Home

A whale surfaces near an Alaska Tales Whale Watching boat in early September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Whale watching operators recommend solutions to industry impact ahead of 2024 season

Limiting number of boats, speeds and “whale sighting guaranteed” marketing among recommendations

A whale surfaces near an Alaska Tales Whale Watching boat in early September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A chart shows the change in employment by community between 2021 and 2022. (Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)

Southeast Alaska gets first ‘A’ in annual economic report

Study finds strong rebound in region’s jobs and wages continuing into 2023

A chart shows the change in employment by community between 2021 and 2022. (Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire
Athletes compete in a swim event Saturday afternoon at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center.

Records broken at weekend high school swim meet in Juneau

JDHS and TMHS coaches share optimism as season progresses.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire
Athletes compete in a swim event Saturday afternoon at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center.
A nurses station is seen in an undated image. (Photo by FS Productions/Getty Images)

As Alaska works through post-pandemic Medicaid renewals, only about a third of people stay covered

Health Department officials say they are ‘sounding the alarm’

A nurses station is seen in an undated image. (Photo by FS Productions/Getty Images)
Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Saturday will mark first day without cruise ships since early May

Nearly 1.5 million cruise ship passengers have arrived in Juneau so far this season.

Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A sign paid for by Save Juneau sits in a yard on South Douglas. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Campaign group opposing new City Hall backs four candidates

Save Juneau supports Assembly candidates “who are most likely to give taxpayers relief,” chair says.

A sign paid for by Save Juneau sits in a yard on South Douglas. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Longtime Juneau drag pillar Gigi Monroe leads a dance alongside other performers during the eighth annual GLITZ drag show at the Centennial Hall ballroom Saturday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Photos: GLITZ returns

Hundreds turn out for the eighth annual drag show’s first fall debut.

Longtime Juneau drag pillar Gigi Monroe leads a dance alongside other performers during the eighth annual GLITZ drag show at the Centennial Hall ballroom Saturday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Captain Cook, one of two tour boats operated by Adventure Bound Alaska, is seen here docked at Aurora Harbor on July 25. The company is facing numerous consumer complaints and legal action involving allegations of canceled trips that were not refunded and unpaid bills. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Limited options for Adventure Bound customers

Online websites still touting troubled tour operator, while consumer agencies hold little power.

The Captain Cook, one of two tour boats operated by Adventure Bound Alaska, is seen here docked at Aurora Harbor on July 25. The company is facing numerous consumer complaints and legal action involving allegations of canceled trips that were not refunded and unpaid bills. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
A company advertises a help wanted sign on April 9, 2021 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Alaska gains jobs during summer peak, but is still below pre-pandemic figures

Buoyed by a record tourist season, Alaska employers hired thousands more workers this year than they did during last year’s summer peak, but state employment… Continue reading

A company advertises a help wanted sign on April 9, 2021 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Zack Bursell, left, stands with father John, right, after winning the Equinox Marathon in Fairbanks, Saturday, Sept. 16. (Photo courtesy Jamie Bursell)
Video

Juneau’s Zack Bursell wins Equinox Marathon

Local runner finishes more than seven minutes ahead of runner-up at Fairbanks race

Zack Bursell, left, stands with father John, right, after winning the Equinox Marathon in Fairbanks, Saturday, Sept. 16. (Photo courtesy Jamie Bursell)
Video
The Adventure Bound tour boat is seen here docked at Aurora Harbor in July. The vessel’s owner-operator was given four notices of deficiencies last year, but continued to operate, according to a U.S. Coast Guard report that also raises questions about the agency’s handling of a grounding incident involving the company. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire File)

Fuel company sues Adventure Bound and its owners

Longtime local tour boat company’s last purchase was Feb. 1.

