturday afternoon that failed to resolve budget differences with only four days left until the scheduled adjournment of the legislative session. Leaders with both chambers have said there’s a strong likelihood of a special session, but a breakthrough on some key items late Monday may allow legislators to finish in time on Wednesday if they work at a whirlwind pace. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘It’s the weirdest session I’ve ever seen’: Odds for special session fluctuating drastically

Accusations by House and Senate leaders lead to late pacts as Legislature tries to adjourn on time

State Senate leaders depart the House Speaker’s office following a long meeting between members of both chambers Saturday afternoon that failed to resolve budget differences with only four days left until the scheduled adjournment of the legislative session. Leaders with both chambers have said there’s a strong likelihood of a special session, but a breakthrough on some key items late Monday may allow legislators to finish in time on Wednesday if they work at a whirlwind pace. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors Board Vice Chairman Jim Becker cuts a ribbon Monday afternoon stretched across the Seawalk downtown in celebration of the city’s completion of the Docks and Harbors Marine Deckover Project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Docks and Harbors celebrates completion of Marine Park deckover project

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday afternoon.

City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors Board Vice Chairman Jim Becker cuts a ribbon Monday afternoon stretched across the Seawalk downtown in celebration of the city’s completion of the Docks and Harbors Marine Deckover Project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A Starburst is unwrapped by the Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgery System under the control of Eugene Rehfield, 10, who was one of the many residents that tried out the machine at the Bartlett Regional Hospital lobby Monday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Bartlett unveils new robotic surgery system

The hospital hosted an open house to celebrate the new technology.

A Starburst is unwrapped by the Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgery System under the control of Eugene Rehfield, 10, who was one of the many residents that tried out the machine at the Bartlett Regional Hospital lobby Monday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This Juneau Hydropower Inc. photo shows an overview of the Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Project site. (Courtesy Photo / Robert Johnson)

Sweetheart Lake project still in the works after partnership ends

Permit application withdrawn after Tokyo-based partners terminate agreement.

This Juneau Hydropower Inc. photo shows an overview of the Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Project site. (Courtesy Photo / Robert Johnson)
A sign hangs outside of outgoing City Manager Rorie Watt’s office located in the City Hall downtown. On Monday the Assembly City Manager Recruitment Committee met for the first time to discuss the recruitment process to hire Watt’s replacement by the end of September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City begins search for new manager

Outgoing Rorie Watt is expected to leave his post this fall.

A sign hangs outside of outgoing City Manager Rorie Watt’s office located in the City Hall downtown. On Monday the Assembly City Manager Recruitment Committee met for the first time to discuss the recruitment process to hire Watt’s replacement by the end of September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of a Capital City Fire/Rescue truck in the Mendenhall Valley in May. CCFR and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a recent blaze Sunday morning as possible arson. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Doorstep fire investigated as possible arson

The circumstances of the blaze make it unlikely to be an accident, fire marshal says

This is a photo of a Capital City Fire/Rescue truck in the Mendenhall Valley in May. CCFR and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a recent blaze Sunday morning as possible arson. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Thunder Mountain High School boys soccer seniors, from left, Tristan Laremore, Matthew Spratt, Ben Erickson, Stig Cunningham, Preston Lam and MJ Tupou will be honored before the Falcons home game against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday on Falcons Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain boys to honor soccer seniors Tuesday

Falcons will welcome JDHS Crimson Bears in final derby match

Thunder Mountain High School boys soccer seniors, from left, Tristan Laremore, Matthew Spratt, Ben Erickson, Stig Cunningham, Preston Lam and MJ Tupou will be honored before the Falcons home game against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday on Falcons Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Simple math points to more equitable tax plan

To me it seems like simple math.

