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Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell urged lawmakers to pass a budget before the state government shuts down on July 1, even though APFC employees are considered essential. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers urged to avoid shutdown but impasse remains

Economy already in recovery.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell urged lawmakers to pass a budget before the state government shuts down on July 1, even though APFC employees are considered essential. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Capt. Darwin A. Jensen, right, will take command of Sector Juneau from Capt. Stephen R. White, left, on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Coming and going: Commanders talk Sector Juneau

They’ve both come a long way since growing up in Idaho.

Capt. Darwin A. Jensen, right, will take command of Sector Juneau from Capt. Stephen R. White, left, on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
President Joe Biden, with a bipartisan group of Senators, including Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, speaks Thursday June 24, 2021, outside the White House in Washington. Biden invited members of the group of 21 Republican and Democratic senators to discuss the infrastructure plan. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)

‘We have a deal’: Biden announces infrastructure agreement

Biden made a surprise appearance in front of the cameras with a bipartisan group of senators.

  • Jun 24, 2021
  • By Jonathan Lemire, Josh Boak and Lisa Mascaro Associated Press
  • National News
President Joe Biden, with a bipartisan group of Senators, including Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, speaks Thursday June 24, 2021, outside the White House in Washington. Biden invited members of the group of 21 Republican and Democratic senators to discuss the infrastructure plan. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File Perseverance Theatre’s annual summer youth program, Summer Theatre Arts Rendezvous, is scheduled for July 19-Friday Aug. 4.
Capital City Weekly

A STAR is re-born: Perseverance Theatre gears up for new take on annual summer youth program

Registration is open.

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File Perseverance Theatre’s annual summer youth program, Summer Theatre Arts Rendezvous, is scheduled for July 19-Friday Aug. 4.
Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, spoke on the first day of the year's second special session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, but said he was not happy to be there. Gov. Mike Dunleavy brought lawmakers back to Juneau to fix what he called a defective budget but legal questions remain unresolved. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers optimistic but vague about budget negotiations

Avoidable and unnecessary.

Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, spoke on the first day of the year's second special session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, but said he was not happy to be there. Gov. Mike Dunleavy brought lawmakers back to Juneau to fix what he called a defective budget but legal questions remain unresolved. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, Malaspina and Tazlina, hidden from view, are tied up at the Auke Bay Terminal in this July 2019 photo. CoastAlaska reports Gov. Mike Dunleavy offered to give the Malaspina ferry away in a letter last month to the Philippines consul general in San Francisco. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska offers 58-year-old ferry for free to the Philippines

The state of Alaska is trying to dispose of a 58-year-old ferry.

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, Malaspina and Tazlina, hidden from view, are tied up at the Auke Bay Terminal in this July 2019 photo. CoastAlaska reports Gov. Mike Dunleavy offered to give the Malaspina ferry away in a letter last month to the Philippines consul general in San Francisco. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Haida artist Janine Gibbons poses with the book she illustrated, the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s first children’s book in the Haida language Xaad Kíl, a translation of the traditional story “The Woman Carried Away by Killer Whales.” (Courtesy photo / Janine Gibbons)
Capital City Weekly

Haida-language children’s book released as part of award-winning series

The book is a re-issue in X̱aad Kíl of a previously released traditional story.

Haida artist Janine Gibbons poses with the book she illustrated, the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s first children’s book in the Haida language Xaad Kíl, a translation of the traditional story “The Woman Carried Away by Killer Whales.” (Courtesy photo / Janine Gibbons)
This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. Alaska's syphilis infection rates increased by 49% over 2019 numbers, the Department of Health and Social Services reported this week. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)

Alaska’s syphilis infection rate increases

State records 49% more cases in 2020

This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. Alaska's syphilis infection rates increased by 49% over 2019 numbers, the Department of Health and Social Services reported this week. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)
Lawmakers will come back to the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on May 28, 2021, for the second special session of the Legislature this summer. Gov. Mike Dunleavy asked lawmakers to resolve what he called a defective budget, leading to a legal dispute between lawmakers and the administration. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Second special session starts as legal dispute continues

Courts asked to advise.

Lawmakers will come back to the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on May 28, 2021, for the second special session of the Legislature this summer. Gov. Mike Dunleavy asked lawmakers to resolve what he called a defective budget, leading to a legal dispute between lawmakers and the administration. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
FILE - In this April 23, 2021, file photo, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington. On Tuesday, June 22, 2021, Haaland and other federal officials are expected to announce steps that the federal government plans to take to reconcile the legacy of boarding school policies on Indigenous families and communities across the U.S. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)

US to review dark history of Indigenous boarding schools

As part of the initiative, a final report from agency staff is due by April 1, 2022.

