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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)
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. 6

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)
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)
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)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / 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)