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Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon takes a photo of an interactive spreadsheet showing how adjusting sales tax and property tax rates can compensate for revenue lost if food is exempt from local sales taxes during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The committee rejected putting several variations of the food tax exemption on the fall municipal ballot, instead suggesting they may favor an advisory vote on the issue. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Food sales tax exemption stalls out —for now

Members of Juneau’s Assembly reject proposal for fall ballot, but residents may see advisory vote.

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon takes a photo of an interactive spreadsheet showing how adjusting sales tax and property tax rates can compensate for revenue lost if food is exempt from local sales taxes during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The committee rejected putting several variations of the food tax exemption on the fall municipal ballot, instead suggesting they may favor an advisory vote on the issue. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A sign on the Douglas Highway advertises a home for sale on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Home prices in Alaska have been increasing for the past two years but an expected increase to interest rates might cool off the market. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Housing prices rose in Alaska while some homeowners struggle with payments

Manageable mortgages.

A sign on the Douglas Highway advertises a home for sale on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Home prices in Alaska have been increasing for the past two years but an expected increase to interest rates might cool off the market. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Bartlett Regional Hospital announced that two of three finalists for its chief executive officer position have withdrawn from consideration citing personal reasons. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

2 of 3 hospital CEO candidates drop out

Finalists withdraw a day before in-person interviews begin, BRH board considers next steps Saturday.

Bartlett Regional Hospital announced that two of three finalists for its chief executive officer position have withdrawn from consideration citing personal reasons. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Forms to run for state office are available at the Alaska Division of Elections' offices in Juneau on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the deadline for potential candidates to file. The state's new voting system has led to a large number of Alaskans running for office this year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s elections are packed as filing deadline passes

More to come.

Forms to run for state office are available at the Alaska Division of Elections' offices in Juneau on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the deadline for potential candidates to file. The state's new voting system has led to a large number of Alaskans running for office this year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A sign asking Juneau residents to sign a petition eliminating a requirement that property buyers disclose their purchase price is displayed by a signature gatherer during a collection effort earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of the Southeast Alaska Board of Realtors)

Petition seeks to nix real estate disclosure requirement

A possible vote.

A sign asking Juneau residents to sign a petition eliminating a requirement that property buyers disclose their purchase price is displayed by a signature gatherer during a collection effort earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of the Southeast Alaska Board of Realtors)
Cruise ship workers Leo Garcia, left, Joan Rosos, center, and Gerald Gasper take an ice cream break Wednesday in Marine Park, where the temperature at about 2 p.m. was 77 degrees, one degree below the record set in 1958. A record high of 78 degrees occurred in Juneau on Tuesday, as well as a record high of 74 degrees in Yakutat, with more record temperatures possible in Southeast Alaska this week before cooler weather and rain arrive this weekend, (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Record heat wave hits Juneau

New highs set Tuesday and Wednesday — and Thursday may be hotter; cooler weather expected this weekend

Cruise ship workers Leo Garcia, left, Joan Rosos, center, and Gerald Gasper take an ice cream break Wednesday in Marine Park, where the temperature at about 2 p.m. was 77 degrees, one degree below the record set in 1958. A record high of 78 degrees occurred in Juneau on Tuesday, as well as a record high of 74 degrees in Yakutat, with more record temperatures possible in Southeast Alaska this week before cooler weather and rain arrive this weekend, (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An Alaska Army National Guard aircrew flying a UH-60 Black Hawk aided in the rescue of a mountain biker with a possible spinal injury from the wilderness east of Kenai on May 30, 2022. (Alejandro Pena / U.S. Air Force)

National Guard rescues injured biker near Kenai

The biker had a possible spinal injury, requiring aerial medevac.

An Alaska Army National Guard aircrew flying a UH-60 Black Hawk aided in the rescue of a mountain biker with a possible spinal injury from the wilderness east of Kenai on May 30, 2022. (Alejandro Pena / U.S. Air Force)
FILE - Sarah Palin, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. The judge who presided over Palin's libel case against The New York Times denied her request Tuesday, May 31, 2022, for a new trial, saying she failed to introduce "even a speck” of evidence necessary to prove actual malice. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Judge: No ‘speck’ of proof in Palin’s libel case against NYT

NEW YORK (AP) — The judge who presided over Sarah Palin’s libel case against The New York Times denied her request Tuesday for a new… Continue reading

FILE - Sarah Palin, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. The judge who presided over Palin's libel case against The New York Times denied her request Tuesday, May 31, 2022, for a new trial, saying she failed to introduce "even a speck” of evidence necessary to prove actual malice. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Bill Ritter, former governor of Colorado and founder of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University, promotes bipartisanship in his opening address on May 24 at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Nonpartisan solutions promoted for energy and climate problems, but not everyone is on board

A different framework.

