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Alaska souvenirs bearing the names Oliver and Olivia are seen in a downtown Anchorage gift shop on Thursday. Oliver was the most popular name for baby boys in Alaska in 2022, and Olivia was one of the most popular names for baby girls. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska vital statistics show declines in both deaths and births in 2022

Worst COVID-19 effects may be easing, while fertility continues yearslong downward trend.

Alaska souvenirs bearing the names Oliver and Olivia are seen in a downtown Anchorage gift shop on Thursday. Oliver was the most popular name for baby boys in Alaska in 2022, and Olivia was one of the most popular names for baby girls. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
NBA basketball legend Carlos Boozer looks to move the ball in the second half of an NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Carlos Boozer opens up about lessons learned and dreams come true

QA covers his book, lifelong friends in Juneau, faith and Kobe Bryant.

NBA basketball legend Carlos Boozer looks to move the ball in the second half of an NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
A moose is seen in Midtown Anchorage on Oct. 31, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

After illegal Alaska moose kill, 2 men will be banned globally from hunting for 4 years

A plea deal pending in Anchorage’s federal court would ban two men from hunting anywhere in the world for four years as punishment for illegally… Continue reading

A moose is seen in Midtown Anchorage on Oct. 31, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Joe Wanner is scheduled to become the new chief financial officer of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Nov. 15, the hospital announced Thursday. He has previously served in that role at the hospital as well as its controller. (Photo courtesy of Bartlett Regional Hospital)

Former Bartlett Regional Hospital CFO returning to job

Joe Wanner scheduled to start Nov. 15, following resignation of Sam Muse amidst leadership turmoil.

Joe Wanner is scheduled to become the new chief financial officer of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Nov. 15, the hospital announced Thursday. He has previously served in that role at the hospital as well as its controller. (Photo courtesy of Bartlett Regional Hospital)
Tanner Johnson, playing the role of Candide, rehearses Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. The operetta “Candide” is based on Stephen Sondheim’s adaptation of the classic novella by Voltaire. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Juneau Symphony and Lyric Opera team up for ‘Candide’

Ensemble includes 60-chair symphony, 40-person chorus, seven actors.

Tanner Johnson, playing the role of Candide, rehearses Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. The operetta “Candide” is based on Stephen Sondheim’s adaptation of the classic novella by Voltaire. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
Fall colors are seen on Aug. 24, 2015, along the Canning River on the western edge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, the last entity to hold leases in the refuge coastal plan, has gone to federal court to try to get the canceled leases reinstated. (Photo by Katrina Liebich/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Alaska development agency sues federal government over canceled oil leases

Lawsuit about ANWR drilling argues Biden administration put politics over legal mandates

Fall colors are seen on Aug. 24, 2015, along the Canning River on the western edge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, the last entity to hold leases in the refuge coastal plan, has gone to federal court to try to get the canceled leases reinstated. (Photo by Katrina Liebich/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 21, 2005. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Oct. 22

Three decades of capital city coverage.

This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 21, 2005. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau City Clerk Beth McEwen explains the ballot certification process to election workers Monday at the City and Borough of Juneau’s Ballot Processing Center. The results of the Oct. 3 municipal election were certified Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Candidates keep their leads, City Hall bond defeated in final municipal election results

Winter warming shelter among issues for new Assembly, transgender sports ban for new school board.

Juneau City Clerk Beth McEwen explains the ballot certification process to election workers Monday at the City and Borough of Juneau’s Ballot Processing Center. The results of the Oct. 3 municipal election were certified Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Stephanie Harold creates sketches among a crowd at the annual Traditional Food Fair in Hoonah on Sept. 9. (Photo by Ian Johnson)
Capital City Weekly

Resilient Peoples and Place: ‘Our Food is Our Medicine’

Xunaa celebrates 6th annual Traditional Food Fair.

Stephanie Harold creates sketches among a crowd at the annual Traditional Food Fair in Hoonah on Sept. 9. (Photo by Ian Johnson)
Half of the students in a clown class perform a hastily constructed song-and-dance routine for the other half of the students acting as the audience at Perseverance Theatre on Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Class clowns: Getting a lesson in constructive comedy from actor in Oscar-winning best picture

Locals learn to “to climb around in your own self” as Ketchikan native Tallie Medel comes to Juneau.

