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Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy of an increase in the state’s per-student funding formula, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy of an increase in the state’s per-student funding formula, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Studies give teacher retention bonuses a mixed report card

Year-end bonuses sought by governor most effective for top-performing employees, specific subjects.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy of an increase in the state’s per-student funding formula, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy of an increase in the state’s per-student funding formula, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A car drives up a hill near Auke Bay in early March. Transportation was a popular topic in a recent draft report that found lower greenhouse gas emissions in Juneau when comparing 2010 to 2021. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Report: Juneau’s greenhouse gas emissions down from 2010 to 2021

While dubbed good news, it concludes a trend cannot be definitively established.

A car drives up a hill near Auke Bay in early March. Transportation was a popular topic in a recent draft report that found lower greenhouse gas emissions in Juneau when comparing 2010 to 2021. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A dog poop bag dispenser sits filled with bags ready for use at the entrance of Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei, also known as Brotherhood Bridge Trail. The City and Borough of Juneau spends about $10,000 a year on dog poop bags, officials say, but the issue of owners not picking after their pets persists. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City prepares for dog doo doom of the spring thaw

CBJ spends $10,000 on dog poop bags each year but the problem still persists, officials say

A dog poop bag dispenser sits filled with bags ready for use at the entrance of Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei, also known as Brotherhood Bridge Trail. The City and Borough of Juneau spends about $10,000 a year on dog poop bags, officials say, but the issue of owners not picking after their pets persists. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Cars fill the parking lot outside of Driftwood Lodge in downtown Juneau Monday morning. The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska recently announced it’s purchase of the site.

Tlingit and Haida purchases downtown Driftwood Lodge

The building is located near Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall and Foodland IGA.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Cars fill the parking lot outside of Driftwood Lodge in downtown Juneau Monday morning. The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska recently announced it’s purchase of the site.
Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire

Hooping and hollering: Photos from Day 4 of Region V

The Juneau Empire’s expanded coverage of the Region V tournament is made possible by Sealaska Corp. Thanks to this sponsorship, this article —and all 2023… Continue reading

Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire
TMHS senior Kiara Kookesh holds up a strand from the net after securing the win against JDHS on Friday for the two teams’ final math up in the 4A Region V tournament. Kookesh tied for the lead in scoring with a total of 12 points. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS girls net Region V title at home

ASAA March Madness Alaska State takes place March 22-25

TMHS senior Kiara Kookesh holds up a strand from the net after securing the win against JDHS on Friday for the two teams’ final math up in the 4A Region V tournament. Kookesh tied for the lead in scoring with a total of 12 points. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A sign points to the two wells, Tinmiaq 2 and 6, that are part of ConocoPhillips Willow project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. (Courtesy of ConocoPhillips)

Many ‘what’s next’ questions remain for Willow and drilling ban

Newly approved project facing lawsuits, while halt on new activity may not be relevant or permanent.

A sign points to the two wells, Tinmiaq 2 and 6, that are part of ConocoPhillips Willow project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. (Courtesy of ConocoPhillips)
Wrangell senior Jacen Hay (23) puts up a shot while sandwiched by Petersburg senior Kyle Biggers (12) and junior Hunter Conn (30). Hay l (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Wrangell defeats Petersburg for second place in region tournament

Fifth time’s the charm for Wolves against Vikings in second-seed play-in game.

Wrangell senior Jacen Hay (23) puts up a shot while sandwiched by Petersburg senior Kyle Biggers (12) and junior Hunter Conn (30). Hay l (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Susan McKenzie, director of Innovation and Education Excellence, foreground, and Deb Riddle, division operations manager for the state Department of Education and Early Development, explain details of bills to restrict mentioning sex/gender in schools and give teachers year-end retention bonuses during a House Education Committee meeting Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bill limiting sex, gender talk in schools gets first public hearing

Testimony limited to supporters who refer to indoctrination, religion in arguing parents know best.

Susan McKenzie, director of Innovation and Education Excellence, foreground, and Deb Riddle, division operations manager for the state Department of Education and Early Development, explain details of bills to restrict mentioning sex/gender in schools and give teachers year-end retention bonuses during a House Education Committee meeting Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. President Joe Biden will prevent or limit oil drilling in 16 million acres of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean, an administration official said on Sunday, March 12, 2023. The expected announcement comes as regulators prepare to announce a final decision on the controversial Willow project. (ConocoPhillips)

Biden OKs Willow project

Move comes after the administration said it would bar or limit drilling in other areas.