Bill Ritter, former governor of Colorado and founder of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University, promotes bipartisanship in his opening address on May 24 at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A residential fire totaled a house in the Mendenhall Valley on May 30, 2022, possibly caused by electrical issues. (Courtesy photo / Dan Jager)

CCFR: Electrical issues may have caused Monday house fire

Hot, dry conditions are creating ideal conditions for grass fires elsewhere in Juneau

A residential fire totaled a house in the Mendenhall Valley on May 30, 2022, possibly caused by electrical issues. (Courtesy photo / Dan Jager)
The Juneau Off-Road Association and Trail Mix Inc. have received a grant from Polaris to begin preliminary work on building an off-road vehicle park out beyond the 35-mile marker on Glacier Highway. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Trail Mix, Juneau Off-Road receive grant for future park

The potential park would be located at mile 35 out on Glacier Highway.

The Juneau Off-Road Association and Trail Mix Inc. have received a grant from Polaris to begin preliminary work on building an off-road vehicle park out beyond the 35-mile marker on Glacier Highway. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy photo / JDHS soccer The JDHS boys soccer team overcame a 2-0 lead against TMHS to win the state title, including three goals by a freshman player.

JDHS boys coach talks 4-2 championship comeback win

Things were looking dire for the eventual winners.

Courtesy photo / JDHS soccer The JDHS boys soccer team overcame a 2-0 lead against TMHS to win the state title, including three goals by a freshman player.
A Coast Guard color guard presents the colors during a Memorial Day ceremony held by the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Evergreen Cemetery on May 30, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Veteran groups hold Memorial Day ceremonies

Sunny Memorial Monday.

A Coast Guard color guard presents the colors during a Memorial Day ceremony held by the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Evergreen Cemetery on May 30, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Anglers fish on the Kenai River on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Low early-run king numbers prompt restrictions

Off to a very slow start.

Anglers fish on the Kenai River on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dunleavy

Governor’s office contracts ex-aide for ‘statehood defense’

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office has entered a contract with a former Dunleavy aide for up to $50,000 in part to… Continue reading

Dunleavy
Courtesy photo / Myra Pugh The JDHS girls soccer team swept to victory in the DII state championship on Saturday without a single goal being scored against them in the tournament.

JDHS teams sweep state soccer championships

No one could stand before the Crimson Bears.

Courtesy photo / Myra Pugh The JDHS girls soccer team swept to victory in the DII state championship on Saturday without a single goal being scored against them in the tournament.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Sector Juneau rescued a pair of kayakers in distress near Spuhn Island on Saturday.

Coast Guard rescues two near Auke Bay over weekend

Their kayak had begun to take on water.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Sector Juneau rescued a pair of kayakers in distress near Spuhn Island on Saturday.
Thunder Mountain High School students throw their caps in celebration at the graduation ceremony for the class of 2022 on Sunday, May 29, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Sunday ceremonies bid farewell to Class of 2022

Sunny day for a sendoff.

Thunder Mountain High School students throw their caps in celebration at the graduation ceremony for the class of 2022 on Sunday, May 29, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sophia Pugh, left, Eden Denton, center, and Rileyanne Payne, right, seniors from Juneau's three high schools are about to graduate as their time in high school comes to a close. (Courtesy Photos)

Ahead of graduation, seniors look back on high school

Sitting astride a pandemic, these seniors have had an interesting four years.

Sophia Pugh, left, Eden Denton, center, and Rileyanne Payne, right, seniors from Juneau's three high schools are about to graduate as their time in high school comes to a close. (Courtesy Photos)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Ex-attorney general faces sexual abuse of a minor charges

Charges filed against former Alaska Attorney General Clyde “Ed” Sniffen.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)