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From her hospital bed on Friday, Nov. 24, Christina Florschutz demonstrates how she pulled pajama bottoms that she found in the landslide debris over her legs, arms and head to keep warm. Her house was destroyed in the landslide, and after spending the night in the wreckage, she was rescued the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Caroleine James / Wrangell Sentinel)

Elementary school aide who survived Wrangell landslide calls circumstances a miracle

Christina Florschutz trapped overnight by landslide that killed at least 4 people, with 2 missing.

From her hospital bed on Friday, Nov. 24, Christina Florschutz demonstrates how she pulled pajama bottoms that she found in the landslide debris over her legs, arms and head to keep warm. Her house was destroyed in the landslide, and after spending the night in the wreckage, she was rescued the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Caroleine James / Wrangell Sentinel)
Lylah Habeger (left) and Jaila Ramirez lead the Konfeta Corps during a rehearsal of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” at Juneau Dance Theatre. The ballet will be performed in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.At.Kalé auditorium Friday through Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)

‘Nutcracker’ tradition, with a twirl of new choreography

This year’s performances feature a cast of 93, ages 5 to 78

Lylah Habeger (left) and Jaila Ramirez lead the Konfeta Corps during a rehearsal of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” at Juneau Dance Theatre. The ballet will be performed in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.At.Kalé auditorium Friday through Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)
View from the West Ridge at Eaglecrest on Nov. 13. (Photo by Deborah Rudis)

Wild Shots

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View from the West Ridge at Eaglecrest on Nov. 13. (Photo by Deborah Rudis)
Rain at the National Weather Service Juneau station on Nov. 11 doesn’t exist as snow until hits the upper portion of nearby Thunder Mountain. So far this November has been both warmer and wetter than normal. (Photo by National Weather Service Juneau)

El Niño playing outsize role in Juneau’s warmer temperatures, according to National Weather Service

Early peek at numbers shows Juneau is 4.9 degrees warmer than average this November.

Rain at the National Weather Service Juneau station on Nov. 11 doesn’t exist as snow until hits the upper portion of nearby Thunder Mountain. So far this November has been both warmer and wetter than normal. (Photo by National Weather Service Juneau)
Nathan Bishop, 58, has been missing since Saturday evening, according to the Juneau Police Department. (Photo provided by the Juneau Police Department)

Search continuing for Juneau resident Nathan Bishop, 58, missing since Saturday evening

Police say Bishop “physically able, but suffers from Parkinson’s and dementia.”

Nathan Bishop, 58, has been missing since Saturday evening, according to the Juneau Police Department. (Photo provided by the Juneau Police Department)
Lisa Daugherty, owner of Juneau Composts!, stands in front of a recently acquired trommel screener, which separates different materials like soil, gravel, mulch and sand. She has invested $250,000 in the company since she started it in 2017. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)

Federal dollars for public composting project concerns private-sector operator

Juneau Composts! owner says city project could ultimately shut down business

Lisa Daugherty, owner of Juneau Composts!, stands in front of a recently acquired trommel screener, which separates different materials like soil, gravel, mulch and sand. She has invested $250,000 in the company since she started it in 2017. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
Charlene Apok leads Data for Indigenous Justice and works with the state’s Maternal Child Death Review to understand maternal mortality in Alaska. Apok analyzed data in their office on Sept. 25. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Data links Alaska’s sky-high maternal mortality rate to domestic violence

Studies show violence and overdoses cause more deaths than medical problems.

Charlene Apok leads Data for Indigenous Justice and works with the state’s Maternal Child Death Review to understand maternal mortality in Alaska. Apok analyzed data in their office on Sept. 25. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
An overhead view of the landslide that struck about 11 miles south of the center of Wrangell, destroying three homes and leaving six people dead or missing. (Photo courtesy of Caleb Purviance via the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Girl, 11, is fourth confirmed fatality of Wrangell landslide, two others still missing

Three other family members also killed; officials at town hall address debris removal, other efforts

An overhead view of the landslide that struck about 11 miles south of the center of Wrangell, destroying three homes and leaving six people dead or missing. (Photo courtesy of Caleb Purviance via the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
Brenda Schwartz-Yeager (right), a watercolor artist from Wrangell, discusses her works with Megan Griffin (left) and Lacey Sanders during the Juneau Public Market at Centennial Hall on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Wrangell vendors struggle with thoughts about landslide, get lots of support at Juneau Public Market

“Everybody’s just been so thoughtful, talking to us and asking if there’s things they can do to help.”

Brenda Schwartz-Yeager (right), a watercolor artist from Wrangell, discusses her works with Megan Griffin (left) and Lacey Sanders during the Juneau Public Market at Centennial Hall on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A row of rainbow flags are displayed above the bookshelves in the teen room at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Schools, libraries get warning letters from state attorney general about youth content

Local officials say letters lack specifics, aren’t considering changes in policies.

