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Archivist Zach Jones points out Wyatt Earp’s July 1900 application for a Nome liquour at the Alaska State Archives on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska state archive digitizes Wyatt Earp papers

Wyatt Earp was a snowbird. Last week, archivists at the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum announced the completion of a… Continue reading

Archivist Zach Jones points out Wyatt Earp’s July 1900 application for a Nome liquour at the Alaska State Archives on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Mayor Ken Koelsch is seen in this file photo from March. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau mayor Ken Koelsch won’t run for re-election

Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch will not run for re-election, he announced Friday morning. In an interview with the Empire, Koelsch said he had been holding… Continue reading

Mayor Ken Koelsch is seen in this file photo from March. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Assembly Member Norton Gregory shares a report during Monday night’s City and Borough of Juneau Assembly meeting. Mayor Ken Koelsch selected Gregory as the chair of the city’s new subcommittee to look into the future of mining in Juneau. Assembly member Beth Weldon (left) will also be on the committee. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Assembly members Gregory, Weldon announce candidacy for mayor

In the hours following Mayor Ken Koelsch’s announcement that he will not run for re-election this fall, two Assembly members declared their candidacies for the… Continue reading

Assembly Member Norton Gregory shares a report during Monday night’s City and Borough of Juneau Assembly meeting. Mayor Ken Koelsch selected Gregory as the chair of the city’s new subcommittee to look into the future of mining in Juneau. Assembly member Beth Weldon (left) will also be on the committee. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Survey: Alaskans’ economic confidence rises

Alaskans are feeling more optimism about the state’s economy.

Angela Rodell, Executive Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Permanent Fund hiring more workers in Juneau

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation will hire 10 new workers in Juneau, CEO Angela Rodell told the Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, earning a… Continue reading

Angela Rodell, Executive Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Josh Keaton

Juneau school board member will not seek re-election

School board member Josh Keaton will not run for re-election, he announced by email Thursday, making him the second of two incumbents to drop out… Continue reading

Josh Keaton
An artist rendering of the New JACC. (Courtesy image)

Last-minute changes on the table for JACC ballot proposal

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members are running out of time to make adjustments to possible ballot measures for the Oct. 2 election.… Continue reading

An artist rendering of the New JACC. (Courtesy image)
Merrill Jensen, Director & Horticulturist for the Jensen-Olson Arboretum, moves a watering hose on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. During dry spells Jensen has to move the watering hose every two to four hours around the clock. It takes four days to water the entire garden. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Good weather expected to continue

The sun is shining, the weather is warm, and conditions are absolutely lovely at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum. That means manager Merrill Jensen isn’t having much… Continue reading

Merrill Jensen, Director & Horticulturist for the Jensen-Olson Arboretum, moves a watering hose on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. During dry spells Jensen has to move the watering hose every two to four hours around the clock. It takes four days to water the entire garden. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
James and Rachael are tour brokers who meet three years ago, got married in 2016 and they just gave themselves new last names. James Marcus Skywalker Gunn and Rachael Elizabeth Skywalker Gunn. Rachael is a big Star Wars fan and James’ grandmother has a maiden name of Gunn. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The force is with them: Couple writes own love story with Star Wars-inspired name change

Even in kindergarten, she told people her name was Skywalker. Rachael wasn’t a fan of her last name of Gammon, especially because her mother had… Continue reading

James and Rachael are tour brokers who meet three years ago, got married in 2016 and they just gave themselves new last names. James Marcus Skywalker Gunn and Rachael Elizabeth Skywalker Gunn. Rachael is a big Star Wars fan and James’ grandmother has a maiden name of Gunn. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dr. Johnny Holland feeds his ballot into a counting machine while voting during a special election for mayor of Juneau at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in 2016. The Alaska Division of Elections is considering new voting equipment statewide. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Prepping for 2018 election, state looks at 2020

The Alaska Division of Elections is in the middle of preparations for this fall’s statewide primary and general elections, but in a meeting Wednesday, the… Continue reading

Dr. Johnny Holland feeds his ballot into a counting machine while voting during a special election for mayor of Juneau at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in 2016. The Alaska Division of Elections is considering new voting equipment statewide. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Russell Read, chief investment officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is seen in an August 2016 photo provided by the corporation. (Courtesy photo)

