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Dan O’Neill on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska writer awarded an honorary degree

By Ned Rozell Alaska is large in its acreage of spruce swamps and spongey tundra but small in the number of writers who have described… Continue reading

  • May 28, 2021
  • By Ned Rozell
Dan O’Neill on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Pat White (left) and Sue Schrader (right), collect signatures to move a trio of initiatives aimed at curbing cruise ship visits to Juneau onto October's municipal ballot. The pair are members of a group called Juneau Cruise Control. With less than a week until the June 4 deadline to submit signatures for each question, organizers are not releasing the number of signatories to date. (Courtesy photo/Sue Schrader)

Cruising to the finish line: Initiative proponents, opponents continue work

Juneau Cruise Control holds numbers of signatures close to the vest ahead of next Friday’s deadline.

Pat White (left) and Sue Schrader (right), collect signatures to move a trio of initiatives aimed at curbing cruise ship visits to Juneau onto October's municipal ballot. The pair are members of a group called Juneau Cruise Control. With less than a week until the June 4 deadline to submit signatures for each question, organizers are not releasing the number of signatories to date. (Courtesy photo/Sue Schrader)
The Capitol Dome looms behind the Peace Monument statue in Washington, Friday, May 28, 2021, as the Senate tries to finish to its work going into the Memorial Day recess with Republican leaders insisting they will block a commission on the Jan. 6 insurrection by a mob loyal to former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

GOP blocks bipartisan probe of deadly Jan. 6 riot at Capitol

Senate Republicans blocked creation of a bipartisan panel to study the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

  • May 28, 2021
  • By Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro Associated Press
  • National News
The Capitol Dome looms behind the Peace Monument statue in Washington, Friday, May 28, 2021, as the Senate tries to finish to its work going into the Memorial Day recess with Republican leaders insisting they will block a commission on the Jan. 6 insurrection by a mob loyal to former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

Corps: Pebble Mine appeal review could take over a year

The proposed mine has been the subject of heated debate for years.

In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
Capt. Jayme Johns, center, head of the Capital City Fire/Rescue’s water rescue team, briefs a group of CCFR personnel and Coast Guardsmen as they prepare to practice swiftwater rescues in the Mendenhall River on as National Boating Safety Week wraps up May 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

‘Current’ events: Responders rehearse river rescue

“When you’re in the river, you’re at the mercy of the water.”

Capt. Jayme Johns, center, head of the Capital City Fire/Rescue’s water rescue team, briefs a group of CCFR personnel and Coast Guardsmen as they prepare to practice swiftwater rescues in the Mendenhall River on as National Boating Safety Week wraps up May 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Dan Blanchard, CEO of UnCruise Adventures stands at the bridge of the Safari Quest, one of several boats that will ply Alaksa's waters this season. He said the stuffed animal is the ship's official mascot. His daughter, Denee Blanchard, is the captain of the vessel, which left Juneau for a weeklong cruise on May 15. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

UnCruise sets sail with a larger fleet

Strong demand results in more ships moving to Juneau

Dan Blanchard, CEO of UnCruise Adventures stands at the bridge of the Safari Quest, one of several boats that will ply Alaksa's waters this season. He said the stuffed animal is the ship's official mascot. His daughter, Denee Blanchard, is the captain of the vessel, which left Juneau for a weeklong cruise on May 15. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Members of a bicameral conference committee of lawmakers, seen here at their first meeting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, met again Thursday to negotiate the final version of the state's budget. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Budget committee adjourns until after holiday

Lengthy process.

Members of a bicameral conference committee of lawmakers, seen here at their first meeting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, met again Thursday to negotiate the final version of the state's budget. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department will be increasing its presence over Memorial Day weekend to keep holiday-makers safe, according to a news release. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police stepping up presence for Memorial Day weekend

Be safe over the long holiday weekend.

The Juneau Police Department will be increasing its presence over Memorial Day weekend to keep holiday-makers safe, according to a news release. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Third-generation Alaskan and Juneau-transplant Paul Kelly hopes to join the Juneau City Assembly and has recently kicked off his campaign for the seat. He currently serves on the board for Juneau Public Schools. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Kelly launches campaign for CBJ Assembly

He’s a candidate for the October municipal election

Third-generation Alaskan and Juneau-transplant Paul Kelly hopes to join the Juneau City Assembly and has recently kicked off his campaign for the seat. He currently serves on the board for Juneau Public Schools. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, at center, chairs the first meeting of a bicameral conference committee tasked with negotiating the state's final budget bill in the Senate Finance Committee chambers on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Lawmakers had said they wanted to finish before Memorial Day, but Foster said that didn't seem like a possibility. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Budget negotiations begin, will likely continue into June

One day at a time.

Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, at center, chairs the first meeting of a bicameral conference committee tasked with negotiating the state's final budget bill in the Senate Finance Committee chambers on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Lawmakers had said they wanted to finish before Memorial Day, but Foster said that didn't seem like a possibility. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This year’s Rasmuson Foundation Distinguished Artist is Ernestine Saankaláxt’ Hayes. The acclaimed author is former Alaska State Writer Laureate and resides in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Pat Race)
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Capital City Weekly

Hayes receives prestigious Distinguished Artist honor

Acclaimed writer from Juneau receives Rasmuson Foundation award.

This year’s Rasmuson Foundation Distinguished Artist is Ernestine Saankaláxt’ Hayes. The acclaimed author is former Alaska State Writer Laureate and resides in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Pat Race)
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A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. Before cruise ships can sail to Alaska this summer, they must enter into a port agreement, which outlines health and safety terms. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ authorizes city manager to enter port agreements with cruise lines

CDC requires agreed-upon health and safety standards for cruises

A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. Before cruise ships can sail to Alaska this summer, they must enter into a port agreement, which outlines health and safety terms. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Juneauites walking the Airport Dike Trail, seen here on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, probably won’t see the monitoring wells being installed in the area around the Juneau International Airport to test for contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS chemicals. Ground water testing is set to take place over the next few years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City testing for PFAS in soil, groundwater around airport

Multi-year process.

Juneauites walking the Airport Dike Trail, seen here on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, probably won’t see the monitoring wells being installed in the area around the Juneau International Airport to test for contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS chemicals. Ground water testing is set to take place over the next few years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Starting next month, new rules will govern the use of fireworks in the City and Borough of Juneau. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire File)

CBJ adopts new fireworks rules

New rules ban mortar-style fireworks in neighborhoods

Starting next month, new rules will govern the use of fireworks in the City and Borough of Juneau. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire File)
JDHS graduates make their way from a graduation ceremony held Sunday, May 23. All three Juneau public high school held ceremonies on Sunday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

PHOTOS: 1 day, 3 graduation ceremonies

See photos of the big day.

JDHS graduates make their way from a graduation ceremony held Sunday, May 23. All three Juneau public high school held ceremonies on Sunday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Garrett Klein, a junior at TMHS, recalls his reaction to finding out his painting will hang in Washington D.C. "I was just blown away," Klein said. "I was in absolute shock." Klein thanked Angela Imboden, Nancy Lehnhart and MK MacNaughton for making the success possible. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

From Juneau with love

Local artist’s work to hang in Washington, D.C.

Garrett Klein, a junior at TMHS, recalls his reaction to finding out his painting will hang in Washington D.C. "I was just blown away," Klein said. "I was in absolute shock." Klein thanked Angela Imboden, Nancy Lehnhart and MK MacNaughton for making the success possible. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Bob Sam and Jamiann Hasselquist touch the headstone of Chief Joseph, a tribal leader buried in the Lawson Creek Cemetery in 1917, as they work with other volunteers to restore the cemetery, on May 22, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Volunteers work to restore neglected Douglas cemetery

“We’re giving them a place with dignity, honor and respect.”

Bob Sam and Jamiann Hasselquist touch the headstone of Chief Joseph, a tribal leader buried in the Lawson Creek Cemetery in 1917, as they work with other volunteers to restore the cemetery, on May 22, 2021. (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)

Biden signs bill opening door for Alaska cruises to resume

The measure will allow large cruise ships to sail directly from Washington state to Alaska.

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)
From left to right: Sens. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau; Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak; Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, and Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speak on the floor of the Alaska Senate on Monday, May 24, 2021, the first day of one of two special sessions called by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers: Budget negotiations to begin Wednesday

Buttoning up the budget.

From left to right: Sens. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau; Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak; Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, and Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speak on the floor of the Alaska Senate on Monday, May 24, 2021, the first day of one of two special sessions called by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The NASA Black Brant XII rocket lifts off with the KiNET-X experiment at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on May 16, 2021. (Terry Zaperach / NASA)

Chasing starlight: Alaska team shoots rocket searching for aurora data

Weather conditions on the East Coast nearly scrubbed the mission.

The NASA Black Brant XII rocket lifts off with the KiNET-X experiment at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on May 16, 2021. (Terry Zaperach / NASA)