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The cruise industry and it's impacts on the Southeast Alaska economy are both major topics during this week's Southeast Conference. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Sunny outlook among regional leaders in Ketchikan

Optimism about post-pandemic recovery and growth of industries expressed at Southeast Conference

The cruise industry and it's impacts on the Southeast Alaska economy are both major topics during this week's Southeast Conference. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
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U.S. Senate hopefuls cast net for Southeast votes

Murkowski, Tshibaka and Chesbro apply their broad themes to specific issues at Southeast Conference

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In a letter shared to the public on Monday, Juneau Raptor Center President Dale Cotton announced “it is with great sorrow” that the center has decided to suspend its operations in Juneau after 35 years of service. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire )

Juneau raptor center suspends operations

Expect a phased wind-down with building vacated by end of the year

In a letter shared to the public on Monday, Juneau Raptor Center President Dale Cotton announced “it is with great sorrow” that the center has decided to suspend its operations in Juneau after 35 years of service. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire )
Rep.-elect Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, poses for a portrait at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (AP Photo / Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

‘A seat at the table’: Peltola sworn in to Congress

Peltola’s campaign has emphasized her dedication to “fish, family and freedom.”

  • Sep 13, 2022
  • By Farnoush Amiri / Associated Press
  • Nation-World
Rep.-elect Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, poses for a portrait at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (AP Photo / Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)
Buzz Kelley, of Wasilla, is pictured at his home on Aug. 19, 2022, in Wasilla, Alaska. Kelley is a candidate for U.S. Senate. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News)

Senate hopeful drops bid, backs fellow Republican

“I feel like Kelly Tshibaka is the best shot.”

  • Sep 12, 2022
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
Buzz Kelley, of Wasilla, is pictured at his home on Aug. 19, 2022, in Wasilla, Alaska. Kelley is a candidate for U.S. Senate. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire City Borough of Juneau’s City Clerk Beth McEwen gives a tour of the new local Ballot Processing Center to residents on Monday afternoon.

City unveils new Ballot Processing Center

It opens just weeks ahead of the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 4

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire City Borough of Juneau’s City Clerk Beth McEwen gives a tour of the new local Ballot Processing Center to residents on Monday afternoon.
The MV Tazlina docks in Auke Bay on Monday. The 300-passenger vessel christened in 2018 is generally used as a day boat in the northern portion of the Southeast Alaska panhandle. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

A flat-out pledge to improve ferries

Eliminating dynamic pricing this winter, subdizing alternatives for disruptions part of new program.

The MV Tazlina docks in Auke Bay on Monday. The 300-passenger vessel christened in 2018 is generally used as a day boat in the northern portion of the Southeast Alaska panhandle. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Jarrell Williams (1) and Thomas Baxter (84) celebrate a big play on defense early in Juneau's win over the visiting West Valley Rams. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies get the Rams’ goat under Friday night lights

Juneau remains undefeated on the season.

Jarrell Williams (1) and Thomas Baxter (84) celebrate a big play on defense early in Juneau's win over the visiting West Valley Rams. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Glacier Valley Rotary Club hosted a ceremony Sunday morning to remember the events that took place on 9/11 by honoring Juneau’s first responders at the September 11th Memorial at Riverside Rotary Park. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

9/11 remembered at Riverside Rotary Park

“Never forget.”

Juneau Glacier Valley Rotary Club hosted a ceremony Sunday morning to remember the events that took place on 9/11 by honoring Juneau’s first responders at the September 11th Memorial at Riverside Rotary Park. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire A two-hour Canoe Healing-Journeys was offered for suicide loss and attempt survivors in recognition of International Suicide Prevention Awareness Day, hosted by Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition and partners on Saturday at Sandy Beach.

Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition recognizes International Suicide Prevention Awareness Day

Community barbecue and canoe rides at Sandy Beach.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire A two-hour Canoe Healing-Journeys was offered for suicide loss and attempt survivors in recognition of International Suicide Prevention Awareness Day, hosted by Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition and partners on Saturday at Sandy Beach.
From left to right, Alison Sacks, David Gomez, Alec Mesdag, Justin Kanouse, Jennifer Meyer, Doug Simon, Larry Magura, Greg Kinney, and Gaye Willis. Each of them in various ways were instrumental in recognizing the Salmon Creek Dam as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Juneau-Douglas Museum. The late AEL&P Civil Engineer Scott Willis was also given a dedication with a memorial plaque that will hang next to the Salmon Creek Dam dedication plaque at Salmon Creek Trailhead. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Salmon Creek Dam recognized as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

It was completed in 1914 and was the first of it’s kind.

