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A black bear saunters across a busy street downtown in 2018. A larger than normal number of young bears and dwindling natural food supply for them are forcing the animals to head for Juneau’s garbage with unusual frequency, a wildlife official said. KTOO Public Media reports that a poor berry crop and lackluster salmon runs mean more bears are looking for food among the city’s trash. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

More young bears, less food send them to Juneau’s garbage

A poor berry crop and lackluster salmon runs contribute.

A black bear saunters across a busy street downtown in 2018. A larger than normal number of young bears and dwindling natural food supply for them are forcing the animals to head for Juneau’s garbage with unusual frequency, a wildlife official said. KTOO Public Media reports that a poor berry crop and lackluster salmon runs mean more bears are looking for food among the city’s trash. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
Holocaust awareness in Alaska is low, survey shows

Holocaust awareness in Alaska is low, survey shows

Alaska ranked 41st in US for Holocaust awareness in new survey

Holocaust awareness in Alaska is low, survey shows
Living & Growing: We belong to the human family

Living & Growing: We belong to the human family

When we frame life as “us” and “them,” we deny ourselves growth and celebration of God-given diversity.

  • Sep 20, 2020
  • By Larry Rorem and Laura Rorem
Living & Growing: We belong to the human family
Flowers and light candies outside the Supreme Court Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Washington, after the Supreme Court announced that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of metastatic pancreatic cancer at age 87. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)

Trump to Senate: Vote ‘without delay’ on his high court pick

Among the senators to watch are Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney.

  • Sep 19, 2020
Flowers and light candies outside the Supreme Court Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Washington, after the Supreme Court announced that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of metastatic pancreatic cancer at age 87. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)
This Sept. 6, 2020, photo shows mist from Nugget Falls refracting light to create a prism-like effect. “Like many children I watched this summer, mine enjoyed climbing the glacially smoothed rock slopes up to the visitor center or down to the water at Photo Point. And hiking to Nugget Falls,” writes columnist Rich Moniak. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The river of nostalgia

“Nostalgia ripens with age. It takes years to build a thick catalogue of cherished memories.”

  • Sep 19, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
This Sept. 6, 2020, photo shows mist from Nugget Falls refracting light to create a prism-like effect. “Like many children I watched this summer, mine enjoyed climbing the glacially smoothed rock slopes up to the visitor center or down to the water at Photo Point. And hiking to Nugget Falls,” writes columnist Rich Moniak. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies

She was 87.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies
An Alaska man will appear in Canadian court on Sept. 21 after an incident entering Canada when border security officers seized the fourteen firearms pictured, alongside loaded magazines, ammunition, and other paraphernalia at a crossing southeast of Vancouver. (Courtesy photo / Canada Border Services Agency)

Alaska man charged in Canada for smuggling firearms

There were fourteen firearms, many illegal in Canada, seized in a July incident.

An Alaska man will appear in Canadian court on Sept. 21 after an incident entering Canada when border security officers seized the fourteen firearms pictured, alongside loaded magazines, ammunition, and other paraphernalia at a crossing southeast of Vancouver. (Courtesy photo / Canada Border Services Agency)
Judge makes decision on whether to force Alaska to reprint 800K ballots

Judge makes decision on whether to force Alaska to reprint 800K ballots

Decision came today.

Judge makes decision on whether to force Alaska to reprint 800K ballots
The site of the Hotel Valdez, destroyed in the Great Alaska Earthquake of March 1964. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Earthquakes and insects on Alaska road trips

“It felt like the earth was a giant halibut, and I was the fishing pole.”

The site of the Hotel Valdez, destroyed in the Great Alaska Earthquake of March 1964. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Election reform measure goes beyond party lines

Election reform measure goes beyond party lines

Success or horror story?

Election reform measure goes beyond party lines
A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. A social gathering tied to a recent cluster of cases of COVID-19 is unlikely to lead to punishment, but city officials are hopeful it may encourage people to be more cautious. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Event tied to case cluster unlikely to lead to punishments

Here’s why.

A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. A social gathering tied to a recent cluster of cases of COVID-19 is unlikely to lead to punishment, but city officials are hopeful it may encourage people to be more cautious. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Firefighters spray the inside of a moving truck with water at the scene of a short vehicle fire on Sept. 17, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Firefighters extinguish fire in box truck

Workers attempting to remove a lift gate open accidently started the fire.

Firefighters spray the inside of a moving truck with water at the scene of a short vehicle fire on Sept. 17, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Nifty 50: Juneau resident puts in the miles for rescue nonprofit

Nifty 50: Juneau resident puts in the miles for rescue nonprofit

If you’re running 50 miles, consider not letting other people choose your music.

Nifty 50: Juneau resident puts in the miles for rescue nonprofit
Candidates for the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly participate in a virtual candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters, KTOO and the Juneau Empire on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. (Screen capture / Juneau Empire)

Candidates share visions for Juneau in virtual forum

Similar goals, different approaches.

Candidates for the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly participate in a virtual candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters, KTOO and the Juneau Empire on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. (Screen capture / Juneau Empire)
In this Monday Sept. 14, 2020 photo, From back left, Coast Guard Academy Cadets Henry Smith, Branyelle Carillo, Mia Haskovec, Jordan Park, and Tyler Huynh, pose for a photograph at the Seamanship Sailing Center at the United State Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. A group of Coast Guard cadets spent part of their summer filling in on a critical national security mission after a case of COVID-19 sidelined crew members on a cutter being sent to patrol the US-Russia border. (AP Photo / Jessica Hill)

Pandemic spells opportunity for marooned Coast Guard cadets

The cadets became qualified to handle the ship’s lines, become lookouts and perform safety duties.

  • Sep 17, 2020
  • By PAT EATON-ROBB Associated Press
In this Monday Sept. 14, 2020 photo, From back left, Coast Guard Academy Cadets Henry Smith, Branyelle Carillo, Mia Haskovec, Jordan Park, and Tyler Huynh, pose for a photograph at the Seamanship Sailing Center at the United State Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. A group of Coast Guard cadets spent part of their summer filling in on a critical national security mission after a case of COVID-19 sidelined crew members on a cutter being sent to patrol the US-Russia border. (AP Photo / Jessica Hill)
Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Bond package ballot proposition is the right thing to do

It is fair and smart to repair structures that are used by many people throughout Juneau

  • Sep 17, 2020
  • By Ian Fisk
Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska sits for an interview Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, at the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: What makes an ‘authentic’ Alaskan?

The claims that a candidate isn’t “Alaskan” and unqualified to represent Alaska are a bit tiresome.

  • Sep 17, 2020
  • By Win Gruening
Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska sits for an interview Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, at the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel Rainier pulls into port Wednesday at Coast Guard Station Juneau for rest and replenishment of stores.

NOAA survey vessel takes break from updating charts in Juneau

It will not be open to public tours due to pandemic concerns, unfortunately.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel Rainier pulls into port Wednesday at Coast Guard Station Juneau for rest and replenishment of stores.
WATCH: 2020 virtual candidate forum
Video

WATCH: 2020 virtual candidate forum

See candidates for school board and Assembly answer questions.

WATCH: 2020 virtual candidate forum
Video
At 101, Alaskan aviatrix reflects on ‘best and happiest’ days of her career

At 101, Alaskan aviatrix reflects on ‘best and happiest’ days of her career

She still remembers her days as an instructor.

At 101, Alaskan aviatrix reflects on ‘best and happiest’ days of her career