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Assembly members listen to a discussion about the near and long-term future of Juneau’s solid waste management during “Talkin’ Trash” work session held by members of the Assembly Public Works and Facilities Committee Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Assembly members listen to a discussion about the near and long-term future of Juneau’s solid waste management during “Talkin’ Trash” work session held by members of the Assembly Public Works and Facilities Committee Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Jane Hale (Courtesy Photo)

Don’t mess with the OG pood

A dog loves you, but it doesn’t know that it loves you. It can’t reflect on that fact.

Jane Hale (Courtesy Photo)
Geoff Kirsch is an award-winning Juneau-based writer and humorist.

Slack Tide: Self-care, it’s for Alaskans now!

We need products as rugged and exotic as the Alaska presented by the Discovery Channel.

Geoff Kirsch is an award-winning Juneau-based writer and humorist.
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Dan Sullivan’s convenient amnesia

Here’s a history lesson that Sullivan’s public persona is desperate to forget.

  • Apr 7, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
State Rep. Ashley Carrick, D-Fairbanks, offers an apology Thursday on the House floor for “escalating” tensions during a heated session on Wednesday when most members of the minority caucus staged a walkout over what they called a “hostage” situation involving education funding. A few other lawmakers also expressed similar sentiments.

Extra education funding restored – with a catch

House majority ties increase to minority’s willingness to balance budget with reserve funds

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
State Rep. Ashley Carrick, D-Fairbanks, offers an apology Thursday on the House floor for “escalating” tensions during a heated session on Wednesday when most members of the minority caucus staged a walkout over what they called a “hostage” situation involving education funding. A few other lawmakers also expressed similar sentiments.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces the formation of a child care task force that is scheduled to issue a report of recommendation in July of 2024 during a press conference Thursday in Anchorage. (Screenshot from official video of press conference)

Governor creates child care task force

Group scheduled to issue final report in mid-2024; some lawmakers seeking quicker action

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces the formation of a child care task force that is scheduled to issue a report of recommendation in July of 2024 during a press conference Thursday in Anchorage. (Screenshot from official video of press conference)
Brian Erickson, vice president and general manager of Hecla Greens Creek Mine, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Mine VP gives update, addresses report on elevated lead levels in Hawk Inlet

“They made numerous unsupported comparisons and conclusions to support their allegation.”

Brian Erickson, vice president and general manager of Hecla Greens Creek Mine, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
In this aerial view is the Donlin Gold project, located around 12 miles north of the Kuskokwim River community of Crooked Creek, Alaska, on Aug. 11, 2022. Three Alaska Native tribes have sued to block what they say would be one of the largest gold mines in the world. Tribes from the communities of Kwethluk, Tuluksak and Bethel filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday, April 5, 2023, challenging the adequacy of a 2018 environmental review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and issuances of a key permit and lease by federal agencies for the Donlin Gold project.  (Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News)

Three tribes sue to block major gold mine project

ANCHORAGE — Three Alaska Native tribes have sued to block what they say would be one of the largest gold mines in the world, arguing… Continue reading

In this aerial view is the Donlin Gold project, located around 12 miles north of the Kuskokwim River community of Crooked Creek, Alaska, on Aug. 11, 2022. Three Alaska Native tribes have sued to block what they say would be one of the largest gold mines in the world. Tribes from the communities of Kwethluk, Tuluksak and Bethel filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday, April 5, 2023, challenging the adequacy of a 2018 environmental review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and issuances of a key permit and lease by federal agencies for the Donlin Gold project.  (Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News)
A soccer ball rests on the field at Thunder Mountain High School. The JDHS girls bested TMHS 9-0 on Wednesday behind five goals from Peyton Wheeler. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls see 8 goals from underclassmen in season-opener

New faces make impact in cross-town win over TMHS.

A soccer ball rests on the field at Thunder Mountain High School. The JDHS girls bested TMHS 9-0 on Wednesday behind five goals from Peyton Wheeler. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The American island of Little Diomede, Alaska, left, and on the right, the Russian island of Big Diomede, are seen from the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica in the Bering Strait, on July 14, 2017. The Alaska Air National Guard on April 3, 2023, traveled nearly 660 miles to rescue a pregnant woman on a small island two miles from Russia who had severe abdominal pains, a reflection of the challenges patients face in the nation's largest state where the most remote areas have no roads and hospitals can be hundreds of miles away. (AP Photo / David Goldman)

660-mile rescue flight highlights Alaska’s unique challenges

The rescue call came Monday morning…

The American island of Little Diomede, Alaska, left, and on the right, the Russian island of Big Diomede, are seen from the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica in the Bering Strait, on July 14, 2017. The Alaska Air National Guard on April 3, 2023, traveled nearly 660 miles to rescue a pregnant woman on a small island two miles from Russia who had severe abdominal pains, a reflection of the challenges patients face in the nation's largest state where the most remote areas have no roads and hospitals can be hundreds of miles away. (AP Photo / David Goldman)
City and Borough of Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Assembly Member Michelle Bonnet Hale talk with City Manager Rorie Watt Wednesday night after the the 2024-2025 municipal budget was introduced at the city finance committee meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Assembly Member Michelle Bonnet Hale talk with City Manager Rorie Watt Wednesday night after the the 2024-2025 municipal budget was introduced at the city finance committee meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: In praise of the Augustus Brown Pool

Living out my life in Juneau, certain places prompt pleasant memories of departed friends.

