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Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, left, addresses constituents during a town hall event on Saturday, April 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski senator’s bill ‘lumbers’ toward governor’s desk

Senate Bill 87 aims to make locally milled lumber more widely available for the construction of housing in Alaska

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, left, addresses constituents during a town hall event on Saturday, April 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Flames are visible from the Beluga Point parking area near Anchorage on July 19, 2016, as a wildfire near McHugh Creek burns. A recent series of wildfires near Anchorage and the hottest day on record have sparked fears that a warming climate could soon mean serious, untenable blazes in urban areas — just like in the rest of the drought-plagued American West. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News)

Climate change sparks disaster fears in Alaska’s largest city

This is the new reality.

Flames are visible from the Beluga Point parking area near Anchorage on July 19, 2016, as a wildfire near McHugh Creek burns. A recent series of wildfires near Anchorage and the hottest day on record have sparked fears that a warming climate could soon mean serious, untenable blazes in urban areas — just like in the rest of the drought-plagued American West. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, May 2, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Travel Juneau President Liz Perry (left) and board member McHugh Pierre (right) discuss it’s budget at the Assembly’s Finance Committee Meeting last Wednesday. According to City Finance Director Jeff Rogers, the largest portion of the organization’s annual budget (around 80%) comes from the city’s hotel bed tax revenue. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City forecasts record-breaking bed tax revenues — again

Assembly discusses reallocating some of the funds for affordable housing.

Travel Juneau President Liz Perry (left) and board member McHugh Pierre (right) discuss it’s budget at the Assembly’s Finance Committee Meeting last Wednesday. According to City Finance Director Jeff Rogers, the largest portion of the organization’s annual budget (around 80%) comes from the city’s hotel bed tax revenue. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Alaska has bright future if we keep oil taxes competitive

It’s time to keep our eye on the future…

  • May 2, 2023
  • By Joe Schierhorn and Jim Jansen
Captain Joe Emerson catches a salmon aboard his boat the TommyL II using a line-caught method, also known as trolling for his co-owned Southeast business Shoreline Wild Salmon. Shoreline was recently recognized by Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab as one of the best seafood delivery services currently in business. (Courtesy Photo / Joe Emerson)

Southeast salmon business hooks national attention

Shoreline Wild Salmon delivery service feted by Good Housekeeping.

Captain Joe Emerson catches a salmon aboard his boat the TommyL II using a line-caught method, also known as trolling for his co-owned Southeast business Shoreline Wild Salmon. Shoreline was recently recognized by Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab as one of the best seafood delivery services currently in business. (Courtesy Photo / Joe Emerson)
This photo provided by Fort Wainwright Public Affairs Office shows a recently installed sign at the main entry point to U.S. Army Garrison Alaska Fort Wainwright on April 5, 2023, in Fairbanks, Alaska. The mother of Warrant Officer 1 Stewart Duane Wayment, one of the three soldiers killed last week when two U.S. Army helicopters at Fort Wainwright collided as they were returning from training in a remote part of Alaska, said her son loved his country and his family and lifted others up. An investigative team flew to the crash site Monday, May 1. (Eve Baker / Fort Wainwright Public Affairs Office)

For soldier killed in Alaska crash ‘family was everything’

Mother said her son loved his country and his family and lifted others up.

This photo provided by Fort Wainwright Public Affairs Office shows a recently installed sign at the main entry point to U.S. Army Garrison Alaska Fort Wainwright on April 5, 2023, in Fairbanks, Alaska. The mother of Warrant Officer 1 Stewart Duane Wayment, one of the three soldiers killed last week when two U.S. Army helicopters at Fort Wainwright collided as they were returning from training in a remote part of Alaska, said her son loved his country and his family and lifted others up. An investigative team flew to the crash site Monday, May 1. (Eve Baker / Fort Wainwright Public Affairs Office)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire State Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, speaks in opposition to a bill allocating 75% of spendable Permanent Fund earnings to state programs and 25% to dividends during Monday’s floor session.

Senate passes $1,300 PFD bill despite dissension

Four majority members vote no on “75-25” bill, making it vulnerable to veto or other politicking.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire State Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, speaks in opposition to a bill allocating 75% of spendable Permanent Fund earnings to state programs and 25% to dividends during Monday’s floor session.
House Speaker Cathy Tilton, a Wasilla Republican, listens Monday morning to amendments to a bill she sponsored that seeks to bar the state and local governments in Alaska from mandating restrictions or closures to firearms and retailers in the event of a disaster. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire)

Bill disallowing firearm restrictions during emergencies moves toward third reading

It’s expected to have its final reading Wednesday.

