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Brian Lauth, closing manager for Super Bear Supermarket IGA, bags groceries Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Next month, the Finance Committee for the City and Borough of Juneau will consider whether to exempt grocery purchases from the city’s sales tax. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire File)

CBJ to consider ending sales tax on food

Long-running debate set to resume.

Brian Lauth, closing manager for Super Bear Supermarket IGA, bags groceries Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Next month, the Finance Committee for the City and Borough of Juneau will consider whether to exempt grocery purchases from the city’s sales tax. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy photo / Kevin and Carlene Allred Greens grow in the Tenakee Springs greenhouse run by Kevin and Carlene Allred. The greenhouse produces fresh produce all year long using geothermal heat.

Nourishing a community

Tenakee couple uses geothermal heat to produce fresh veggies

Courtesy photo / Kevin and Carlene Allred Greens grow in the Tenakee Springs greenhouse run by Kevin and Carlene Allred. The greenhouse produces fresh produce all year long using geothermal heat.
Former Alaska Psychiatric Institute staff psychiatrist Dr. John Bellville speaks during a news conference on Jan. 10, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state of Alaska has settled a lawsuit with Bellville, who was one of three former state employees who claimed they were wrongfully fired when Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy took office. Under the agreement, announced Wednesday Feb. 2, 2022, Bellville will receive $275,000, reflecting lost wages, damages and attorney's fees. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)

State of Alaska, psychiatrists settle case over firings

Under the settlement, the state agrees to pay a combined $495,000.

Former Alaska Psychiatric Institute staff psychiatrist Dr. John Bellville speaks during a news conference on Jan. 10, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state of Alaska has settled a lawsuit with Bellville, who was one of three former state employees who claimed they were wrongfully fired when Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy took office. Under the agreement, announced Wednesday Feb. 2, 2022, Bellville will receive $275,000, reflecting lost wages, damages and attorney's fees. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)
Kelly Stewart, formerly acting assistant principal of Thunder Mountain High School, has now been permanently appointed to the position. (Courtesy photo / Kelly Stewart)

Thunder Mountain High School fills assistant principal post

She has more than 20 years of experience in education.

Kelly Stewart, formerly acting assistant principal of Thunder Mountain High School, has now been permanently appointed to the position. (Courtesy photo / Kelly Stewart)
This May 4, 2021 image shows teacher Graciela Olague-Barrios working with two infants at Cuidando Los Ninos in Albuquerque, N.M. According to a recent report by the U.S. Chamber Foundation, childcare is in short supply across the country. Local experts say Juneau lacks affordable, reliable child care. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)

Child care challenges keep workers sidelined

Referral network leader says ‘it’s a broken business model.’

This May 4, 2021 image shows teacher Graciela Olague-Barrios working with two infants at Cuidando Los Ninos in Albuquerque, N.M. According to a recent report by the U.S. Chamber Foundation, childcare is in short supply across the country. Local experts say Juneau lacks affordable, reliable child care. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
A Juneau man arrested in 2019 for more than a dozen charges including multiple sexual-related felonies was found guilty during a jury trial on Feb. 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau man found guilty in child sex abuse case

The defendant was found guilty of fourteen separate charges.

A Juneau man arrested in 2019 for more than a dozen charges including multiple sexual-related felonies was found guilty during a jury trial on Feb. 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A scheduled floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives was canceled Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, following a positive COVID-19 case in the body and close contacts among roughly half the members. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Positive COVID test leads to canceled House floor session

Members isolating.

A scheduled floor session of the Alaska House of Representatives was canceled Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, following a positive COVID-19 case in the body and close contacts among roughly half the members. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19 4th leading cause of death in 2020

COVID was responsible for 231 deaths in 2020

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor’s office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Bill seeks to strengthen civics education

Educating citizens.

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor’s office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
A wildflower blows in the wind near an old pump jack on Molly Rooke's ranch, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, near Refugio, Texas. Oil and gas drilling began on the ranch in the 1920s and there were dozens of orphaned wells that needed to be plugged for safety and environmental protection. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Alaska will receive more than $32 million for clean up efforts. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Alaska to receive $32 million for orphaned well clean up

Alaska has 12 orphaned wells.

A wildflower blows in the wind near an old pump jack on Molly Rooke's ranch, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, near Refugio, Texas. Oil and gas drilling began on the ranch in the 1920s and there were dozens of orphaned wells that needed to be plugged for safety and environmental protection. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Alaska will receive more than $32 million for clean up efforts. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The USS Hopper (DDG 70) prepares to moor in Homer, Alaska, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with its participation in Northern Edge 2017 in Homer, Alaska, April 29, 2017. The Navy is proposing to considerably expand its exercise area in the Gulf of Alaska. (U.S. Navy / Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Montemarano)

Navy proposes expanding Gulf of Alaska exercise area

The proposal would more than quadruple the sea room for ships and aircraft to manuever in.

