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Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State representatives Rebecca Himschoot, I-Sitka, left, and Andi Story, D-Juneau, discuss a proposal requiring school districts to maintain a public online checkbook with Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, the bill’s sponsor, during a break in a House Education Committee meeting Wednesday. The two Southeast Alaska representatives expressed concerns about cyber security and small remote districts that do not have official websites.

Lawmakers try to fill in some blanks in ‘online checkbook’ for schools bill

Proposed online register raises questions about practicality, cyberattacks, offline districts.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State representatives Rebecca Himschoot, I-Sitka, left, and Andi Story, D-Juneau, discuss a proposal requiring school districts to maintain a public online checkbook with Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, the bill’s sponsor, during a break in a House Education Committee meeting Wednesday. The two Southeast Alaska representatives expressed concerns about cyber security and small remote districts that do not have official websites.
This combination image shows Frank Hauser, Thom Peck and Carlee Simon, the three candidates who are currently being considered for the Juneau School District superintendent position. The district is expected to make a decision on Friday. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Superintendent decision moved to Friday

Board meeting at noon via Zoom.

This combination image shows Frank Hauser, Thom Peck and Carlee Simon, the three candidates who are currently being considered for the Juneau School District superintendent position. The district is expected to make a decision on Friday. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
JDHS’ Skylar Tuckwood (13) sprints down the court against Ketchikan High School on Friday, Feb. 24 at JDHS where she led with a total of 19 points. Tuckwood earned first team all-state honors for her 22-23 senior season. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

Four Juneau basketball players earn all-state honors

Hoopers from every local team named among the best in the state.

JDHS’ Skylar Tuckwood (13) sprints down the court against Ketchikan High School on Friday, Feb. 24 at JDHS where she led with a total of 19 points. Tuckwood earned first team all-state honors for her 22-23 senior season. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)
Robert DeMaine, principal cellist of the L.A. Philharmonic, is scheduled to perform Dvorak’s Cello Concerto during a pair of concerts this weekend by the Juneau Symphony. (Courtesy Photo/ Daniel Lippitt)
Capital City Weekly

Say cello to the guest artist: Symphony performance features L.A. Philharmonic’s principal cellist

Concert will include Dvořák’s Cello Concerto among other selections.

Robert DeMaine, principal cellist of the L.A. Philharmonic, is scheduled to perform Dvorak’s Cello Concerto during a pair of concerts this weekend by the Juneau Symphony. (Courtesy Photo/ Daniel Lippitt)
Heidi Teshner, acting commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development, explains details of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s so-called “parental rights” bill during a House Education Committee hearing Wednesday. Public testimony on the bill is scheduled to be heard by the committee Thursday evening. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Public gets first say on proposal to restrict sex, gender content in schools

House Education Committee to host Thursday hearing on Dunleavy’s bill.

Heidi Teshner, acting commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development, explains details of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s so-called “parental rights” bill during a House Education Committee hearing Wednesday. Public testimony on the bill is scheduled to be heard by the committee Thursday evening. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks during a meeting of the House State Affairs committee on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Kenai area lawmakers set sights on financial fixes

KENAI — The central Kenai Peninsula’s representatives in the Alaska House of Representatives have their eyes on state finances this week. Reps. Justin Ruffridge, a… Continue reading

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks during a meeting of the House State Affairs committee on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire From left to right, Carlee Simon, Frank Hauser and Thom Peck pose for a photo on Tuesday at Thunder Mountain High School after the Juneau School Board hosted a public forum in which Simon, Hauser and Peck were given an opportunity to answer questions as the three finalists being considered for the Juneau School District superintendent position.

Superintendent finalists field questions

Forum held ahead of Wednesday’s special school board meeting.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire From left to right, Carlee Simon, Frank Hauser and Thom Peck pose for a photo on Tuesday at Thunder Mountain High School after the Juneau School Board hosted a public forum in which Simon, Hauser and Peck were given an opportunity to answer questions as the three finalists being considered for the Juneau School District superintendent position.
State representatives Alyse Galvin, I-Anchorage, left, Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, and Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, study proposed amendments to next year’s state budget during a House Finance Committee meeting Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

All in a day’s budget debate — voting, sex and taxes

Even the smallest pieces of House committee’s markup show signs of huge policy battles to come

State representatives Alyse Galvin, I-Anchorage, left, Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, and Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, study proposed amendments to next year’s state budget during a House Finance Committee meeting Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

State Trooper convicted of attempted sexual abuse of a minor

KENAI — Vance Peronto, formerly an Alaska State Trooper based in Soldotna, was convicted Friday of one count of attempted sexual abuse of a minor… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Sun shines on a sign outside of Riverview Senior Living, an assisted-living community expected to welcome move-ins in early May. Ahead of that, a public event featuring Riverview’s team of directors will be held Saturday at the Baranof Dowtnown. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Progress in view for Riverview

Move-in day is on the horizon and a public information event is set for Saturday.

Sun shines on a sign outside of Riverview Senior Living, an assisted-living community expected to welcome move-ins in early May. Ahead of that, a public event featuring Riverview’s team of directors will be held Saturday at the Baranof Dowtnown. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Bethany Marcum, executive director of the Alaska Policy Forum, responds to questions from the Senate Education Committee on Friday about her nomination to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. Her organization’s conservative policies, including backing a budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that proposed a 40% cut to the university system, made her the most controversial of the governor’s four nominees to the board.

