Home

Col. Mary Louise Milligan Rasmuson was the 5th commander of the Women’s Army Corps and oversaw the integration of the service. On Nov. 9, 2020, Operation Mary Louise, named in her honor, was stood up to enhance visibility and access to services for women veterans in Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Rasmuson Foundation)

Group seeks to improve support for women veterans in Alaska

Alaska has nearly 10,000 women veterans. Less than a third of them use services they’ve earned

Col. Mary Louise Milligan Rasmuson was the 5th commander of the Women’s Army Corps and oversaw the integration of the service. On Nov. 9, 2020, Operation Mary Louise, named in her honor, was stood up to enhance visibility and access to services for women veterans in Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Rasmuson Foundation)
A fire alarm brought Juneau Douglas Highschool: Yadaa.at Kalé staff and faculty outside from a few minutes on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. The Juneau School District released a provisional schedule for students to return to classrooms Monday. Most students won't be back at school for in-person learning until after the new year according to the schedule. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Small groups of younger students return to classrooms

Not until next semester.

A fire alarm brought Juneau Douglas Highschool: Yadaa.at Kalé staff and faculty outside from a few minutes on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. The Juneau School District released a provisional schedule for students to return to classrooms Monday. Most students won't be back at school for in-person learning until after the new year according to the schedule. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A group of veterans who participated in the 23rd Veteran trip to Homer, Alaska, pose at the Kilcher Family Homestead near Homer, Alaska, on the last day of the trip on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. At far right, front, is Stellavera Kilcher, and third from right is Catkin Kilcher Burton, two of the Kilcher family members who participated in the visit. (Photo courtesy of 23rd Veteran)

Minnesota veterans find healing on Kilcher homestead

Retreat fulfills family dream of Kilcher homestead as transformative center

A group of veterans who participated in the 23rd Veteran trip to Homer, Alaska, pose at the Kilcher Family Homestead near Homer, Alaska, on the last day of the trip on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. At far right, front, is Stellavera Kilcher, and third from right is Catkin Kilcher Burton, two of the Kilcher family members who participated in the visit. (Photo courtesy of 23rd Veteran)
Nearly every voting booth was occupied at a polling place in Nugget Mall on the evening of Nov. 3, 2020. While over 190,000 votes cast on Election Day have been tallied, state officials will begin counting more than 155,000 absentee and other types of ballots this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State elections officials prepare for absentee ballot count

There’s still a lot of counting ahead.

Nearly every voting booth was occupied at a polling place in Nugget Mall on the evening of Nov. 3, 2020. While over 190,000 votes cast on Election Day have been tallied, state officials will begin counting more than 155,000 absentee and other types of ballots this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 particle isolated from a patient, in a laboratory in Fort Detrick, Md. Coronaviruses, including the newest one, are named for the spikes that cover their outer surface like a crown, or corona in Latin. Using those club-shaped spikes, the virus latches on to the outer wall of a human cell, invades it and replicates, creating viruses to hijack more cells. (NIAID / NIH)

State announces more than 1,100 COVID-19 cases over weekend

The state announced over the weekend more than 1,100 COVID-19 cases, including a new single-day high for new cases. On Saturday, Alaska Department of Health… Continue reading

This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 particle isolated from a patient, in a laboratory in Fort Detrick, Md. Coronaviruses, including the newest one, are named for the spikes that cover their outer surface like a crown, or corona in Latin. Using those club-shaped spikes, the virus latches on to the outer wall of a human cell, invades it and replicates, creating viruses to hijack more cells. (NIAID / NIH)
Snow is a form of precipitation in the form of crystallized ice that predominately falls in winter; in Alaska, this can mean every month aside from July, and even then… (Unsplash / Aaron Burden)

Slack Tide: Everything you want to know about snow…and less

Snow can cause extremely dangerous driving conditions, especially when rocking a Prius sans studs.

  • Nov 8, 2020
  • By Geoff Kirsch
Snow is a form of precipitation in the form of crystallized ice that predominately falls in winter; in Alaska, this can mean every month aside from July, and even then… (Unsplash / Aaron Burden)
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks to supporters, early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, positioning himself to lead a nation gripped by historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya)

Biden wins White House, vowing new direction for divided US

Joe Biden is on the cusp of winning the presidency

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks to supporters, early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, positioning himself to lead a nation gripped by historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya)
The Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. The state’s emergency declaration for COVID-19 ends Nov. 15, and lawmakers have asked Gov. Mike Dunleavy to call a special session to extend it. Dunleavy issued a second emergency declaration Friday but some lawmakers have said that violates state law. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Gov issues 2nd emergency declaration, but lawmakers cry foul

No mask mandate.

The Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. The state’s emergency declaration for COVID-19 ends Nov. 15, and lawmakers have asked Gov. Mike Dunleavy to call a special session to extend it. Dunleavy issued a second emergency declaration Friday but some lawmakers have said that violates state law. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a virtual town hall meeting on Sept. 15. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Governor urges Alaskans to change behavior amid rising case counts

He cited virus’ impacts on the military and emergency responders.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a virtual town hall meeting on Sept. 15. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Juneau Police Department narcotics dog Buddy and handler Officer Mike Wise pose with Buddy’s new kennel, assembled with funds raised by the Juneau Crime Line. (Courtesy photo / Robin Paul)

Juneau Crime Line helps fund police dog kennel

The police station did not previously have an “office” for the narcotics dog.

Juneau Police Department narcotics dog Buddy and handler Officer Mike Wise pose with Buddy’s new kennel, assembled with funds raised by the Juneau Crime Line. (Courtesy photo / Robin Paul)
Geoff and Mary Larson hold up their Citizen of the Year Award from the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce. (Courtesy photo / Alaskan Brewing Company)

Chamber names Alaskan Brewing’s Larsons Citizens of the Year

Awards presented via Zoom.

Geoff and Mary Larson hold up their Citizen of the Year Award from the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce. (Courtesy photo / Alaskan Brewing Company)
Glaciologist Will Harrison stands on Black Rapids Glacier. (Courtesy Photo / Martin Truffer)

Alaska Science Forum: Goodbye to a raffish glacier scientist

He knew the world’s bumpy plains of ice as well as his old neighborhood.

Glaciologist Will Harrison stands on Black Rapids Glacier. (Courtesy Photo / Martin Truffer)
Work on Aurora Harbor is just part of City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors’ ongoing slate of projects, including work on Don. D Statter Harbor and basin clearing at Harris Harbor. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Docks and Harbors readies for winter

Construction is going forward unabated.

Work on Aurora Harbor is just part of City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors’ ongoing slate of projects, including work on Don. D Statter Harbor and basin clearing at Harris Harbor. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Science

Sustainable Alaska: Supporting the next generation of scientists is part of a sustainable Alaska

“As the workforce in Alaska grays, we need new energy and perspectives to keep our state vibrant. “

Science
Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. Bartlett Regional Hospital staff are hoping to have a testing machine operational early next year that will allow the city to process its own COVID-19 samples. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Testing machine timeline starts to take shape

More uses outside of COVID.

Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. Bartlett Regional Hospital staff are hoping to have a testing machine operational early next year that will allow the city to process its own COVID-19 samples. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Blank Unemployment Benefits form

State says FEMA-boosted jobless aid starts soon

Announcement was made on Wednesday.

Blank Unemployment Benefits form
Protesters gather at a protect the vote rally in downtown San Antonio, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. (AP Photo / Eric Gay)

Biden pushes closer to victory as Trump presses legal moves

By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER, JILL COLVIN and ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press WASHINGTON — Democrat Joe Biden pushed closer Thursday to the 270 Electoral College… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2020
  • By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER, JILL COLVIN and ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press
  • National News
Protesters gather at a protect the vote rally in downtown San Antonio, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. (AP Photo / Eric Gay)
Coast Guard personnel from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka rescued a 70-year-old man from the water near Union Bay on Nov. 1, 2020. (Screenshot / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard rescues man from water Sunday evening

Weather at the scene was 57-mph winds and 10 foot seas.

Coast Guard personnel from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka rescued a 70-year-old man from the water near Union Bay on Nov. 1, 2020. (Screenshot / U.S. Coast Guard)
Election official Steve Lewis directs voter Patrick Endozo, who attempts to feed his completed ballot into a scanning machine at a polling place inside Nugget Mall on Election Day. Election officials said shortly before 5 p.m. that about 150 more people had voted at the polling place than voted there in the state's August primary. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Election Night trends continue, but no winners yet

It’s not over til it’s over.

Election official Steve Lewis directs voter Patrick Endozo, who attempts to feed his completed ballot into a scanning machine at a polling place inside Nugget Mall on Election Day. Election officials said shortly before 5 p.m. that about 150 more people had voted at the polling place than voted there in the state's August primary. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. Lawmakers may have to hold a special session to extend the disaster declaration over COVID-19, but who makes the call for the special session is still up in the air. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Leg leaders: Governor’s support needed to call special session

Who is gonna call…a special session

The Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. Lawmakers may have to hold a special session to extend the disaster declaration over COVID-19, but who makes the call for the special session is still up in the air. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)