FILE - In this April 23, 2021, file photo, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington. On Tuesday, June 22, 2021, Haaland and other federal officials are expected to announce steps that the federal government plans to take to reconcile the legacy of boarding school policies on Indigenous families and communities across the U.S. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
Fresh rainwater sits on top of the ice at Auke Lake in Jeanueary 2019. Although June is typically considered a relatively dry month in the capital city, the National Weather Service is predicting heavy rain starting Wednesday evening and through the weekend. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Multi-day rain event expected for Juneau

Expect 1-3 inches of rain

Fresh rainwater sits on top of the ice at Auke Lake in Jeanueary 2019. Although June is typically considered a relatively dry month in the capital city, the National Weather Service is predicting heavy rain starting Wednesday evening and through the weekend. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A Juneau man arrested in 2018 for intent to distribute was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and five years of supervised release this week in U.S. District Court. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man sentenced to 10 years for distribution of drugs

His 2018 arrest turned up drugs, guns, and thousands in cash.

A Juneau man arrested in 2018 for intent to distribute was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and five years of supervised release this week in U.S. District Court. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Barbara Blake recently entered the race for the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly, setting up a head-to-head contest with school board member Paul Kelly, who declared his candidacy in May. Both Blake and Kelly aim to replace long-serving assembly member Loren Jones, who is prevented from running again due to term limits. (Courtesy photo/Barbara Blake)

Race is on for opening CBJ Assembly seat

A second candidate files to run for District 1 position.

Barbara Blake recently entered the race for the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly, setting up a head-to-head contest with school board member Paul Kelly, who declared his candidacy in May. Both Blake and Kelly aim to replace long-serving assembly member Loren Jones, who is prevented from running again due to term limits. (Courtesy photo/Barbara Blake)
A sign invites visitors into the Alaska State Capitol building on Monday, June 21, 2021. Lawmakers will begin their second special session of the year Wednesday after Gov. Mike Dunleavy sent the state’s budget bill back to lawmakers saying it lacked critical components. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Courts asked to clarify budget dispute

Shutdown remains possible.

A sign invites visitors into the Alaska State Capitol building on Monday, June 21, 2021. Lawmakers will begin their second special session of the year Wednesday after Gov. Mike Dunleavy sent the state’s budget bill back to lawmakers saying it lacked critical components. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel underwent water rescue training at the floatplane pond Sunday at Juneau International Airport. Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire

CCFR conducts water rescue training near airport

Hands-on training is necessary to keep skills sharp and personnel ready.

Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel underwent water rescue training at the floatplane pond Sunday at Juneau International Airport. Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Firefighter medic Andy Tighe snaps a photo of the breakaway plus-class cruise ship Norwegian Bliss while Captain Tracy Mettler operates a fireboat in the Tongass Narrows in Ketchikan, Alaska, on June 4, 2018. President Joe Biden signed into law Monday, May 24, 2021, legislation that opens a door for resumed cruise ship travel to Alaska after the pandemic last year scrapped sailings. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)

Alaska’s cruise season ‘good to go’

Ships expected late July.

Firefighter medic Andy Tighe snaps a photo of the breakaway plus-class cruise ship Norwegian Bliss while Captain Tracy Mettler operates a fireboat in the Tongass Narrows in Ketchikan, Alaska, on June 4, 2018. President Joe Biden signed into law Monday, May 24, 2021, legislation that opens a door for resumed cruise ship travel to Alaska after the pandemic last year scrapped sailings. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)
Thunder Mountain High School on April 18, 2021. When school resumes in August, Juneau teacher Kelly Stewart will be the interim assistant principal, district officials announced on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Local teacher named assistant principal at TMHS

Kelly Stewart accepts interim role

Thunder Mountain High School on April 18, 2021. When school resumes in August, Juneau teacher Kelly Stewart will be the interim assistant principal, district officials announced on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Police investigate the scene of an early morning fatal shooting along Gambell Street between Fourth Avenue and Fifth Avenue near downtown Anchorage, Alaska, Saturday, June 19, 2021. (Bill Roth / Anchorage Daily News)

Anchorage shooting kills 1, wounds 4 others, police say

Police say shooting happened early Saturday morning.

  • Jun 19, 2021
  • Associated Press
Police investigate the scene of an early morning fatal shooting along Gambell Street between Fourth Avenue and Fifth Avenue near downtown Anchorage, Alaska, Saturday, June 19, 2021. (Bill Roth / Anchorage Daily News)
Dozens of vendors and thousands of people were on hand for the 11th Juneau Maritime Festival held Saturday, June 19, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau has a merry time at outdoor festival

11th Maritime Festival among first major in-person events in the city since the pandemic.

Dozens of vendors and thousands of people were on hand for the 11th Juneau Maritime Festival held Saturday, June 19, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A recently released map by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration shows the vast areas of low data speeds and access by broadband users across Alaska and the rest of the U.S. (Screenshot)

White House laying groundwork for improved internet infrastructure

In Alaska, providers are looking at their own improvments to access.

A recently released map by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration shows the vast areas of low data speeds and access by broadband users across Alaska and the rest of the U.S. (Screenshot)