Lawmakers question university board nominee who supported UA budget cut

Bethany Marcum, head of conservative think tank, hears from scathing doubters and glowing supporters

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Bethany Marcum, executive director of the Alaska Policy Forum, responds to questions from the Senate Education Committee on Friday about her nomination to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. Her organization’s conservative policies, including backing a budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that proposed a 40% cut to the university system, made her the most controversial of the governor’s four nominees to the board.
State Sen. Bert Stedman, center, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, presides over a committee hearing Thursday. The committee on Monday approved an $8.4 million fast-track supplemental budget to address staff shortages in processing food stamps, public defenders and legal advocates for vulnerable residents. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Bill with funds to address food stamps backlog goes to governor

Legislature gives near-unanimous approval to hiring extra staff to fix months-long backlog

State Sen. Bert Stedman, center, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, presides over a committee hearing Thursday. The committee on Monday approved an $8.4 million fast-track supplemental budget to address staff shortages in processing food stamps, public defenders and legal advocates for vulnerable residents. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Juneau’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament B Bracket team poses for a group photo after winning the B bracket championship game in this year’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament Saturday night at JDHS. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Juneau rides second half surge to Gold Medal B Bracket title

Saturday night win over Hydaburg concluded the 74th Gold Medal Basketball Tournament.

Juneau’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament B Bracket team poses for a group photo after winning the B bracket championship game in this year’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament Saturday night at JDHS. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
The 2022-2023 JDHS Crimson Bears pose for a photo at ASAA state competition in Anchorage on Saturday before competing against TMHS in the championship game. JDHS finished in fourth place and TMHS went home in sixth. (Courtesy Photo / Tanya Nizich)

JDHS beats TMHS at state for one last showdown

Crimson Bears took fourth place and Falcons took sixth.

The 2022-2023 JDHS Crimson Bears pose for a photo at ASAA state competition in Anchorage on Saturday before competing against TMHS in the championship game. JDHS finished in fourth place and TMHS went home in sixth. (Courtesy Photo / Tanya Nizich)
Courtesy Photo / Robert Casperson JDHS senior boys with coach Robert Casperson, left to right, Nelson Bodhi, Kai Hargrave, Caden Masdeg, Orion Dybdahl and Joseph Aline, pose for a photo at the ASAA state competition in Anchorage on Saturday before the championship game against Dimond High School. The Crimson Bears would take sixth place overall.

JDHS boys fall to Dimond at state

Crimson Bears take 6th place in ASAA tournament.

Courtesy Photo / Robert Casperson JDHS senior boys with coach Robert Casperson, left to right, Nelson Bodhi, Kai Hargrave, Caden Masdeg, Orion Dybdahl and Joseph Aline, pose for a photo at the ASAA state competition in Anchorage on Saturday before the championship game against Dimond High School. The Crimson Bears would take sixth place overall.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire

PHOTOS: An enormous roundup from the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament

The Juneau Empire’s expanded coverage of the Juneau Lions Club 74th Gold Medal Basketball Tournament is made possible by Sealaska Corp. Thanks to this sponsorship,… Continue reading

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire
Ted Burke and wife Jan pose for a photo at the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament on Saturday. Burke was the recipient of the Dr. Walter Soboleff Award. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Ted Burke receives Dr. Walter Soboleff Award at Gold Medal Tournament

“I was definitely surprised,” Burke said. “I didn’t even think there was going to be one this year.”

Ted Burke and wife Jan pose for a photo at the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament on Saturday. Burke was the recipient of the Dr. Walter Soboleff Award. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Angoon's Albert Kookesh shoots against Hoonah's Gary Smith and Andy Mills during the Gold Medal tournament, Wednesday, March 22, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Hoonah Masters eliminate Angoon from Gold Medal

Hoonah’s Hinchman, Lindoff and Angoon’s See in a shoot-out

  • Mar 26, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
Angoon's Albert Kookesh shoots against Hoonah's Gary Smith and Andy Mills during the Gold Medal tournament, Wednesday, March 22, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Hoonah’s Masters Bracket team poses for a group photo on Saturday after being crowned this year’s champs for the M bracket in the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at JDHS. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Hoonah crowned Gold Medal Masters Bracket champs

Hoonah’s Albert Hinchman named MVP.

Hoonah’s Masters Bracket team poses for a group photo on Saturday after being crowned this year’s champs for the M bracket in the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at JDHS. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
C Bracket champions Filcom pose with their trophy. (left to right) Charlie Herrington, Alex Heumann, Tom Gizler, Adam Brown, Mike Lim, Andrew Malacas, Nino Bohulano, Ray Zimmer, Larry Cooper, Ronin Tagsip and Jason Haskell at the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, Saturday, March 25, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s Filcom wins Gold Medal C Bracket Championship

Filcom caps undefeated tournament run with 73-49 win over Klukwan

  • Mar 26, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
C Bracket champions Filcom pose with their trophy. (left to right) Charlie Herrington, Alex Heumann, Tom Gizler, Adam Brown, Mike Lim, Andrew Malacas, Nino Bohulano, Ray Zimmer, Larry Cooper, Ronin Tagsip and Jason Haskell at the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, Saturday, March 25, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)