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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)

Report: Alaskans dogged by chronic diseases

Many residents lack healthy lifestyles or regular screenings.

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)
This is a photo included in the Mga Kuwento: Filipinos of Juneau exhibition set to open at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum on Friday. (Juneau-Douglas City Museum)
This is a photo included in the Mga Kuwento: Filipinos of Juneau exhibition set to open at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum on Friday. (Juneau-Douglas City Museum)
The exhibit “Visceral: Verity, Legacy, Identity – Alaska Native Gut Knowledge and Perseverance” will feature four final days of closing events starting with First Friday and ending on Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Alaska State Museum. (Alaska State Museum)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in October

Monthly lineup includes start of multiday events for Alaska Native, Filipino communities.

The exhibit “Visceral: Verity, Legacy, Identity – Alaska Native Gut Knowledge and Perseverance” will feature four final days of closing events starting with First Friday and ending on Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Alaska State Museum. (Alaska State Museum)
Resurrection Lutheran Church in April. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Church congregation to vote for third time on hosting winter emergency shelter

Pastor says she will likely leave role if vote is unsuccessful.

Resurrection Lutheran Church in April. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A photo of the Palmer Project north of Haines provided to the Empire in 2019 by Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. (Courtesy photo)

Palmer Project challenge to administrative ruling denied by DEC

Constantine wanted to know “precisely how” wastewater standards would be assessed.

A photo of the Palmer Project north of Haines provided to the Empire in 2019 by Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. (Courtesy photo)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Police investigate second drive-by pellet gun shooting in less than a week

The two reported incidents are not believed to be connected, JPD spokesperson says.

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Michael Regan, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, speaks with students at Barrow High School on Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency)

Report links lack of investment in school guidance programs to Alaska’s lagging workforce

Jobs are available in Alaska, but the workforce to fill them isn’t there. A report from the Association of Alaska School Boards linked it to… Continue reading

Michael Regan, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, speaks with students at Barrow High School on Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency)
Runners start the combined DI/DII Region V Boys Cross Country Championship race on Saturday at Treadwell Mine Trails. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

JDHS, Sitka sweep region XC titles

Cross-country champions cite strong team chemistry.

Runners start the combined DI/DII Region V Boys Cross Country Championship race on Saturday at Treadwell Mine Trails. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Juneau senior Eric Tipton (88) levels Anchorage South wide receiver Landon Drumm during Saturday’s game at Adair-Kennedy Field. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Huskies go South, lose regular season finale 46-0

Juneau, last place at 0-7 in conference, faces top-seed Anchorage West in playoffs.

Juneau senior Eric Tipton (88) levels Anchorage South wide receiver Landon Drumm during Saturday’s game at Adair-Kennedy Field. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This image from House Television shows Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., the Speaker Pro Tempore, presiding as the House passes a 45-day funding bill on Saturday at the Capitol in Washington. The House vote was 335-91. The measure now goes to the Senate, which also is meeting Saturday. (House Television via AP)

Government shutdown averted with little time to spare as Biden signs funding before midnight

Murkowski, Sullivan both vote for bill; Peltola abstains due to husband’s death, but voices support.

  • Oct 1, 2023
  • By Lisa Mascaro, Kevin Freking and Stephen Groves Associated Press
  • Federal budget
This image from House Television shows Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., the Speaker Pro Tempore, presiding as the House passes a 45-day funding bill on Saturday at the Capitol in Washington. The House vote was 335-91. The measure now goes to the Senate, which also is meeting Saturday. (House Television via AP)
Residents hold signs and wave to cars as they pass by on Glacier Highway near the Mendenhall Wetlands viewing area in Juneau on Saturday morning during an Orange Shirt Day event. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Residents hold signs and wave to cars as they pass by on Glacier Highway near the Mendenhall Wetlands viewing area in Juneau on Saturday morning during an Orange Shirt Day event. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Police investigate ‘random’ drive-by pellet gun attack downtown

A person in a white SUV reportedly shot at two women Wednesday night.

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
This is a photo taken at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in July. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Forest Service, Tlingit and Haida to co-steward Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area

Tribe dedicated to “protection of the historic and cultural resources in the area,” president says.

This is a photo taken at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in July. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Retiring Deputy Chief David Campbell, left, and City and Borough of Juneau Manager Rorie Watt, right, smile for a photo Friday afternoon during a ceremony held at the Juneau Police Station. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s deputy and interim police chief retires after 28 years

David Campbell honored for his service during a ceremony Friday afternoon.

Retiring Deputy Chief David Campbell, left, and City and Borough of Juneau Manager Rorie Watt, right, smile for a photo Friday afternoon during a ceremony held at the Juneau Police Station. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire
Visitors look at the Mendenhall Glacier near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in August.

Shutdown disruptions would be widespread in Juneau

What the looming federal shutdown could mean for the capital city.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire
Visitors look at the Mendenhall Glacier near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in August.
Violinist/vocalist Chelsey Green, seen here with her Green Project ensemble in 2022, is scheduled to perform Oct. 4 and 5 during the Juneau Jazz and Classics Fall Music Festival. (Photo courtesy of Chelsey Green)
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This fall’s Juneau Jazz and Classics offers the world on a string

Cellos and violins will be playing rock, folk, baroque, fusion and traditional at five-day festival.

Violinist/vocalist Chelsey Green, seen here with her Green Project ensemble in 2022, is scheduled to perform Oct. 4 and 5 during the Juneau Jazz and Classics Fall Music Festival. (Photo courtesy of Chelsey Green)
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This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire on Sept. 21, 1995. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire on Sept. 21, 1995. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Derek Bos of Colorado smiles for a photo Thursday evening outside of City Hall. Bos is one of two finalists seeking the chief position at the Juneau Police Department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Chief finalist says building trust in schools and faith-based communities a priority

He addresses past controversial arrests of two school district administrators in Colorado.

Derek Bos of Colorado smiles for a photo Thursday evening outside of City Hall. Bos is one of two finalists seeking the chief position at the Juneau Police Department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Recently installed rock fill safeguards homes along the Mendenhall River where record flooding caused extensive damage in early August, including washing away part of a home where the riverbank remains unprotected. Residents along the riverbank are expressing concerns about the costs of the protection, as well as anyone not able or willing to have such fill installed because the gaps will leave the area vulnerable to future floods. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Recently installed rock fill safeguards homes along the Mendenhall River where record flooding caused extensive damage in early August, including washing away part of a home where the riverbank remains unprotected. Residents along the riverbank are expressing concerns about the costs of the protection, as well as anyone not able or willing to have such fill installed because the gaps will leave the area vulnerable to future floods. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
The offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022, in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Permanent Fund leaders discuss exemption from open-government law

Trustees considering ideas, including amending state Constitution, in hope of boosting fund’s value.

The offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022, in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)