The Adventure Bound tour boat is seen here docked at Aurora Harbor in July. The vessel’s owner-operator was given four notices of deficiencies last year, but continued to operate, according to a U.S. Coast Guard report that also raises questions about the agency’s handling of a grounding incident involving the company. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire File)
Tom Thompson and Klas Stolpe at the start of the 44-mile solo ultra during the 40th Annual Klondike Road Relay, Saturday, Sept. 9. Stolpe was running as team No One Fights Alone in support of his brother James who is fighting cancer. (Photo by Tom Thompson)

No one fights alone on the Klondike Road Relay

A victorious 44-mile solo quest among 1,800 participants at 40th annual Skagway-to-Whitehorse race

Tom Thompson and Klas Stolpe at the start of the 44-mile solo ultra during the 40th Annual Klondike Road Relay, Saturday, Sept. 9. Stolpe was running as team No One Fights Alone in support of his brother James who is fighting cancer. (Photo by Tom Thompson)
Colony High School running back Bryce Guzman (5) looks for room to run in a downpour during Friday night’s game against the Juneau Huskies at Adair-Kennedy Field. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Huskies lose 19-6 defensive struggle to Colony in title game rematch

Juneau takes early lead at home, but Colony rallies during occasionally heavy rain Friday night.

Colony High School running back Bryce Guzman (5) looks for room to run in a downpour during Friday night’s game against the Juneau Huskies at Adair-Kennedy Field. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Office Building in Juneau, the state capital, is seen on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska begins process of examining workers’ pay for competitiveness

The state of Alaska has begun a sweeping analysis of state employees’ salaries to determine whether poor pay is contributing to ongoing hiring woes in… Continue reading

The Alaska State Office Building in Juneau, the state capital, is seen on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A police officer stands on duty in early March. On Friday the City and Borough of Juneau announced three police chief finalists. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City announces finalists for new police chief

Selection includes two out-of-state candidates, one from within the department.

A police officer stands on duty in early March. On Friday the City and Borough of Juneau announced three police chief finalists. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
This is a photo collage of the candidates running for local office in the 2023 City and Borough of Juneau municipal election. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

2023 Juneau Election Guide

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the City and Borough of Juneau’s Oct. 3 local election.

This is a photo collage of the candidates running for local office in the 2023 City and Borough of Juneau municipal election. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Chilkat weaver Anna Brown Ehlers smiles while on stage at the 2023 University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony in May. Ehler’s was bestowed a honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts during the event. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau master Chilkat weaver Anna Brown Ehlers named Rasmuson distinguished artist

Multiple Southeast Alaska artists recognized by the foundation earlier this week.

Chilkat weaver Anna Brown Ehlers smiles while on stage at the 2023 University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony in May. Ehler’s was bestowed a honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts during the event. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of Calif., administers the House oath of office to Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, during a ceremonial swearing-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. Authorities say the plane flown by Alaska U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola’s husband, Eugene Peltola Jr., was carrying a load of moose meat from a remote hunting camp when it crashed, killing him earlier this week. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Peltola’s husband was flying moose meat from hunting camp when crash occurred, authorities say

ANCHORAGE — The plane flown by the husband of Alaska U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola was carrying a load of moose meat from a remote hunting… Continue reading

  • Sep 15, 2023
  • Associated Press
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of Calif., administers the House oath of office to Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, during a ceremonial swearing-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. Authorities say the plane flown by Alaska U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola’s husband, Eugene Peltola Jr., was carrying a load of moose meat from a remote hunting camp when it crashed, killing him earlier this week. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
Juneau resident David Ignell, seen via video link, and departing City Manager Rorie Watt discuss a ballot measure asking voters to approve $27 million toward a new City Hall during a forum Wednesday night at the KTOO studio. (Screenshot from official video of forum)
Video

School board candidates agree on much, foes on City Hall ballot measure agree on little during forum

Funding and curriculum dominate education discussion, city’s actions and needs focus of ballot issue.

Juneau resident David Ignell, seen via video link, and departing City Manager Rorie Watt discuss a ballot measure asking voters to approve $27 million toward a new City Hall during a forum Wednesday night at the KTOO studio. (Screenshot from official video of forum)
Video
Artists with the inaugural Áak’w Rock Festival gather beneath the mural of Elizabeth Peratrovich on the Juneau waterfront on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. That festival was virtual that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but organizers wanted to open the event in person. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Artists with the inaugural Áak’w Rock Festival gather beneath the mural of Elizabeth Peratrovich on the Juneau waterfront on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. That festival was virtual that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but organizers wanted to open the event in person. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)