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Former University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor John Pugh speaks to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Committee of the Whole on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Pugh spoke in favor of the Assembly approving a ballot measure that would ask voters if they wanted the city to partially fund the construction of a new Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

No initiatives will appear on municipal ballot

For the first time since 2015, no ballot initiatives will go before voters in this fall’s municipal election.

Former University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor John Pugh speaks to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Committee of the Whole on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Pugh spoke in favor of the Assembly approving a ballot measure that would ask voters if they wanted the city to partially fund the construction of a new Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Tesla Cox, left, and Deanne Fuller on the Lil’ Mermaid show their silver salmon during the 72nd Annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Friday, August 17, 2018, sponsored by the Territorial Sportsmen. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Alaska navy’ nets derby cohos

August means coho fishing in Juneau, and there are few places better to sport fish for silvers near Juneau than the west side of Admiralty… Continue reading

Tesla Cox, left, and Deanne Fuller on the Lil’ Mermaid show their silver salmon during the 72nd Annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Friday, August 17, 2018, sponsored by the Territorial Sportsmen. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
City Attorney Amy Mead talks about her career on Thursday, August 16, 2018, as she prepares to start her new job on Monday as a Superior Court Judge. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mead prepares for jump from attorney to judge

When she was 25, Amy Mead was living in Boston, working at the Hard Rock Café and wondering what to do with the rest of… Continue reading

City Attorney Amy Mead talks about her career on Thursday, August 16, 2018, as she prepares to start her new job on Monday as a Superior Court Judge. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Bar Association is seen during a Friday luncheon after hearing from candidates for the new Superior Court judgeship on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Judge candidates face bar association

One of the candidates for Juneau’s new Superior Court judgeship is advocating for more Alaska Natives on the bench. Another is making a second attempt… Continue reading

The Juneau Bar Association is seen during a Friday luncheon after hearing from candidates for the new Superior Court judgeship on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Dr. Bridget Weiss, Interim Juneau School District Superintendent, left, and Harborview Elementary School special education teacher Steve Byers, center, speak with Office Max store manager Adam Dordea on Thursday, August 16, 2018, during a store fundraising event for elemenary schools. Office Max pledged to donate up to $10,000. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Program collects school supplies for teachers

Adam Dordea has the same interaction over and over during back-to-school season. Dordea, the store manager at Office Max, said teachers come in all the… Continue reading

Dr. Bridget Weiss, Interim Juneau School District Superintendent, left, and Harborview Elementary School special education teacher Steve Byers, center, speak with Office Max store manager Adam Dordea on Thursday, August 16, 2018, during a store fundraising event for elemenary schools. Office Max pledged to donate up to $10,000. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Derby days start

Derby days start

Starting today and lasting through Sunday, Juneau sport fishermen will ply the backside of Admiralty, Douglas, Shelter islands and elsewhere in search of a money… Continue reading

Derby days start
Visitors wait for the buses at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Thursday, August 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mendenhall moving toward overhaul

By 2050, the picture windows at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center will depict a much different view. Scientists expect the glacier will have receded out… Continue reading

Visitors wait for the buses at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Thursday, August 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
From left to right, Steve Handy, Sara Hannan and Tom Morphet are running for the Democratic nomination in Alaska House District 33. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire photos)

Candidates amass cash with eye toward November

Alaska’s statewide primary election isn’t until Tuesday, but in Juneau, candidates appear to already be looking ahead to November’s general election. According to the latest… Continue reading

From left to right, Steve Handy, Sara Hannan and Tom Morphet are running for the Democratic nomination in Alaska House District 33. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire photos)
Andy Jones, director for the Alaska Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention, speaks during a community meeting in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, on what Juneau needs to fight opioid misuse. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State making progress in fight against opioid addiction

As statewide public safety officials unveiled crime statistics Wednesday, they expressed optimism in one main category: the state’s reaction to the opioid crisis. Since Gov.… Continue reading

Andy Jones, director for the Alaska Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention, speaks during a community meeting in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, on what Juneau needs to fight opioid misuse. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A Capital Transit bus is pictured in this October 2016 file photo. (Juneau Empire File)

Bus stops close because of downtown construction

Construction on North Franklin Street is affecting more than just concrete and asphalt. As a result of the construction, which began Wednesday, Capital Transit bus… Continue reading

A Capital Transit bus is pictured in this October 2016 file photo. (Juneau Empire File)
In this screenshot from a video provided by the governor’s office, Gov. Bill Walker is seen during the May 2018 trade mission to China.