  • May 15, 2023
  • Judy Smathers
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(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: We need cruise ship limits

One of my favorite Sunday hikes is up to the tram from Basin Road. I enjoy this year round and as the snow melts I… Continue reading

  • May 15, 2023
(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Thunder Mountain High School baseball seniors, from left, Rory Hayes, Carson Cummins, TJ Womack and Nic Daniels will be honored at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Adair Kennedy Field before their game against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Falcons baseball to honor senior players Wednesday

Thunder Mountain will face Juneau-Douglas at Adair-Kennedy Field

Thunder Mountain High School baseball seniors, from left, Rory Hayes, Carson Cummins, TJ Womack and Nic Daniels will be honored at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Adair Kennedy Field before their game against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
A skunk cabbage inflorescence shows the pointed stigmas of the female phase and the beginning of pollen presentation for the male phase. (Mary F. Willson / For the Juneau Empire)

On the Trails: Spring has sprung

Early avian harbingers have been joined by lots of other species…

A skunk cabbage inflorescence shows the pointed stigmas of the female phase and the beginning of pollen presentation for the male phase. (Mary F. Willson / For the Juneau Empire)
Hecla Green’s Creek environment/surface operations manager Martin Stearns (left) listens to Angoon resident Floyd Kim express his opposition to the four alternatives for the Hecla Greens Creek Mine North Extension Project, of which includes expanding its 8.5-million-cubic yard disposal facility to hold up to an additional five million cubic yards of tailings and waste rock storage. Kim was among the around 15 residents who joined the meeting held Friday afternoon in Angoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Angoon residents speak out against Greens Creek Mine expansion

“We have no real power to stop what’s going on — even if we fight it seems to happen anyways.”

Hecla Green’s Creek environment/surface operations manager Martin Stearns (left) listens to Angoon resident Floyd Kim express his opposition to the four alternatives for the Hecla Greens Creek Mine North Extension Project, of which includes expanding its 8.5-million-cubic yard disposal facility to hold up to an additional five million cubic yards of tailings and waste rock storage. Kim was among the around 15 residents who joined the meeting held Friday afternoon in Angoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls soccer seniors, from left, Leni Schilling (an exchange student from Germany), Mariah Kadinger and Angelica Rodriguez will be honored before the Crimson Bears match against Thunder Mountain at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the Adair Kennedy pitch. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears senior soccer girls to be honored Tuesday

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hosts Thunder Mountain in final home match

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls soccer seniors, from left, Leni Schilling (an exchange student from Germany), Mariah Kadinger and Angelica Rodriguez will be honored before the Crimson Bears match against Thunder Mountain at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the Adair Kennedy pitch. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, left, offers her opinion during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Sunday about changes the committee made to a bill she’s sponsoring that would prevent state and municipal officials from closing stores that sell firearms during disaster declarations. The committee, which watered down some aspects of the original version, advanced the bill to a potential floor vote after a 50-minute hearing that featured heated public testimony both for and against the proposal. At right, state Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, presiding over the meeting as chair of the committee, denied the sudden hearing scheduled with less than a day’s notice is related to efforts to advance a bill of his that’s stalled in a House committee. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Gun legislation gets short-notice hearing on Mother’s Day

Senate holds expedited meeting to advance House Speaker’s bill lessening disaster restrictions.

State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, left, offers her opinion during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Sunday about changes the committee made to a bill she’s sponsoring that would prevent state and municipal officials from closing stores that sell firearms during disaster declarations. The committee, which watered down some aspects of the original version, advanced the bill to a potential floor vote after a 50-minute hearing that featured heated public testimony both for and against the proposal. At right, state Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, presiding over the meeting as chair of the committee, denied the sudden hearing scheduled with less than a day’s notice is related to efforts to advance a bill of his that’s stalled in a House committee. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain senior softball player Leah Hetle, shown surrounded by family, was honored on Saturday at Dimond Park Field No. 4 before the Lady Falcons final home game against Ketchikan. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Lady Falcons finish softball weekend with big bats

TMHS nips Sitka, falls to Ketchikan on senior night

Thunder Mountain senior softball player Leah Hetle, shown surrounded by family, was honored on Saturday at Dimond Park Field No. 4 before the Lady Falcons final home game against Ketchikan. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Entrants start the 20-mile Tee Harbor Road Race from the Lynn Canal Fire Station on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Soza, Sheufelt win Tee Harbor Road Race

Juneau Freewheelers get the cycling season rolling.

Entrants start the 20-mile Tee Harbor Road Race from the Lynn Canal Fire Station on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)