Home

Two bears in late June walk in a field parallel to Egan Drive. Experts said they have seen a decrease in the number of bear encounters this year compared to previous years. (Ben Hohenstatt /Juneau Empire)

Bear encounters are on the decline after years of increased activity

Thank your local berries.

Two bears in late June walk in a field parallel to Egan Drive. Experts said they have seen a decrease in the number of bear encounters this year compared to previous years. (Ben Hohenstatt /Juneau Empire)
Anti-Trump protesters across the street from the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage wave signs at people departing the Save America Rally on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Random bits of weirdness from a weekend at the Trump rally in Anchorage

A yuge collection.

Anti-Trump protesters across the street from the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage wave signs at people departing the Save America Rally on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Vaipuna Toutaiolepo returns a pickleball over the net Saturday afternoon at Floyd Dryden Middle School. Toutaiolepo, a member of the Alaska Crimson Bear Pickleball Club, was among dozens of players to participate in a tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Simply having a (pickle)ball

Tournament gathers two teams for games and a good time.

Vaipuna Toutaiolepo returns a pickleball over the net Saturday afternoon at Floyd Dryden Middle School. Toutaiolepo, a member of the Alaska Crimson Bear Pickleball Club, was among dozens of players to participate in a tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Planned Parenthood banner displayed at Marine Park on Saturday, July 9. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

‘This is a hill I’ll die on’: Abortion rights advocates rally in Juneau

Organizers held a rally in support of Planned Parenthood Saturday afternoon at Juneau’s a Marine Plaza on Saturday to advocate for abortion access in the… Continue reading

Planned Parenthood banner displayed at Marine Park on Saturday, July 9. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This year’s Mount Roberts Trail Race first-place winner Seth Rutt catches his breath after completing the race in under 40 minutes. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

The Mount Roberts Trail Race returns in-person and in-style

They’re running up that hill.

This year’s Mount Roberts Trail Race first-place winner Seth Rutt catches his breath after completing the race in under 40 minutes. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Entering the political arena

MAGA rally faithful—and Trump —come to Alaska.

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel sits across from Gastineau Channel along Egan Dr. in downtown Juneau. According to hotel operators across Juneau, they have seen an increase in the number of booking this summer compared to last. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Checking in? Hotel tax revenue this quarter expected to be the second-highest ever.

If you need a hotel ASAP, you might be out of luck.

The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel sits across from Gastineau Channel along Egan Dr. in downtown Juneau. According to hotel operators across Juneau, they have seen an increase in the number of booking this summer compared to last. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Former NFL defensive tackle leads an exercise inside the Dimond Park Field House. The former pro has been helping local athletes refine their skills while in town. (Courtesy Photo)

Top of the line: Former NFL DT helps youths work on their game

He’s conducting a camp for middle and elementary school students from Monday to Thursday.

Former NFL defensive tackle leads an exercise inside the Dimond Park Field House. The former pro has been helping local athletes refine their skills while in town. (Courtesy Photo)
A couple of visitors watch preparations Friday afternoon for the Save America Rally scheduled Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Quiet before the red storm

Arena for Donald Trump rally mostly tranquil, but buzz building 24 hours before speakers take stage

A couple of visitors watch preparations Friday afternoon for the Save America Rally scheduled Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mountain view from Mt. Roberts featuring Hike for a Pint passport and water bottle for this summer’s event. (Courtesy photo / Meghan Tabcek)

Hike for a Pint is back for more adventures

It’s good for what ales you.

Mountain view from Mt. Roberts featuring Hike for a Pint passport and water bottle for this summer’s event. (Courtesy photo / Meghan Tabcek)
Courtesy photo / JPD Police are seeking information on Lucas Canton Schneider, 43, after he failed to return from a camping trip to Echo Cove in late June.

Police seeking information on man missing near Echo Cove

He went camping out the road in late June and hasn’t been seen since.

Courtesy photo / JPD Police are seeking information on Lucas Canton Schneider, 43, after he failed to return from a camping trip to Echo Cove in late June.
Foggy Mountain Shop now at their new location at 234 Seward St. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Foggy Mountain Shop celebrates grand opening at new location

Juneau’s well-known outdoor retailer Foggy Mountain Shop has moved locations, but they’re just a hop and a skip away from their previous location on North… Continue reading

Foggy Mountain Shop now at their new location at 234 Seward St. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Components for Eaglecrest’s recently purchased gondola system sit packed up as they’re prepared for the voyage to Alaska from Austria. (Courtesy photo / Dave Scanlan)

Some assembly required: Shipping process for new Eaglecrest gondola is underway

Once they’re crated up, they’ve got a sea voyage of more than 10,000 miles ahead.

