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Signatures for a ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska recognize the 229 federally-recognized tribal governments were submitted to Division of Elections offices in Anchorage Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. The campaign was able to collect 56,230 signatures - well over the minimum requirement - meaning Alaskan voters will likely see the initiative on the November ballot. (Courtesy photo / Alaskans for Better Government)

Campaigners submit over 56,000 signatures for tribal recognition initiative

State has 60 days to reply.

Signatures for a ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska recognize the 229 federally-recognized tribal governments were submitted to Division of Elections offices in Anchorage Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. The campaign was able to collect 56,230 signatures - well over the minimum requirement - meaning Alaskan voters will likely see the initiative on the November ballot. (Courtesy photo / Alaskans for Better Government)
The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to build a cruise ship dock on its waterfront property on Egan Drive. The city is considering amending the 2004 Long Range Waterfront Plan to allow the new dock. If the change is approved, it could clear the way for broader discussions with NCL. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

City considers changing plan to allow cruise dock, more shore power

Public comment now open

The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to build a cruise ship dock on its waterfront property on Egan Drive. The city is considering amending the 2004 Long Range Waterfront Plan to allow the new dock. If the change is approved, it could clear the way for broader discussions with NCL. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Employees of the Alaska Department of Corrections used excessive force, failing to comply with the department’s own use of force policy, according to a report released by the state ombudsman on Monday. (Screenshot)

Report: Excessive force used in Anchorage prison

The ombudsman found the five allegations made by inmates justified, and only partially rectified.

Employees of the Alaska Department of Corrections used excessive force, failing to comply with the department’s own use of force policy, according to a report released by the state ombudsman on Monday. (Screenshot)
In this March 2020 photo, Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Chief Executive Officer Angela Rodell speaks to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce in Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Former APFC CEO says firing was politically motivated

Dunleavy denied any involvement in Angela Rodell’s removal last month

In this March 2020 photo, Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Chief Executive Officer Angela Rodell speaks to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce in Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Members of the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly during a Zoom meeting on Jan. 10, seconds before a caller disrupted the meeting in a Zoom bombing episode. (Screenshot)

Officials to consider ‘Zoom bombing’ ordinance after disruptions

There’s been two separate incidents this week.

Members of the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly during a Zoom meeting on Jan. 10, seconds before a caller disrupted the meeting in a Zoom bombing episode. (Screenshot)
Robert Stroud, who killed a man for underpaying a sex worker in Juneau in 1909, is the subject of the first “Death, With Dessert” lecture held by a pair of retired Juneau reporters. (Courtesy photo / Betsey Longenbaugh and Ed Schoenfeld)
Capital City Weekly

True crime with a side of dessert

Cakes are a natural accompaniment to murders most foul.

Robert Stroud, who killed a man for underpaying a sex worker in Juneau in 1909, is the subject of the first “Death, With Dessert” lecture held by a pair of retired Juneau reporters. (Courtesy photo / Betsey Longenbaugh and Ed Schoenfeld)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file The trial for a man accused of a 2018 stabbing death in Yakutat has began in Juneau Superior Court at Dimond Courthouse.

Jury selection begins in Yakutat killing trial

Potential jurors expressed qualms about COVID mitigation measures in place.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file The trial for a man accused of a 2018 stabbing death in Yakutat has began in Juneau Superior Court at Dimond Courthouse.
A worker stands outside a collapsed building in Lemon Creek on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, one of two building collapses reported in Juneau amid ongoing rain following heavy snowfall. The City and Borough of Juneau said no injuries were reported and urged building owners to be cautious of snow loads on roofs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City reports 2 buildings collapse as continuing rain stresses infrastructure

Rain to continue through weekend.

A worker stands outside a collapsed building in Lemon Creek on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, one of two building collapses reported in Juneau amid ongoing rain following heavy snowfall. The City and Borough of Juneau said no injuries were reported and urged building owners to be cautious of snow loads on roofs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department is seeking more information about a sexual abuse of a minor case that’s been under investigation since March 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

Police seek information in sexual abuse of a minor case

There may be more to the case than has been discovered.