Half of the students in a clown class perform a hastily constructed song-and-dance routine for the other half of the students acting as the audience at Perseverance Theatre on Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A red king crab is seen in the water at Kodiak in 2005. Surveys this year indicated that stocks in the Bering Sea are strong enough to allow a small Bristol Bay red king crab fishery after two years of closures. (Photo by David Csepp/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

As the once-lucrative Bering Sea crab harvest resumes, Alaska’s fishers face challenges

In the short term, Alaska crab fishers and the communities that depend on them will get a slight reprieve from the disastrous conditions they have… Continue reading

A red king crab is seen in the water at Kodiak in 2005. Surveys this year indicated that stocks in the Bering Sea are strong enough to allow a small Bristol Bay red king crab fishery after two years of closures. (Photo by David Csepp/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
An exercise station at Anchorage’s Westchester Lagoon is seen on Monday. The “Fitness Cluster” offers opportunities for strength and cardiovacular training, and signage gives fitness information and advice. Two-thirds of Alaska adults are overweight or obese, and about a fifth of them engage in no physical activity, according to an annual report released by the state Department of Health. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska syphilis case numbers drop a bit after years of increases, but concerning signs remain

Alaska last year had a slight decrease in its number of reported syphilis cases, marking the first year without an increase since an outbreak was… Continue reading

An exercise station at Anchorage’s Westchester Lagoon is seen on Monday. The “Fitness Cluster” offers opportunities for strength and cardiovacular training, and signage gives fitness information and advice. Two-thirds of Alaska adults are overweight or obese, and about a fifth of them engage in no physical activity, according to an annual report released by the state Department of Health. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Wayne Stevens, right, president and CEO of United Way of Southeast Alaska, greets a person at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Moose Family Lodge on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. Stevens retired as head of the organization last month, but remains active in its causes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Wayne Stevens retires as president and CEO of United Way Southeast

Longtime Juneau resident oversaw numerous assistance programs and helped agency through pandemic.

Wayne Stevens, right, president and CEO of United Way of Southeast Alaska, greets a person at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Moose Family Lodge on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. Stevens retired as head of the organization last month, but remains active in its causes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Photo by James Brooks / Alaska Beacon Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor speaks at a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau.

Alaska attorney general approves free legal defense for top officials accused of ethical lapses

Policy change was unanimously opposed by those members of the public who testified.

Photo by James Brooks / Alaska Beacon Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor speaks at a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau.
Rhoda Walker, right, Sharon Early, and Audrey Kohler work on their improvisation as Mike Christenson, left, and Seth Caron prepare to enter during a rehearsal at Christenson’s house on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Kohler, now a Seattle resident, is returning as part of a nine-person group to perform an improv comedy show at Crystal Saloon on Friday. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Weekly

Improv poet and performer returns home for a laugh

Former Juneau comic Audrey Kohler bringing members of Seattle troupe for show at Crystal Saloon.

Rhoda Walker, right, Sharon Early, and Audrey Kohler work on their improvisation as Mike Christenson, left, and Seth Caron prepare to enter during a rehearsal at Christenson’s house on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Kohler, now a Seattle resident, is returning as part of a nine-person group to perform an improv comedy show at Crystal Saloon on Friday. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire The theme for this year’s annual Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce event was “Under the Sea: A Celebration of Ocean Industries.” The event was held at Centennial Hall, which was festooned with items linked to the sea such as giant jellyfish decorations.

Chamber adds new award to its biggest night

Gala celebration honored trash collector, plus construction firm key to saving homes during flood.

Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire The theme for this year’s annual Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce event was “Under the Sea: A Celebration of Ocean Industries.” The event was held at Centennial Hall, which was festooned with items linked to the sea such as giant jellyfish decorations.
Albert Dick packs belongings into a dry bag at Mill Campground shortly before its official closing for the season at noon Monday. Many people experiencing homelessness who were staying the campsite this summer left before the final day due to problems such as bears ransacking tents. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Homeless out in the wind and rain as Mill Campground closes, but warming shelter to open Friday

Due to cold forecast, city plans to open converted warehouse before Assembly gives official OK.

Albert Dick packs belongings into a dry bag at Mill Campground shortly before its official closing for the season at noon Monday. Many people experiencing homelessness who were staying the campsite this summer left before the final day due to problems such as bears ransacking tents. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Students compete in a game at the Sources of Strength training in Bethel on Oct. 10. (Photo by Katie Basile for the Alaska Beacon)

Suicide-prevention program teaches Alaska students how to identify their own strength

School district pits cultural, personal strengths against adversity

Students compete in a game at the Sources of Strength training in Bethel on Oct. 10. (Photo by Katie Basile for the Alaska Beacon)
Three-point buck eating greens near tank farm south of downtown Juneau on Oct. 7. (Photo by Steve Hamilton)

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

Three-point buck eating greens near tank farm south of downtown Juneau on Oct. 7. (Photo by Steve Hamilton)
City and Borough of Juneau photo Aurora Harbor is where a Tennessee fugitive wanted for child rape and related charges was staying on a houseboat when he was apprehended by U.S. Marshals last week.

Fugitive renting a houseboat picked up by U.S. Marshals

Adam James Gabarra has been wanted in Tennessee since July.

City and Borough of Juneau photo Aurora Harbor is where a Tennessee fugitive wanted for child rape and related charges was staying on a houseboat when he was apprehended by U.S. Marshals last week.