Permanent Fund Corp. seeks new investment boss

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is making a change at the top. Two weeks after chief investment officer Russell Read announced his resignation, the state-owned… Continue reading

Russell Read, chief investment officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is seen in an August 2016 photo provided by the corporation. (Courtesy photo)
A stock image of a gun care kit. This is not the gun involved in this past Friday’s incident. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)

Nobody harmed after gun goes off near children

As children enjoyed the sunshine this past Friday afternoon, their playtime was interrupted by an unwelcome sound: a gunshot. A 69-year-old man was in his… Continue reading

A stock image of a gun care kit. This is not the gun involved in this past Friday’s incident. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)
A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Salmon ballot measure proponents fight back after legislative hearing

Proponents of the pro-fisheries Ballot Measure 1 are fighting back after a Friday legislative hearing that saw state officials discuss the costs and consequences of… Continue reading

A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller talks about the district’s decision on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, to send a formal request to the Alaska School Activities Association to consolidate its football, cheer and hockey teams to Juneau-Douglas High School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

School superintendent steps down

After four years in his position, Juneau School District Superintendent Mark Miller resigned Wednesday and is taking a superintendent job closer to his family in… Continue reading

Juneau School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller talks about the district’s decision on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, to send a formal request to the Alaska School Activities Association to consolidate its football, cheer and hockey teams to Juneau-Douglas High School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau Public Libraries installed a new piece of public art outside the Mendenhall Valley Public Library titled “The Librarian” by Ohio-based steel sculptor James Havens on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The 5-foot tall piece was donated by a local Juneau resident Fred Koken. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Valley Library displays ‘Librarian’ sculpture

People driving on Riverside Drive by the Mendenhall Valley Public Library will notice something shiny and new outside the library. On Tuesday, the Juneau Public… Continue reading

Juneau Public Libraries installed a new piece of public art outside the Mendenhall Valley Public Library titled “The Librarian” by Ohio-based steel sculptor James Havens on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The 5-foot tall piece was donated by a local Juneau resident Fred Koken. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Election signs at the corner of 12th and C streets on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New reports reveal primary fundraising frontrunners

Downtown Juneau has the candidates, but the Mendenhall Valley has the money. With 30 days to go before the Aug. 21 statewide primary, new reports… Continue reading

Election signs at the corner of 12th and C streets on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Paul Kelly has announced his run for a seat on the Juneau School District’s Board of Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

School Board candidate has eye on community partnerships, lower class sizes

Paul Kelly has always been interested in politics, but recently his interest has become a little more personal. Kelly, who moved from Anchorage to Juneau… Continue reading

Paul Kelly has announced his run for a seat on the Juneau School District’s Board of Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue responders prepare to load a man into an ambulance after he was hit by a bus at the AJ Dock on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The man’s injuries were minor and he was set to be released from the hospital later in the day. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Man in wheelchair OK after being hit by bus

A pedestrian is in stable condition after being hit by a slow-moving bus at the AJ Dock on Tuesday morning, police and hospital officials said.… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue responders prepare to load a man into an ambulance after he was hit by a bus at the AJ Dock on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The man’s injuries were minor and he was set to be released from the hospital later in the day. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
In this Dec. 22, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after signing the tax bill and continuing resolution to fund the government, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. On Friday, the president signed two bills by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Trump signs two bills from Alaska Rep. Don Young

President Donald Trump has signed a pair of bills from Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. In a Friday ceremony, the president signed House resolutions 219 and… Continue reading

In this Dec. 22, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after signing the tax bill and continuing resolution to fund the government, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. On Friday, the president signed two bills by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Discovery Southeast staff photo</span> Above and at right, <p> Outdoor Explorer Campers participate in a Discovery Southeast summer camp.

STEM Corner: Use observations to make connections on the trail and in the mind

Where is Here? At Discovery Southeast, this is the question we gravitate toward when fostering curiosity and understanding in our natural environment. In our community,… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Discovery Southeast staff photo</span> Above and at right, <p> Outdoor Explorer Campers participate in a Discovery Southeast summer camp.