The Juneau Police Department is seeking more information about a sexual abuse of a minor case that’s been under investigation since March 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
A sign seen on a downtown Juneau business reminds customers that masks are required. On Monday night, CBJ officials voted to extend the city’s COVID-related ordinances through April 30. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

City extends COVID mitigation measures through April

Decision generates intense input and a plea for civility

A sign seen on a downtown Juneau business reminds customers that masks are required. On Monday night, CBJ officials voted to extend the city’s COVID-related ordinances through April 30. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
FILE--In this undated file photo, drilling operations at the Doyon Rig 19 at the Conoco-Phillips Carbon location in the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, are shown. Alaska's Congressional delegation released a joint statement Tuesday condemning the Biden Administration's decision not to pursue development on the reserve, saying it would hurt the state's economy. (AP Photo/Judy Patrick, File)

Congressional delegation condemns NPR-A development reversal

Another policy reversal.

FILE--In this undated file photo, drilling operations at the Doyon Rig 19 at the Conoco-Phillips Carbon location in the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, are shown. Alaska's Congressional delegation released a joint statement Tuesday condemning the Biden Administration's decision not to pursue development on the reserve, saying it would hurt the state's economy. (AP Photo/Judy Patrick, File)
Heavy snow over the weekend was followed by rising temperatures and steady rain. This led to icy conditions and added weight to snow imperiling decks, roofs and vessels in the capital city. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Meltdown: Heavy snow chased by rain prompts closures, concerns

Concern builds as rain increases weight of snow pack

Heavy snow over the weekend was followed by rising temperatures and steady rain. This led to icy conditions and added weight to snow imperiling decks, roofs and vessels in the capital city. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The company responsible for running Juneau’s landfill is taking steps to reduce the odor emitted by the decomposing garbage. (Courtesy photo / Mark Frisco, Waste Management)

Changes underway at landfill to reduce odors

Some fixes have already been carried out.

The company responsible for running Juneau’s landfill is taking steps to reduce the odor emitted by the decomposing garbage. (Courtesy photo / Mark Frisco, Waste Management)
The Coast Guard briefly investigated an oil leak near Sandy Beach on Jan. 10, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Coast Guard investigated minor oil spill near Sandy Beach

The source couldn’t be ID’d but was not a source of major concern, said a Coast Guard spokesperson.

The Coast Guard briefly investigated an oil leak near Sandy Beach on Jan. 10, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers will return next week to the Alaska State Capitol building, seen here on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, for the next session of the Alaska State Legislature, but local leaders were cautious about what could be accomplished in an election year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Local leaders expect old issues to shape new session

Familiar issues to dominate session.

Lawmakers will return next week to the Alaska State Capitol building, seen here on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, for the next session of the Alaska State Legislature, but local leaders were cautious about what could be accomplished in an election year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Chief Financial Officer has resigned, according to hospital officials. Benson is the third executive to resign from BRH in the last four months. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Hospital CFO resigns

Departure marks third exec to leave

Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Chief Financial Officer has resigned, according to hospital officials. Benson is the third executive to resign from BRH in the last four months. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Steven Duke shovels snow from the top of the roof at Don Abel Tool and Equipment Rental on Jan. 7. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Update: Heavy snow prompts closings

Schools, a street and a store.

Steven Duke shovels snow from the top of the roof at Don Abel Tool and Equipment Rental on Jan. 7. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Siblings Lea Skaggs, left, and Drake Skaggs, right, show off work by their brother Avery Skaggs at the opening night of a show at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum featuring a selection of work Avery Skaggs created during the pandemic lockdown. The exhibition is titled “Home: Disability Creativity in a Pandemic Lockdown.” (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Creating without community

‘Capitvating’ new exhibit contains artist’s lockdown work

Siblings Lea Skaggs, left, and Drake Skaggs, right, show off work by their brother Avery Skaggs at the opening night of a show at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum featuring a selection of work Avery Skaggs created during the pandemic lockdown. The exhibition is titled “Home: Disability Creativity in a Pandemic Lockdown.” (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
The Supreme Court shown Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Washington. The Supreme Court is taking up two major Biden administration efforts to bump up the nation's vaccination rate against COVID-19 at a time of spiking coronavirus cases because of the omicron variant. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Supreme Court skeptical of Biden’s workplace vaccine rule

The court seemed more open to a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers.

The Supreme Court shown Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Washington. The Supreme Court is taking up two major Biden administration efforts to bump up the nation's vaccination rate against COVID-19 at a time of spiking coronavirus cases because of the omicron variant. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The Petersburg Police Department is conducting an investigation into a report that a person identified as an officer of that department made fascist remarks on a social media page. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Man no longer employed by Petersburg police after social media post investigation

The comment was made by a profile that listed employer as Petersburg Police Department.

The Petersburg Police Department is conducting an investigation into a report that a person identified as an officer of that department made fascist remarks on a social media page. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)