  • Apr 6, 2023
  • By Peter Metcalfe
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Lawmakers must step up and increase school funding

There’s no excuse for depriving the funding needed to ensure our students’ learning.

  • Apr 6, 2023
  • By Luann McVey
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
All chairs for minority members of the Alaska State House except for Minority Leader Calvin Schrage are empty during Wednesday’s floor session after absent members fled the Alaska State Capitol over a dispute with the majority about an increase in education funding. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Education funding fight prompts House minority walkout

Republican-led majority revokes funding increase as minority threatens to withhold CBR vote

All chairs for minority members of the Alaska State House except for Minority Leader Calvin Schrage are empty during Wednesday’s floor session after absent members fled the Alaska State Capitol over a dispute with the majority about an increase in education funding. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire
Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on March 28 in Juneau.
Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

House bill aims to boost Alaska Performance Scholarship use

The scholarship is awarded to support education after high school graduation

Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire
Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on March 28 in Juneau.
Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
The children's book "I Would Tuck You In," illustrated by Mitchell Thomas Watley, is shown at a bookstore in Portland, Ore. in this April 5, 2023 photo. Publisher Sasquatch books, owned by Penguin Random House, said Wednesday, April 5, 2023, it has ended its publishing relationship with Watley after he was arrested on allegations of leaving violent, transphobic notes in stores around Juneau, Alaska. Watley told police he was motivated by fear following a deadly school shooting in Nashville that sparked online backlash about the shooter's gender identity, court records show. (AP Photo/Claire Rush)

Publisher drops children’s illustrator for anti-trans notes

Sasquatch Books said it has ended the publishing relationship, will discontinue selling the books.

  • Apr 5, 2023
  • By Mark Thiessen and Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • Local News
The children's book "I Would Tuck You In," illustrated by Mitchell Thomas Watley, is shown at a bookstore in Portland, Ore. in this April 5, 2023 photo. Publisher Sasquatch books, owned by Penguin Random House, said Wednesday, April 5, 2023, it has ended its publishing relationship with Watley after he was arrested on allegations of leaving violent, transphobic notes in stores around Juneau, Alaska. Watley told police he was motivated by fear following a deadly school shooting in Nashville that sparked online backlash about the shooter's gender identity, court records show. (AP Photo/Claire Rush)
Trevor Fredrickson, Sam Fredrickson and Beebuks Kookesh hike down to the shore on the way to be picked up by a floatplane that would return them home, to Angoon. (Courtesy Photo / Mary Catharine Martin)

The Salmon State: Crossing Kootznoowoo — and exploring potential career paths

The 30-mile Cross-Admiralty Canoe Route could be seen as a straightforward trip: start in Angoon (Aangóon, or “isthmus town”), where Tlingit people have lived since… Continue reading

Trevor Fredrickson, Sam Fredrickson and Beebuks Kookesh hike down to the shore on the way to be picked up by a floatplane that would return them home, to Angoon. (Courtesy Photo / Mary Catharine Martin)
Glacier Swim Club’s Joshua Edwards come up for air during a competition race in the Savannah Cayce Southeast Championship at Juneau’s Dimond Aquatic Center this weekend. Edwards placed third as an individual scorer in the 13/14-year-old boys age group. (Courtesy / Phil Loseby)
Glacier Swim Club’s Joshua Edwards come up for air during a competition race in the Savannah Cayce Southeast Championship at Juneau’s Dimond Aquatic Center this weekend. Edwards placed third as an individual scorer in the 13/14-year-old boys age group. (Courtesy / Phil Loseby)
Cover art for the 2023 University of Alaska Southeast’s Tidal Echoes literary magazine, which launches on Friday at the UAS campus from 6:30-8 p.m. (Courtesy Photo / Shaelene Grace Moler)

Tidal Echoes launches latest edition

Chloey Cavanaugh and Lin Davis featured artists.

Cover art for the 2023 University of Alaska Southeast’s Tidal Echoes literary magazine, which launches on Friday at the UAS campus from 6:30-8 p.m. (Courtesy Photo / Shaelene Grace Moler)
Jo March (Ema Zivkovic) reacts to an overture from one-time playmate Theodore "Laurie" Laurence (Jack Scholz) during rehearsal for Perseverance Theatre and University of Alaska Anchorage's Department of Theatre and Dance's upcoming production of "Little Women."
Jo March (Ema Zivkovic) reacts to an overture from one-time playmate Theodore "Laurie" Laurence (Jack Scholz) during rehearsal for Perseverance Theatre and University of Alaska Anchorage's Department of Theatre and Dance's upcoming production of "Little Women."