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University of Alaska Interim President Pat Pitney, bottom left, spoke to UA students in a virtual forum on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, and was joined by several UA administrators including UA Southeast President Karen Carey, bottom left, and UA Anchorage Vice Chancellor Bruce Schultz, top left. At top right, an American Sign Language professional provides translation services. (Screenshot)

UA President: University has turned a corner on funding

A core foundation.

University of Alaska Interim President Pat Pitney, bottom left, spoke to UA students in a virtual forum on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, and was joined by several UA administrators including UA Southeast President Karen Carey, bottom left, and UA Anchorage Vice Chancellor Bruce Schultz, top left. At top right, an American Sign Language professional provides translation services. (Screenshot)
This picture shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall on Dec. 20, 2021. City officials are eyeing options for a new or renovated city facility with four potential options currently in the running. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

City Hall discussion moves forward

Public and experts weigh in on options

This picture shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall on Dec. 20, 2021. City officials are eyeing options for a new or renovated city facility with four potential options currently in the running. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Maddie Phaneuf, a Team USA biathlete, coaches up Juneau Nordic Ski Team members during a recent stop in the capital city. Phaneuf said it was only her second time in Alaska. Despite heavy rain, local athletes were able to learn from the Olympic-caliber athlete. (Courtesy Photo / Mike Justa)

Hello, good biathlon: Olympian serves as guest coach for Juneau youths

‘If you live in Alaska, you should be skiing”

Maddie Phaneuf, a Team USA biathlete, coaches up Juneau Nordic Ski Team members during a recent stop in the capital city. Phaneuf said it was only her second time in Alaska. Despite heavy rain, local athletes were able to learn from the Olympic-caliber athlete. (Courtesy Photo / Mike Justa)
This picture shows Bartlett Regional Hospital on Sept. 16, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Bartlett Regional Hospital leadership shakeup continues

Officials announce new operating structure and staff changes

This picture shows Bartlett Regional Hospital on Sept. 16, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska recently acquired a pair of buildings downtown near the Andrew Hope Building as it hopes to provide more office space to centralize services for its citizens.

Tlingit and Haida president talks new buildings, future expansion

The tribe is taking steps to consolidate a number of its offices downtown.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska recently acquired a pair of buildings downtown near the Andrew Hope Building as it hopes to provide more office space to centralize services for its citizens.
Members of the prosecution and defense, including defendant John Stapleton, sit during a trial for a 2018 killing on Jan. 13, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Deliberation continues in 2018 Yakutat killing trial

The jury of one’s peers is deliberating the defendant’s guilt.

Members of the prosecution and defense, including defendant John Stapleton, sit during a trial for a 2018 killing on Jan. 13, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer; Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna; Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak and Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, speak to reporters Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, immediately following Gov. Mike Dunleavy's State of the State address. Members of the Senate Republican leadership said they appreciated the governor's optimism, and hoped it signaled a better relationship between the administration and the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers welcome tone change in governor’s address

Still work to be done.

Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer; Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna; Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak and Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, speak to reporters Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, immediately following Gov. Mike Dunleavy's State of the State address. Members of the Senate Republican leadership said they appreciated the governor's optimism, and hoped it signaled a better relationship between the administration and the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, for his fourth State of the State address of his administration. Dunleavy painted a positive picture for the state despite the challenges Alaska has faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the economy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy paints optimistic picture in State of the State address

Gov: ‘North to the Future’ still state’s motto.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, for his fourth State of the State address of his administration. Dunleavy painted a positive picture for the state despite the challenges Alaska has faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the economy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sean Oliver, who led the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears in scoring at the Alaska Airlines Classic, prepares to shoot during practice on Dec. 15, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

JDHS basketball teams determined to soldier through rough patch

Both the boys and girls have a heavy week and weekend ahead.

Sean Oliver, who led the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears in scoring at the Alaska Airlines Classic, prepares to shoot during practice on Dec. 15, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Vladimir Alexeev in Norway while teaching summer school in 2017. Alexeev is a climate scientist who recently worked with local composer Michael Bucy to create a song about climate change. (Courtesy photo/Vishnu Nandan)
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Sounding a warning

Local composer writes song about climate change

Vladimir Alexeev in Norway while teaching summer school in 2017. Alexeev is a climate scientist who recently worked with local composer Michael Bucy to create a song about climate change. (Courtesy photo/Vishnu Nandan)
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Investigator Markus Bressler, defendant John Stapleton, and public defender Eric Hedland sit in court on Jan. 13, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Man says 2018 stabbing death was accidental

With both prosecution and defense done bringing witnesses, the trial is entering its final stages.

