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A basketball passes through a hoop at Thunder Mountain High School. Expect to see a lot more of that this week as the Region V Tournament will be hosted at the high school. Games start Wednesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

2A Schools will fill gym at Region V Tournament

Top teams and players are among the state’s best.

A basketball passes through a hoop at Thunder Mountain High School. Expect to see a lot more of that this week as the Region V Tournament will be hosted at the high school. Games start Wednesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Sonya Kelliher-Combs teaches a youth activity Saturday afternoon where Juneau middle school students were invited to learn how to create a a pouch made from hog intestine and embellished with beads and natural materials. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘It’s a part of who I am’

Artist uses the endangered art of marine mammal gut to explore the truth of Alaska Native history

Sonya Kelliher-Combs teaches a youth activity Saturday afternoon where Juneau middle school students were invited to learn how to create a a pouch made from hog intestine and embellished with beads and natural materials. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Doug Sanvik rips down a hill on a luge at Eaglecrest Ski Area Saturday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Don’t snooze on the luge: Juneau resident hopes to share his love of luging with the community

It’s a luge deal.

Doug Sanvik rips down a hill on a luge at Eaglecrest Ski Area Saturday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Buddy, Juneau Police Department’s narcotics dog, plays in a snow pile outside of the Juneau Police Station Tuesday afternoon.

K-9 keeps nose to grindstone as he nears retirement

Buddy continues to play a critical role in drug control in Juneau

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Buddy, Juneau Police Department’s narcotics dog, plays in a snow pile outside of the Juneau Police Station Tuesday afternoon.
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Left to right, Lilah Gaguine, Maddie Lesh, Lyndley Nakamura and Hallie Reid (top) are all smiles after taking 10th place in this year’s Battle of the Books competition on Thursday at Borealis Elementary School via phone conference.

Here’s booking at you, kids

Montessori Borealis students earn 10th place in statewide Battle of the Books.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Left to right, Lilah Gaguine, Maddie Lesh, Lyndley Nakamura and Hallie Reid (top) are all smiles after taking 10th place in this year’s Battle of the Books competition on Thursday at Borealis Elementary School via phone conference.
Scotch Cap Lighthouse, on the southwest shore of Unimak Island, before the giant wave of April 1, 1946. (NOAA/NGDC, Coast Guard)

Alaska Science Forum: The demise of Scotch Cap lighthouse

In 1946, a 130-foot wave struck the lighthouse at 2:18 a.m.

Scotch Cap Lighthouse, on the southwest shore of Unimak Island, before the giant wave of April 1, 1946. (NOAA/NGDC, Coast Guard)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol where lawmakers have been briefed on a plan state regulators say will allow more flexibility that benefits both businesses and the environment in “Alaska’s unique conditions.” However, some senators expressed skepticism over efforts to take over what are known as “Clean Water Act Section 404” permits. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska seeking a 404 redirect for wetlands development

State wants to take over permitting control from feds, but costs and murky legal questions linger.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol where lawmakers have been briefed on a plan state regulators say will allow more flexibility that benefits both businesses and the environment in “Alaska’s unique conditions.” However, some senators expressed skepticism over efforts to take over what are known as “Clean Water Act Section 404” permits. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters move to extinguish a trailer fire Friday morning. The cause of the fire is believed to be caused by an electric toaster, officials say.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Toaster apparent cause of fatal fire

One person, two dogs dead after trailer blaze.

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters move to extinguish a trailer fire Friday morning. The cause of the fire is believed to be caused by an electric toaster, officials say.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire The JDHS boys basketball team celebrates after a hard fought battle against TMHS on Thursday night for the final conference game of the season. Thursday night was also JDHS’s senior night where seniors from the dance squads, prep band and basketball teams were honored in between the girls and boys games.

Emotions high for JDHS girls and boys basketball senior night

Region V tournament begins March 8.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire The JDHS boys basketball team celebrates after a hard fought battle against TMHS on Thursday night for the final conference game of the season. Thursday night was also JDHS’s senior night where seniors from the dance squads, prep band and basketball teams were honored in between the girls and boys games.
Cars zoom across the downtown bridge connecting Juneau to Douglas Island. Thursday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Public Works and Facilities Committee hosted an open forum meeting to discuss a proposed second crossing from Juneau to Douglas Island. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinions cross at city-hosted second crossing meeting

Residents express support and concern about the potential project.

Cars zoom across the downtown bridge connecting Juneau to Douglas Island. Thursday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Public Works and Facilities Committee hosted an open forum meeting to discuss a proposed second crossing from Juneau to Douglas Island. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Alaskan Brewing Co. staff presents a check to Southeast Alaska Food Bank director Chris Schapp on Tuesday as part of the company’s “Cheers to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank!” celebration. The evening also celebrated the selection of Alaskan Brewing Co. next year recipient SEADOGS. (Courtesy Photo / Erin Youngstrom)

Alaskan Brewing Co. selects 2023 nonprofit partner, donates $8,000 to food bank

Tasting Room event celebrates 2022 donation to Southeast Food Bank.