A row of rainbow flags are displayed above the bookshelves in the teen room at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Division of Insurance of some health care providers disagree about the impact of a state regulation setting minimum payments for out-of-network providers. Provider groups sued the state this week. (Photo by Valeriya/Getty Images Plus)

Alaska health care providers sue to keep state rule mandating minimum payments for care

State plans to end regulation on Jan. 1, citing upward pressure on prices,

The Alaska Division of Insurance of some health care providers disagree about the impact of a state regulation setting minimum payments for out-of-network providers. Provider groups sued the state this week. (Photo by Valeriya/Getty Images Plus)
Ann Stepetin (left) and Marion Dau (center) talk to Pauline Duncan about her woven aprons and other items for sale at the Indigenous Artists & Vendors Holiday Market on Friday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. The market and nearby Juneau Public Market continue through Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Getting a warm and fuzzy feeling on a rainy Black Friday at the public markets

Annual Juneau Public Market, Indigenous Artists And Vendors Holiday Market continue through Sunday.

Ann Stepetin (left) and Marion Dau (center) talk to Pauline Duncan about her woven aprons and other items for sale at the Indigenous Artists & Vendors Holiday Market on Friday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. The market and nearby Juneau Public Market continue through Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Debris from a massive landslide on Monday night extends into the sea at mile 11 on Zimovia Highway in Wrangell. (U.S. Coast Guard)

5 family members and a commercial fisherman neighbor ID’d as dead or missing in Alaska landslide

Parents and one child of family killed, two more children and adult neighbor missing.

Debris from a massive landslide on Monday night extends into the sea at mile 11 on Zimovia Highway in Wrangell. (U.S. Coast Guard)
This photo provided by Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management shows a helicopter arriving near mile 11 of the Zimovia Highway where ground teams, including search and rescue dogs, are actively working to search areas that state geologists have determined safe for entry Wednesday in Wrangell following a massive landslide earlier in the week. Three people have died and searchers looked Wednesday for three others who remain missing after a landslide ripped through a remote Alaska fishing community on Monday. (Willis Walunga/Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management via AP)

Officials begin clearing debris while 3 remain missing in Wrangell landslide that left 3 dead

WRANGELL — Searchers looking for three people who remain missing after a massive landslide that killed three others and injured a fourth have changed their… Continue reading

This photo provided by Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management shows a helicopter arriving near mile 11 of the Zimovia Highway where ground teams, including search and rescue dogs, are actively working to search areas that state geologists have determined safe for entry Wednesday in Wrangell following a massive landslide earlier in the week. Three people have died and searchers looked Wednesday for three others who remain missing after a landslide ripped through a remote Alaska fishing community on Monday. (Willis Walunga/Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management via AP)
People gather for a newly organized communal Friendsgiving celebration at the log cabin at Savikko Park on Thursday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Communal Friendsgiving allows some a day of thanks without observing Thanksgiving

Many Alaska Natives, other Indigenous peoples in U.S., disagree with holiday’s traditional narrative.

People gather for a newly organized communal Friendsgiving celebration at the log cabin at Savikko Park on Thursday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Sunrise at Auke Rec on Nov. 12. (Photo by Joe Orsi)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

Sunrise at Auke Rec on Nov. 12. (Photo by Joe Orsi)
Members of the chorus rehearse a portion of Handel’s “Messiah” on Wednesday evening at Ḵunéix̱ Hídi Northern Light United Church. “Part I” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” of the oratorio are scheduled to be performed at the church at 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

This performance of Handel’s “Messiah” is blowin’ in the wind

Re-orchestration that replaces string instruments with wind instruments scheduled this weekend.

Members of the chorus rehearse a portion of Handel’s “Messiah” on Wednesday evening at Ḵunéix̱ Hídi Northern Light United Church. “Part I” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” of the oratorio are scheduled to be performed at the church at 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Participants, many clad in fowl weather gear, head out onto the Airport Dike Trail during the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Thursday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Turkey Trot participants thankful for fowl conditions

“Worst weather we’ve had in 10 years” just means burning off more calories.

Participants, many clad in fowl weather gear, head out onto the Airport Dike Trail during the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Thursday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Steller sea lions bask on rocks in the Gulf of Alaska on June 29, 2003, with the research vessel Tiglax sailing in the background. Of all NOAA-managed Alaska marine mammals, Steller sea lions were the most frequent victims of human-caused deaths and serious injuries, according to a newly released five-year report. (Photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Steller sea lions top list of Alaska marine mammals killed by human activities

Encounters with humans from 2017 to 2021 killed hundreds of Steller sea lions and other marine mammals that swim in Alaska waters, along with dozens… Continue reading

Steller sea lions bask on rocks in the Gulf of Alaska on June 29, 2003, with the research vessel Tiglax sailing in the background. Of all NOAA-managed Alaska marine mammals, Steller sea lions were the most frequent victims of human-caused deaths and serious injuries, according to a newly released five-year report. (Photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
This image from video provided by Sunrise Aviation shows the landslide that occurred the previous evening near Wrangell on Monday. Authorities said at least one person died and others were believed missing after the large landslide roared down a mountaintop into the path of three homes. (Sunrise Aviation via AP)

Search continues for the missing after landslide leaves three dead in Wrangell

Searchers with heat-sensing drones and a cadaver-dog kept up the search Wednesday for three people missing in a landslide that barreled down a mountain and… Continue reading

  • Nov 22, 2023
  • By Becky Bohrer and Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • landslide
This image from video provided by Sunrise Aviation shows the landslide that occurred the previous evening near Wrangell on Monday. Authorities said at least one person died and others were believed missing after the large landslide roared down a mountaintop into the path of three homes. (Sunrise Aviation via AP)