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Simple weatherization techniques, like improving insulation and plugging up gaps in your home, can help homeowners lower their energy costs. Alaska Heat Smart, offer free home heating assessments, which analyze homes and their energy use to create a report about potential heat pump installation options, and weatherization suggestions. (Bethany Goodrich/ Sustainable Southeast Partnership)

Exploring needs and opportunities on anniversary of Inflation Reduction Act

Tips on using federal and regional incentives for a clean energy future for Southeast Alaskans.

Simple weatherization techniques, like improving insulation and plugging up gaps in your home, can help homeowners lower their energy costs. Alaska Heat Smart, offer free home heating assessments, which analyze homes and their energy use to create a report about potential heat pump installation options, and weatherization suggestions. (Bethany Goodrich/ Sustainable Southeast Partnership)
A portion of fence at Juneau Montessori School is missing following a hit-and-run crash early Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Hit-and-run destroys portion of Montessori fence, knocks over stop sign

The incident on South Douglas is still under investigation, police say.

A portion of fence at Juneau Montessori School is missing following a hit-and-run crash early Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg listens as U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks with the press Wednesday afternoon at Juneau International Airport. The capital city was the final stop on Buttigieg’s three-day visit to Alaska. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg closes out Alaska tour in Juneau

6,500-mile northward extension of state’s marine highway announced during trip with Murkowski

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg listens as U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, talks with the press Wednesday afternoon at Juneau International Airport. The capital city was the final stop on Buttigieg’s three-day visit to Alaska. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, listen to Thomas Turner, chief mate of the ferry Hubbard, explain the operations of the vessel on Wednesday in Lynn Canal. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

What Buttigieg saw and discussed beyond Juneau in Southeast Alaska

U.S. transportation secretary meets with tribal and other leaders about ferry, other issues.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, listen to Thomas Turner, chief mate of the ferry Hubbard, explain the operations of the vessel on Wednesday in Lynn Canal. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire published on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 1995, from an archived book. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire published on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 1995, from an archived book. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Youth plaintiffs in the climate change lawsuit, Held vs. Montana, arrive at the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse, on June 20, 2023, in Helena, Mont., for the final day of the trial. A Montana judge on Monday sided with young environmental activists who said state agencies were violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by permitting fossil fuel development without considering its effect on the climate. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP, File)

Victors in landmark climate change lawsuit reset sights on Alaska

Montana ruling establishes youths’ rights to clean environment, after similar case failed in Alaska.

Youth plaintiffs in the climate change lawsuit, Held vs. Montana, arrive at the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse, on June 20, 2023, in Helena, Mont., for the final day of the trial. A Montana judge on Monday sided with young environmental activists who said state agencies were violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by permitting fossil fuel development without considering its effect on the climate. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP, File)
Pickled popweed and goose tongue ready for taste testing. (Photo by Vivian Faith Prescott)

Planet Alaska: In a pickle with suktéitl’ and tayeidí

I’m on the beach harvesting a basketful of late-stage goose tongue leaves (suktéitl’, Lingít). I knew that goose tongue can be pickled, but I wanted… Continue reading

Pickled popweed and goose tongue ready for taste testing. (Photo by Vivian Faith Prescott)
A bin of bull kelp sits beside the conveyer belt at Barnacle Foods. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Four Juneau companies get grants for bull kelp and oysters

Nearly $500,000 in funding via Southeast Conference and Build Back Better

A bin of bull kelp sits beside the conveyer belt at Barnacle Foods. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Cherish Ann Blake, 33, a lifelong resident of Juneau, sits under her A-frame staked out between thin trees holding up blue tarps at the Mill Campground on Tuesday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Sheltering homeless people this summer is hard — it may get worse come fall

No bids to host winter warming shelter could leave more than 70 people without a place to sleep.

Cherish Ann Blake, 33, a lifelong resident of Juneau, sits under her A-frame staked out between thin trees holding up blue tarps at the Mill Campground on Tuesday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Nathan Rumsey is scheduled to become Bartlett Regional Hospital’s interim CEO on Aug. 21 following a unanimous vote by the board of directors Tuesday. He will replace David Keith, who resigned as CEO earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of Bartlett Regional Hospital)

Hospital names interim CEO

Nathan Rumsey, BRH executive director of business development and strategy, begins role Aug. 21.