Alaskan Brewing Co. staff presents a check to Southeast Alaska Food Bank director Chris Schapp on Tuesday as part of the company’s “Cheers to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank!” celebration. The evening also celebrated the selection of Alaskan Brewing Co. next year recipient SEADOGS. (Courtesy Photo / Erin Youngstrom)
Rates of violent offenses in Alaska have outstripped national rates since 1993. Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer UCR data, 1979-2020. Alaska data for 2021 from Crime in Alaska 2021, Alaska Department of Public Safety. (Graph provided by UAA Alaska Justice Information Center)

Rapes and aggravated assaults push Alaska’s violent-crime rates up; property-crime rates fall

Alaska’s rate of violent crimes has increased, a contrast to the national trends, and the increase is driven by extremely high rates of rape and… Continue reading

Rates of violent offenses in Alaska have outstripped national rates since 1993. Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer UCR data, 1979-2020. Alaska data for 2021 from Crime in Alaska 2021, Alaska Department of Public Safety. (Graph provided by UAA Alaska Justice Information Center)
“I voted” stickers await voters on Election Day 2022. That election was the first regular general election in Alaska to include ranked choice voting, which was narrowly approved by voters in 2020. Bills to do away with ranked choice voting have been introduced in the Legislature and a petition to put the matter before voters is circulating. However, a pro-ranked choice petition has been launched to show support for the state’s current elections system, which also includes open primaries. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Pro-ranked choice petition launched

Signatures sought to persuade Legislature not to overturn RCV and open primaries.

“I voted” stickers await voters on Election Day 2022. That election was the first regular general election in Alaska to include ranked choice voting, which was narrowly approved by voters in 2020. Bills to do away with ranked choice voting have been introduced in the Legislature and a petition to put the matter before voters is circulating. However, a pro-ranked choice petition has been launched to show support for the state’s current elections system, which also includes open primaries. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol, where lawmakers are considering a proposed overhaul of Alaska’s public retirement system that would provide a new pension plan for state workers and is seen by supporters as a way to address concerns with recruiting and retaining employees. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

State lawmakers propose pension plan for state workers

Half of the Senate’s 20 members have signed onto the bill.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol, where lawmakers are considering a proposed overhaul of Alaska’s public retirement system that would provide a new pension plan for state workers and is seen by supporters as a way to address concerns with recruiting and retaining employees. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
University of Alaska President Pat Pitney speaks to members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

UA president talks new UAS chancellor, ‘fiscal stability’ of university system

Chancellor selection to be announced in coming weeks, president says

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney speaks to members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Swimmers compete in the USMS state masters swimming meet over the weekend, hosted for the first time by the Glacier Swim Club at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center. (Courtesy Photo / Philip Loseby)

Glacier Swim Club hosts masters meet for the first time in Juneau

GSC breaks state records at masters meet.

Swimmers compete in the USMS state masters swimming meet over the weekend, hosted for the first time by the Glacier Swim Club at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center. (Courtesy Photo / Philip Loseby)
Rep. Rebecca Himschoot, I-Sitka, offers an overview Wednesday of Southeast Alaska’s commercial troll fisheries while asking for support on a resolution opposing a lawsuit by a Washington-based group that would shut the fisheries down due to their alleged impacts on species in that state. The resolution passed by a 35-1 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Challenges spawning rapidly in salmon lawsuit

Juneau Assembly and Alaska House join opposition to Washington case that could halt SE fisheries

Rep. Rebecca Himschoot, I-Sitka, offers an overview Wednesday of Southeast Alaska’s commercial troll fisheries while asking for support on a resolution opposing a lawsuit by a Washington-based group that would shut the fisheries down due to their alleged impacts on species in that state. The resolution passed by a 35-1 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau School District was scammed out of nearly $270,000 this fall, according to a memo shared with the City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee at its Wednesday night meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

School district scammed out of nearly $270,000 by someone posing as a vendor

City officials say CBJ may assist in covering the financial burden

The Juneau School District was scammed out of nearly $270,000 this fall, according to a memo shared with the City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee at its Wednesday night meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Three arrested on robbery and assault charges

Only minor injuries were reported.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, advocates for more state funding on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities so they can “live as independently as possible” with the help of service providers during a rally in a heavy snowstorm at midday Wednesday on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol.

Rally for disability services plows ahead despite weather

About 20 people make their way to Capitol to seek solutions for service shortages.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, advocates for more state funding on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities so they can “live as independently as possible” with the help of service providers during a rally in a heavy snowstorm at midday Wednesday on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol.