Home

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File 
Juneau resident Corrie Weikle heads to to finish line during the Ironman Alaska in early Aug. Weikle has qualified for the VinFast Ironman World Championship and preparation is already underway to get ready to race in just under six weeks.

Juneau Ironman Alaska athletes head to the world stage

A group of local Ironman Alaska finishers prepare for Ironman World Championship in Hawaii

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File 
Juneau resident Corrie Weikle heads to to finish line during the Ironman Alaska in early Aug. Weikle has qualified for the VinFast Ironman World Championship and preparation is already underway to get ready to race in just under six weeks.
Courtesy / Owen Squires
Steven Ireland-Haight sits in his kayak as he continues his journey traveling across the country to raise awareness about climate change. Born and raised in Juneau, Ireland-Haight said the capital city is what nurtured his love for the outdoors.
Courtesy / Owen Squires
Steven Ireland-Haight sits in his kayak as he continues his journey traveling across the country to raise awareness about climate change. Born and raised in Juneau, Ireland-Haight said the capital city is what nurtured his love for the outdoors.
Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney said Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, she plans to end her campaign, saying she does not see a path to victory or to raise the money needed to be successful in the November general election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Little change in election results as Sweeney drops out

Updated count shows Sarah Palin solidifying chances of ultimately prevailing in U.S. House race

Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney said Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, she plans to end her campaign, saying she does not see a path to victory or to raise the money needed to be successful in the November general election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Norwegian Cruise Line announced Tuesday that it would donate a 2.9-acre plot of land owned by the cruise line since 2019 on Juneau’s harborfront to Huna Totem Corp. to develop. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Norwegian Cruise Line announced Tuesday that it would donate a 2.9-acre plot of land owned by the cruise line since 2019 on Juneau’s harborfront to Huna Totem Corp. to develop. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the state seal on a ballot for June 11 special primary election. a lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Arctic Village Council, League of Women Voters of Alaska and two voters who a complaint says made mistakes on their ballot envelopes in the June special U.S. House primary that resulted in their ballots being rejected. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Groups sue over lack of process to fix mail ballot mistakes

Lawsuit filed on behalf of the Arctic Village Council, League of Women Voters of Alaska and 2 voters

  • Aug 23, 2022
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
This photo shows the state seal on a ballot for June 11 special primary election. a lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Arctic Village Council, League of Women Voters of Alaska and two voters who a complaint says made mistakes on their ballot envelopes in the June special U.S. House primary that resulted in their ballots being rejected. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. After an agreement failed to materialize Monday, negotiations are ongoing. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

University contract impasse continues as classes near

Union and administration schedule talks through September after negotiations fall short Monday

Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. After an agreement failed to materialize Monday, negotiations are ongoing. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire 
William Stich-Smith stands on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday morning to showcase his pandemic quilt, which he’s currently touring all throughout the country. Alaska marks the 39th state he’s traveled to so far.
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire 
William Stich-Smith stands on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday morning to showcase his pandemic quilt, which he’s currently touring all throughout the country. Alaska marks the 39th state he’s traveled to so far.
Fire trucks flash their lights in a line during an emergency drill at Juneau International Airport. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Fire department needs volunteers

Volunteerism reaches 20-year low for fire department.

Fire trucks flash their lights in a line during an emergency drill at Juneau International Airport. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
A for sale sign sits outside a house in the Mendenhall Valley area. The City and Borough of Juneau’s finance staff recently released an online FAQ dedicated to answering a series of frequently asked questions about the borough’s real estate mandatory disclosure policy.

Disclosure FAQ met with more questions

Local Realtors share their take on new web page; city officials say more answers coming.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
A for sale sign sits outside a house in the Mendenhall Valley area. The City and Borough of Juneau’s finance staff recently released an online FAQ dedicated to answering a series of frequently asked questions about the borough’s real estate mandatory disclosure policy.
Jayden Johnson smiles as he reaches the end zone in the fourth quarter. The Huskies were victorious in their home-opener against Bartlett High School. The score extended Juneau's lead to 26-14 and helped stave off a turnover-fueled comeback bid by Bartlett. The Huskies went on to win 33-14. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies fight for frantic finish

Juneau beats Bartlett in home opener 33 to 14

Jayden Johnson smiles as he reaches the end zone in the fourth quarter. The Huskies were victorious in their home-opener against Bartlett High School. The score extended Juneau's lead to 26-14 and helped stave off a turnover-fueled comeback bid by Bartlett. The Huskies went on to win 33-14. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gray whale shoots water from its spout while Angoon residents try to free it from being entangled in a broken crab pot Thursday evening inside Favorite Bay. (Courtesy Photo)

Angoon residents work to free gray whale

NOAA encourages public to call 24-hour hotline.

