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Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska.Voters are whittling down the list of 48 candidates running for Alaska's only U.S. House seat, with the top four vote-getters in a special primary on Saturday, June 11, advancing to an August special election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Peltola advances to special U.S. House election

This summer Palin, Begich, Gross and Peltola are coming to a ballot near you.

Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska.Voters are whittling down the list of 48 candidates running for Alaska's only U.S. House seat, with the top four vote-getters in a special primary on Saturday, June 11, advancing to an August special election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
This June 14 photo shows Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx – Glacier Valley Elementary School. School district officials are considering procuring a third-party investigator to look into how a dozen children and two adults were served floor sealant instead of milk during a summer youth program. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘Sip before serve’ policy violated in milk mishap

Food company admits missteps; school board seeks 3rd-party investigator.

This June 14 photo shows Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx – Glacier Valley Elementary School. School district officials are considering procuring a third-party investigator to look into how a dozen children and two adults were served floor sealant instead of milk during a summer youth program. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Coast Guardsmen aboard the cutter Liberty, recently re-homeported from Juneau to Valdez, take the vessel Nine Lives under tow after fuel contamination rendered its engine nonfunctional on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Ex-Juneau cutter Liberty helps tow boat to safe harbor

Bad fuel rendered the engine nonfunctional 80 nautical miles west of Yakutat.

Coast Guardsmen aboard the cutter Liberty, recently re-homeported from Juneau to Valdez, take the vessel Nine Lives under tow after fuel contamination rendered its engine nonfunctional on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
. Lewis Sharman crosses a fallen Sitka spruce tree over Echo Creek just north of Lituya Bay in Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Rugged science on the Southeast coast

The first creek we crossed on this trip filled my Xtratufs with clear water.

. Lewis Sharman crosses a fallen Sitka spruce tree over Echo Creek just north of Lituya Bay in Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
FILE - Dancer Prescylia Mae, of Houston, performs during a dedication ceremony for the mural "Absolute Equality" in downtown Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 2021. Recognition of Juneteenth, the effective end of slavery in the U.S., gained traction after the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. But after an initial burst of action, the movement to have it recognized as an official holiday in the states has largely stalled. (Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP, File)

Juneteenth event set for Twin Lakes

National holiday.

FILE - Dancer Prescylia Mae, of Houston, performs during a dedication ceremony for the mural "Absolute Equality" in downtown Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 2021. Recognition of Juneteenth, the effective end of slavery in the U.S., gained traction after the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. But after an initial burst of action, the movement to have it recognized as an official holiday in the states has largely stalled. (Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP, File)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Pedestrians cross the newly repainted rainbow crosswalk downtown on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Painting of the crosswalk was delayed by supply chain issues.

No paint, no gain: Downtown crosswalk gets belated touch-up

The rainbow crosswalk bursts into full vibrancy again as Juneau celebrates Pride Month.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Pedestrians cross the newly repainted rainbow crosswalk downtown on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Painting of the crosswalk was delayed by supply chain issues.
A special meeting of the school board will begin with a “discussion with NANA Management Services regarding (the) food services incident,” according to an agenda published by the Juneau School District. Twelve kids and two adults ingested floor sealant when it was served Tuesday morning by the company during breakfast at the RALLY program Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School, shown in this June 14 photo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Contractor faces public questioning Friday about ‘milk’ incident

Company that served chemical sealant to children to face Juneau’s school board at special meeting

A special meeting of the school board will begin with a “discussion with NANA Management Services regarding (the) food services incident,” according to an agenda published by the Juneau School District. Twelve kids and two adults ingested floor sealant when it was served Tuesday morning by the company during breakfast at the RALLY program Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School, shown in this June 14 photo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Divina Rotano, a cashier for the city, provides two COVID-19 rapid antigen self test kits at the entrance counter of City Hall on Thursday. The city is also making 24,000 tests arriving from the federal government this week available at public libraries, the Juneau Police Department and Juneau Public Health Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

More free COVID-19 self-tests arrive as local case spike lingers

24,000 rapid antigen tests available at City Hall, libraries, police station and city health center

Divina Rotano, a cashier for the city, provides two COVID-19 rapid antigen self test kits at the entrance counter of City Hall on Thursday. The city is also making 24,000 tests arriving from the federal government this week available at public libraries, the Juneau Police Department and Juneau Public Health Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The top four candidates from the special primary election which ended June 11, 2022 are starting to take shape as additional results are released by the Alaska Division of Elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Top 4 takes shape in special election

More to come.

The top four candidates from the special primary election which ended June 11, 2022 are starting to take shape as additional results are released by the Alaska Division of Elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Chief Ed Mercer presents community service officer Sarah Dolan with the Jackie Renninger Community Policing Award during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022.

