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In 2024, the work of the Lynn Canal Food Web expanded into an additional community garden located in Deishú Haines using plants and seeds from the Victory Garden at Xunt’i Áa Mosquito Lake. Pictured, Erika Merklin and Liz Landes tend to the Henderson field property. Landes is funded to manage site development for the year through an additional USDA Southeast Alaska Sustainability mini-grant made available by Southeast Conference demonstrating how USDA funding continues to develop new leadership in local communities. (Photo by Shaelene Grace Moler)
Capital City Weekly

Woven Peoples and Place: Upper Lynn Canal food systems boosted by regional sustainability initiatives

Network of grassroots efforts, volunteers and community gardens helping ensure access to local food.

In 2024, the work of the Lynn Canal Food Web expanded into an additional community garden located in Deishú Haines using plants and seeds from the Victory Garden at Xunt’i Áa Mosquito Lake. Pictured, Erika Merklin and Liz Landes tend to the Henderson field property. Landes is funded to manage site development for the year through an additional USDA Southeast Alaska Sustainability mini-grant made available by Southeast Conference demonstrating how USDA funding continues to develop new leadership in local communities. (Photo by Shaelene Grace Moler)
Trawlers are seen in Unalaska on Sept. 24, 2013. Trawlers use nets to harvest pollock and other groundfish species in the Bering Sea; the ships’ incidental catch of river-bound salmon puts the pollock industry in conflict with commercial and subsistence fishermen in Western Alaska. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Biden administration rejects top Inslee choice for Alaska fish commission, reappoints trawl ally

The Biden administration has rejected a nominee for a key Alaska fisheries management post who could have tipped decisions toward the interests of tribes and… Continue reading

Trawlers are seen in Unalaska on Sept. 24, 2013. Trawlers use nets to harvest pollock and other groundfish species in the Bering Sea; the ships’ incidental catch of river-bound salmon puts the pollock industry in conflict with commercial and subsistence fishermen in Western Alaska. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Leeann Thomas, the owner of the Triangle Club for the last 25 years, stands behind the bar with her employee Dita Sharpley on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

The Triangle Club, Juneau’s historic three-generation bar, is for sale

Owner of 25 years says she’d love bar to stay local with “fresh ideas.”

Leeann Thomas, the owner of the Triangle Club for the last 25 years, stands behind the bar with her employee Dita Sharpley on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
People fill the Assembly Chambers at City Hall during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. A majority of people who testified during the meeting expressed thoughts about the shooting death of Steven Kissack during a confrontation with police two weeks ago. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Shooting death of Steven Kissack results in pleas to Assembly for transparency, restoration of trust

Residents commenting at Monday meeting mixed about if police response during standoff was proper.

People fill the Assembly Chambers at City Hall during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. A majority of people who testified during the meeting expressed thoughts about the shooting death of Steven Kissack during a confrontation with police two weeks ago. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church following the service on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bishop says Resurrection Lutheran Church’s pastor and president were legally removed; they disagree

Karen Perkins and Karen Lawfer say they will stay at positions, matter should be resolved in court.

People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church following the service on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A painting by Juneau artist Timi Johnson’s that’s part of his “Fugitive” exhibit that will be on display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center during First Friday in August. (Image courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in August

A wide range of artists from traditional Tlingit to self-taught modern, featuring creations ranging from ballpoint pen images to ceramics, along with a book talk… Continue reading

A painting by Juneau artist Timi Johnson’s that’s part of his “Fugitive” exhibit that will be on display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center during First Friday in August. (Image courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new cruise ship dock downtown. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Proposed Huna Totem dock clears hurdle about legality, now Assembly will decide if it’s wanted

Karla Hart says she won’t further appeal dock’s use permit, will focus on debate of project’s merits.

This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new cruise ship dock downtown. (City and Borough of Juneau)
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jude Pate, right, asks a question during oral arguments in a case concerning correspondence education allotments, on June 27, 2024, in the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

After state judge keeps ranked choice repeal ballot measure, Alaska Supreme Court will weigh in

Supporters of Alaska’s ranked choice election system are asking the Alaska Supreme Court to rule on one final attempt to keep a repeal measure from… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jude Pate, right, asks a question during oral arguments in a case concerning correspondence education allotments, on June 27, 2024, in the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Henderson is seen on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Juneau. Alaska’s Supreme Court will likely soon have three female and two male justices, making it majority-women for the first time. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Supreme Court positioned to be majority-women for first time

Seven attorneys have thrown their name in the ring for a judicial position in Alaska’s Supreme Court. All seven candidates are women, meaning that –… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Henderson is seen on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Juneau. Alaska’s Supreme Court will likely soon have three female and two male justices, making it majority-women for the first time. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
“Dreaming the Future” written by Mike Tobin and directed by Donnie Gott, and performed as part of the Climate Fair for a Cool Planet at Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, ends with actors in an electric bus driving toward the future. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Climate Fair for a Cool Planet cultivates a culture of change with songs and theater

Record rain in Juneau and record-high global temps are both worrisome signs, organizers say.

“Dreaming the Future” written by Mike Tobin and directed by Donnie Gott, and performed as part of the Climate Fair for a Cool Planet at Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, ends with actors in an electric bus driving toward the future. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Left: Michael Orelove points out to his grandniece, Violet, items inside the 1994 Juneau Time Capsule at the Hurff Ackerman Saunders Federal Building on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. Right: Five years later, Jonathon Turlove, Michael’s son, does the same with Violet. (Credits: Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo; Jasz Garrett/Juneau Empire)

Family of Michael Orelove reunites to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Juneau Time Capsule

“It’s not just a gift to the future, but to everybody now.”