Gray whale shoots water from its spout while Angoon residents try to free it from being entangled in a broken crab pot Thursday evening inside Favorite Bay. (Courtesy Photo)
A forecast for Alaska’s U.S. Senate race by FiveThirtyEight, long considered the gold standard in prediction punditry, following Tuesday’s primary is wildly at odds with virtually all polls and conventional wisdom by showing Republican challenger Kelly Tshibaka is the dominant favorite to win in November’s general election. Most analysts expect incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski to be reelected under the new ranked choice voting system due to support from Democrats and Independents. Murkowski also defied some predictions by getting the most Republican votes in the primary, although that may have been because the leading Democratic candidate got considerably fewer votes than expected. (Screenshot from FiveThirtyEight)

Odds and unends from a primarily special campaign

Bits of weirdness from a uniquely mystifying election week.

A forecast for Alaska’s U.S. Senate race by FiveThirtyEight, long considered the gold standard in prediction punditry, following Tuesday’s primary is wildly at odds with virtually all polls and conventional wisdom by showing Republican challenger Kelly Tshibaka is the dominant favorite to win in November’s general election. Most analysts expect incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski to be reelected under the new ranked choice voting system due to support from Democrats and Independents. Murkowski also defied some predictions by getting the most Republican votes in the primary, although that may have been because the leading Democratic candidate got considerably fewer votes than expected. (Screenshot from FiveThirtyEight)
This photo shows an aerial view of the Montana Creek area. A master plan draft for the area is currently in the works. (Courtesy / CBJ Parks and Recreation)

Montana Creek’s draft master plan takes another step forward

It proposes projects like new public use cabins, parking areas, new trails and maintenance.

This photo shows an aerial view of the Montana Creek area. A master plan draft for the area is currently in the works. (Courtesy / CBJ Parks and Recreation)
A political sign that was later removed sits in a field near the Mendenhall Wetlands. Rules around standalone political signs are tightly regulated in Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Time of the signs: A rules rundown for campaign season

State road right of ways are off-limits for campaign signs.

A political sign that was later removed sits in a field near the Mendenhall Wetlands. Rules around standalone political signs are tightly regulated in Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to a report Thursday evening of a fire at a residence in the Mendenhall Valley. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Electrical issue starts small residential fire

A fire involving a battery-powered scooter broke out and was quickly extinguished.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to a report Thursday evening of a fire at a residence in the Mendenhall Valley. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows polls at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal along with all other poll stations opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 16. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Unpredecented election draws strong interest, some confusion

Juneau voters turn out steadily as world watches ranked choice vote, famous candidates

This photo shows polls at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal along with all other poll stations opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 16. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
A map shows land tracts where Alaska Native Vietnam veterans can apply for parcels under an allocation program finalized this month by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The most common land parcels potentially available are shaded in light yellow. Areas shaded in light green, including the ones nearest Juneau, represent potentially available state selected land. Applications processing and selection by the bureau is scheduled to start Sept. 14. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

28M acres of land now available for Vietnam-era Alaska Native veterans

160-acre parcels for Vietnam-era applicants viewable online, allocations to begin in September

A map shows land tracts where Alaska Native Vietnam veterans can apply for parcels under an allocation program finalized this month by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The most common land parcels potentially available are shaded in light yellow. Areas shaded in light green, including the ones nearest Juneau, represent potentially available state selected land. Applications processing and selection by the bureau is scheduled to start Sept. 14. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)
The sun shines over Auke Bay on Aug. 18 as a sunny weekend belies the coming autumn. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Sun shines as weather edges toward autumn

A sunny weekend belies the coming of gray skies and cooling temperatures.

The sun shines over Auke Bay on Aug. 18 as a sunny weekend belies the coming autumn. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Montana Creek Bridge is closed to all vehicle traffic following recent weather that has damaged the structure, according to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Montana Creek Bridge closed to all vehicles due to damage

Recent weather has rendered it unsafe for cars, ATVs, and other vehicles, as well as horses.

The Montana Creek Bridge is closed to all vehicle traffic following recent weather that has damaged the structure, according to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo / Chris Miller)

Cleanup could be coming for Tulsequah Chief mine

Environmental groups welcome end of receivership after decades of limbo.

In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo / Chris Miller)