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Petersburg senior Kyle Biggers (23) draws a foul on his way to the hoop while defended by Wrangell sophomore Daniel Harrison (34) and Wrangell senior Ethan Blatchley (12). Late free-throws from Biggers, who suffered a knee injury during the game, helped secure the win for Petersburg in what ended up being a 1-point game. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Petersburg boys battle Wrangell in tournament’s 1st round

Vikings and Wolves go the distance in long-standing rivalry.

Petersburg senior Kyle Biggers (23) draws a foul on his way to the hoop while defended by Wrangell sophomore Daniel Harrison (34) and Wrangell senior Ethan Blatchley (12). Late free-throws from Biggers, who suffered a knee injury during the game, helped secure the win for Petersburg in what ended up being a 1-point game. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Craig senior Alissa Durgan (14) wills her way to the hoop while defended by Haines sophomore Ashlyn Ganey (32) and Haines senior Alison Benda (14) in the second half of a Craig win in the first round of the Region V 2A Tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Craig girls slow down Haines in region tournament

Lady Panthers earn 37-31 win

Craig senior Alissa Durgan (14) wills her way to the hoop while defended by Haines sophomore Ashlyn Ganey (32) and Haines senior Alison Benda (14) in the second half of a Craig win in the first round of the Region V 2A Tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File The sun partially shines on the University of Alaska sign in late February. University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced Wednesday her selection of Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer as the new leader of the University of Alaska Southeast.

UA announces selection of new UAS chancellor

Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer is expected to begin the role in July

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File The sun partially shines on the University of Alaska sign in late February. University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced Wednesday her selection of Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer as the new leader of the University of Alaska Southeast.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, reads an announcement during the Senate floor session Wednesday. Tobin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, emerged as a potential road block to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “parental rights” bill by declaring it would not get a hearing if referred to her committee. The bill was subsequently referred to two other committees, with Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, stating it will get a public hearing.

Bill limiting sex, gender discussion in education will get public hearing, senate president says

However, lawmakers say it will not be a main focus.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, reads an announcement during the Senate floor session Wednesday. Tobin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, emerged as a potential road block to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “parental rights” bill by declaring it would not get a hearing if referred to her committee. The bill was subsequently referred to two other committees, with Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, stating it will get a public hearing.
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. Pressure is building on the social media platform TikTok to urge President Joe Biden to reject an oil development project on Alaska's North Slope from young voters concerned about climate change. That's blunted by Alaska Native leaders who support ConocoPhillips' development called Willow. (ConocoPhillips)

TikTok push targets Biden on Alaska’s huge Willow oil plan

However, in Alaska, there have been visible shows of support for the project.

  • Mar 8, 2023
  • By Mark Thiessen, Isabella O’Malley and Natalia Gutierrez Associated Press
  • State & Legislature
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. Pressure is building on the social media platform TikTok to urge President Joe Biden to reject an oil development project on Alaska's North Slope from young voters concerned about climate change. That's blunted by Alaska Native leaders who support ConocoPhillips' development called Willow. (ConocoPhillips)
In this photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey is the Tanaga Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on May 23, 2021. A swarm of earthquakes occurring over the past few weeks has intensified at a remote Alaska volcano dormant for over a century, a possible indication of an impending eruption. The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano late Tuesday, March 7, 2023, after the quakes became very vigorous. (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey)

Swarm of quakes at Alaska volcano could mean eruption coming

The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano.

In this photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey is the Tanaga Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on May 23, 2021. A swarm of earthquakes occurring over the past few weeks has intensified at a remote Alaska volcano dormant for over a century, a possible indication of an impending eruption. The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano late Tuesday, March 7, 2023, after the quakes became very vigorous. (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Matt Cook, new Dealer Principal of Juneau Auto Mall, formerly Mendenhall Auto Center, poses for a photo on Wednesday. Cook took over ownership officially on Wednesday, March 1.

Ownership transition drives change at dealership

Juneau Auto Mall, formerly known as Mendenhall Auto Center, officially opened its doors on March 1.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Matt Cook, new Dealer Principal of Juneau Auto Mall, formerly Mendenhall Auto Center, poses for a photo on Wednesday. Cook took over ownership officially on Wednesday, March 1.
Wrangell High School senior Kiara Harrison (11) rebounds over senior teammate Trinity Faulkner (2) and Petersburg High School sophomores Iris Case (10) and Kylie Mattingly (30) during the Lady Wolves’ 48-10 win over the Lady Vikings in the Region V 2A/4A Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Wrangell girls top Petersburg in Region V tournament opener

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

Wrangell High School senior Kiara Harrison (11) rebounds over senior teammate Trinity Faulkner (2) and Petersburg High School sophomores Iris Case (10) and Kylie Mattingly (30) during the Lady Wolves’ 48-10 win over the Lady Vikings in the Region V 2A/4A Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Haines High School senior Eric Brouillette (40) shoots over Craig High School sophomore Ayden Benolken (24) and freshman Josh Bennett (10) during the Glacier Bears 68-39 win over the Panthers in the Region V 2A/4A Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, Mar. 8, 2023 at Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Haines defeats Craig in boys Region V tournament opener

Glacier Bears chill Panthers with 68-39 win.