The USS Hopper (DDG 70) prepares to moor in Homer, Alaska, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with its participation in Northern Edge 2017 in Homer, Alaska, April 29, 2017. The Navy is proposing to considerably expand its exercise area in the Gulf of Alaska. (U.S. Navy / Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Montemarano)
Mina Sanders, a COVID tester with Capstone Clinic, readies for the next group of arrivals at Juneau International Airport on Jan. 31, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Airport COVID testing ends as contract runs out

The company will still provide vaccines at the airport for another six months.

Mina Sanders, a COVID tester with Capstone Clinic, readies for the next group of arrivals at Juneau International Airport on Jan. 31, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska House tabled action Monday on a proposal to remove from legislative committees Eastman, who has said he joined the Oath Keepers far-right organization years ago. The House Committee on Committees voted 5-2 to remove Republican Rep. Eastman of Wasilla from his committee assignments, said Joe Plesha, communications director for the House's bipartisan majority. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

House tables vote affecting lawmaker with Oath Keepers ties

The meeting was not widely publicized beforehand.

Alaska Republican state Rep. David Eastman speaks on the floor of the Alaska House on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska House tabled action Monday on a proposal to remove from legislative committees Eastman, who has said he joined the Oath Keepers far-right organization years ago. The House Committee on Committees voted 5-2 to remove Republican Rep. Eastman of Wasilla from his committee assignments, said Joe Plesha, communications director for the House's bipartisan majority. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire The sun shines on the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge on Monday. According to forecasters, Monday is likely the last sunny day Juneau will see for the rest of the week as a snow event that’s forecasted to start Tuesday will give way to rain and warming temperatures during the back half of the week.

Flakes forecasted for February

New storm follows a very wet January

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire The sun shines on the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge on Monday. According to forecasters, Monday is likely the last sunny day Juneau will see for the rest of the week as a snow event that’s forecasted to start Tuesday will give way to rain and warming temperatures during the back half of the week.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Pentagon in Washington, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

Austin to governors: Guard troops must get COVID-19 vaccine

Texas, Oklahoma and Alaska filed lawsuits challenging the military’s vaccine mandate.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Pentagon in Washington, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)
Kayla Svinicki, director and owner of Little Moon Child Care on Jan. 28. Svinicki said that providing childcare is essential but that the economics of the situation make the work difficult. She said she hopes the country starts to treat childcare as part of the nation's infrastructure. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Report: 61% of Alaskans live in child care deserts

Local providers say the struggle is real

Kayla Svinicki, director and owner of Little Moon Child Care on Jan. 28. Svinicki said that providing childcare is essential but that the economics of the situation make the work difficult. She said she hopes the country starts to treat childcare as part of the nation's infrastructure. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File Members of the prosecution and defense, including defendant John Stapleton, sit on Jan. 13 during a trial for a 2018 killing.

Jury returns mixed verdict in Yakutat killing trial

Accused found guilty of multiple charges, not guilty of first-degree murder.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File Members of the prosecution and defense, including defendant John Stapleton, sit on Jan. 13 during a trial for a 2018 killing.
Esau Sinnok of Shishmaref, Alaska, speaks at a news conference after the Alaska Supreme Court heard arguments on Oct. 9, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska, in a lawsuit that claims state policy on fossil fuels is harming the constitutional right of young Alaskans to a safe climate. The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by 16 Alaska youths, who claimed long-term effects of climate change will devastate Alaska and interfere with their individual constitutional rights. (AP File Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Alaska court rules against youths in climate change lawsuit

The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by 16 young Alaskans.

Esau Sinnok of Shishmaref, Alaska, speaks at a news conference after the Alaska Supreme Court heard arguments on Oct. 9, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska, in a lawsuit that claims state policy on fossil fuels is harming the constitutional right of young Alaskans to a safe climate. The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by 16 Alaska youths, who claimed long-term effects of climate change will devastate Alaska and interfere with their individual constitutional rights. (AP File Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Juneau’s breweries are participating in a fundraiser beginning Feb. 4, brewing exclusive cabin-themed beers as they raise money for a new cabin at Eaglecrest Ski Area.

A different kind of cabin fever: breweries fundraise for new Eaglecrest structure

The cabin is expected to open this summer.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Juneau’s breweries are participating in a fundraiser beginning Feb. 4, brewing exclusive cabin-themed beers as they raise money for a new cabin at Eaglecrest Ski Area.
The jury in a trial for a 2018 killing is currently sequestered as they deliberate. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Jury deliberations last through second day in trial for Yakutat killing

The jury will decide whether the defendant is guilty or innoncent of the charges.

The jury in a trial for a 2018 killing is currently sequestered as they deliberate. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)