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Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 27, 2022, to call on lawmakers to pass a "substantial" Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

As end of session nears, Gov ‘optimistic’ for large PFD

“At least” $3,700.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 27, 2022, to call on lawmakers to pass a "substantial" Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Eaglecrest General Manager Dave Scanlan explains how the COVID-19 pandemic and abnormally low employee salaries posed challenges during the past year and how the ski area’s budget request for next year can help resolve them during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pandemic impact, staffing shortages shape budget requests

Ski area, hospital and airport factor into Finance Committee meeting.

Eaglecrest General Manager Dave Scanlan explains how the COVID-19 pandemic and abnormally low employee salaries posed challenges during the past year and how the ski area’s budget request for next year can help resolve them during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Dachshund dogs wait in a box before competition at a dog show in Dortmund, Germany, on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. Research released on Thursday, April 28, 2022, confirms what dog lovers know _ every pup is truly an individual. A new study has found that many of the popular stereotypes about the behavior of specific breeds aren’t supported by science. (AP Photo / Martin Meissner)

Your dog’s personality may have little to do with its breed

By Christina Larson AP Science Writer WASHINGTON — Research confirms what dog lovers know — every pup is truly an individual. Many of the popular… Continue reading

Dachshund dogs wait in a box before competition at a dog show in Dortmund, Germany, on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. Research released on Thursday, April 28, 2022, confirms what dog lovers know _ every pup is truly an individual. A new study has found that many of the popular stereotypes about the behavior of specific breeds aren’t supported by science. (AP Photo / Martin Meissner)
Members of an antidrug taskforce arrested two people on Tuesday suspected of drug trafficking, with one suspect later proving to be concealing heroin internally. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Police say drugs were found inside suspect arrested at airport

The suspect had more than 100 grams of heroin removed, according to police.

Members of an antidrug taskforce arrested two people on Tuesday suspected of drug trafficking, with one suspect later proving to be concealing heroin internally. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Law enforcement officials arrested two airline passengers at Juneau International Airport for possession of drugs on Tuesday evening. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Two arrested at airport after cops find over $22K of drugs

More than $20,000 in drugs were found in their luggage, according to police.

Law enforcement officials arrested two airline passengers at Juneau International Airport for possession of drugs on Tuesday evening. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
The University of Alaska and the union representing full-time faculty across the system, including the University of Alaska Southeast, have agreed to enter into federal mediation after eight months of contract negotiations have failed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

University and faculty union head into mediation

Inflation pressures.

The University of Alaska and the union representing full-time faculty across the system, including the University of Alaska Southeast, have agreed to enter into federal mediation after eight months of contract negotiations have failed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Police arrested a Juneau man Tuesday for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Man arrested for sexual abuse of a minor

The alleged offenses occured over the last several years.

Police arrested a Juneau man Tuesday for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Jeff Lowenfels, a former state Attorney General and avid garden writer is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He's in a race with 48 other candidates but he says he has the unique experience that can serve all Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Jeff Lowenfels)

From gardener to government: Jeff Lowenfels seeks House seat

Long legal career.

Jeff Lowenfels, a former state Attorney General and avid garden writer is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He's in a race with 48 other candidates but he says he has the unique experience that can serve all Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Jeff Lowenfels)
This photo shows “Old Woman With Berries in Her Lap,” a poetry collection, by Wrangell writer and poet Vivian Faith Prescott. She recently released two books, the second being "My Father’s Smokehouse,” a combination of recipes and stories. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Southeast author releases foodoir and book of poetry

The prolific author and poet has been working for years on the two books.

This photo shows “Old Woman With Berries in Her Lap,” a poetry collection, by Wrangell writer and poet Vivian Faith Prescott. She recently released two books, the second being "My Father’s Smokehouse,” a combination of recipes and stories. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminds people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. The Juneau School District Board of Education on Tuesday voted to make wearing masks optional in schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Masks again optional in Juneau schools

School board unanimously waives normal rules and votes to end brief return to mandated masks.

A damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminds people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. The Juneau School District Board of Education on Tuesday voted to make wearing masks optional in schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Juneau residents, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and CBJ staff in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall during a Monday night meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Lots of funds, little feedback: Few members of the public offer input about next year’s proposed budget

A three-hour meeting saw only a handful of people offer testimony.

This photo shows Juneau residents, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and CBJ staff in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall during a Monday night meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. (Courtesy Photo / Lenco)

Police plans to buy armored vehicle surprise some city leaders

Concerns raised about “militarizing our police force.”

This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. (Courtesy Photo / Lenco)
Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feigi, right, and Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills, announced alongside Gov. Mike Dunleavy the state was issuing lawsuits against the federal government for its failure to convey submerged lands to the state. Feige said at the conference the state's rule applied to navigable waterways including Mendenhall Lake and said motorized boats were allowed on the lake. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy announces lawsuits over submerged lands

State rules.

Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feigi, right, and Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills, announced alongside Gov. Mike Dunleavy the state was issuing lawsuits against the federal government for its failure to convey submerged lands to the state. Feige said at the conference the state's rule applied to navigable waterways including Mendenhall Lake and said motorized boats were allowed on the lake. (Screenshot)
Clint Helander of Advanced Blasting Services clears remaining material from a cliffside near the University of Alaska Southeast student recreation center that had a substantial rockslide in February. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

UAS cleans up February rockfall

Contractors cleared loose material from the cliffside near the rec center.

Clint Helander of Advanced Blasting Services clears remaining material from a cliffside near the University of Alaska Southeast student recreation center that had a substantial rockslide in February. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
JDHS player Gabe Cheng drives down the field with the ball during a tight game against TMHS on April 23, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

TMHS and JDHS tie 4-4 in fierce match

It’s been a bruising and competitive season so far.

JDHS player Gabe Cheng drives down the field with the ball during a tight game against TMHS on April 23, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Protestors critical of the cruise ship industry gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, April 25, 2022, the same day the first large ship of the season arrived in Juneau. Demonstrators said the industry had a poor environmental record and called on the state to continue to Ocean Rangers program, a voter-approved initiative which put state monitors aboard ships to ensure compliance with state regualtions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Protesters call for more enforcement of environmental regulations aboard ships

As cruise ships return, some residents remain wary.

Protestors critical of the cruise ship industry gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, April 25, 2022, the same day the first large ship of the season arrived in Juneau. Demonstrators said the industry had a poor environmental record and called on the state to continue to Ocean Rangers program, a voter-approved initiative which put state monitors aboard ships to ensure compliance with state regualtions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday

2022 cruise season begins

Visitors and Juneau locals alike were excited for the arrival.

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday
This August 2021 photo shows signs on the doors for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé reminding those entering the building that masking is required. On Saturday, the district announced a change in CDC COVID-19 community level, masking would again be required. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Masks again required in Juneau schools

Announcement follows a change in CDC COVID-19 community level.

This August 2021 photo shows signs on the doors for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé reminding those entering the building that masking is required. On Saturday, the district announced a change in CDC COVID-19 community level, masking would again be required. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Amy Purvis, a private security officer who’s been a Juneau resident since 2000, sketches a heart and rose for a piece of woodburning art she hopes to sell to tourists this summer on the still mostly empty pier at Marine Park on Friday.

Modest welcome and big hopes for 1st cruise ship of the season

City officials predicting near-normal season, but many uncertainties linger

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Amy Purvis, a private security officer who’s been a Juneau resident since 2000, sketches a heart and rose for a piece of woodburning art she hopes to sell to tourists this summer on the still mostly empty pier at Marine Park on Friday.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows a rockfish in the aquarium at Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc. on April 22, 2022. The hatchery is reopening to the public beginning Monday.

DIPAC to reopen doors to public

Put it there, chum.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows a rockfish in the aquarium at Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc. on April 22, 2022. The hatchery is reopening to the public beginning Monday.