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Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Jamiann S’eiltin Hasselquist prepares to lead a group of protesters into the office of state Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, at midday Friday. The protest Hasselquist helped organize was in response to questions Eastman asked during a committee hearing Monday about possible economic benefits of dead absued children. A staff member declined to tell the protesters if Eastman was in his office.

Protesters denounce Eastman’s child abuse questions

State representative, censured for asking if dead children save money, subject of demonstration.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Jamiann S’eiltin Hasselquist prepares to lead a group of protesters into the office of state Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, at midday Friday. The protest Hasselquist helped organize was in response to questions Eastman asked during a committee hearing Monday about possible economic benefits of dead absued children. A staff member declined to tell the protesters if Eastman was in his office.
A life preserver hangs on a post at Don. D Statter Harbor Tuesday evening. On Thursday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors board discussed a potential 8.1% increase to all docks and harbors fees starting in July along with an additional 9% increase on top of that to be implemented in the next few years (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Docks and harbors board considers fee increases, requiring insurance

The increase is set to be the largest in 40 years, said port director

A life preserver hangs on a post at Don. D Statter Harbor Tuesday evening. On Thursday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors board discussed a potential 8.1% increase to all docks and harbors fees starting in July along with an additional 9% increase on top of that to be implemented in the next few years (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A lifeguard walks the perimeter of the Augustus Brown Pool Friday morning. The 50-year-old City and Borough of Juneau-owned pool is planned to close on April 3 of this year and will remain closed until early 2024 to undergo $8 million in renovations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A splashy renovation: Augustus Brown Pool set for an update

Renovations include locker/changing rooms, resurfacing leisure pool and electrical systems upgrades.

A lifeguard walks the perimeter of the Augustus Brown Pool Friday morning. The 50-year-old City and Borough of Juneau-owned pool is planned to close on April 3 of this year and will remain closed until early 2024 to undergo $8 million in renovations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Racers from the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay head south on the Haines Highway during the first leg of the race the last time it was held on June 15, 2019. Organizers have announced the 2023 race is planned to go ahead on June 17, with registration opening March 15. (Yukon News file)

Haines Junction to Haines, Alaska bike relay returns June 17

Registration opens March 15 with spots for 1,200 cyclists

  • Feb 24, 2023
  • Stephanie Waddell News Reporter
  • Cycling
Racers from the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay head south on the Haines Highway during the first leg of the race the last time it was held on June 15, 2019. Organizers have announced the 2023 race is planned to go ahead on June 17, with registration opening March 15. (Yukon News file)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, asks Ajay Desai, director of the Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits, about the assumptions used to calculate pensions earned by state employees under a fixed-amount plan in effect until 2006 and a subsequent 401K-type plan during a Senate Finance Committee hearing Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol.

Report has some lawmakers ready to shed tiers

401k-style state pensions perform worse than expected in first in-depth study of 17-year-old system

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, asks Ajay Desai, director of the Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits, about the assumptions used to calculate pensions earned by state employees under a fixed-amount plan in effect until 2006 and a subsequent 401K-type plan during a Senate Finance Committee hearing Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol.
A line of electric-assisted bicycles sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor Thursday afternoon. Two companion bills introduced this year seeks to revise state code to allow for any e-bikes a part of the generally recognized three-tier classifications of e-bikes to ride anywhere a regular bike would be allowed. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Braking news: Bill would define e-bikes same as bicycles

Increasingly popular way to ride currently undefined in state law.

A line of electric-assisted bicycles sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor Thursday afternoon. Two companion bills introduced this year seeks to revise state code to allow for any e-bikes a part of the generally recognized three-tier classifications of e-bikes to ride anywhere a regular bike would be allowed. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Suit alleges rights violations by Alaska Department of Corrections

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of four plaintiffs who were granted discretionary parole.

  • Feb 23, 2023
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski challenges the Alaska State Legislature to “right the ship” by taking necessary action to secure federal funds for ferries, infrastructure and other needs during her annual speech Wednesday at the Alaska State Capitol.

Murkowski gives Legislature ‘tough love’ in speech

U.S. senator asks state lawmakers to make federal funds count in speech.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski challenges the Alaska State Legislature to “right the ship” by taking necessary action to secure federal funds for ferries, infrastructure and other needs during her annual speech Wednesday at the Alaska State Capitol.
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, watches his fellow House members censure him by a 35-1 vote Wednesday. The censure, which came after he asked about potential economic benefits from the deaths of abused children, is the second for Eastman, the only House member ever reprimanded in such a manner. Eastman was the lone vote against the motion.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Eastman gets 2nd censure for questions about dead abused children

Controversial Wasilla legislator causes uproar by asking if deaths offer economic benefits

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, watches his fellow House members censure him by a 35-1 vote Wednesday. The censure, which came after he asked about potential economic benefits from the deaths of abused children, is the second for Eastman, the only House member ever reprimanded in such a manner. Eastman was the lone vote against the motion.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
TMHS sophomore Cailynn Baxter (center) is swarmed by teammates following a last-second, game-winning shot against JDHS Tuesday night. The teams have met two times so far this season and each game has come down to the wire. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS secures another close win against JDHS

The Juneau teams will meet again on Feb. 28 and March 1.

