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Adm. Linda L. Fagan has been nominated by the president to serve as the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

Fagan nominated as next Coast Guard Commandant

If confirmed, she’ll be the first woman to lead one of the armed services.

Adm. Linda L. Fagan has been nominated by the president to serve as the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. (Courtesy photo / USCG)
A black bear looks around near the Shrine of St. Therese in 2021. Experts said bears will soon be returning the Juneau’s urban environs. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

Be bear-aware as furry neighbors return to Juneau

It’s almost opening day for the cubs.

A black bear looks around near the Shrine of St. Therese in 2021. Experts said bears will soon be returning the Juneau’s urban environs. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)
Annie Bartholomew and Miguel Rohrbacher, Juneau artists, kick off the 2022 Alaska Folk Festival to a standing ovation at Centennial Hall on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Folk Festival begins with a roar

The nearly half-century old festival is back in person.

Annie Bartholomew and Miguel Rohrbacher, Juneau artists, kick off the 2022 Alaska Folk Festival to a standing ovation at Centennial Hall on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, rings up purchases while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 is scheduled to close in August if a new owner can’t be found. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

J&J Deli and Asian Mart, a local favorite for 43 years, faces closure in August unless a new owner is found

Owner says pending closure is due to health rather than economic reasons.

Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, rings up purchases while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 is scheduled to close in August if a new owner can’t be found. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska House of Representatives voted to adopt a finance committee substitute of the state's operating budget bill on Monday, April 4, 2022, allowing for amendments to be submitted. An outbreak of COVID-19 among lawmakers and their staff couples with debate over masking policy led to canceled sessions last week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

As floor sessions return, House sets to work on budget

Additional budget items.

The Alaska House of Representatives voted to adopt a finance committee substitute of the state's operating budget bill on Monday, April 4, 2022, allowing for amendments to be submitted. An outbreak of COVID-19 among lawmakers and their staff couples with debate over masking policy led to canceled sessions last week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, walks to meet Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., on Capitol Hill, Monday, April 4, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Murkowski announces support for confirmation of Jackson to Supreme Court

She joins two other high-profile Republican senators who said they would support Jackson.

Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, walks to meet Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., on Capitol Hill, Monday, April 4, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Donovan Jackson, 12, of Juneau competes in the one-foot high kick during the 2022 Traditional Games on April 2, 2022. The games were held at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Juneau hosts record-setting Traditional Games competition

It was the largest iteration of the games held in Juneau yet.

Donovan Jackson, 12, of Juneau competes in the one-foot high kick during the 2022 Traditional Games on April 2, 2022. The games were held at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
A joint forces honor guard carries the casket of Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, down the steps of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska's congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18, 2022. He was 88. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)

Alaska’s leadership lauds late congressman at memorial

ANCHORAGE — Members of Alaska’s political leadership lauded the late U.S. Rep. Don Young Saturday at a public memorial to celebrate his life. Young, who… Continue reading

A joint forces honor guard carries the casket of Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, down the steps of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska's congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18, 2022. He was 88. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)
Courtesy photo / Pepperdine University Former JDHS player Kendyl Carson is now leading the Pepperdine women’s basketball team on the court and off as the captain.

Snow to sun: Former JDHS basketball standout is a rising star in college

A captain as a sophomore, she’s got three seasons left to play with this team.

Courtesy photo / Pepperdine University Former JDHS player Kendyl Carson is now leading the Pepperdine women’s basketball team on the court and off as the captain.
Pedestrians wearing protective masks walk along Broadway in the SoHo district of New York, Friday, March 4, 2022. COVID-19 hospitalization numbers have plunged to their lowest levels since the early days of the pandemic, offering a much needed break to health care workers and patients alike following the omicron surge. (AP Photo / John Minchillo)

Number of COVID patients in U.S. hospitals reaches record low

Hospitalization numbers have plunged to their lowest levels since the early days of the pandemic.

Pedestrians wearing protective masks walk along Broadway in the SoHo district of New York, Friday, March 4, 2022. COVID-19 hospitalization numbers have plunged to their lowest levels since the early days of the pandemic, offering a much needed break to health care workers and patients alike following the omicron surge. (AP Photo / John Minchillo)
Maddox Rogers, 14, of Haines participates in the scissor broad jump Saturday morning shortly after the beginning of the 2022 Traditional Games at Thunder Mountain High School. Maddox set a new record for his age group of 26 feet and 7 3/4 inches. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

PHOTOS: Traditional Games return to Juneau

Over 100 athletes from over 20 communities compete.

