Home

Volunteers work on the intermediate-level trail for the new Thunder Mountain Bike Park on Saturday. The new park, scheduled to be ready to ride early next week, will also initially feature a beginner’s trail. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Volunteers ramping up for new Mendenhall Valley mountain biking trails

Two trails at new Thunder Mountain Bike Park expected to open during coming week.

Volunteers work on the intermediate-level trail for the new Thunder Mountain Bike Park on Saturday. The new park, scheduled to be ready to ride early next week, will also initially feature a beginner’s trail. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The riverfront in Kotlik, a Yup’ik community of about 600 peole, 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)

Study: Different populations in Alaska have some of nation’s highest and lowest death rates by cause

Alaska Natives in certain rural areas of the state have the nation’s highest death rates from suicide and domestic violence and some of the highest… Continue reading

The riverfront in Kotlik, a Yup’ik community of about 600 peole, 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)
An image from the National Weather Service shows the status of Suicide Basin at about 4 p.m. Friday. Updates are posted on the weather service’s website three time a day. (National Weather Service)

Flood warning for Mendenhall Lake, Mendenhall River in effect until Sunday

Release of water from Suicide Basin expected to crest Saturday night.

An image from the National Weather Service shows the status of Suicide Basin at about 4 p.m. Friday. Updates are posted on the weather service’s website three time a day. (National Weather Service)
Capt. Dave Turner, who has been with the Alaska Marine Highway System for 14 years, scans some of the equipment on the Columbia. He makes a point of being approachable by crew, but said in the end, “it’s my license.” (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Fixing the ferry’s future: Meet some of the crew on the Columbia

Five people who do everything from cleaning to commanding the nearly 50-year-old state vessel

Capt. Dave Turner, who has been with the Alaska Marine Highway System for 14 years, scans some of the equipment on the Columbia. He makes a point of being approachable by crew, but said in the end, “it’s my license.” (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Chad Goeden, seen here on board the Columbia in mid-July, is one of two retired Alaska State Troopers participating in a new program that serves as deterrent while also strengthening security on the Alaska Marine Highway System. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Fixing the ferry’s future: New program puts retired, certified troopers on some ferries

DPS and DOT team up on proactive effort to add security to AMHS.

Chad Goeden, seen here on board the Columbia in mid-July, is one of two retired Alaska State Troopers participating in a new program that serves as deterrent while also strengthening security on the Alaska Marine Highway System. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
In this photo provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center, a Pacific walrus pup rests his head on the lap of a staff member after being admitted to the center’s Wildlife Response Program in Seward on Aug. 1. A walrus calf found by oil field workers in Alaska about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) inland is under 24-hour care as the Alaska SeaLife Center nurses it back to health. The male Pacific walrus was transported across the state Tuesday from the North Slope to Seward in south-central Alaska, where the Alaska SeaLife Center is based. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center via AP)

‘Cuddling’: Just what the doctor ordered for rescued walrus calf found by North Slope oil workers

A walrus calf is being nursed back to health after being found on its own miles inland by oil field workers in Alaska. The male… Continue reading

In this photo provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center, a Pacific walrus pup rests his head on the lap of a staff member after being admitted to the center’s Wildlife Response Program in Seward on Aug. 1. A walrus calf found by oil field workers in Alaska about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) inland is under 24-hour care as the Alaska SeaLife Center nurses it back to health. The male Pacific walrus was transported across the state Tuesday from the North Slope to Seward in south-central Alaska, where the Alaska SeaLife Center is based. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center via AP)
Works by self-taught Juneau artist Jacqui Tingey will be featured at Barnaby Brewing Company from 4-8 p.m. Friday as part of First Friday in August. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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

Áakʼw Rock exhibit, book signing by local author, communal fiber art project among events.

Works by self-taught Juneau artist Jacqui Tingey will be featured at Barnaby Brewing Company from 4-8 p.m. Friday as part of First Friday in August. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
Hospital CEO David Keith speaks to residents and hospital officials who gathered at Bartlett Regional Hospital’s new behavioral health and crisis stabilization center unveiling in June. On Tuesday hospital officials announced his resignation after less than a year in the position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Hospital to consider interim CEO options in the coming week

The plan follows resignations of Bartlett Regional Hospital’s CEO and CFO announced this week.

Hospital CEO David Keith speaks to residents and hospital officials who gathered at Bartlett Regional Hospital’s new behavioral health and crisis stabilization center unveiling in June. On Tuesday hospital officials announced his resignation after less than a year in the position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Four brown bears line up at the top of the falls on the Brooks River on Sept. 6, 2021, to fish for salmon. Brooks Falls draws bears from around the region, as well as Katmai National Park and Preserve tourists who travel there to view the bear crowds. One of the two lawsuits challenging the state’s predator-control program in the Mulchatna caribou area cites signs that some of the bears normally seen at Brooks Falls may have been among the 99 bears killed in the spring campaign carried out by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (Photo by L. Law/National Park Service)

Lawsuits target Alaska predator-control program that killed 99 bears in effort to boost caribou

The Board of Game-authorized program was carried out in southwestern Alaska.

