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The Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant has normally handled roughly 250,000 to 300,000 gallons of intake a day since 2016. But that average has increased somewhat since 2019 and spiked to a record high of nearly 1 million gallons on Dec. 1, 2020, due to a record amount of rainfall during a 24-hour period, according to a report published Monday assessing climate change impacts on Juneau. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Deep doo-doo due to climate change

Problems at Mendenhall Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant now blamed on abnormally high precipitation

The Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant has normally handled roughly 250,000 to 300,000 gallons of intake a day since 2016. But that average has increased somewhat since 2019 and spiked to a record high of nearly 1 million gallons on Dec. 1, 2020, due to a record amount of rainfall during a 24-hour period, according to a report published Monday assessing climate change impacts on Juneau. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A map shows locations in the U.S. designated as tribal lands and thus eligible for higher benefits from the Affordable Connectivity Program. All of Alaska falls under that designation. (Courtesy Image / FCC)

90K Alaska households are eligible for internet assistance —only 10K are taking advantage

White House touts a recently launched “one-stop” website to make signing up easier.

A map shows locations in the U.S. designated as tribal lands and thus eligible for higher benefits from the Affordable Connectivity Program. All of Alaska falls under that designation. (Courtesy Image / FCC)
Alaska Chef Amara Enciso featured at the Jorgenson House. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Chef Amara Enciso represents Alaska in 2022 Great American Seafood Cook-Off

See her seafood on the mainstage

Alaska Chef Amara Enciso featured at the Jorgenson House. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau’s city manager, Rorie Watt, speaks to a crowd of people as they enjoy a slice of lasagna at the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon on Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Watt’s up: The city manager talks city budget and upcoming ballot initiatives

Lasagna with a side of ballot initiatives.

City and Borough of Juneau’s city manager, Rorie Watt, speaks to a crowd of people as they enjoy a slice of lasagna at the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon on Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Donated blood is prepared for storage and eventual transport at the Blood Bank of Alaska's Juneau location. There is a statewide shortage of donated blood. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Blood Bank of Alaska says there’s a critical need for blood

Blood Bank of Alaska is currently in urgent need of all blood types

Donated blood is prepared for storage and eventual transport at the Blood Bank of Alaska's Juneau location. There is a statewide shortage of donated blood. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discontinued a program of monitoring the COVID levels aboard cruise ships operating in the United States on Tuesday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

CDC coronavirus-status program for cruise ships discontinued

Politicians and industry officials lauded the move.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discontinued a program of monitoring the COVID levels aboard cruise ships operating in the United States on Tuesday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. It is midway through the week for candidates to file for October’s municipal election. Currently, no new filings have been entered since the initial first day filings, but both school board members with their seats opening up for election said they plan to run again in their current positions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Midweek candidate filing update for this fall’s local election

Both school board members said they plan to file for reelection later this week

This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. It is midway through the week for candidates to file for October’s municipal election. Currently, no new filings have been entered since the initial first day filings, but both school board members with their seats opening up for election said they plan to run again in their current positions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Bartlett Regional Hospital’s CEO finalist Dennis Welsh (center) chats with community members and members of the BRH Board of Directors at his public meet and greet for the potential position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Hospital holds 2nd CEO candidate meet and greet: Dennis Welsh talks the future of Juneau’s health care community

Check out more about the finalist here.

Bartlett Regional Hospital’s CEO finalist Dennis Welsh (center) chats with community members and members of the BRH Board of Directors at his public meet and greet for the potential position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The string trio Simply Three is scheduled to perform rock works ranging from Coldplay to Michael Jackson during this fall’s Juneau Jazz & Classics festival. (Courtesy photo)
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School, church and saloon fall together at JJC

Colorful autumn lineup features a rock string trio and an opera/burlesque mastro

The string trio Simply Three is scheduled to perform rock works ranging from Coldplay to Michael Jackson during this fall’s Juneau Jazz & Classics festival. (Courtesy photo)
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A Walker-Drygas campaign sign stands across from the governor’s mansion in Juneau. Financial forms recently filed with the state showed contributions to gubernatorial campaigns up sharply from the same time period four years ago. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Governor race contributions triple from last cycle, filings show

Eliminating individual donation limits results in top tickets raising nearly $3M since February.