House Speaker Cathy Tilton, a Wasilla Republican, listens Monday morning to amendments to a bill she sponsored that seeks to bar the state and local governments in Alaska from mandating restrictions or closures to firearms and retailers in the event of a disaster. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire)
JPD Chief Ed Mercer, Officer Kevin Fermin and Deputy Chief David Campbell pose for a group photo on Friday during Fermin’s retirement ceremony at the Juneau Police Department. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

JPD officer retires from department after 25 years

Over the course of a 25-year career with the Juneau Police Department, Officer Kevin Fermin touched lives inside and outside the department, and those contributions… Continue reading

JPD Chief Ed Mercer, Officer Kevin Fermin and Deputy Chief David Campbell pose for a group photo on Friday during Fermin’s retirement ceremony at the Juneau Police Department. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
President Joe Biden greets people after speaking about health care and prescription drug costs at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo / John Locher)

Biden’s diverse coalition of support risks fraying in 2024

WASHINGTON — Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Connecticut Democrat-turned-Independent long known for his centrist views, voted for Joe Biden in 2020. But as Biden’s reelection… Continue reading

  • May 1, 2023
  • By Steve Peoples and Zeke Miller Associated Press
  • Nation-World
President Joe Biden greets people after speaking about health care and prescription drug costs at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo / John Locher)
Nevin Overmiller, 78, walks a KFC food delivery to a customer’s door while delivering for Uber Eats, Wednesday, Jan 5, 2021, in Palm Harbor, Fla. Attacks which occurred in Florida last month sent ripples of fear among some app-based drivers, who have long demanded better protection from companies whose safety policies they say are bettered geared toward customers than workers. (Douglas R. Clifford / Tampa Bay Times)

Attacks on delivery drivers add fears among gig workers

Recent attacks sent new ripples of fear among some app-based drivers.

Nevin Overmiller, 78, walks a KFC food delivery to a customer’s door while delivering for Uber Eats, Wednesday, Jan 5, 2021, in Palm Harbor, Fla. Attacks which occurred in Florida last month sent ripples of fear among some app-based drivers, who have long demanded better protection from companies whose safety policies they say are bettered geared toward customers than workers. (Douglas R. Clifford / Tampa Bay Times)
Blueberry flowers provide early-season food for bumblebees. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Setting the seasonal clocks

Our spring is slow in coming.

Blueberry flowers provide early-season food for bumblebees. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Thx

Thank you letters for the week of April 30, 2023

Thank you, merci, danke, gracias, gunalchéesh.

  • Apr 30, 2023
Thx
The tide was out at Eagle Beach with three snow geese feeding on seaweed. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots

Reader-submitted photos of Mother Nature in Southeast Alaska.

The tide was out at Eagle Beach with three snow geese feeding on seaweed. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
JDHS junior Oliver Zigmund (15) blocks a shot at Adair-Kennedy Field on Saturday against Ketchikan High School for the Bears’ first two conference games of the season. Zigmund puts in extra playing time by playing with both the JV and varsity team. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys soccer keep undefeated season alive with wins against Kayhi

Crimson Bears record sits at 6-0 overall and 3-0 in conference.

JDHS junior Oliver Zigmund (15) blocks a shot at Adair-Kennedy Field on Saturday against Ketchikan High School for the Bears’ first two conference games of the season. Zigmund puts in extra playing time by playing with both the JV and varsity team. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Bethany Marcum is unfit to serve on University of Alaska Board of Regents

“She cannot be trusted to make sound decisions to benefit the UA system”

  • Apr 29, 2023
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Scratch out summer, spring and fall on your calendar. Replace with ‘cruise Season’

Everywhere in and near Juneau is vulnerable to cruise business gluttony.

  • Apr 29, 2023
  • By Karla Hart
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
The Tagaban family, Jacob, Jessielea, Joseph and Ed, pose with Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation. (Courtesy photo / Ed Tagaban)

‘Test yourself and you’ll eventually make it’: Petersburg teen takes NBA All-Star’s advice into fight with cancer

“It just really shows me how precious time is.”

The Tagaban family, Jacob, Jessielea, Joseph and Ed, pose with Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation. (Courtesy photo / Ed Tagaban)
This image, which uses a photo by Alyssa Patrick, shows the cover of "Sonus," a new album from Sean Patrick of Gustavus. The album was made available on streaming on Wednesday, April 20, and can be ordered on CD. (Courtesy Photo / Alyssa Patrick)
Capital City Weekly

Big sound from a small town: Gustavus man releases hard-rocking album

Play it loud.

This image, which uses a photo by Alyssa Patrick, shows the cover of "Sonus," a new album from Sean Patrick of Gustavus. The album was made available on streaming on Wednesday, April 20, and can be ordered on CD. (Courtesy Photo / Alyssa Patrick)