Jonah Hurst harvests goose tongue on Shoemaker Beach in Wrangell as a gift to local Elders. (Photo by Vivian Faith Prescott)

Planet Alaska: Lessons from the goose tongue

Today we’re harvesting goose tongue to dry for distribution to local Elders. I’m also going to experiment with pickling it. Goose tongue is a beach… Continue reading

Jonah Hurst harvests goose tongue on Shoemaker Beach in Wrangell as a gift to local Elders. (Photo by Vivian Faith Prescott)
Pine needles on a tree in the Mendenhall Valley show aftermath of western blackheaded budworms damage Thursday. U.S. Forest officials said an outbreak that started a few ago in Southeast Alaska is declining in most places, but Juneau still has a high infestation rate that is expected to drop off next year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

It’s not easy being evergreen in Juneau, as infestation of budworms lingers

Outbreak in Southeast Alaska since 2020 mostly tapering off elsewhere, officials say.

Pine needles on a tree in the Mendenhall Valley show aftermath of western blackheaded budworms damage Thursday. U.S. Forest officials said an outbreak that started a few ago in Southeast Alaska is declining in most places, but Juneau still has a high infestation rate that is expected to drop off next year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Dimitri Kusnezov, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s undersecretary for science and technology, stands by Lake Spenard on Tuesday. Kusnezov was on his first Alaska trip, with stops from Juneau to Utqiagvik. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

As climate change transforms the Arctic, Homeland Security must adapt, official says

Department undersecretary visits Coast Guard in Juneau, other parts of Alaska this week

Dimitri Kusnezov, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s undersecretary for science and technology, stands by Lake Spenard on Tuesday. Kusnezov was on his first Alaska trip, with stops from Juneau to Utqiagvik. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A female mountain goat on a rocky slope on Baranof Island. (Phil Mooney/Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

People now need to pass this quiz to hunt goats in Southeast Alaska

Officials hope online test helps hunters to identify and avoid shooting females.

A female mountain goat on a rocky slope on Baranof Island. (Phil Mooney/Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor speaks at a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks / Alaska Beacon)

Alaska AG opposes keeping abortion-related medical records private across state lines elsewhere

Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor joined 18 other Republican attorneys general last month in a letter calling on the federal government to preserve state governments’… Continue reading

Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor speaks at a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks / Alaska Beacon)
A candlelit vigil was held at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to honor Paul Rodriguez Jr., pictured, who drowned while kayaking on Mendenhall Lake last week. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Candlelight vigil held for man who drowned kayaking at Mendenhall Lake

A recovery effort for the body of Paul Rodriguez Jr. continues.

A candlelit vigil was held at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to honor Paul Rodriguez Jr., pictured, who drowned while kayaking on Mendenhall Lake last week. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Roald Simonson, a longtime resident of Juneau’s Telephone Hill, walks down Dixon Street in the Telephone Hill area on Wednesday evening. He said he plans to attend the upcoming city hosted meeting to discuss possible redevelopment plans for the area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City to hold open house to discuss future fate of Telephone Hill

The meeting next Wednesday invites residents to share their ideas for the downtown land.

Roald Simonson, a longtime resident of Juneau’s Telephone Hill, walks down Dixon Street in the Telephone Hill area on Wednesday evening. He said he plans to attend the upcoming city hosted meeting to discuss possible redevelopment plans for the area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, July 18, 2023

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

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

Police calls for Monday, July 17, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This is a photo of humpback whales surfacing near a Juneau Tours and Whale Watch boat. (Courtesy / Juneau Tours and Whale Watch)

Unlimited numbers of whale watching boats causing wave of concern

Local operators and industry officials create committee to address impacts, potential limits.