Haines High School senior Eric Brouillette (40) shoots over Craig High School sophomore Ayden Benolken (24) and freshman Josh Bennett (10) during the Glacier Bears 68-39 win over the Panthers in the Region V 2A/4A Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, Mar. 8, 2023 at Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Dale Hudson holds his phone showing a photo of him and his late wife, Suzanne, dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Dale is in the process of liquidating his wife’s store, Nana’s Attic, after her recent death in late February.

Unique downtown Juneau antique store to close following owner’s death

Family expressed gratitude for community support of Nana’s Attic

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Dale Hudson holds his phone showing a photo of him and his late wife, Suzanne, dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Dale is in the process of liquidating his wife’s store, Nana’s Attic, after her recent death in late February.
Author Klas Stolpe (13) in action for the Petersburg Vikings against the Sitka Wolves at the 1977 Region V Tournament in Ketchikan. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Closed: Find Me At The Gym

Basketball is a game that rounds out the rough edges of life.

Author Klas Stolpe (13) in action for the Petersburg Vikings against the Sitka Wolves at the 1977 Region V Tournament in Ketchikan. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Screenshot from official livestream Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils proposals to offer public school teachers annual retention bonuses and enact policies similar so-called “don’t say gay” laws in states such as Florida during a press conference in Anchorage on Tuesday.

Governor proposes ‘don’t say gay’-style law, year-end teacher bonuses

Dunleavy says bill is “pro-parent,” not anti-LGBTQ+.

Screenshot from official livestream Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils proposals to offer public school teachers annual retention bonuses and enact policies similar so-called “don’t say gay” laws in states such as Florida during a press conference in Anchorage on Tuesday.
Courtesy Photos / Ruth Johnson, Serge Leclerc This week marks five years since climber’s Ryan Johnson, left, and Marc-Andre Leclerc, right, were reported missing after summiting the north face of the Mendenhall Towers in Juneau.

Families remember climbers five years after presumed deaths

Legacies of Ryan Johnson and Marc-Andre Leclerc continue.

Courtesy Photos / Ruth Johnson, Serge Leclerc This week marks five years since climber’s Ryan Johnson, left, and Marc-Andre Leclerc, right, were reported missing after summiting the north face of the Mendenhall Towers in Juneau.
Ride Alaska co-owners James King, left, and Reuben Willis, right, speak to the Assembly meeting as the Committee of the Whole Monday evening to discuss their proposed business venture to bring electric-assisted bicycle tours to West Douglas’ Pioneer Road. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City OKs another step toward proposed Pioneer Road e-bike tours

The company seeks to provide tours three times per day, six days a week during the summer months

Ride Alaska co-owners James King, left, and Reuben Willis, right, speak to the Assembly meeting as the Committee of the Whole Monday evening to discuss their proposed business venture to bring electric-assisted bicycle tours to West Douglas’ Pioneer Road. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Legislators are about 50 days through the statutory 90-day limit for the session at the Alaska State Capitol, although in reality they are expected to meet for the 121 days allowed in Alaska’s Constitution. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Legislature rejects raises for executive branch officials

House joins senate in unanimously rejecting increases.

Legislators are about 50 days through the statutory 90-day limit for the session at the Alaska State Capitol, although in reality they are expected to meet for the 121 days allowed in Alaska’s Constitution. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File Snows is scattered on the ground between houses on Douglas. The city recently sent out property value notices to Juneau owners, informing them of the annual assessed values of their property.

Property assessment hike has some owners alarmed

City reports average increase to be around 16%, however some residents report an over 40% increase.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File Snows is scattered on the ground between houses on Douglas. The city recently sent out property value notices to Juneau owners, informing them of the annual assessed values of their property.
A driver charges an electric car at a parking lot of a shopping mall in Tallinn, Estonia, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. Many electric vehicle batteries lose power when it’s very cold. (AP Photo / Sergei Grits)

Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather

Longer trips can be difficult in the coldest weather.

A driver charges an electric car at a parking lot of a shopping mall in Tallinn, Estonia, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. Many electric vehicle batteries lose power when it’s very cold. (AP Photo / Sergei Grits)
JDHS senior Orion Dybdahl goes in for a layup against TMHS during a conference game early this season. The two cross-town rivals are set to play games for the Region V Tournament this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Regions ready to rumble at Thunder Mountain High School

Tourney tips off this week.

JDHS senior Orion Dybdahl goes in for a layup against TMHS during a conference game early this season. The two cross-town rivals are set to play games for the Region V Tournament this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Alaska rights commission limits LGBTQ+ discrimination cases

ANCHORAGE — Alaska’s human rights commission has reversed an earlier policy and now is only investigating LGBTQ+ discrimination complaints related to workplace discrimination and not… Continue reading

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
A unanimous vote by the state House on Monday made a bill by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, the first potential new law to pass both chambers of the Legislature. The bill which giving disabled veterans lifetime trapping licenses officially would cost the state nothing, and essentially is a corrective measure to existing law that give such veterans free hunting and fishing licenses. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Free trapping licenses for vets is first bill to pass full Legislature

No-cost measure passed unanimously would be Juneau Sen. Jesse Kiehl’s third bill to become law

A unanimous vote by the state House on Monday made a bill by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, the first potential new law to pass both chambers of the Legislature. The bill which giving disabled veterans lifetime trapping licenses officially would cost the state nothing, and essentially is a corrective measure to existing law that give such veterans free hunting and fishing licenses. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)