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Both JDHS boys and girls basketball teams finished up games in Las Vegas on Thursday as part of the Tarkanian Classic tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

JDHS boys and girls basketball teams return home from Vegas

Princess Cruises Capital City Classic starts Dec. 26.

Both JDHS boys and girls basketball teams finished up games in Las Vegas on Thursday as part of the Tarkanian Classic tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., leaves the chamber as the final votes of the 117th Congress are cast for the $1.7 trillion spending bill that finances federal agencies and provides aid to Ukraine, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. Pelosi is stepping aside from her top leadership role in the new Congress. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

House passes $1.7 trillion spending bill with Ukraine aid

The bill passed mostly along party lines, 225-201.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., leaves the chamber as the final votes of the 117th Congress are cast for the $1.7 trillion spending bill that finances federal agencies and provides aid to Ukraine, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. Pelosi is stepping aside from her top leadership role in the new Congress. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, sits in the House on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Eastman, accused of violating the state constitution's disloyalty clause over his lifetime membership in Oath Keepers, has not condemned the organization in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S Capitol. "No, I generally don't condemn groups," Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, said during his bench hearing on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, his second day on the witness stand. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer, File)

Judge rules Eastman eligible to hold office

The judge’s order is on hold pending a possible appeal.

Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, sits in the House on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Eastman, accused of violating the state constitution's disloyalty clause over his lifetime membership in Oath Keepers, has not condemned the organization in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S Capitol. "No, I generally don't condemn groups," Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, said during his bench hearing on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, his second day on the witness stand. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer, File)
In this photo released by the U.S. Department of Defense, volunteers answer phones and emails from children around the globe during annual NORAD Tracks Santa event at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Dec. 24, 2021. The U.S. military agency known for tracking Santa Claus as he delivers presents on Christmas Eve doesn’t expect COVID-19 or the “bomb cyclone” hitting North America to impact Saint Nick’s global travels this year. NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, is responsible for monitoring and defending the skies above North America. (Jhomil Bansil / U.S. Department of Defense)

U.S. officials: COVID, bomb cyclone won’t slow Santa’s travels

This article has been moved in front of the Empire’s paywall. The U.S. military agency known for tracking Santa Claus as he delivers presents on… Continue reading

In this photo released by the U.S. Department of Defense, volunteers answer phones and emails from children around the globe during annual NORAD Tracks Santa event at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Dec. 24, 2021. The U.S. military agency known for tracking Santa Claus as he delivers presents on Christmas Eve doesn’t expect COVID-19 or the “bomb cyclone” hitting North America to impact Saint Nick’s global travels this year. NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, is responsible for monitoring and defending the skies above North America. (Jhomil Bansil / U.S. Department of Defense)
Kendra Hergett wraps a cookbook at Kindred Post located downtown at 145 S. Franklin St. Friday morning as part of their gift wrapping service. Each gift comes complete with two types of wrapping paper, ribbon and a wax seal stamped with the store’s logo. Kindred Post will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

A delightful dozen: 12 shoppers reflect on best gifts given or received

What’s on your list?

Kendra Hergett wraps a cookbook at Kindred Post located downtown at 145 S. Franklin St. Friday morning as part of their gift wrapping service. Each gift comes complete with two types of wrapping paper, ribbon and a wax seal stamped with the store’s logo. Kindred Post will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
"Break out that old menorah and put on your dreidel-spinning shoes," writes Geoff Kirsch. "For eight nights you’re going to party like it’s 165 BCE!" (Dad Grass / Unsplash)

Slack Tide: Great Alaskan Hanukkah or ‘Alaskanukkah’

You didn’t move all the way from New York to Alaska to reconnect with Judaism. And yet here you are, engaged in that time-honored Jewish… Continue reading

"Break out that old menorah and put on your dreidel-spinning shoes," writes Geoff Kirsch. "For eight nights you’re going to party like it’s 165 BCE!" (Dad Grass / Unsplash)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Judge hears case challenging Alaska House candidate win

An Anchorage Democrat faces a legal challenge to her state House win.

  • Dec 22, 2022
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire State Rep. Andi Story chats with Tawnya Kreft at her office in the Alaska State Capitol during the Juneau legislative delegation’s holiday open house Thursday afternoon.

Holiday cheer as the legislative session nears

Residents chat and snack with Juneau’s delegation during open house at Capitol.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire State Rep. Andi Story chats with Tawnya Kreft at her office in the Alaska State Capitol during the Juneau legislative delegation’s holiday open house Thursday afternoon.
Christmas tree. (unsplash)

Opinion: Juneau Christmas, past and present

Realizing the gifts you already have and sharing with others.

