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This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new downtown development project that was approved for a conditional permit by the City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission Tuesday night. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Major $150 million downtown waterfront development project passes another hurdle

Nearly three-acre Huna Totem Aak’w Landing Project approved by planning commission.

This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new downtown development project that was approved for a conditional permit by the City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission Tuesday night. (City and Borough of Juneau)
This is a photo of a vehicle crash site early Wednesday morning near 34 Mile on Glacier Highway. A teenager has been arrested with driving under the influence and third-degree assault resulting from injuries suffered by the passenger. (Courtesy/ Capital City Fire/Rescue)

Teen arrested for DUI after crash down hillside leads to ‘significant’ passenger injuries

Sydney Patch, 18, faces charges of druken driving, assault.

This is a photo of a vehicle crash site early Wednesday morning near 34 Mile on Glacier Highway. A teenager has been arrested with driving under the influence and third-degree assault resulting from injuries suffered by the passenger. (Courtesy/ Capital City Fire/Rescue)
The riverfront in Kotlik, a Yup’ik community of about 600 people, is seen in 2009. Kotlik, on the north end of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, is one of the communities in the Kusilvak Census Area. A new study published in the Lancet found that Alaska Natives in the Kusilvak Census Area have the nation’s highest rate of death from intentional self-harm or interpersonal violence. (Photo provided by the Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs)

Alaska construction employment statistics show uneven post-pandemic recovery, wage deflation

Employment in Alaska’s construction industry had not yet returned to pre-COVID-19 levels as of the end of 2022, even though the industry was damaged less… Continue reading

The riverfront in Kotlik, a Yup’ik community of about 600 people, is seen in 2009. Kotlik, on the north end of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, is one of the communities in the Kusilvak Census Area. A new study published in the Lancet found that Alaska Natives in the Kusilvak Census Area have the nation’s highest rate of death from intentional self-harm or interpersonal violence. (Photo provided by the Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs)
A statue of William Henry Seward stands outside the Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau. The family of a Juneau man who died after suffering a blunt-force neck injury filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Carver Construction LLC, arguing it breached its duty to ensure the family’s residence was reasonably safe amid ongoing renovations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Family files wrongful death suit against Juneau construction company

Fatal fall in 2021 the result of company’s breach of duty, lawsuit states.

A statue of William Henry Seward stands outside the Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau. The family of a Juneau man who died after suffering a blunt-force neck injury filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Carver Construction LLC, arguing it breached its duty to ensure the family’s residence was reasonably safe amid ongoing renovations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at an event at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal in March, on Tuesday issued a state disaster declaration for the Suicide Basin flood that occurred during the weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Governor issues state disaster declaration for Suicide Basin flood

Decision triggers relief funds for individuals as well as public entities

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at an event at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal in March, on Tuesday issued a state disaster declaration for the Suicide Basin flood that occurred during the weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A sign marks a house along the Mendenhall River that is condemned following a glacial dam outburst Saturday that resulted in weekend flooding along the river. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Bursting ice dam in Juneau highlights risks of glacial flooding around the globe

The gray, two-story home with white trim toppled and slid, crashing into the river below as rushing waters carried off a bobbing chunk of its… Continue reading

A sign marks a house along the Mendenhall River that is condemned following a glacial dam outburst Saturday that resulted in weekend flooding along the river. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire Archives Senate Counsel Sam Dash speaks during a special session as Gov. Bill Sheffield sits in the background.
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Aug. 5

Three decades of capital city coverage.

Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire Archives Senate Counsel Sam Dash speaks during a special session as Gov. Bill Sheffield sits in the background.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg gives a speech in Washington in early May. Buttigieg is expected to arrive in Juneau next Wednesday a part of a three-day tour traveling to several communities in Alaska. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to arrive in Juneau next week

This visit is a part of a three-day tour of Alaska communities and infrastructure.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg gives a speech in Washington in early May. Buttigieg is expected to arrive in Juneau next Wednesday a part of a three-day tour traveling to several communities in Alaska. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The Golden North Salmon Derby returns this weekend for the 77th edition as the same charitable event, with bigger prizes. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Salmon Derby expects to bring on the coho and some king

Popular charitable competition swims off starting Friday

The Golden North Salmon Derby returns this weekend for the 77th edition as the same charitable event, with bigger prizes. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Rows of houses line roads near Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City considers funding boost to accessory dwelling grant program

Assembly move forward in committee to extend the program, increase grant amount.

Rows of houses line roads near Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
City and Borough of Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon (far left), Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski (middle) and Assembly member Michelle Bonnet Hale listen during a special Assembly meeting Monday night where members OK’d a resolution to seek state and federal funding following record flooding over the weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City seeks state, federal assistance in aftermath of record Suicide Basin flooding

Assembly votes in special meeting to OK resolution requesting state action.