This is a photo of humpback whales surfacing near a Juneau Tours and Whale Watch boat. (Courtesy / Juneau Tours and Whale Watch)
A cycle rickshaw and cars park outside the front of the Glory Hall’s former downtown homeless shelter Tuesday evening. The building is slated to begin its transformation into seven affordable housing units and additional commercial use space in mid-October. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Downtown Glory Hall apartment project to begin construction this fall

The former homeless shelter will be converted into seven affordable housing units

A cycle rickshaw and cars park outside the front of the Glory Hall’s former downtown homeless shelter Tuesday evening. The building is slated to begin its transformation into seven affordable housing units and additional commercial use space in mid-October. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File
City and Borough of Juneau Clerk Beth McEwen certifies areawide candidate Paul Kelly’s paperwork Friday morning within minutes of the local election filing period opening. Kelly is running for one of the two areawide Assembly positions open.

Candidates roll in as the filing period continues for local election

Two incumbents and three new faces file for Assembly, no candidates for school board.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File
City and Borough of Juneau Clerk Beth McEwen certifies areawide candidate Paul Kelly’s paperwork Friday morning within minutes of the local election filing period opening. Kelly is running for one of the two areawide Assembly positions open.
Courtesy / JoAnna Pilapil
This is a photo of Paul Jose Rodriguez Jr. shared by a friend who said he sent the photo to her the day he was reported missing on July 11.

Camera of missing man near Mendenhall Glacier discovered, reveals he drowned

Helmet with attached camera discovered during search.

Courtesy / JoAnna Pilapil
This is a photo of Paul Jose Rodriguez Jr. shared by a friend who said he sent the photo to her the day he was reported missing on July 11.
Models pose on the cruise ship dock downtown during the 2022 Alaska Fashion Week. The three-day event returns to Juneau starting Thursday. (Courtesy photo / Sydney Akagi Photography)

A deluge of fashion in the forecast for Juneau this week

Third annual Alaska Fashion Week starts Thursday.

Models pose on the cruise ship dock downtown during the 2022 Alaska Fashion Week. The three-day event returns to Juneau starting Thursday. (Courtesy photo / Sydney Akagi Photography)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man arrested on felony charges after apparent break-in

He faces more than 10 criminal charges relating to the incident.

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

Police calls for Sunday, July 16, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Kelly Tshibaka waves at passing motorists in Midtown Anchorage on Aug. 16, 2022. The former U.S. Senate candidate, now head of a nonprofit opposing ranked choice voting, is the subject of a new campaign complaint. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Another campaign complaint filed against opponents of Alaska ranked choice voting

Former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka among targets

Kelly Tshibaka waves at passing motorists in Midtown Anchorage on Aug. 16, 2022. The former U.S. Senate candidate, now head of a nonprofit opposing ranked choice voting, is the subject of a new campaign complaint. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Tom Robenolt portrays Sir Toby Belch and Natalia Spengler plays Viola in the Alaska Theater Festival’s production of “Twelfth Night,” which debuts at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Treadwell Mine Office Building. (Courtesy of Flordelino Lagundino).

Taking on new tones for “Twelfth Night”

Modern production of Shakespeare play free at various Juneau venues starting Wednesday

Tom Robenolt portrays Sir Toby Belch and Natalia Spengler plays Viola in the Alaska Theater Festival’s production of “Twelfth Night,” which debuts at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Treadwell Mine Office Building. (Courtesy of Flordelino Lagundino).
The Hubbard ferry departs the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal for its inaugural voyage through northern Lynn Canal on May 23. (Courtesy of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Hubbard will remain in service as staff and repair issues are addressed

Newest AMHS ferry “unequivocally” safe, despite inspection deficiencies, DOT official says.

The Hubbard ferry departs the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal for its inaugural voyage through northern Lynn Canal on May 23. (Courtesy of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
A Temsco Helicopters aircraft participates in a search along the Mendenhall River on Monday for a person reported missing since last Tuesday, who was last seen kayaking toward the Mendenhall Glacier. (Courtesy Photo/ Megan Rigas)

Man missing after last seen kayaking toward Mendenhall Glacier

The search is ongoing, officials say.

A Temsco Helicopters aircraft participates in a search along the Mendenhall River on Monday for a person reported missing since last Tuesday, who was last seen kayaking toward the Mendenhall Glacier. (Courtesy Photo/ Megan Rigas)