Left: Michael Orelove points out to his grandniece, Violet, items inside the 1994 Juneau Time Capsule at the Hurff Ackerman Saunders Federal Building on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. Right: Five years later, Jonathon Turlove, Michael’s son, does the same with Violet. (Credits: Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo; Jasz Garrett/Juneau Empire)
Runners begin the 26.2-mile Juneau Marathon at Savikko Park on Saturday morning. More than 85 people registered for the full-length race, a record for the annual event that originated in 1992, but about 20 of them failed to show up for what turned out to be a rainy run. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Participants go to great lengths to run in the rain at the Juneau Marathon and Half Marathon

Dashing over from cruise ship, long trip around road-blocking landslide among paths to starting line.

Runners begin the 26.2-mile Juneau Marathon at Savikko Park on Saturday morning. More than 85 people registered for the full-length race, a record for the annual event that originated in 1992, but about 20 of them failed to show up for what turned out to be a rainy run. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A young girl plays on the Sheep Creek delta near suction dredges while a cruise ship passes the Gastineau Channel on July 20. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau was built on mining. Can recreational mining at Sheep Creek continue?

Neighborhood concerns about shoreline damage, vegetation regrowth and marine life spur investigation.

A young girl plays on the Sheep Creek delta near suction dredges while a cruise ship passes the Gastineau Channel on July 20. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A skier stands atop a hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Two Eaglecrest Ski Area general manager finalists to be interviewed next week

One is a Vermont ski school manager, the other a former Eaglecrest official now in Washington

A skier stands atop a hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Sam Wright, an experienced Haines pilot, is among three people that were aboard a plane missing since Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Annette Smith)

Community mourns pilots aboard flight from Juneau to Yakutat lost in the Fairweather mountains

Two of three people aboard small plane that disappeared last Saturday were experienced pilots.

  • Jul 26, 2024
  • Rashah McChesney and Francisco Martinezcuello, Chilkat Valley News
  • Fatal Plane Crash
Sam Wright, an experienced Haines pilot, is among three people that were aboard a plane missing since Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Annette Smith)
A section of the upper Yukon River flowing through the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve is seen on Sept. 10, 2012. The river flows through Alaska into Canada. (National Park Service photo)

A Canadian gold mine spill raises fears among Alaskans on the Yukon River

Advocates worry it could compound yearslong salmon crisis, more focus needed on transboundary waters.

A section of the upper Yukon River flowing through the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve is seen on Sept. 10, 2012. The river flows through Alaska into Canada. (National Park Service photo)
Anchorage musician Quinn Christopherson sings to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Sept. 23, 2023. He is the featured musician at this year’s Climate Fair for a Cool Planet on Saturday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Capital City Weekly

Climate Fair for a Cool Planet expands at Earth’s hottest moment

Annual music and stage play gathering Saturday comes five days after record-high global temperature.

Anchorage musician Quinn Christopherson sings to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Sept. 23, 2023. He is the featured musician at this year’s Climate Fair for a Cool Planet on Saturday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Silverbow Inn on Second Street with attached restaurant “In Bocca Al Lupo” in the background. The restaurant name refers to an Italian phrase wishing good fortune and translates as “In the mouth of the wolf.” (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Rooted in Community: From bread to bagels to Bocca, the Messerschmidt 1914 building feeds Juneau

Originally the San Francisco Bakery, now the Silverbow Inn and home to town’s most-acclaimed eatery.

The Silverbow Inn on Second Street with attached restaurant “In Bocca Al Lupo” in the background. The restaurant name refers to an Italian phrase wishing good fortune and translates as “In the mouth of the wolf.” (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Waters of Anchorage’s Lake Hood and, beyond it, Lake Spenard are seen on Wednesday behind a parked seaplane. The connected lakes, located at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, comprise a busy seaplane center. A study by Alaska Community Action on Toxics published last year found that the two lakes had, by far, the highest levels of PFAS contamination of several Anchorage- and Fairbanks-area waterways the organization tested. Under a bill that became law this week, PFAS-containing firefighting foams that used to be common at airports will no longer be allowed in Alaska. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Bill by Sen. Jesse Kiehl mandating end to use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams becomes law

Law takes effect without governor’s signature, requires switch to PFAS-free foams by Jan. 1

Waters of Anchorage’s Lake Hood and, beyond it, Lake Spenard are seen on Wednesday behind a parked seaplane. The connected lakes, located at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, comprise a busy seaplane center. A study by Alaska Community Action on Toxics published last year found that the two lakes had, by far, the highest levels of PFAS contamination of several Anchorage- and Fairbanks-area waterways the organization tested. Under a bill that became law this week, PFAS-containing firefighting foams that used to be common at airports will no longer be allowed in Alaska. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Pins supporting the repeal of ranked choice voting are seen on April 20, 2024, at the Republican state convention in Anchorage. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Ranked choice voting repeal effort survived legal challenges, qualifies for the ballot in November

Alaska voters are slated to have an opportunity this year to affirm or repeal the state’s use of ranked choice voting, Division of Elections officials… Continue reading

Pins supporting the repeal of ranked choice voting are seen on April 20, 2024, at the Republican state convention in Anchorage. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)