This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. President Joe Biden will prevent or limit oil drilling in 16 million acres of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean, an administration official said on Sunday, March 12, 2023. The expected announcement comes as regulators prepare to announce a final decision on the controversial Willow project. (ConocoPhillips)
JDHS junior Sean Oliver (11) holds string from the championship net after a win against Ketchikan High School, making the Crimson Bears this year’s Region V 4A Tournament champs. Oliver finished the game with 30 points, six 3-pointers and a fourth-quarter slam dunk. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears crowned Region V champs

State to be held March 22-25 in Anchorage.

JDHS junior Sean Oliver (11) holds string from the championship net after a win against Ketchikan High School, making the Crimson Bears this year’s Region V 4A Tournament champs. Oliver finished the game with 30 points, six 3-pointers and a fourth-quarter slam dunk. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Haines players celebrate their 45-35 win over Craig in the 2A Region V Runner Up game on Saturday at Juneau's Thunder Mountain High School. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Haines girls earn state berth over Craig

Lady Glacier Bears defeat Lady Panthers for second Southeast seed.

Haines players celebrate their 45-35 win over Craig in the 2A Region V Runner Up game on Saturday at Juneau's Thunder Mountain High School. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
State Rep. Cliff Groh, D-Anchorage, testifies about his proposed constitutional amendment that would change how Permanent Fund earnings are allocated during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting Saturday morning at the Alaska State Capitol. The committee spent two hours taking testimony almost entirely by phone from residents statewide about five proposals related to the Permanent Fund and dividends, which continued the long historical pattern of strongly divided feelings about how much money to use for dividends vs. state government programs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

PFD proposals polarize and puzzle

Residents all over Alaska’s map are also all over the policy map during hearing on various proposals

State Rep. Cliff Groh, D-Anchorage, testifies about his proposed constitutional amendment that would change how Permanent Fund earnings are allocated during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting Saturday morning at the Alaska State Capitol. The committee spent two hours taking testimony almost entirely by phone from residents statewide about five proposals related to the Permanent Fund and dividends, which continued the long historical pattern of strongly divided feelings about how much money to use for dividends vs. state government programs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Emotions were high as JDHS cheer took home the 4A division championship title for the third year in a row during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Southeast stuntin’: Region V dance and cheer teams gather for annual dance adjudication

JDHS cheer takes home first-ever three-peat competition win

Emotions were high as JDHS cheer took home the 4A division championship title for the third year in a row during the annual Region V 2A/4A dance adjudication competition hosted at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Metlakatla Chiefs pose for a team photo after winning the Region V championship over Petersburg on Friday. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Metlakatla boys win physical region title over Petersburg

Chiefs defeat Vikings for third Region V championship in a row.

The Metlakatla Chiefs pose for a team photo after winning the Region V championship over Petersburg on Friday. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Frantic Friday: A roundup of photos from a wild day of basketball

The Juneau Empire’s expanded coverage of the Region V tournament is made possible by Sealaska Corp. Thanks to this sponsorship, this article —and all 2023… Continue reading

(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A high school basketball rests on a gym floor at Thunder Mountain High School, which this week will be the site of the 2A and 4A Region V tournaments. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Update: Saturday schedule shifts

A schedule and brackets for the upcoming tournament.

A high school basketball rests on a gym floor at Thunder Mountain High School, which this week will be the site of the 2A and 4A Region V tournaments. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Metlakatla's Kennedy Cook (3) shoots against Wrangell's Aubrey Wynne (32) and Kiara Harrison (11) during the Region V tournament on Thursday. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Let’s Day 2: A roundup of photos from the Region V tournament’s first day

See pictures from Wednesday’s games.

Metlakatla's Kennedy Cook (3) shoots against Wrangell's Aubrey Wynne (32) and Kiara Harrison (11) during the Region V tournament on Thursday. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Metlakatla coach Julian Russell waves the MisChiefs Region V Championship net on Friday. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Metlakatla girls defeat Craig for Region V championship

MisChiefs play with emotion in win over Lady Panthers.

Metlakatla coach Julian Russell waves the MisChiefs Region V Championship net on Friday. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
JDHS senior Orion Dybdahl rips down a board in a close contest against Ketchikan. The game took 36 minutes of gametime to resovle and ended 72-64 in Kayhi's favor. The Crimson Bears and Kings will play for the Region V 4A title at 8:15 p.m. Saturday at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Ketchikan edges JDHS in overtime

Crimson Bears look to rebound Saturday at 8:15 p.m.

JDHS senior Orion Dybdahl rips down a board in a close contest against Ketchikan. The game took 36 minutes of gametime to resovle and ended 72-64 in Kayhi's favor. The Crimson Bears and Kings will play for the Region V 4A title at 8:15 p.m. Saturday at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)