Rows of houses line the Douglas Highway in late May. On Monday night the City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance that requires all short-term rentals to be registered with the city. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau Assembly passes controversial short-term rental registration requirement

Operators will now be required to register with the city by October.

Rows of houses line the Douglas Highway in late May. On Monday night the City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance that requires all short-term rentals to be registered with the city. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Sunday, July 9, 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 Saturday, July 8, 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 Thursday, July 6, 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 Friday, June 7, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This is a photo of Wildflower Court on Monday. The independent nursing facility is now officially a part of Bartlett Regional Hospital after it was announced Monday the two entities finalized the acquisition. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Bartlett Regional Hospital officially absorbs Wildflower Court

Officials say it will help narrow the gap in local hospice and home care

This is a photo of Wildflower Court on Monday. The independent nursing facility is now officially a part of Bartlett Regional Hospital after it was announced Monday the two entities finalized the acquisition. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A police car parks near a residence on Riverwood Drive on Friday where Andre P. Lawrence was detained by police officers in connection with the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man on Cinema Drive on Thursday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Man shot in head after encounter in parking lot, suspect arrested Friday

Charging documents identify victim, circumstances leading to fatal shooting.

A police car parks near a residence on Riverwood Drive on Friday where Andre P. Lawrence was detained by police officers in connection with the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man on Cinema Drive on Thursday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A pair of bald eagles out by the Salt Chuck at Amalga Harbor on July 7. (Courtesy photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots

Wild Shots To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t… Continue reading

A pair of bald eagles out by the Salt Chuck at Amalga Harbor on July 7. (Courtesy photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
Rae Mills, a mentor with the “Weaving Our Pride” project, hangs strands of wool yarn on a loom that will be used to create two Pride Robes at the Zach Gordon Youth Center on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Spinning the first threads of two Alaska Native Pride Robes

Mentors to spend year with students at Zach Gordon Youth Center creating the permanent wearable art

Rae Mills, a mentor with the “Weaving Our Pride” project, hangs strands of wool yarn on a loom that will be used to create two Pride Robes at the Zach Gordon Youth Center on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A violet-green swallow has distinctive white flank patches — and wider wings — than a Vaux’s swift. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Swifts and swallows at Fish Creek

On a gray, drippy day at the end of June, a friend and I walked briefly at Fish Creek. The roses were blooming and thimbleberries… Continue reading

  • Jul 10, 2023
  • By Mary F. Willson
A violet-green swallow has distinctive white flank patches — and wider wings — than a Vaux’s swift. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
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 July 9

Here’s what to expect this week.

  • Jul 10, 2023
The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A ballot for Alaska’s Nov. 8, 2022, general election is seen on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, the first day of early voting. (Photo by James Brooks / Alaska Beacon)

Questions on minimum wage, paid sick leave and campaign funding could be heading to Alaska voters

Lt. Gov. Dahlstrom has until early September to certify proposals for petition-gathering stage

A ballot for Alaska’s Nov. 8, 2022, general election is seen on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, the first day of early voting. (Photo by James Brooks / Alaska Beacon)
Mary Bryant (left) hands off a bag of purchased goods on Monday during the grand opening of Pelican General, the town’s first general store to open in 15 years. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

New grocery store breathes new life into Pelican

The opening on Monday marked the first grocery store to service the town in 15 years.

Mary Bryant (left) hands off a bag of purchased goods on Monday during the grand opening of Pelican General, the town’s first general store to open in 15 years. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy (right) delivers opening remarks at a bill signing event at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy signs two pharmacy bills into law during Soldotna ceremony

One new law exempts veterinarians from state’s prescription drug monitoring program.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (right) delivers opening remarks at a bill signing event at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Library Historical Collection P418-3
President Warren G. Harding (with walking stick) stands beside his wife (in cape) before Mendenhall Glacier on July 10, 1923. To Mrs. Harding’s side is Alaska Territorial Gov. Scott Bone (with mustache) and his niece Marguerite Bone.

100 years ago Juneau got its first visit from a U.S. president — less than three weeks before his death

Warren G. Harding got a “21 discharges of dynamite” salute and Mendenhall Glacier tour during visit

Alaska State Library Historical Collection P418-3
President Warren G. Harding (with walking stick) stands beside his wife (in cape) before Mendenhall Glacier on July 10, 1923. To Mrs. Harding’s side is Alaska Territorial Gov. Scott Bone (with mustache) and his niece Marguerite Bone.
One of the two 60-passenger cars on the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway descends Mount Roberts in late May. The tram has been closed nearly every day since last Sunday due to mechanical issues, but a company official said the tram is expected to reopen Saturday. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)

Tram expected to reopen Saturday after closing for several days for repairs

Mechanical issues force halt of cable cars; Mount Roberts race on Saturday cancelled.

One of the two 60-passenger cars on the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway descends Mount Roberts in late May. The tram has been closed nearly every day since last Sunday due to mechanical issues, but a company official said the tram is expected to reopen Saturday. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)
A bus picks up visitors at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Friday morning. Local tourism companies are being forced to turn away tourists in Juneau seeking to visit the area this summer as commercial tourism limits are being reached rapidly. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘Unprecedented’ visitors at Mendenhall Glacier rapidly outpacing allowed capacity

Availability of commercial services likely to be reduced, public transportation negatively impacted.

A bus picks up visitors at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Friday morning. Local tourism companies are being forced to turn away tourists in Juneau seeking to visit the area this summer as commercial tourism limits are being reached rapidly. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Andre P. Lawrence is detained by police officers at a residence on Riverwood Drive on Friday morning. He was later arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man on Cinema Drive on Thursday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Suspect arrested following fatal shooting in Mendenhall Valley

Andre P. Lawrence was arrested on a first-degree murder charge Friday afternoon, police say.

Andre P. Lawrence is detained by police officers at a residence on Riverwood Drive on Friday morning. He was later arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man on Cinema Drive on Thursday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of an phone dialing 9-1-1. The Juneau Police Department’s 9-1-1 system is having technical issues preventing dispatchers from responding to calls as they come in. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau police 9-1-1 system experiencing technical issues

The issues were resolved later that evening, police say.

This is a photo of an phone dialing 9-1-1. The Juneau Police Department’s 9-1-1 system is having technical issues preventing dispatchers from responding to calls as they come in. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Hundreds walk the waterfront near Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza during the 2023 Juneau Maritime Festival in early May. City data revealed a total of 627,220 passengers have visited Juneau so far this cruise ship season and large ships in the last three months came in at 99% of their official capacity. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Hundreds walk the waterfront near Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza during the 2023 Juneau Maritime Festival in early May. City data revealed a total of 627,220 passengers have visited Juneau so far this cruise ship season and large ships in the last three months came in at 99% of their official capacity. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)