A Walker-Drygas campaign sign stands across from the governor’s mansion in Juneau. Financial forms recently filed with the state showed contributions to gubernatorial campaigns up sharply from the same time period four years ago. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A flare burns at Venture Global LNG in Cameron, La., on April 21, 2022. Most major countries are finding it easier to promise to fight climate change than actually do it. (AP Photo / Martha Irvine)

Most major nations lag in acting on climate-fighting goals

Only the EU has enacted polices close to or consistent with international goals of limiting warming.

A flare burns at Venture Global LNG in Cameron, La., on April 21, 2022. Most major countries are finding it easier to promise to fight climate change than actually do it. (AP Photo / Martha Irvine)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Local, state and federal agencies will participate in a major exercise at Juneau International Airport on Saturday.

Airport to stage major drill Saturday

It’s an exercise held every three years.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Local, state and federal agencies will participate in a major exercise at Juneau International Airport on Saturday.
Juneau local Joseph Monsef will be among the first volunteers to head out as the Peace Corps sends its volunteers forth once more. (Courtesy photo / Peace Corps)

Juneau student among first of new wave of Peace Corps members

He’s wheels-up for Uganda within weeks.

Juneau local Joseph Monsef will be among the first volunteers to head out as the Peace Corps sends its volunteers forth once more. (Courtesy photo / Peace Corps)
Bartlett Regional Hospital's CEO finalist Jeffery Hudson-Covolo (left-center) chats with community members and members of the BRH Board of Directors at his public meet and greet for the potential position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The first public meet and greet of a Barlett CEO finalists: Candidate Jeffery Hudson-Covolo talks mission and goals

Check out more about the finalist here.

Bartlett Regional Hospital's CEO finalist Jeffery Hudson-Covolo (left-center) chats with community members and members of the BRH Board of Directors at his public meet and greet for the potential position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Construction on Glacier Highway in the Lemon Creek area is scheduled to finish on schedule, said a Department of Transportation and Public Facilities spokesperson. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Lemon Creek, Valley road projects on track for scheduled finish

Some small projects are also slated for finishes this summer, and others for next year.

Construction on Glacier Highway in the Lemon Creek area is scheduled to finish on schedule, said a Department of Transportation and Public Facilities spokesperson. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Campaign signs for Republican candidates leading in a recent poll in their respective races for governor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate hang from a structure near Juneau International Airport on Monday. Nick Begich and Lisa Murkowski, who had to file federal campaign donation reports by last Friday, also report having the most cash-on-hand by far in their races. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Murkowski, Palin top most recent fundraising reports

Senate incumbent also has huge campaign coffer advantage; Begich and Peltola top Palin’s cash-on-hand

Campaign signs for Republican candidates leading in a recent poll in their respective races for governor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate hang from a structure near Juneau International Airport on Monday. Nick Begich and Lisa Murkowski, who had to file federal campaign donation reports by last Friday, also report having the most cash-on-hand by far in their races. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Since the closing of Capstone Clinics throughout the state, rapid antigen self-tests have become more popular and available as featured in this photo at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library.

Local COVID numbers appear to be declining, but accurate count difficult amid at-home testing

Hospitalizations relatively low and steady.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Since the closing of Capstone Clinics throughout the state, rapid antigen self-tests have become more popular and available as featured in this photo at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library.
Bikes sit in a line waiting for racers at the 2021 Aukeman Triathalon. (Courtesy /Jean Butler)

Friendly competitions: Ironman and Aukeman organizers lend each other a helping hand

Two competitions not in competition.

Bikes sit in a line waiting for racers at the 2021 Aukeman Triathalon. (Courtesy /Jean Butler)
Amtgard of Alaska member Liam Porter-Bell finishes wrapping his “sword” with duct tape before heading for battle.(Clarise Larson // Juneau Empire)

Medieval fun: Community members gather for the first Juneau Master’s Faire

A blast from the past.

Amtgard of Alaska member Liam Porter-Bell finishes wrapping his “sword” with duct tape before heading for battle.(Clarise Larson // Juneau Empire)
Discovery Southeast naturalist Richard Carstensen speaks to a group of hikers about the origins of the wetlands during a break on the hike. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Chatting and bushwhacking: Naturalists share their knowledge of the Montana Creek conservation property on a weekend hike

And mosquito smackin’

Discovery Southeast naturalist Richard Carstensen speaks to a group of hikers about the origins of the wetlands during a break on the hike. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)