Four brown bears line up at the top of the falls on the Brooks River on Sept. 6, 2021, to fish for salmon. Brooks Falls draws bears from around the region, as well as Katmai National Park and Preserve tourists who travel there to view the bear crowds. One of the two lawsuits challenging the state’s predator-control program in the Mulchatna caribou area cites signs that some of the bears normally seen at Brooks Falls may have been among the 99 bears killed in the spring campaign carried out by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (Photo by L. Law/National Park Service)
A bear hangs out on a rock during a sunny evening in the Amalga Harbor area in late July. (David Rigas / Juneau Empire)

Two bears in Juneau are breaking into cars again

However, overall incidents in the capital city have been minimal, officials say.

A bear hangs out on a rock during a sunny evening in the Amalga Harbor area in late July. (David Rigas / Juneau Empire)
Tuckerman Babcock hosts a rally in Soldotna during his campaign for state Senate in October of 2022. On Wednesday he was appointed to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Babcock has a long and controversial political history in Alaska, including illegally demanding hundreds of state employees sign loyalty oaths to Dunleavy or be fired. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion File)

Tuckerman Babcock resigns from UA Board of Regents after two months

Controversial former chief of staff to Gov. Dunleavy was an interim appointment

Tuckerman Babcock hosts a rally in Soldotna during his campaign for state Senate in October of 2022. On Wednesday he was appointed to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Babcock has a long and controversial political history in Alaska, including illegally demanding hundreds of state employees sign loyalty oaths to Dunleavy or be fired. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion File)
Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire Archives Marie Darlin unpacks her record collection as she moves into her fifth-floor apartment in Fireweed Place.
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of July 29

Three decades of capital city coverage.

Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire Archives Marie Darlin unpacks her record collection as she moves into her fifth-floor apartment in Fireweed Place.
City Public Works and Engineering Director Katie Koester smiles for a photo downtown Wednesday evening. Koester was selected by the Assembly to serve as the next city manager following the retirement of Rorie Watt in September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City selects familiar face to serve as next manager

Public Works and Engineering’s Katie Koester will take over the role from outgoing Rorie Watt.

City Public Works and Engineering Director Katie Koester smiles for a photo downtown Wednesday evening. Koester was selected by the Assembly to serve as the next city manager following the retirement of Rorie Watt in September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Copies of Nick Jans new book, “Romeo the Friendly Wolf,” arrived at Hearthside Books about two weeks ago. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Nick Jans goes back to ‘Romeo’

Author returns with follow-up to best-selling book about Juneau’s most famous wolf

Copies of Nick Jans new book, “Romeo the Friendly Wolf,” arrived at Hearthside Books about two weeks ago. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Jurisdiction over this small plot of Juneau land, seen Jan. 20, is being disputed between the state of Alaska, the federal government and the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska asks judge to determine whether federal officials can create ‘Indian country’ on Juneau land

Lawsuit focuses on Tlingit and Haida’s 787-square-foot parcel of land downtown

Jurisdiction over this small plot of Juneau land, seen Jan. 20, is being disputed between the state of Alaska, the federal government and the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Bartlett Regional Hospital CEO David Keith listens during a city Assembly meeting in February. On Tuesday hospital officials announced his resignation after less than a year in the position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Bartlett Regional Hospital CEO, CFO resign after less than a year in positions

The departure of David Keith and Sam Muse comes in wake of alleged behavioral health care crisis.

Bartlett Regional Hospital CEO David Keith listens during a city Assembly meeting in February. On Tuesday hospital officials announced his resignation after less than a year in the position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Jason Brune, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and a member of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board of trustees, is seen during a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska’s top environmental regulator will resign after almost five years as commissioner

Jason Brune is one of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s last remaining original cabinet picks

Jason Brune, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and a member of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board of trustees, is seen during a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, calls out an order while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 closed on Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

J&J Deli and Asian Mart closes its doors after more than four decades

The business was greeted with a final flood of customers during the Monday lunch hour.

Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, calls out an order while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 closed on Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Parks and Recreation Department hosts a National Night Out event at Cope Park on Tuesday, one of three local public events connected to the national campaign that seeks to strengthen ties between police and communities. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

First responders show up with flashing lights for neighborhood non-emergencies

Local police, firefighters, Coast Guard and other agencies participate in National Night Out events.

Juneau’s Parks and Recreation Department hosts a National Night Out event at Cope Park on Tuesday, one of three local public events connected to the national campaign that seeks to strengthen ties between police and communities. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Bradley Earl Reger, a former Echo Ranch Bible Camp volunteer, has been arrested and is suspected of sexually abusing numerous boys on religious trips across the globe, including Alaska, for more than a decade. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Former Echo Ranch volunteer pleads not guilty in California for alleged sex abuse of boys

“We are grieved by the reports about sexual abuse by Bradley Reger,” the camp’s parent ministry states.

Bradley Earl Reger, a former Echo Ranch Bible Camp volunteer, has been arrested and is suspected of sexually abusing numerous boys on religious trips across the globe, including Alaska, for more than a decade. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)