City and Borough of Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon (far left), Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski (middle) and Assembly member Michelle Bonnet Hale listen during a special Assembly meeting Monday night where members OK’d a resolution to seek state and federal funding following record flooding over the weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Humpback whales engage in “bubble net” feeding near Juneau on July 31. (Photo by Christopher Grau)

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

Humpback whales engage in “bubble net” feeding near Juneau on July 31. (Photo by Christopher Grau)
Ava Christ, who is visiting Juneau for two weeks, picks up pieces of large debris on a beach on North Douglas on Monday afternoon. Christ, who wanted to get involved with helping the community after hearing about the “tragedy” of the flooding, said she filled about four bags of trash in just a few hours of cleanup. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Three residences partially or completely destroyed, 15 condemned by Suicide Basin flooding

Officials assessing which structures might be saved, how to clean up debris and contamination.

Ava Christ, who is visiting Juneau for two weeks, picks up pieces of large debris on a beach on North Douglas on Monday afternoon. Christ, who wanted to get involved with helping the community after hearing about the “tragedy” of the flooding, said she filled about four bags of trash in just a few hours of cleanup. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Amanda Arra (right) explains her plans for evacuating her home to Ric Iannolino at midday Sunday after a record flood Saturday eroded about 50 feet of her backyard and a quarter of the earth under her house. Dozens of local residents are facing the losses of their residences due to erosion and other damage that they say is beyond repair. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Residents of homes damaged and destroyed by record flooding consider short- and long-term futures

Some say their houses are beyond repair due to erosion, wonder if more instability lies ahead.

Amanda Arra (right) explains her plans for evacuating her home to Ric Iannolino at midday Sunday after a record flood Saturday eroded about 50 feet of her backyard and a quarter of the earth under her house. Dozens of local residents are facing the losses of their residences due to erosion and other damage that they say is beyond repair. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capt. Dave Turner and Chief Mate Lucas Bevegni on the bridge of Columbia state ferry as Bevegni takes note of a whale spout more than a mile in the distance. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Fixing the ferry’s future: Help wanted on the Alaska Marine Highway

Part one of a two-part series about the tricky navigation facing the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Capt. Dave Turner and Chief Mate Lucas Bevegni on the bridge of Columbia state ferry as Bevegni takes note of a whale spout more than a mile in the distance. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Sealaska Heritage Institute is seen in downtown Juneau on Friday. (Claire Stremple / Alaska Beacon)

Sealaska nonprofit launches program to support Alaska Native teachers

As Alaska grapples with a shortage of teachers and high turnover rates, a regional nonprofit is recruiting Alaska Native educators to a new statewide program… Continue reading

Sealaska Heritage Institute is seen in downtown Juneau on Friday. (Claire Stremple / Alaska Beacon)
Marian Call and Conor Lendrum perform a song during the annual Climate Fair for a Cooler Planet on Saturday afternoon at Overstreet Park. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Seriousness about climate change amid a festive backdrop

Canadian wildfires, proposed North Slope projects draw heat at Climate Fair for a Cooler Planet

Marian Call and Conor Lendrum perform a song during the annual Climate Fair for a Cooler Planet on Saturday afternoon at Overstreet Park. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
April Rezendes (left) and Jenna Wiersma (right) embrace at the finish line after completing the Aukeman Triathlon at the University of Alaska Southeast campus on Sunday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The race must go on: Athletes compete in Aukeman Triathlon despite flood disruptions

A quick change of course meant a successful and safe race Sunday morning, officials say.

April Rezendes (left) and Jenna Wiersma (right) embrace at the finish line after completing the Aukeman Triathlon at the University of Alaska Southeast campus on Sunday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Debris from one partially destroyed house lies on the bank of the Mendenhall River while a large portion of an adjacent house hangs over the riverbank at midday Sunday following record flooding Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cleanup begins as city declares Suicide Basin flooding a local emergency

Salvage efforts are underway Sunday as water rapidly recedes.

Debris from one partially destroyed house lies on the bank of the Mendenhall River while a large portion of an adjacent house hangs over the riverbank at midday Sunday following record flooding Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A home collapses into the Mendenhall River on Saturday due to a record amount of flooding from Suicide Basin since an annual cycle of water release began there in 2011. Officials said nobody was injured when the house collapsed, but other structures along the riverbank are at risk. (Screenshot from video by Sam Nolan)

Record flooding from Suicide Basin destroys one home, swamps others and cuts off access

Officials say no injuries reported; water peaks at 11:15 p.m. Saturday, receding rapidly Sunday

A home collapses into the Mendenhall River on Saturday due to a record amount of flooding from Suicide Basin since an annual cycle of water release began there in 2011. Officials said nobody was injured when the house collapsed, but other structures along the riverbank are at risk. (Screenshot from video by Sam Nolan)