Investigator Markus Bressler, defendant John Stapleton, and public defender Eric Hedland sit in court on Jan. 13, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau’s first electric bus, parked in the Capital Transit garage on April 8, 2021. The bus has experienced some mechanical and battery problems since entering service last spring. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

Plugging along: Electric bus faces mechanical issues

City remains committed to electrifying its fleet.

Juneau’s first electric bus, parked in the Capital Transit garage on April 8, 2021. The bus has experienced some mechanical and battery problems since entering service last spring. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)
Deborah Moody, an administrative clerk at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, looks at an oversized booklet explaining election changes in the state on Jan. 21, 2022. Alaska elections will be held for the first time this year under a voter-backed system that scraps party primaries and sends the top four vote-getters regardless of party to the general election, where ranked choice voting will be used to determine a winner. No other state conducts its elections with that same combination. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

How Alaska’s unique new election system works

Here is a closer look at what’s happening in Alaska.

Deborah Moody, an administrative clerk at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, looks at an oversized booklet explaining election changes in the state on Jan. 21, 2022. Alaska elections will be held for the first time this year under a voter-backed system that scraps party primaries and sends the top four vote-getters regardless of party to the general election, where ranked choice voting will be used to determine a winner. No other state conducts its elections with that same combination. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Killdeer chicks have just one black breast band at first, but soon get the characteristic two bands.(Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
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On the Tails: Shorebirds in winter

Sightings are no “shore” thing.

Killdeer chicks have just one black breast band at first, but soon get the characteristic two bands.(Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
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Screenshot / City and Borough of Juneau Concept drawings of a potential new City Hall building for the City and Borough of Juneau show what a new building atop the downtown transit center parking garage might look like. The city is considering several options for a new City Hall, and on Wednesday will take public testimony on proposals.

Have thoughts on a new City Hall? Your chance to weigh in is coming up

Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Screenshot / City and Borough of Juneau Concept drawings of a potential new City Hall building for the City and Borough of Juneau show what a new building atop the downtown transit center parking garage might look like. The city is considering several options for a new City Hall, and on Wednesday will take public testimony on proposals.
Public defender Eric Hedland, left, and District Attorney Angie Kemp consult with Superior Court Judge Amy Mead on Jan. 24, 2022 during a trial of a man accused of killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Screenshot)

State rests after prosecution’s final witness in trial for killing

The defense will now bring forth its witnesses.

Public defender Eric Hedland, left, and District Attorney Angie Kemp consult with Superior Court Judge Amy Mead on Jan. 24, 2022 during a trial of a man accused of killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Screenshot)
An avalanche above Basin Road covered the Gold Creek Flume Trail on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, but didn’t affect any structures. Heavy rains over the weekend set records in Juneau and caused several small avalanches in the region. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Weekend weather sets records, causes power disruptions

Considerable avalanche danger.

An avalanche above Basin Road covered the Gold Creek Flume Trail on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, but didn’t affect any structures. Heavy rains over the weekend set records in Juneau and caused several small avalanches in the region. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Students from Riverbend Elementary School arrive for their first day of classes at Chapel By the Lake on Jan. 24. The church offered its education wing to the Juneau School District after a burst pipe shuttered the Riverbend school building. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Amen! School is back in session for Riverbend students

Riverbend students start school at Chapel by the Lake

Students from Riverbend Elementary School arrive for their first day of classes at Chapel By the Lake on Jan. 24. The church offered its education wing to the Juneau School District after a burst pipe shuttered the Riverbend school building. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Then-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks at a rally in Montgomery, Ala., in 2017. Palin is on the verge of making new headlines in a legal battle with The New York Times. A defamation lawsuit against the Times, brought by the brash former Alaska governor in 2017, is set to go to trial starting Monday, Jan. 24, 2022 in federal court in Manhattan. (AP Photo / Brynn Anderson)

Palin COVID-19 tests delay libel trial against NY Times

Sarah Palin on Monday tested positive for COVID-19.

Then-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks at a rally in Montgomery, Ala., in 2017. Palin is on the verge of making new headlines in a legal battle with The New York Times. A defamation lawsuit against the Times, brought by the brash former Alaska governor in 2017, is set to go to trial starting Monday, Jan. 24, 2022 in federal court in Manhattan. (AP Photo / Brynn Anderson)
This National Weather Service map shows hazards around Southeast Alaska. An atmospheric river in the area has produced record-setting rain and flood watches throughout the region. (Screenshot)

Heavy rain prompts flood advisories, avalanche concerns, road closures

A hard rain is gonna (continue to) fall.

This National Weather Service map shows hazards around Southeast Alaska. An atmospheric river in the area has produced record-setting rain and flood watches throughout the region. (Screenshot)