Nathan Rumsey is scheduled to become Bartlett Regional Hospital’s interim CEO on Aug. 21 following a unanimous vote by the board of directors Tuesday. He will replace David Keith, who resigned as CEO earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of Bartlett Regional Hospital)
Alaska National Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force – Bethel clear storm debris in Newtok, Alaska, as part of Operation Merbok Response, Sept. 22, 2022. Approximately 100 members of the Alaska Organized Militia, which includes members of the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and Alaska Naval Militia, were activated following a disaster declaration issued Sept. 17 after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok caused dramatic flooding across more than 1,000 miles of Alaskan coastline. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda O’Neal)

Alaska nonprofit law firm to receive $4.7 million to assist disaster recovery

Funding will serve residents in Alaska and other Western states

Alaska National Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force – Bethel clear storm debris in Newtok, Alaska, as part of Operation Merbok Response, Sept. 22, 2022. Approximately 100 members of the Alaska Organized Militia, which includes members of the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and Alaska Naval Militia, were activated following a disaster declaration issued Sept. 17 after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok caused dramatic flooding across more than 1,000 miles of Alaskan coastline. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda O’Neal)
Steve Sanders and Estrella Acosta examine their catch aboard the Marilyn at the Auke Nu Cove station as Alysha Reeves, the events dock chair, awaits. Acosta, 11, turned in 11 scholarship fish and entered a 10.1-pound salmon on Friday evening, the first day of the 77th Annual Golden North Salmon Derby. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Salmon Derby feels the weather, but keeps on fishing

77th annual charitable competition nets more fish than last year

Steve Sanders and Estrella Acosta examine their catch aboard the Marilyn at the Auke Nu Cove station as Alysha Reeves, the events dock chair, awaits. Acosta, 11, turned in 11 scholarship fish and entered a 10.1-pound salmon on Friday evening, the first day of the 77th Annual Golden North Salmon Derby. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Senior captains Edgar Vera and Etta Eller lead the Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School cross-country team in a warmup jog during a rainy day practice near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center on Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

JDHS runners return to Juneau’s roads and trails with big ambitions

Cross-country coaches and captains share early season goals ahead of joint race with TMHS.

Senior captains Edgar Vera and Etta Eller lead the Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School cross-country team in a warmup jog during a rainy day practice near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center on Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Debris from a home that partially fell into the Mendenhall River sits on the riverbank on Sunday, Aug. 6. Dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed by the flooding, which Gov. Mike Dunleavy has declared a state disaster as he seeks federal-level assistance. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Governor requests FEMA assessment of Suicide Basin flood damage

Action marks another step toward seeking federal disaster assistance.

Debris from a home that partially fell into the Mendenhall River sits on the riverbank on Sunday, Aug. 6. Dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed by the flooding, which Gov. Mike Dunleavy has declared a state disaster as he seeks federal-level assistance. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Photos by Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire
Robin Welling, a Juneau resident, sprints to the finish line to win the Nifty Fifty 50K race Saturday afternoon with a time of four hours, 56 minutes and 55 seconds.

Runners dominate slippery trails for annual Nifty Fifty races amid rain storm

The 50K, 25K and 10K races were a success despite weather, race director says.

Photos by Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire
Robin Welling, a Juneau resident, sprints to the finish line to win the Nifty Fifty 50K race Saturday afternoon with a time of four hours, 56 minutes and 55 seconds.
Students enter a bus stopped on Douglas Highway Tuesday morning for the first day of the 2023-2024 school year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

New school year starts for students in Juneau

District welcomes a new superintendent, principals and early release policy for elementary students.

Students enter a bus stopped on Douglas Highway Tuesday morning for the first day of the 2023-2024 school year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney looks through paperwork Monday in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Trump, 18 allies indicted in Georgia over 2020 election meddling, the 4th criminal case against him

ATLANTA — Donald Trump and 18 allies were indicted in Georgia on Monday, accused of scheming to illegally overturn his 2020 election loss in the… Continue reading

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney looks through paperwork Monday in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anchorage, speaks on an amendment to the state budget on April 3, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska legislators would vote on conflicts of interest under proposal

Freshman Caucus supports change, but a key House chair says the current system works

Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anchorage, speaks on an amendment to the state budget on April 3, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Hundreds of people participate in a spaghetti dinner and dessert auction Saturday night at Thunder Mountain High School to raise funds for residents affected by record flooding of the Mendenhall River earlier this month. More than $20,000 was raised during the event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Feeding a need for people forced out of homes by flood

More than $20K raised at spaghetti dinner and dessert auction at TMHS

Hundreds of people participate in a spaghetti dinner and dessert auction Saturday night at Thunder Mountain High School to raise funds for residents affected by record flooding of the Mendenhall River earlier this month. More than $20,000 was raised during the event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Allison Lihou, John Diamond and Brian Thomason (aboard boat) turn in five salmon, including four scholarship fish, to dock volunteers Jason Bailey (orange jacket) and Bobby Dilg at the Douglas Harbor station during the 77th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Updates from the 77th Annual Golden North Salmon Derby

24.4-pound king is top catch at 6 p.m. Sunday deadline, more than 3 pounds heavier than runner-up.

Allison Lihou, John Diamond and Brian Thomason (aboard boat) turn in five salmon, including four scholarship fish, to dock volunteers Jason Bailey (orange jacket) and Bobby Dilg at the Douglas Harbor station during the 77th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)