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Kake's Tracy Jackson looks to pass around the defense of Haines' Tyler Swinton during the Gold Medal tournament, Wednesday, March 22, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Haines eliminates Kake from Gold Medal B Bracket

80-54 score shows promises of future GM titles for both teams

  • Mar 22, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
Kake's Tracy Jackson looks to pass around the defense of Haines' Tyler Swinton during the Gold Medal tournament, Wednesday, March 22, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
From left to right, House Majority Leader Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River; Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla; and Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla; listen to House Clerk Kris Jones during a break in the session of the Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Photo by James Brooks / Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House votes more funding to fix food-stamp crisis, prevent budget trouble

Bill includes $6.8 million to immediately address a crisis in the state’s food-stamp program.

From left to right, House Majority Leader Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River; Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla; and Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla; listen to House Clerk Kris Jones during a break in the session of the Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Photo by James Brooks / Alaska Beacon)
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‘Total team effort’ earns Juneau team a 10-U state title

“All 10 of our athletes performed at their highest level this weekend…”

  • Mar 22, 2023
  • Douglas “Pap” Conlon For the Juneau Empire
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Sitka’s Norm Staton (32) fights for the rebound against Kake on Wednesday during an elimination game for the M Bracket in this year’s Gold Medal basketball tournament. Staton finished the game with 6 points. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Sitka sends Kake home in Masters Bracket elimination game

Sitka plays at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

Sitka’s Norm Staton (32) fights for the rebound against Kake on Wednesday during an elimination game for the M Bracket in this year’s Gold Medal basketball tournament. Staton finished the game with 6 points. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
A call for a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature to cast a vote that would reject recently-approved salary increases for legislators and top executive branch officials is made by State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, during a press conference Tuesday. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, rejected the joint session in a letter to Tilton on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

House efforts to nix legislative pay raises hit Senate roadblock

Call for a joint session rejected by upper chamber, bills to overturn pay hikes may lack support

A call for a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature to cast a vote that would reject recently-approved salary increases for legislators and top executive branch officials is made by State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, during a press conference Tuesday. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, rejected the joint session in a letter to Tilton on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire 
Alaska residents, many of them part of an Americans for Prosperity delegation from outside Juneau, wait to testify during a House Education Committee meeting Tuesday night. Most of the people in the room opposed increasing public education spending, while a majority of residents testifying online spoke in favor of an increase.

Public, lawmakers go to school over budget

Feisty testimony offered by residents statewide and legislators respond in kind

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire 
Alaska residents, many of them part of an Americans for Prosperity delegation from outside Juneau, wait to testify during a House Education Committee meeting Tuesday night. Most of the people in the room opposed increasing public education spending, while a majority of residents testifying online spoke in favor of an increase.
Reps. Tom McKay, R-Anchorage, and Andi Story, D-Juneau, offering competing amendments to a bill increasing the per-student funding formula for public schools by $1,250 during a House Education Committee meeting Wednesday morning. McKay’s proposal to lower the increase to $150 was defeated. Story’s proposal to implement an increase during the next two years was approved, after her proposed amounts totalling about $1,500 were reduced to $800.

Battle lines for education funding boost get clearer

$800 increase over two years OKd by House committee, Senate proposing $1,348 two-year increase

Reps. Tom McKay, R-Anchorage, and Andi Story, D-Juneau, offering competing amendments to a bill increasing the per-student funding formula for public schools by $1,250 during a House Education Committee meeting Wednesday morning. McKay’s proposal to lower the increase to $150 was defeated. Story’s proposal to implement an increase during the next two years was approved, after her proposed amounts totalling about $1,500 were reduced to $800.
JDHS cheer team leads crowd in chant for the opening of a Crimson Bears Region V basketball game. Winning that tournament sent the JDHS boys to state in Anchorage. They played against top-seeded West Valley High School on Wednesday, losing 60-37 (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
JDHS cheer team leads crowd in chant for the opening of a Crimson Bears Region V basketball game. Winning that tournament sent the JDHS boys to state in Anchorage. They played against top-seeded West Valley High School on Wednesday, losing 60-37 (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This image shows the Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament's logo. The club is looking for submissions of logos for the historic tournament's 75th anniversary. The winning artist will receive a $250 prize. (Screenshot)

Take your shot at a Gold Medal logo

Upcoming milestone prompts call for art.

This image shows the Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament's logo. The club is looking for submissions of logos for the historic tournament's 75th anniversary. The winning artist will receive a $250 prize. (Screenshot)
Coach Jason Kohlhase joins players, from left, Lake Bartlett, Brandon Campbell and son, Karter Kohlhase, around the team’s 18-and-Under, Tier A hockey state championship trophy. Campbell ended the triple overtime marathon by ramming home a rebound off teammate Kohlhase’s face off shot. (Courtesy Photo / Kristin Bartlett)

Juneau brings home 18-U hockey championship

Campbell’s game-winner clinches triple overtime marathon title

  • Mar 22, 2023
  • By Steve Quinn For the Juneau Empire
  • hockey
Coach Jason Kohlhase joins players, from left, Lake Bartlett, Brandon Campbell and son, Karter Kohlhase, around the team’s 18-and-Under, Tier A hockey state championship trophy. Campbell ended the triple overtime marathon by ramming home a rebound off teammate Kohlhase’s face off shot. (Courtesy Photo / Kristin Bartlett)
The Juneau School Board recently announced the three finalists for the district’s superintendent position: Frank Hauser, Carlee Simon and Thom Peck. The district is hosting a public forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27 at Thunder Mountain High School for students, parents and staff to meet the three candidates. Additionally, the trio will be interviewed by the school board on Tuesday, March 28. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

School district announces finalists for superintendent post

Public forum and interviews scheduled for next week.