Report: Chinese hackers scanned Alaska networks

An East Coast cybersecurity firm say that Alaska computers were the target of reconnaissance by Chinese hackers before, during and after an Alaska trade mission to the country.

In this screenshot from a video provided by the governor’s office, Gov. Bill Walker is seen during the May 2018 trade mission to China.
Alyson Currey, of Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, speaks to abortion rights supporters at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza on Wednesday, August 15, 2018,during a protest against President Donald Trump’s selection of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kava-nots gather at Capitol as Planned Parenthood calls for Murkowski’s ‘no’ vote on SCOTUS pick

Shouting into a megaphone while on a park bench in downtown Juneau on Wednesday, Alaska Planned Parenthood legislative liaison Alyson Currey had a message she… Continue reading

Alyson Currey, of Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, speaks to abortion rights supporters at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza on Wednesday, August 15, 2018,during a protest against President Donald Trump’s selection of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Argument about stolen shoes leads to stabbing, police say

An argument about stolen shoes led to two hospitalizations and an arrest Tuesday night, according to a Juneau Police Department press release. Juneau man Kurtis… Continue reading

123rf.com stock image
Juneau Police Department officers arrest California resident Kevin Leonard-Kinney at the Baranof Hotel during a drug bust on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Feds, police seize drugs, make arrests at Baranof Hotel

The Juneau Police Department assisted multiple federal agencies in intercepting a package of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine and making two arrests last week, according to… Continue reading

Juneau Police Department officers arrest California resident Kevin Leonard-Kinney at the Baranof Hotel during a drug bust on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
A Juneau Police Department car sits in front of 401 Harris Street as police officers search it Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Crime continues to rise in state, Juneau

The amount of crime in Alaska continued to rise in 2017, according to numbers released by the Department of Public Safety on Wednesday, and the… Continue reading

A Juneau Police Department car sits in front of 401 Harris Street as police officers search it Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Jordan Creek Center on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fresh blood bank: Juneau to get permanent Blood Bank of Alaska office

Starting next January, blood donors in Juneau will have a permanent location to contribute to the Blood Bank of Alaska. BBA announced Tuesday that it’s… Continue reading

Jordan Creek Center on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Cruise ships dock in downtown Juneau in May 2015. (Juneau Empire file)

Measles found on Alaska cruise ship

A teenager visiting Alaska on a cruise ship last week had the measles, health officials say, prompting concern that passengers may spread the rarely-seen virus… Continue reading

Cruise ships dock in downtown Juneau in May 2015. (Juneau Empire file)
Maria Covarrubian, right, Maddie Simbirdi, center, and Kourtney Howard wait to direct cruise ship passengers to their excursions downtown on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Young adults become largest group in town

Juneau’s overall population is still getting older, but young adults are now the largest group in town. People ages 20-39 made up the largest group… Continue reading

Maria Covarrubian, right, Maddie Simbirdi, center, and Kourtney Howard wait to direct cruise ship passengers to their excursions downtown on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A Capital City Fire/Rescue crew transports a cruise ship passenger off the Radiences of the Seas downtown on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fire department gets funding for another ambulance crew

Starting in October, Capital City Fire/Rescue will be able to have an extra ambulance staffed around the clock. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly… Continue reading

A Capital City Fire/Rescue crew transports a cruise ship passenger off the Radiences of the Seas downtown on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Sea-Tac International Airport Friday evening, Aug. 10, 2018, in SeaTac, Washington. An airline mechanic stole an Alaska Airlines plane without any passengers and took off from Sea-Tac International Airport in Washington state on Friday night before crashing near Ketron Island, officials said. (Elaine Thompson | The Associated Press)

Authorities probe how airline employee could steal plane

Officials said Saturday that the man was a 3.5-year Horizon employee and had clearance to be among aircraft, but that to their knowledge, he wasn’t a licensed pilot.

  • Aug 14, 2018
  • By RACHEL LA CORTE and KEITH RIDLER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Nation-World
Alaska Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Sea-Tac International Airport Friday evening, Aug. 10, 2018, in SeaTac, Washington. An airline mechanic stole an Alaska Airlines plane without any passengers and took off from Sea-Tac International Airport in Washington state on Friday night before crashing near Ketron Island, officials said. (Elaine Thompson | The Associated Press)