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On a visit to Pokai Bay, Cruz shares the significance of the ancestral lands where she lives, on the Waianae coast of O’ahu. Cruz speaks to the battle that her community is enduring to protect their lands and leads prayers with the visitors from Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Lauren Tanel)

Resilient Peoples & Place: Cultural healing mission bonds Indigenous peoples across the Pacific

Tucked amongst the endless array of fog-coated islands that make up the Tongass National Forest, on the northwest edge of Kupreanof Island, is the small… Continue reading

On a visit to Pokai Bay, Cruz shares the significance of the ancestral lands where she lives, on the Waianae coast of O’ahu. Cruz speaks to the battle that her community is enduring to protect their lands and leads prayers with the visitors from Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Lauren Tanel)
Top three high scoring teams seen here in Anchorage at this year’s Alaska Swimming State Championship where the Glacier Swim Club took second place overall. (Courtesy Photo / Savona Kiessling)

Glacier Swim Club takes 2nd place at Alaska State Championship

PJ Foy earns Outstanding Male Athlete.

Top three high scoring teams seen here in Anchorage at this year’s Alaska Swimming State Championship where the Glacier Swim Club took second place overall. (Courtesy Photo / Savona Kiessling)
Firefighters respond Monday evening to the site of a structure fire on Meander Way. Three people and a dog made it out of the residence without suffering injuries, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue Fire Marshal Dan Jager, but a cat was determined to be deceased as a result of the blaze. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Investigation continues into structure fire

3 people and a dog escaped the blaze, but a cat did not.

Firefighters respond Monday evening to the site of a structure fire on Meander Way. Three people and a dog made it out of the residence without suffering injuries, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue Fire Marshal Dan Jager, but a cat was determined to be deceased as a result of the blaze. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Connecting the dots on Alaska’s higher cost of living

If locally elected officials fail to recognize these connections, it will exacerbate the problem

  • May 10, 2023
  • By Win Gruening
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Thunder Mountain’s Liam Hart (10) pitches against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday night. The Falcons rode timely hitting to a 9-6 victory. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

TMHS triumphs in cross-town baseball game

Falcons beat Bears 9-6 on Tuesday.

Thunder Mountain’s Liam Hart (10) pitches against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday night. The Falcons rode timely hitting to a 9-6 victory. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Virginia Behrends, a parent of four student in the Juneau School District, sits next to Ted Wilson, district director of Teaching and Learning Support, as she share’s public testimony as the board of education discussed a proposal for a once-weekly change to school start times beginning in the fall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

District considers late start on Wednesdays starting next school year

The 30-minute delay will allow for teacher’s to meet together for professional development.

Virginia Behrends, a parent of four student in the Juneau School District, sits next to Ted Wilson, district director of Teaching and Learning Support, as she share’s public testimony as the board of education discussed a proposal for a once-weekly change to school start times beginning in the fall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jim Cockrell. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Opinion: Honoring the 69 peace officers who have died serving Alaskans

They are not forgotten.

  • May 10, 2023
  • By James Cockrell
This photo shows Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jim Cockrell. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé  freshman Jesper Bennetsen (18) speaks about his senior brother Tayten Bennetsen (20), far right, during the JDHS boys final home game at Adair Kennedy pitch Tuesday. Seniors Jack Schwarting, Kean Buss (5), Gabe Cheng (21), Will Robinson (12), Micah Brown (23), Tommy Pearson (13) and T. Bennetsen listen. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire).

JDHS earns clean slate on boys senior soccer night

Underclassmen honor the integrity of their older peers

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé  freshman Jesper Bennetsen (18) speaks about his senior brother Tayten Bennetsen (20), far right, during the JDHS boys final home game at Adair Kennedy pitch Tuesday. Seniors Jack Schwarting, Kean Buss (5), Gabe Cheng (21), Will Robinson (12), Micah Brown (23), Tommy Pearson (13) and T. Bennetsen listen. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire).
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, May 10, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Sales tax proposal defies logic

Nor does it even make horse sense.

  • May 9, 2023
  • By Frank Murkowski
Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday votes 29-31 to reject Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s nomination of Bethany Marcum to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. She was the only nominee among dozens not to be confirmed. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Legislature rejects Marcum for UA Regents

Impassioned speeches made ahead of 29-31 vote.

A joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday votes 29-31 to reject Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s nomination of Bethany Marcum to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. She was the only nominee among dozens not to be confirmed. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This combination photo shows University of Alaska Southeast senior Stephanie Harasim and UAS freshman A.J. Schultz tied for first place in the spring history writing contest sponsored by the Gastineau Channel Historical Society. (Courtesy Photos)

UAS students tie for first place in history writing contest

Each took a moment in local history and developed a fictional character who experienced that event.