Components for Eaglecrest’s recently purchased gondola system sit packed up as they’re prepared for the voyage to Alaska from Austria. (Courtesy photo / Dave Scanlan)
Ted Kubacki gets a lick from the family golden retriever, Lulu, outside their house after being reunited in Sitka, Alaska, on Thursday, July 7, 2022. The elderly, blind dog who had been missing three weeks, was found Tuesday, July 5, 2022, by a construction crew in salmonberry bushes after initially confusing her for a bear. Behind Ted is his wife, Rebecca, and their children Ella, Viola, Star, Lazaria and Olive. (James Poulson / The Daily Sitka Sentinel)

Blind, older dog found in Sitka 3 weeks after wandering off

“We have our family member home.”

  • Jul 8, 2022
  • Associated Press
  • dogs
Ted Kubacki gets a lick from the family golden retriever, Lulu, outside their house after being reunited in Sitka, Alaska, on Thursday, July 7, 2022. The elderly, blind dog who had been missing three weeks, was found Tuesday, July 5, 2022, by a construction crew in salmonberry bushes after initially confusing her for a bear. Behind Ted is his wife, Rebecca, and their children Ella, Viola, Star, Lazaria and Olive. (James Poulson / The Daily Sitka Sentinel)
This photo shows a sample ballot for the Aug. 16 special general election to determine who will fill the months remaining on Don Young's term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Alaska's longtime representative died in March. The three candidates vying to fill Young's term are also among those running for a full two-year term and will appear on primary ballot the same day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy, Begich, Murkowski remain favorites in new poll

Ranked-choice voting could shake up U.S. House race, as Peltola has slim edge against Palin

This photo shows a sample ballot for the Aug. 16 special general election to determine who will fill the months remaining on Don Young's term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Alaska's longtime representative died in March. The three candidates vying to fill Young's term are also among those running for a full two-year term and will appear on primary ballot the same day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A plane flies in front of a downtown Juneau neighborhood in early May. City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee members Wednesday discussed the availability of housing in Juneau. So far, Assembly members said, a tax abatement meant to spur development downtown has not been successful. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Housing issues dominate city committee agenda

The hot topic takes the hot seat.

A plane flies in front of a downtown Juneau neighborhood in early May. City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee members Wednesday discussed the availability of housing in Juneau. So far, Assembly members said, a tax abatement meant to spur development downtown has not been successful. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
This undated electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows rabies virions, dark and bullet-shaped, within an infected tissue sample. (F. A. Murphy/CDC via AP)

Overall rabies risk in Southeast minimal, says wildlife biologist

Bats are the main carriers in the Southeast, and as ever there the odds are extremely low.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows rabies virions, dark and bullet-shaped, within an infected tissue sample. (F. A. Murphy/CDC via AP)
The Alaska Crimson Bear Pickleball Club prepares for upcoming tournament against the San Francisco Eagles July 8 and 9. (Courtesy photo / Mele Maake) The Alaska Crimson Bear Pickle Ball team prepares for upcoming tournament against the San Francisco Eagles July 8 and 9. (Courtesy photo / Mele Maake)

Pickleball tourney to hold court in Juneau

Having fun is their racket.

The Alaska Crimson Bear Pickleball Club prepares for upcoming tournament against the San Francisco Eagles July 8 and 9. (Courtesy photo / Mele Maake) The Alaska Crimson Bear Pickle Ball team prepares for upcoming tournament against the San Francisco Eagles July 8 and 9. (Courtesy photo / Mele Maake)
Juneau residents from Lemon Creek to Tee Harbor are no longer asked to conserve water.

City cancels request for residents to conserve water

Get your splash on.

Juneau residents from Lemon Creek to Tee Harbor are no longer asked to conserve water.
In this Nov. 7, 2020, photo Jaimie Sekona holds a Trump flag on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol. The former president is scheduled to speak Saturday afternoon at a rally in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Still time to trip out for Trump

Plenty of flights and rooms available for weekend rally in Anchorage — but much local interest?

In this Nov. 7, 2020, photo Jaimie Sekona holds a Trump flag on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol. The former president is scheduled to speak Saturday afternoon at a rally in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)