Police deliver annual awards for officers, community members

Citizens were recognized for their bravery over the last year.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Chief Ed Mercer presents community service officer Sarah Dolan with the Jackie Renninger Community Policing Award during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022.
Jerry Harmon, president of Juneau Gold Rush Days and a miner for more than 40 years, shows some of the nearly 500,000 pounds of heavy equipment being brought to Savikko Field for this weekend’s events. The event has attracted more than 10,000 people at its peak, but was cancelled the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Gold Rush Days returns with strong prospects

Weekend mining and logging event at Savikko Field celebrates 30th year after missing past two years

Jerry Harmon, president of Juneau Gold Rush Days and a miner for more than 40 years, shows some of the nearly 500,000 pounds of heavy equipment being brought to Savikko Field for this weekend’s events. The event has attracted more than 10,000 people at its peak, but was cancelled the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Superintendent: Pouches of milk, chemicals delivered side-by-side

“That’s when the beginning of this mismatch began,” she said.

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Learning bundles await pickup at what is now known as Kax̱digoowú Héen Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020. The school’s name was officially changed Tuesday night after much debate. It was previously named Riverbend Elementary School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Goodbye Riverbend, hello Kax̱digoowú Héen

Renaming elementary school approved by Juneau Board of Education after a long debate.

Learning bundles await pickup at what is now known as Kax̱digoowú Héen Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020. The school’s name was officially changed Tuesday night after much debate. It was previously named Riverbend Elementary School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A voter fills out their ballot at the Alaska Division of Elections Region I offices in the Mendenhall Valley for the special primary election to replace the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The Division released updated results Wednesday, but there were no changes to the ranking of the canidates. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Updated results show no change to primary ranking

No surprises.

A voter fills out their ballot at the Alaska Division of Elections Region I offices in the Mendenhall Valley for the special primary election to replace the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The Division released updated results Wednesday, but there were no changes to the ranking of the canidates. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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12 kids ingested floor sealant served as milk during summer program, according to school district

Investigation is underway.

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Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon, left, and Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski review a portion of the city’s spending plan for the upcoming year before the Juneau Assembly unanimously approved it Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly approves budget, new city hall ‘down payment’

Juneau’s leaders approve $439.6M budget with no debate, but city hall funding remains controversial

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon, left, and Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski review a portion of the city’s spending plan for the upcoming year before the Juneau Assembly unanimously approved it Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Local group Alaska Heat Smart has received $2 million in federal grant money and will be using the funds to provide energy upgrades to low-income homes. In this May 2020 photo, Raymond Lindoff poses with his air source heat pump, installed by Renewable Juneau in 2020. (Courtesy photo / Andy Romanoff)

Local group has $2 million for home energy upgrades

Electric heat.

Local group Alaska Heat Smart has received $2 million in federal grant money and will be using the funds to provide energy upgrades to low-income homes. In this May 2020 photo, Raymond Lindoff poses with his air source heat pump, installed by Renewable Juneau in 2020. (Courtesy photo / Andy Romanoff)
Shoshana Gungurstein dropped by the Empire offices for an interview on May 27, 2022 to discuss her run for the U.S. Senate. However, despite running for public office, Gungurstein was vague on her past and said privacy agreements prevented her from discussing her work history. Gungurstein, who is running as an independent, said it is time for a younger generation to hold office. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Independent candidate talks Senate bid

Gungurstein shares policy vision, vague details of past.

Shoshana Gungurstein dropped by the Empire offices for an interview on May 27, 2022 to discuss her run for the U.S. Senate. However, despite running for public office, Gungurstein was vague on her past and said privacy agreements prevented her from discussing her work history. Gungurstein, who is running as an independent, said it is time for a younger generation to hold office. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Election official Barb Murray watches as voter Alicia Duncan places her ballot in a receptical during the special primary election to fill Alaksa's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau goes for Gross and Peltola in special primary; Palin, Begich lead the race statewide

More results expected on June 15.

Election official Barb Murray watches as voter Alicia Duncan places her ballot in a receptical during the special primary election to fill Alaksa's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Rear Adm. Nathan Moore, U.S. Coast Guard 17th District, commander, left, and Neil O’Rourke, Canadian Coast Guard Arctic Region, assistant commissioner, holding the officially signed Beaufort Sea Annex, at Hay River Base, Northwest Territories, Canada, June 8, 2022. (PO2 Alexandria Preston / USCG)

U.S., Canadian coast guards update joint pollution response plans

The conference also covered planning for other missions, such as search and rescue.

Rear Adm. Nathan Moore, U.S. Coast Guard 17th District, commander, left, and Neil O’Rourke, Canadian Coast Guard Arctic Region, assistant commissioner, holding the officially signed Beaufort Sea Annex, at Hay River Base, Northwest Territories, Canada, June 8, 2022. (PO2 Alexandria Preston / USCG)