Home

Friday night's basketball game was the second annual Take a Timeout to Talk - Suicide Prevention Awareness game. Coaches and players donned purple and Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss spoke at halftime about the importance of mental health and suicide awareness.

JDHS hosts annual Suicide Prevention Awareness game

“The event is about encouraging teens to evaluate their lives…”

Friday night's basketball game was the second annual Take a Timeout to Talk - Suicide Prevention Awareness game. Coaches and players donned purple and Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss spoke at halftime about the importance of mental health and suicide awareness.
Sherry Patterson and her son Michael sort through the large pile of donations received on Monday as part of the Black Awareness Association of Juneau’s annual collection drive at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Holiday drive strives to honor King’s legacy through service

Black Awareness Association of Juneau holds MLK Day drive.

Sherry Patterson and her son Michael sort through the large pile of donations received on Monday as part of the Black Awareness Association of Juneau’s annual collection drive at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
A large group gathers to watch a wreath-laying ceremony at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Washington, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

On King’s holiday, daughter calls for bold action over words

Other commemorations echoed the Rev. Bernice King’s reminder.

A large group gathers to watch a wreath-laying ceremony at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Washington, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)
Early last week at the Juneau State Courthouse, a Juneau man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison for a felony related to suffocating and torturing one or multiple kittens in early 2020. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man sentenced to five years for torturing kittens

He was also sentenced on a drug charge.

Early last week at the Juneau State Courthouse, a Juneau man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison for a felony related to suffocating and torturing one or multiple kittens in early 2020. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. The Alaska Marine Highway System announced an opportunity to submit written comments about the draft schedule summer schedule. The comment period is currently open and runs until Jan. 26. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

DOT seeks input on proposed summer ferry schedule

The public comment period runs until Jan. 26.

The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. The Alaska Marine Highway System announced an opportunity to submit written comments about the draft schedule summer schedule. The comment period is currently open and runs until Jan. 26. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Chairs await state lawmakers in the House chambers at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. A total of 14 prefile bills were published during the day in addition to 68 published Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

More do’s and don’ts proposed by pols

Sequels are almost never as grandiose as originals, and such is the case with the second batch of prefile bills from state lawmakers released Friday… Continue reading

Chairs await state lawmakers in the House chambers at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. A total of 14 prefile bills were published during the day in addition to 68 published Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This screenshot shows the MusicAlaska Spotify page. The nonprofit's Alaska Playlist project includes an array of playlists dedicated to Alaska bands and artists across a wide array of genres. However, it's just one of the ways MusicAlaska, a partner of Alaska Independent Music Initiative, intends to catalog and promote the state's music scene. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Features

Land of the list: Spotify and directories could further connect Alaska’s music scene

“The algorithm is hard on all of us,” but maybe it doesn’t have to be.

This screenshot shows the MusicAlaska Spotify page. The nonprofit's Alaska Playlist project includes an array of playlists dedicated to Alaska bands and artists across a wide array of genres. However, it's just one of the ways MusicAlaska, a partner of Alaska Independent Music Initiative, intends to catalog and promote the state's music scene. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Players from the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey team and the Soldotna High School Stars take tumble during the third period of their game Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears’ hockey defeated in a nail-biter overtime loss to Soldotna

JDHS coach said he’s hopeful for the remainder of the season

Players from the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey team and the Soldotna High School Stars take tumble during the third period of their game Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Kat Moore and a group of volunteer singers sang mid way through the Alaska Music Summit on Saturday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. Moore was a speaker and performer at the event who traveled from Anchorage to attend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Keynote speakers: Summit celebrates Alaska’s diverse musical ecosystem

Alaska Music Summit held in Juneau for the first time.

Kat Moore and a group of volunteer singers sang mid way through the Alaska Music Summit on Saturday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. Moore was a speaker and performer at the event who traveled from Anchorage to attend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Jonathon Turlove This 2019 photo shows Michael Orelove in Olympia, Washington, in 2019. On Jan. 3, Orelove died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 80.
Features

‘He really lived his life by a different set of rules’

Michael Orelove, a colorful character known for art installations, leaves lasting legacy.

Courtesy Photo / Jonathon Turlove This 2019 photo shows Michael Orelove in Olympia, Washington, in 2019. On Jan. 3, Orelove died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 80.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Lisa X’unyéil Worl, a longtime advocate for education and other issues, asks Juneau’s legislative delegation about the prospects for public broadcasting funding from the state during a town hall meeting Wednesday evening at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School.

Local lawmakers say there are ‘no simple answers’ ahead of session

However, Juneau’s delegation expresses optimism for progress on health, safety and education.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Lisa X’unyéil Worl, a longtime advocate for education and other issues, asks Juneau’s legislative delegation about the prospects for public broadcasting funding from the state during a town hall meeting Wednesday evening at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School.
Bartlett Regional Hospital announced it is implementing a three-phase action plan to address its estimated $10 million deficit this fiscal year and its anticipated $2 million loss during the upcoming fiscal year. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

‘We’re in unprecedented territory as a hospital’: Bartlett Regional Hospital announces cost-cutting plans

Measures are to address its estimated $10M deficit this fiscal year, $2 million in upcoming year.

