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Alaska souvenir name signs are seen on Monday at a gift shop in the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Oliver was the most popular name for baby boys born in Alaska in 2023, according to the state’s annual vital statistics report. Nora was tied as the fourth-most-popular among the names for baby girls, according to the report. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska births and deaths both declined in 2023, and population total held steady, state says

Fewer Alaska babies were born in 2023 than in previous years, but there were also fewer deaths in the state than in prior years, when… Continue reading

 

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Man, 61, critically injured after being hit by car on Douglas Highway

Collision at Cordova Street closed highway for about two hours.

 

A bear/landscape painting is among the works by Liyuan (Sunny) Zhang that will be exhibited at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum as part of First Friday in November. (Photo provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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

The penultimate First Friday of 2024 features a variety of art and photography exhibits highlighting Alaska’s nature, plus an annual napkin design contest where winners… Continue reading

 

A customer approaches the entrance of the Breeze In in the Mendenhall Valley on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Breeze In bought by owner of IGA supermarkets, hours at two stores reduced starting Friday

Valley store still open 24/7, others to close at 10 p.m.; Kenny’s Liquor Market still open for now.

A customer approaches the entrance of the Breeze In in the Mendenhall Valley on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rear Adm. Mark Sucato reads the U.S. Navy’s apology to the people of Angoon on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 commemorating 142 years to the day since the military bombarded the village in 1882. (Screen image from Sealaska Heritage Institute)
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Angoon accepts U.S. Navy apology for bombardment that destroyed village 142 years ago

“From this day forward, no more crying,” village leader says about declaration sought for generations

Rear Adm. Mark Sucato reads the U.S. Navy’s apology to the people of Angoon on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 commemorating 142 years to the day since the military bombarded the village in 1882. (Screen image from Sealaska Heritage Institute)
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Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, is seen on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

False citations show Alaska education official relied on generative AI, raising broader questions

Commissioner Bishop said documents a first draft, appeared on state’s website due to technical error.

Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, is seen on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
A Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center is scheduled to open at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Wednesday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

FEMA disaster aid center opens Wednesday at Mendenhall library

A Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center for people affected by August’s record flood from Suicide Basin is scheduled to open Wednesday at the… Continue reading

A Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center is scheduled to open at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Wednesday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Eaglecrest Lodge at the base of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest Ski Area’s dilemma: Aging equipment needing repair while planning an ambitious new future

Leaders at board retreat also confront loss of lift for season, staff shortages, gondola uncertainties.

Eaglecrest Lodge at the base of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A truck carries the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from a forest in Wrangell to the town’s Alaska Marine High Ferry Terminal in preparation for the tree’s journey to Washington, D.C. (James Edward Mills / U.S. Forest Service)

U.S. Capitol Christmas tree gives Wrangell much to celebrate

80-foot tree harvested from Tongass gets ceremonial sendoff before month-long trip to D.C.

A truck carries the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from a forest in Wrangell to the town’s Alaska Marine High Ferry Terminal in preparation for the tree’s journey to Washington, D.C. (James Edward Mills / U.S. Forest Service)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, Oct. 25, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A row of businesses along South Franklin Street are closed on Friday, the day after the departure of the final cruise ship in Juneau during the 2024 season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Downtown businesses open after last ship leaves plan for lean winter, worry about proposed Douglas dock

Entire blocks along Franklin Street now shut down, but some stores seek to lure what locals they can.

A row of businesses along South Franklin Street are closed on Friday, the day after the departure of the final cruise ship in Juneau during the 2024 season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Klondike gold rush stampeders stand beside a fragile sign marking the Alaska-Canada border. (Alaska State Library historical collections ASL-P21-54)

Border Patrol: Drawing the line between Alaska and Canada

Southeast Alaska boundary originated as uncertain line created by 1825 treaty between Russia, Great Britain.

Klondike gold rush stampeders stand beside a fragile sign marking the Alaska-Canada border. (Alaska State Library historical collections ASL-P21-54)
President Joe Biden waves after delivering remarks on the federal government’s role in running boarding schools for Native American children at the Gila Crossing Community School in Gila River Indian Community near Phoenix, Ariz., Oct. 25, 2024. Biden on Friday formally apologized for the role of the federal government in running boarding schools where thousands of Native American children faced abuse, neglect and the erasure of their tribal identities. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

Biden highlights Rosita Worl’s harsh childhood, life achievements in apology for U.S. abuse of Native children

Remarks come days after Biden gives Sealaska Heritage Institute president National Humanities Medal

  • Oct 26, 2024
  • By Peter Baker and Aishvarya Kavi ©2024 The New York Times Company
  • Indigenous apology
President Joe Biden waves after delivering remarks on the federal government’s role in running boarding schools for Native American children at the Gila Crossing Community School in Gila River Indian Community near Phoenix, Ariz., Oct. 25, 2024. Biden on Friday formally apologized for the role of the federal government in running boarding schools where thousands of Native American children faced abuse, neglect and the erasure of their tribal identities. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Another record year: 1.68 million cruise passengers visit in 2024, up from 1.64 million in 2023

Biggest issues for visitors were lack of connectivity and crossing guards, tourism director says.

Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Volunteers operate an in-person polling place for the special U.S. House primary election on Friday, May 27, 2022, in the atrium of the State Office Building at Juneau, Alaska. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Early voting in Alaska is off to a fast start and is on pace for a record, figures show

On Monday, Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich urged supporters to vote early and lock in their votes. He followed his own advice this week,… Continue reading

Volunteers operate an in-person polling place for the special U.S. House primary election on Friday, May 27, 2022, in the atrium of the State Office Building at Juneau, Alaska. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, shakes hands with members of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, following her annual address in the state Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski again endorses Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola

Alaska’s senior U.S. Senator endorsed Peltola in 2022 and says cross-party collaboration is important.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, shakes hands with members of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, following her annual address in the state Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)