  • Dec 22, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
Christmas tree. (unsplash)
Gifts donated to St. Vincent de Paul for its annual Adopt-A-Family holiday program await pickup by Juneau residents on Thursday at the facility’s Teal Street complex. The organization, which got more than 300 requests for gifts from families, initially had to stop accepting them earlier this week due to demand exceeding donations. But during the past two days an infusion of gifts and donations have been made to the campaign, according to St. Vincent’s Executive Director Dave Ringle. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Outpouring of support makes fulfilling family wish lists possible for local charity

More than 150 donations for needy families arrive in two days after Adopt-A-Family comes up short

Gifts donated to St. Vincent de Paul for its annual Adopt-A-Family holiday program await pickup by Juneau residents on Thursday at the facility’s Teal Street complex. The organization, which got more than 300 requests for gifts from families, initially had to stop accepting them earlier this week due to demand exceeding donations. But during the past two days an infusion of gifts and donations have been made to the campaign, according to St. Vincent’s Executive Director Dave Ringle. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of players who participated in the annual JDHS alumni game in 2021. (Courtesy / Suzanne Sauerteig)

Out of hibernation, Crimson Bear hockey alums set to head back on the ice

Former coach says upcoming game a chance to reconnect with old faces

This is a photo of players who participated in the annual JDHS alumni game in 2021. (Courtesy / Suzanne Sauerteig)
The JDHS boys basketball team won its second game of the season Wednesday. The Crimson Bears have more tournament games in their future — both in Las Vegas and at home. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

JDHS boys notch another win in Vegas tournament

A “very good win” for the Crimson Bears against a “talented and competitive team.”

The JDHS boys basketball team won its second game of the season Wednesday. The Crimson Bears have more tournament games in their future — both in Las Vegas and at home. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The Senate side of the Capitol is seen in Washington, early Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, as lawmakers rush to complete passage of a bill to fund the government before a midnight Friday deadline, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate reaches deal on $1.7T package, pushing toward passage

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that the Senate had an agreement…

The Senate side of the Capitol is seen in Washington, early Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, as lawmakers rush to complete passage of a bill to fund the government before a midnight Friday deadline, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
Thomas Baxter, a junior, leads the Thunder Mountain High School Falcons through a banner to start the second half of a home win against Petersburg. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Falcons rule the roost in season opener

Thunder Mountain bests Petersburg at home.

Thomas Baxter, a junior, leads the Thunder Mountain High School Falcons through a banner to start the second half of a home win against Petersburg. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
An architect’s depiction shows the first crisis stabilization center for youth and adults in Southeast Alaska, now under construction at Bartlett Region Hospital and scheduled for completion in March of 2023. Among the goals for the center is reducing the number of youths experiencing a behavioral health crisis who must leave the community and receive treatment away from their families. (City and Borough of Juneau)

DOJ: Alaska illegally institutionalizing troubled kids

State locks up youths far from home instead of offering adequate treatment, investigation finds.

An architect’s depiction shows the first crisis stabilization center for youth and adults in Southeast Alaska, now under construction at Bartlett Region Hospital and scheduled for completion in March of 2023. Among the goals for the center is reducing the number of youths experiencing a behavioral health crisis who must leave the community and receive treatment away from their families. (City and Borough of Juneau)
Leona Santiago smiles while holding a beaded key chain made with devil’s club during a celebration of the winter solstice on Wednesday afternoon at Generations Southeast. According to David Abad, a volunteer at the event who supplied the plant, Devil’s club often represents protection in Alaska Native cultures. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Event finds inner light during winter solstice

‘It’s about us nurturing the light that’s within us’

Leona Santiago smiles while holding a beaded key chain made with devil’s club during a celebration of the winter solstice on Wednesday afternoon at Generations Southeast. According to David Abad, a volunteer at the event who supplied the plant, Devil’s club often represents protection in Alaska Native cultures. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Snow blankets a statue in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

A white Christmas is in Juneau’s forecast

Winter storm warning issued through the holiday.

Snow blankets a statue in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Suit challenges review underlying Alaska oil lease sale

The lawsuit asks that a judge strike down the environmental review underlying the lease sale.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
JDHS boys basketball team poses for a group photo on Monday in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic tournament. (Courtesy Photo / Robert Casperson)

Both JDHS basketball teams compete in Las Vegas tournament

What happens in Vegas, gets reported from Vegas.

JDHS boys basketball team poses for a group photo on Monday in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic tournament. (Courtesy Photo / Robert Casperson)
Helena Fagan speaks during the event, Family Stories — Juneau and the Holocaust, at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library Tuesday evening. Fagan shared two excerpts of a memoir she is writing about her mother’s story of her narrow survival from the terrors of the Holocaust and Auschwitz concentration camp. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘We tell our story as an urgent plea to stay ever vigilant’: Juneau residents share family stories of the survival and loss during the Holocaust

It coincided with the final day to visit an exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Helena Fagan speaks during the event, Family Stories — Juneau and the Holocaust, at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library Tuesday evening. Fagan shared two excerpts of a memoir she is writing about her mother’s story of her narrow survival from the terrors of the Holocaust and Auschwitz concentration camp. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)