Bartlett Regional Hospital announced it is implementing a three-phase action plan to address its estimated $10 million deficit this fiscal year and its anticipated $2 million loss during the upcoming fiscal year. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Visitors take images of Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau in summer 2022 from inside the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Alaska’s small glaciers are on the way out

Even optimistic projections show half of glaciers gone by end of century.

Visitors take images of Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau in summer 2022 from inside the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
The only electric bus enters the City Borough of Juneau Capital Transit’s bus barn in late August. Capital Transit is preparing for the addition of seven electric buses which are slated to hit Juneau’s roads sometime in summer of 2024. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Bus down: City preps for incoming electric bus fleet as its current electric bus remains out of commission

Capital Transit expects the new fleet to arrive during the summer of 2024

The only electric bus enters the City Borough of Juneau Capital Transit’s bus barn in late August. Capital Transit is preparing for the addition of seven electric buses which are slated to hit Juneau’s roads sometime in summer of 2024. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Members of the Alaska State Legislature introduce themselves before a mock floor session for new lawmakers in the House chambers of the state Capitol on Friday. Most of the 19 new members, the most since 1984, are going through three days of orientation before the session starts Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘Freshmen 19’ bring unusual heft to Capitol

Class of incoming lawmakers includes many with legislative experience.

Members of the Alaska State Legislature introduce themselves before a mock floor session for new lawmakers in the House chambers of the state Capitol on Friday. Most of the 19 new members, the most since 1984, are going through three days of orientation before the session starts Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Fredrick Brower, center, helps cut up a bowhead whale caught by Inupiat subsistence hunters on a field near Barrow, Alaska, Oc. 7, 2014. After tidal surges and high winds from the remnants of a rare typhoon caused extensive flood damage to homes along Alaska's western coast in September, the U.S. government stepped in to help residents largely Alaska Natives repair property damage. Residents who opened Federal Emergency Management Agency brochures expecting to find instructions on how to file for aid in Alaska Native languages like Yup'ik or Inupiaq instead were reading nonsensical phrases. (AP Photo / Gregory Bull)

FEMA fires group for nonsensical Alaska Native translations

For many, it was a reminder of culture and language suppresion.

Fredrick Brower, center, helps cut up a bowhead whale caught by Inupiat subsistence hunters on a field near Barrow, Alaska, Oc. 7, 2014. After tidal surges and high winds from the remnants of a rare typhoon caused extensive flood damage to homes along Alaska's western coast in September, the U.S. government stepped in to help residents largely Alaska Natives repair property damage. Residents who opened Federal Emergency Management Agency brochures expecting to find instructions on how to file for aid in Alaska Native languages like Yup'ik or Inupiaq instead were reading nonsensical phrases. (AP Photo / Gregory Bull)
At its Tuesday night meeting the Juneau Board of Education OK’d a series of budget revisions that will balance the district’s operating fund deficit of over $620,000 along with its $63,000 deficit in total governmental funds it owes to the city. Members say it does not fix the district’s structural issues. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

School Board addresses deficits, members say the fix is a ‘Band-Aid’

The board OKs plan to ask Assembly for $2.5M in additional out-of-cap funding

At its Tuesday night meeting the Juneau Board of Education OK’d a series of budget revisions that will balance the district’s operating fund deficit of over $620,000 along with its $63,000 deficit in total governmental funds it owes to the city. Members say it does not fix the district’s structural issues. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains his plan for Alaska to cash in on carbon credits during the unveiling of his proposed state budget for next year Dec. 15 at the Alaska State Capitol. He outlined legislation to enter carbon markets during a press conference Thursday in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).

Governor previews carbon market bills

Dunleavy outlines legislation for plan he hopes will earn $900 million a year.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains his plan for Alaska to cash in on carbon credits during the unveiling of his proposed state budget for next year Dec. 15 at the Alaska State Capitol. He outlined legislation to enter carbon markets during a press conference Thursday in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Lanie Downs with Cruise Lines International Association Alaska addresses the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce along with other members of the community on cruise line projections and economic impact expected for 2023.

Cruise ships projected to be closer to capacity this season

Last year ships were about 74% full, industry official says 90% projected for 1st quarter 2023.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Lanie Downs with Cruise Lines International Association Alaska addresses the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce along with other members of the community on cruise line projections and economic impact expected for 2023.
Geraldine Young / Alaska DOTPF The Columbia docks at the terminal in Haines while in service previously. The Alaska Marine Highway vessel, which was taken out of service as a cost-cutting measure in 2019, is scheduled to resume voyages between Bellingham and Southeast Alaska in February while the Matanuska undergoes renovations.

Columbia to resume mainline ferry service next month

Vessel grounded in 2019 to save costs now needed due to extra repairs planned for Matanuska

Geraldine Young / Alaska DOTPF The Columbia docks at the terminal in Haines while in service previously. The Alaska Marine Highway vessel, which was taken out of service as a cost-cutting measure in 2019, is scheduled to resume voyages between Bellingham and Southeast Alaska in February while the Matanuska undergoes renovations.