This combination photo shows University of Alaska Southeast senior Stephanie Harasim and UAS freshman A.J. Schultz tied for first place in the spring history writing contest sponsored by the Gastineau Channel Historical Society. (Courtesy Photos)
This Monday evening photo shows the Savikko Park playground on South Douglas. The playground is set to be replaced throughout the summer as a part of the City and Borough of Juneau’s park improvement project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

New playground, improvements slated for Savikko Park

Construction at the park will begin Wednesday and last through August, city officials say.

This Monday evening photo shows the Savikko Park playground on South Douglas. The playground is set to be replaced throughout the summer as a part of the City and Borough of Juneau’s park improvement project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Spruce tip, Fireweed blend jelly. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)

Planet Alaska: Postcards from the Rainforest

If your hometown could talk, they asked, what would it say?

Spruce tip, Fireweed blend jelly. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
A line of electric-assisted bicycle sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor in February. On Monday the Senate passed a bill that would to regulate e-bikes under the same regulations as normal bicycles. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Senate passes bill defining e-bikes the same as bicycles in Alaska

The increasingly popular way to ride is currently undefined in state law.

A line of electric-assisted bicycle sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor in February. On Monday the Senate passed a bill that would to regulate e-bikes under the same regulations as normal bicycles. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
President Joe Biden talks with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., on the House steps as they leave after attending an annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon gathering at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 17, 2023. Facing the risk of a government default as soon as June 1, President Joe Biden has invited the top four congressional leaders to a White House meeting for talks on Tuesday, May 9. (AP File Photo / Alex Brandon)

McCarthy: Debt deal needed next week to avoid default

Remarks come ahead of high-stakes meeting.

  • May 9, 2023
  • By Zeke Miller, Seung Min Kim, Josh Boak and Lisa Mascaro Associated Press
  • Nation-World
President Joe Biden talks with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., on the House steps as they leave after attending an annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon gathering at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 17, 2023. Facing the risk of a government default as soon as June 1, President Joe Biden has invited the top four congressional leaders to a White House meeting for talks on Tuesday, May 9. (AP File Photo / Alex Brandon)
E. Jean Carroll arrives at Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in New York.  A jury in New York City is set to begin deliberations in a civil trial over Carroll’s claims that Donald Trump raped her in a luxury Manhattan department store.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards accuser $5M

Verdict announced in a federal courtroom in New York City on the first day of jury deliberations.

E. Jean Carroll arrives at Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in New York.  A jury in New York City is set to begin deliberations in a civil trial over Carroll’s claims that Donald Trump raped her in a luxury Manhattan department store.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Snow covers the gondola that the City and Borough of Juneau purchased from Galsterberg Ski Area in Austria as it sits scattered in the snow outside Eaglecrest Ski Area in February. At Monday night’s Assembly meeting the Assembly approved a deal in which Goldbelt Inc. will invest $10 million toward the installation and construction of the gondola project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Gondola project to get $10M boost by July

Assembly OKs revised revenue agreement with Goldbelt, construction expected next summer

Snow covers the gondola that the City and Borough of Juneau purchased from Galsterberg Ski Area in Austria as it sits scattered in the snow outside Eaglecrest Ski Area in February. At Monday night’s Assembly meeting the Assembly approved a deal in which Goldbelt Inc. will invest $10 million toward the installation and construction of the gondola project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Thunder Mountain High School senior Kiara Kookesh holds a Northwest Indian College jersey after signing to play college basketball for the Bellingham, Washington, school on Monday while flanked by her mother Marcie Kookesh and TMHS coach Andy Lee. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kookesh signs to play at Northwest Indian College

TMHS Falcons defensive ace will hound NWIC Eagles opponents

Thunder Mountain High School senior Kiara Kookesh holds a Northwest Indian College jersey after signing to play college basketball for the Bellingham, Washington, school on Monday while flanked by her mother Marcie Kookesh and TMHS coach Andy Lee. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Ana Scopel,  Kylie Morris, Mackenzie Olver, Mercedes Cordero, Samantha Mead, Brooke McAndrews, Lillian Palmer-Stears, Kaelin Tibbles.  (Courtesy Photo / Cindy Eriksen)

Coaches Corner: Thunder Mountain girls soccer senior edition

“As senior night approaches, I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight the seniors…”

Ana Scopel,  Kylie Morris, Mackenzie Olver, Mercedes Cordero, Samantha Mead, Brooke McAndrews, Lillian Palmer-Stears, Kaelin Tibbles.  (Courtesy Photo / Cindy Eriksen)