The Juneau School Board recently announced the three finalists for the district’s superintendent position: Frank Hauser, Carlee Simon and Thom Peck. The district is hosting a public forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27 at Thunder Mountain High School for students, parents and staff to meet the three candidates. Additionally, the trio will be interviewed by the school board on Tuesday, March 28. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Angoon’s Ivan Raney (22) reaches for a rebound over Kake’s Jess Ross during C Bracket action in the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, Tuesday, March 21, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Angoon moves on in C Bracket, eliminates Kake

Overtime thriller gives Angoon a 63-57 win and another game.

  • Mar 22, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
Angoon’s Ivan Raney (22) reaches for a rebound over Kake’s Jess Ross during C Bracket action in the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, Tuesday, March 21, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Angoon's Kendrick Payton (00) and Anthony Snow (32) battle for a rebound with Yakutat's Josh James (0) during the Gold Medal tournament, Tuesday, March 21, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Angoon eliminates Yakutat in Gold Medal B Bracket

Inside, outside game gives Angoon the 79-62 win

  • Mar 22, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
Angoon's Kendrick Payton (00) and Anthony Snow (32) battle for a rebound with Yakutat's Josh James (0) during the Gold Medal tournament, Tuesday, March 21, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Signs encouraging voters to support Proposition 2, which OK’d $6.6 million in bond debt for recreation improvements, sit in a chair on the track at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park ahead of a football game last fall. Monday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved issuing the bond debt, but concern was expressed about whether field work would involve artificial turf. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

City directs $6.6M toward recreation projects approved by voters

Assembly member expressed concerns about one of the project’s link to PFAS

Signs encouraging voters to support Proposition 2, which OK’d $6.6 million in bond debt for recreation improvements, sit in a chair on the track at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park ahead of a football game last fall. Monday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved issuing the bond debt, but concern was expressed about whether field work would involve artificial turf. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Prince of Wales’ Cassi Williams hits one of her five three point shots in POW’s win over Sitka at the Gold Medal tournament, Tuesday, March 21, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium.

Prince of Wales women defeat Sitka in Gold Medal quarterfinal

POW moves in semifinal with 82-24 win.

  • Mar 21, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
Prince of Wales’ Cassi Williams hits one of her five three point shots in POW’s win over Sitka at the Gold Medal tournament, Tuesday, March 21, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium.
Kake’s Charles Jackson (21) makes the final game-winning shot on Tuesday against Hoonah during overtime to secure Kake’s advancement in this year’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. (Klas Slope / For the Juneau Empire)

Kake comes out on top in overtime battle against Hoonah

The Juneau Empire’s expanded coverage of the Juneau Lions Club 74th Gold Medal Basketball Tournament is made possible by Sealaska Corp. Thanks to this sponsorship,… Continue reading

Kake’s Charles Jackson (21) makes the final game-winning shot on Tuesday against Hoonah during overtime to secure Kake’s advancement in this year’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. (Klas Slope / For the Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol in December 2022. A lower-than-expected revenue forecast is raising questions about what the state's spending plan will ultimately look like. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Lower revenue forecast increases budget woes for state lawmakers

Coming up with a spending plan for next year and beyond will be a complex series of negotiations.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol in December 2022. A lower-than-expected revenue forecast is raising questions about what the state's spending plan will ultimately look like. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Office Max at the Nugget Mall in the Mendenhall Valley advertised Permanent Fund dividend sales in July 2020. Alaskans have until the end of the month to apply for the PFD. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

PFD application deadline is next week

Amount in flux as state revenue forecasts lower than expected.

Office Max at the Nugget Mall in the Mendenhall Valley advertised Permanent Fund dividend sales in July 2020. Alaskans have until the end of the month to apply for the PFD. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Bob Schroeder takes an electric chainsaw to a mock credit card during a protest outside the Wells Fargo in downtown Juneau at midday Tuesday. Schroeder cut up three mock credit cards representing three banks in Juneau protesters say are leading funders of fossil fuel development projects. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Chainsaw reaction: Protesters object to banks financing fossil fuel projects

Demonstration uses electric tool to cut up giant credit cards.

Bob Schroeder takes an electric chainsaw to a mock credit card during a protest outside the Wells Fargo in downtown Juneau at midday Tuesday. Schroeder cut up three mock credit cards representing three banks in Juneau protesters say are leading funders of fossil fuel development projects. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of the current site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. On Monday night the Assembly authorized $5 million to go toward the project that is expected to cost $75 million. (City and Borough of Juneau)

City OKs $5M toward proposed Capital Civic Center

The money is intended to show the city’s commitment to the project as it seeks federal funding

This is a photo of the current site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. On Monday night the Assembly authorized $5 million to go toward the project that is expected to cost $75 million. (City and Borough of Juneau)