The common freckle pelt lichen (Peltigera aphthosa) is often found over mossy ground, rocks, or under trees. (James Walton / National Park Service)

On the Trails: Evolving from simple beginnings with symbiosis

The Latin roots of the word “symbiosis” mean living together. In the broadest sense, symbiosis refers to any close association of two (or more) different… Continue reading

The common freckle pelt lichen (Peltigera aphthosa) is often found over mossy ground, rocks, or under trees. (James Walton / National Park Service)
The campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks is seen from the air on Sept. 20, 2022. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Former UAF student sues school, alleging injuries from hot sauce

Woman seeking more than $100,000 from incident in culinary arts class.

The campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks is seen from the air on Sept. 20, 2022. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new round of funding for rural broadband loans and grants. (Image by John Lamb/Getty Images)

Alaska gets nearly $100M from USDA for rural broadband

Hoonan/Angoon area among three statewide areas getting fiber and wireless connections.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new round of funding for rural broadband loans and grants. (Image by John Lamb/Getty Images)
Three generations of the Behrends-Gruening family stand outside the bank founded by B.M. Behrends. Standing from left: Jack Vines, Caroline Gruening Vines, Anne Gruening (great-granddaughter of B.M. Behrends), and Win Gruening (grandson of Governor and Senator Ernest Gruening). Young Norah and Jack Vines stand in front. Photo by Laurie Craig

Rooted in Communty: Behrends Bank

Banking on the future of a mining camp

Three generations of the Behrends-Gruening family stand outside the bank founded by B.M. Behrends. Standing from left: Jack Vines, Caroline Gruening Vines, Anne Gruening (great-granddaughter of B.M. Behrends), and Win Gruening (grandson of Governor and Senator Ernest Gruening). Young Norah and Jack Vines stand in front. Photo by Laurie Craig
The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Ships in Port for the Week of Aug. 19

Here’s what to expect this week.

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The Hubbard state ferry remains in dock at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Friday after suffering generator problems that are expected to keep the ship out of service until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Hubbard likely out of service until Monday due to generator problems

Newest state ferry suffers failure after carrying Buttigieg from Juneau to Haines.

The Hubbard state ferry remains in dock at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Friday after suffering generator problems that are expected to keep the ship out of service until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Caution tape surrounds the exit of a slide located at the Project Playground at Twin Lakes Park Friday morning. Two slides were vandalized with bear spray earlier this week, resulting in multiple injuries. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

At least two children suffer injuries after going down slides covered in bear spray

An investigation is underway, no suspects have been identified at this time, police say.

Caution tape surrounds the exit of a slide located at the Project Playground at Twin Lakes Park Friday morning. Two slides were vandalized with bear spray earlier this week, resulting in multiple injuries. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of the Juneau Police Department’s new armored security vehicle that arrived in March. (Courtesy / Krag Campbell)

Police department’s new $348K armored vehicle arrived in March

“At this time, we’re just not trying to show this vehicle off,” JPD spokesperson says.

This is a photo of the Juneau Police Department’s new armored security vehicle that arrived in March. (Courtesy / Krag Campbell)
Tattoo artists make their marks on attendees at a Ink Masters Tattoo Show in Colorado. (Courtesy of Ink Masters)

Considering some permanent body art? Book early

Founders of Ink Masters bringing national expo to Juneau for the first time

Tattoo artists make their marks on attendees at a Ink Masters Tattoo Show in Colorado. (Courtesy of Ink Masters)
Members of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club clean thousands of ducks that have been in storage for four years in preparation for the annual Juneau Duck Derby scheduled Aug. 26 at Twin Lakes. (Photo courtesy of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club)

After four years, it’s finally time to duck again at Twin Lakes

Thousands of flightless fowl make return, will be dropped by helicopter during annual Duck Derby.

Members of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club clean thousands of ducks that have been in storage for four years in preparation for the annual Juneau Duck Derby scheduled Aug. 26 at Twin Lakes. (Photo courtesy of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club)
A trio of state ferries are docked as the Columbia arrives at the Alaska Marine Highway System headquarters in Ketchikan on July 16. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire File)

Winter ferry schedule is out and it’s better than before

13-day gap in mainline service in December, but more consistent service to smaller Southeast towns

A trio of state ferries are docked as the Columbia arrives at the Alaska Marine Highway System headquarters in Ketchikan on July 16. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire File)
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)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
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 shared on the Save Juneau Facebook page. The group is running a campaign opposing the new City Hall proposal set to appear on this October’s municipal ballot, and intends to back Assembly candidates “who are most likely to give taxpayers some relief.” (Courtesy / Molly Duvall)

Campaign group forms to oppose new City Hall, criticizes Assembly’s ‘out-of-touch’ attitude

Save Juneau to support Assembly candidates “who are most likely to give taxpayers some relief.”

This is a photo shared on the Save Juneau Facebook page. The group is running a campaign opposing the new City Hall proposal set to appear on this October’s municipal ballot, and intends to back Assembly candidates “who are most likely to give taxpayers some relief.” (Courtesy / Molly Duvall)
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)