Maddox Rogers, 14, of Haines participates in the scissor broad jump Saturday morning shortly after the beginning of the 2022 Traditional Games at Thunder Mountain High School. Maddox set a new record for his age group of 26 feet and 7 3/4 inches. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File Rep. Don Young smiles during a sit-down in the Juneau Empire’s offices last June. Young died on Friday, according to the longtime U.S. representative’s office.

Candidate crowd balloons on last day to register for special election

Dozens, including a former governor, current state lawmakers and Santa Claus, vie for House seat.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File Rep. Don Young smiles during a sit-down in the Juneau Empire’s offices last June. Young died on Friday, according to the longtime U.S. representative’s office.
Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, center, speaks as state lawmakers and children’s welfare advocates attend a Blue Shirt Day event at the Alaska State Capitol, honoring the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau recognizes beginning of child abuse prevention month

Blue Shirt Day is a national day for child welfare advocacy.

Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, center, speaks as state lawmakers and children’s welfare advocates attend a Blue Shirt Day event at the Alaska State Capitol, honoring the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This conceptual rendering shows what a proposed welcome center near the the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center would look like. The center is part of a proposed overhaul for the popular recreation area. (U.S. Forest Service)

Mendenhall overhaul: Residents ask questions about expansion plans during webinar

Residents ask questions about expansion plans during webinar.

This conceptual rendering shows what a proposed welcome center near the the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center would look like. The center is part of a proposed overhaul for the popular recreation area. (U.S. Forest Service)
FILE - In this Monday, March 1, 2021 file photo, The first Alaska Airlines passenger flight on a Boeing 737-9 Max airplane takes off on a flight to San Diego from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. Dozens of flights along the U.S. West Coast were canceled Friday, April 1, 2022 as Alaska Airlines pilots picketed during ongoing contract negotiations with the airline. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren)

Alaska Airlines cancels dozens of flights as pilots picket

Dozens of flights along the West Coast were canceled Friday as Alaska Airlines pilots picketed.

FILE - In this Monday, March 1, 2021 file photo, The first Alaska Airlines passenger flight on a Boeing 737-9 Max airplane takes off on a flight to San Diego from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. Dozens of flights along the U.S. West Coast were canceled Friday, April 1, 2022 as Alaska Airlines pilots picketed during ongoing contract negotiations with the airline. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren)
A.J. Wilson, 17, DeAndre Pittman, 16, and Elora Johnson, 16, eat lunch Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. They, like many students, agree the free meals available during the pandemic are worth continuing if funding can be found after it ends June 30, but they are likely to look off-campus for food if they are required to pay for school lunches again. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

With federal funding ending, full-priced school lunches could be on the menu for many students next year

District hopes to continue to offer free breakfast, “reasonably priced” lunches.

A.J. Wilson, 17, DeAndre Pittman, 16, and Elora Johnson, 16, eat lunch Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. They, like many students, agree the free meals available during the pandemic are worth continuing if funding can be found after it ends June 30, but they are likely to look off-campus for food if they are required to pay for school lunches again. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small speaks at a news conference at the Alaska State Library and Museum on Thursday, March 31, 2022, to announce roughly $9 million in development grants to 25 programs throughout Southeast Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

USDA announces $9M investment in 25 Southeast programs

A different approach.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small speaks at a news conference at the Alaska State Library and Museum on Thursday, March 31, 2022, to announce roughly $9 million in development grants to 25 programs throughout Southeast Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sara Hannan (D-Juneau) speaks during a Friday fundraising dinner and silent auction for the people of Ukraine at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall which raised more than $30,000. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Tens of thousands raised at fundraiser for Ukraine

The fundraiser for UNICEF’s Ukraine mission was a huge success, said organizers.

Rep. Sara Hannan (D-Juneau) speaks during a Friday fundraising dinner and silent auction for the people of Ukraine at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall which raised more than $30,000. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
State and municipal public safety employees gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Captiol on Thursday, March 31, 2022, to urge senators to act on a bill to rework the state's pension system for police, fire fighters and other public safety employees. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Public safety employees promote pension plan

Workers are leaving.

State and municipal public safety employees gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Captiol on Thursday, March 31, 2022, to urge senators to act on a bill to rework the state's pension system for police, fire fighters and other public safety employees. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: New goals and oversight are needed to protect disabled psychiatric patients

Reduce unnecessary trauma that people face during treatment inside locked psychiatric facilities.

  • Mar 31, 2022
  • By Faith J. Myers
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)