From left to right, Alison Sacks, David Gomez, Alec Mesdag, Justin Kanouse, Jennifer Meyer, Doug Simon, Larry Magura, Greg Kinney, and Gaye Willis. Each of them in various ways were instrumental in recognizing the Salmon Creek Dam as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Juneau-Douglas Museum. The late AEL&P Civil Engineer Scott Willis was also given a dedication with a memorial plaque that will hang next to the Salmon Creek Dam dedication plaque at Salmon Creek Trailhead. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty discusses Juneau’s tourism this summer during a meet-and-greet aboard the Serenade of the Seas cruise ship. He said ships in most ports are at 100% “load factor” this summer after dropping to zero at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in Alaska sailings are about 70% full as the end of the season nears. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cruise CEO cherishes post-Covid comeback

New Royal Caribbean leader hosts meet-and-greet with Juneau tourism leaders as end of season nears

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty discusses Juneau’s tourism this summer during a meet-and-greet aboard the Serenade of the Seas cruise ship. He said ships in most ports are at 100% “load factor” this summer after dropping to zero at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in Alaska sailings are about 70% full as the end of the season nears. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire From left to right, Liz Perry, president and CEO of Travel Juneau; SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium project manager Sierra Gadaire; High Cadence Triathlon team coach Jamie Bursell; and City and Borough of Juneau Finance Director Jeff Rogers met at Juneau Moose Family Center on Thursday afternoon to share a recap of the Ironman Alaska to a full crowd of members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce who joined in at the luncheon.

2023 vision: Officials look at the future of Ironman Alaska

They reviewed what went well and what could change for next time.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire From left to right, Liz Perry, president and CEO of Travel Juneau; SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium project manager Sierra Gadaire; High Cadence Triathlon team coach Jamie Bursell; and City and Borough of Juneau Finance Director Jeff Rogers met at Juneau Moose Family Center on Thursday afternoon to share a recap of the Ironman Alaska to a full crowd of members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce who joined in at the luncheon.
Alaska gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker, left, and Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Gara and Walker face off at forum

The two, who found common ground on some issues, took aim at Dunleavy

Alaska gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker, left, and Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Two-time national champion and Olympic bronze medalist Gracie Gold talks with the Juneau Empire ahead of her upcoming free speech at Juneau-Douglas High School on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.

Olympian takes time to talk mental health

Bronze medalist, 2-time champ to speak Saturday.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Two-time national champion and Olympic bronze medalist Gracie Gold talks with the Juneau Empire ahead of her upcoming free speech at Juneau-Douglas High School on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.
Amanda Triplett, at right on overhead screen, discusses the University of Alaska’s “Did You Know” program while faculty members in the background hold up signs protesting a labor contract stalemate during the Board of Regent’s meeting Friday in Juneau. The program highlights cooperative efforts the university is participating in with communities such as workplace experience and dual enrollments with other educational institutions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Title IX more than mere sport for UA leaders

Chancellors praise campus anti-discrimination programs, but board member calls changes “insidious”

Amanda Triplett, at right on overhead screen, discusses the University of Alaska’s “Did You Know” program while faculty members in the background hold up signs protesting a labor contract stalemate during the Board of Regent’s meeting Friday in Juneau. The program highlights cooperative efforts the university is participating in with communities such as workplace experience and dual enrollments with other educational institutions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A Juneau Police Department vehicle parks in front of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalè on Friday, Sept. 9. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

School officials: JDHS secure after weapon report

Student has been located, police are investigating.

A Juneau Police Department vehicle parks in front of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalè on Friday, Sept. 9. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
During a recent open house, visitors walk their dogs beneath an antenna field used to heat the upper atmosphere during space physics experiments at a facility known as HAARP between Glennallen and Tok. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: An attempt to demystify the mysterious

A topic worth HAARP-ing on.

During a recent open house, visitors walk their dogs beneath an antenna field used to heat the upper atmosphere during space physics experiments at a facility known as HAARP between Glennallen and Tok. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Colombia-based artist Iván Salazar painted a mural in August for Juneau Urgent & Family Care located at 8505 Old Dairy Road. (Courtesy photo / Iván Salazar)

Colombian artist paints salmon mural as symbol for Alaska

“It has been the sustenance for all generations…”

Colombia-based artist Iván Salazar painted a mural in August for Juneau Urgent & Family Care located at 8505 Old Dairy Road. (Courtesy photo / Iván Salazar)
Sean Parnell, a former Alaska governor and current chancellor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, discusses partnerships with local schools and other community groups during the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents meeting Thursday at the University of Alaska Southeast. In the background employees with the faculty’s union hold up signs protesting a stalemate in contract negotiations that has lasted more than a year. The two-day meeting continuing Friday is the board’s first in Juneau since 2018. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘Excitement’ and challenges factor into UA board meeting

Board members hear about revitalized students, demoralized staff at first Juneau meeting since 2018

Sean Parnell, a former Alaska governor and current chancellor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, discusses partnerships with local schools and other community groups during the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents meeting Thursday at the University of Alaska Southeast. In the background employees with the faculty’s union hold up signs protesting a stalemate in contract negotiations that has lasted more than a year. The two-day meeting continuing Friday is the board’s first in Juneau since 2018. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)