TMHS sophomore Cailynn Baxter (center) is swarmed by teammates following a last-second, game-winning shot against JDHS Tuesday night. The teams have met two times so far this season and each game has come down to the wire. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association, gives the keynote address to Juneau residents during the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 2018 Community Celebration sponsored by the Black Awareness Association at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. On Saturday, the Black Awareness Association will host its Rise fundraiser in celebration of Black History Month at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Michael Penn /.Juneau Empire File)

Black Awareness Association invites community to ‘Rise’ to the occasion

Saturday’s event also serves as scholarship fundraiser.

Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association, gives the keynote address to Juneau residents during the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 2018 Community Celebration sponsored by the Black Awareness Association at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. On Saturday, the Black Awareness Association will host its Rise fundraiser in celebration of Black History Month at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Michael Penn /.Juneau Empire File)
Members of the Glacier Swim Club pose for a group photo in Anchorage during the 2023 Alaska Age Group Champs. (Courtesy Photo / Shireen Taintor)

Glacier Swim Club places 2nd in Anchorage meet

Four swimmers broke team records.

Members of the Glacier Swim Club pose for a group photo in Anchorage during the 2023 Alaska Age Group Champs. (Courtesy Photo / Shireen Taintor)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Bridget Weiss, superintendent of the Juneau School District, speaks during a rally seeking an increase in public school funding Jan. 23 at the Alaska State Capitol. Weiss, who is stepping down as superintendent June 30, is scheduled to take on a broader statewide role as the new liaison for the University of Alaska College of Education Consortium starting July 1.

Weiss tapped to be first-ever liaison for UA program that recruits, trains teachers

It’s a new role for the departing Juneau superintendent.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Bridget Weiss, superintendent of the Juneau School District, speaks during a rally seeking an increase in public school funding Jan. 23 at the Alaska State Capitol. Weiss, who is stepping down as superintendent June 30, is scheduled to take on a broader statewide role as the new liaison for the University of Alaska College of Education Consortium starting July 1.
A school bus drives past the entrance of The University of Alaska Southeast on Tuesday afternoon. Pat Pitney, president of the statewide university system, highlighted ongoing and new efforts to by campuses including UAS to lure students into the teaching programs and subsequently remain as public school teachers in the state. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Sky’s the limit for recovering UA, president says

“State of the University” highlights fiscal and enrollment stability, unique programs such as drones

A school bus drives past the entrance of The University of Alaska Southeast on Tuesday afternoon. Pat Pitney, president of the statewide university system, highlighted ongoing and new efforts to by campuses including UAS to lure students into the teaching programs and subsequently remain as public school teachers in the state. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau addresses a crowd during a recent rally outside the Alaska State Capitol. Hannan is the sponsor of a bill that would ban licensed practitioners from performing “conversion therapy” in the state.

Lawmaker says ban on conversion therapy can help address LGBTQ+ youth suicide

The bill, sponsored by Juneau Rep. Sara Hannan, awaits a House committee hearing.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau addresses a crowd during a recent rally outside the Alaska State Capitol. Hannan is the sponsor of a bill that would ban licensed practitioners from performing “conversion therapy” in the state.
TMHS junior Thomas Baxter rises for a layup on a fastbreak during a Saturday night game against Ketchikan. Baxter on Feb. 9 became the fastest Falcon to reach 1,000 points and is now the school's third leading scorer. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Baxter passes 1K points, now eyes Thunder Mountain’s scoring summit

He’s the fastest in school history to hit 1,000-point mark.

TMHS junior Thomas Baxter rises for a layup on a fastbreak during a Saturday night game against Ketchikan. Baxter on Feb. 9 became the fastest Falcon to reach 1,000 points and is now the school's third leading scorer. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as it sets Monday evening. Tuesday is the last day for the public to submit comments to the U.S. Forest Service on proposed changes to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Mendenhall Glacier area comment period closing soon

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public input on seven plans that vary in impact on the area.

The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as it sets Monday evening. Tuesday is the last day for the public to submit comments to the U.S. Forest Service on proposed changes to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A ConocoPhillips oil rig operating during winter on Alaska’s North Slope is featured on the cover of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s report recommending approval of the Willow oil project ConocoPhillips is seeking to develop. The Alaska State House on Monday approved a resolution asking the Biden administration to give final approval to a project allowing three drilling pads with the possibility of a fourth (compared to the five pads the oil company originally sought), as recommended by the BLM. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

Alaska House unanimously OKs Willow resolution

Supporters say North Slope oil project overwhelmingly favored by locals, addresses opponents’ worries.

A ConocoPhillips oil rig operating during winter on Alaska’s North Slope is featured on the cover of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s report recommending approval of the Willow oil project ConocoPhillips is seeking to develop. The Alaska State House on Monday approved a resolution asking the Biden administration to give final approval to a project allowing three drilling pads with the possibility of a fourth (compared to the five pads the oil company originally sought), as recommended by the BLM. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Three arrested, $1.1M in drugs seized

SEACAD was in charge of the investigation.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Caleb Scussel from Floyd Dryden Middle School and Luke Bell from Haines Glacier Bears square off against each other for the first of the final matches for this year’s Southeast Alaska Middle School Regional Wrestling Tournament on Saturday at Floyd Dryden Middle School. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Southeast Alaska Middle School Regional Wrestling Tournament comes to Floyd Dryden

Over 200 wrestlers from 13 different schools.

Caleb Scussel from Floyd Dryden Middle School and Luke Bell from Haines Glacier Bears square off against each other for the first of the final matches for this year’s Southeast Alaska Middle School Regional Wrestling Tournament on Saturday at Floyd Dryden Middle School. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)