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(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, July 5, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Afternoon traffic is seen in downtown Fairbanks on March 1. Significant air-quality improvements have been achieved since 2010, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska and 9 other states threaten to sue EPA over wood-burning stove standards

State says EPA should focus on wood-stove certifications; agency also wants policy for power plants

Afternoon traffic is seen in downtown Fairbanks on March 1. Significant air-quality improvements have been achieved since 2010, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A complaint filed Wednesday with the Alaska Public Offices Commission alleges advocates of repealing the state’s open primary elections and ranked choice voting are violating numerous campaign disclosure laws. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Ranked choice repeal ‘church’ violating campaign laws, complaint alleges

Four organizations and two people leading repeal effort accused of “laundering donations”

A complaint filed Wednesday with the Alaska Public Offices Commission alleges advocates of repealing the state’s open primary elections and ranked choice voting are violating numerous campaign disclosure laws. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Local humpback whale Manunauna is seen this week with trailing yellow crab pot buoys and green satellite tag buoy. (NOAA Fisheries/Suzie Teerlink)

Two humpback whales reportedly entangled in fishing gear in Juneau area

Officials seek public assistance in reported sightings.

Local humpback whale Manunauna is seen this week with trailing yellow crab pot buoys and green satellite tag buoy. (NOAA Fisheries/Suzie Teerlink)
An empty hallway at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on July 20, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)

Study: To hire and keep teachers in remote Alaska, school districts need to pay a lot more

Districts that cannot pay high salaries need other solutions like improved working conditions.

An empty hallway at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on July 20, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)
Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed a two-year spending plan into law Wednesday in Madison, Wis. The budget was authored by Republicans who control the Legislature, but Evers used his partial veto powers to revise portions of it, including locking in annual education funding increases until the year 2425. (AP Photo/Harm Venhuizen)

Another state’s governor does a line-item veto of education funding — and increases it for 400 years

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed off on a two-year spending plan Wednesday after gutting a Republican tax cut and using his broad… Continue reading

Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed a two-year spending plan into law Wednesday in Madison, Wis. The budget was authored by Republicans who control the Legislature, but Evers used his partial veto powers to revise portions of it, including locking in annual education funding increases until the year 2425. (AP Photo/Harm Venhuizen)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, June 4, 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, June 3, 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 Sunday, July 2, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Cash isn’t going as far as it used to, but it’s losing value much less quickly so far this year, with an inflation rate of 3.1% in April, compared to an 8.1% rate for all of 2022, according to a state report released Wednesday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Statewide inflation down sharply so far this year, housing costs still rising

Alaska’s inflation at 3.1% in April after hitting 41-year high of 8.1% for 2022, state reports

Cash isn’t going as far as it used to, but it’s losing value much less quickly so far this year, with an inflation rate of 3.1% in April, compared to an 8.1% rate for all of 2022, according to a state report released Wednesday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau author and educator Aidan Key smiles for a photo in the Mendenhall Valley Wednesday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau author’s debut book on supporting transgender students gains national recognition

Aidan Key’s “Trans Children In Today’s Schools” offers guidance in face of anti-LGBTQ+ policies.

Juneau author and educator Aidan Key smiles for a photo in the Mendenhall Valley Wednesday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Children pick up sand dollars on Sandy Beach on July 3. The end of this week is expected to be ideal beach weather with near-record temperatures forecast in Juneau and elsewhere in Southeast Alaska. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire File)

Heat wave expected Friday

Temperatures not expected to break Juneau’s all-time high of 90F set on July 7, 1975.

Children pick up sand dollars on Sandy Beach on July 3. The end of this week is expected to be ideal beach weather with near-record temperatures forecast in Juneau and elsewhere in Southeast Alaska. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire File)
A sign for a store that accepts food stamps and exchange benefits transfer cards is seen in this 2019 photo. Ten Alaskans are suing the state over its failure to provide food stamps within the time frames required by federal law. (Photo by Scott Heins/Getty Images)

New data shows measurable progress on Alaska’s food stamp backlog

The division of state government that handles food stamps has made progress in eliminating the backlog of thousands of Alaskans waiting for aid, but it… Continue reading

A sign for a store that accepts food stamps and exchange benefits transfer cards is seen in this 2019 photo. Ten Alaskans are suing the state over its failure to provide food stamps within the time frames required by federal law. (Photo by Scott Heins/Getty Images)
Photos by Mary F. Willson Female goatsbeard flowers, left, are less conspicuous, so the inflorescence is less decorative. Male goatsbeard flowers, right, have visible stamens and slightly larger petals than females, making the inflorescence showy.

On the Trails: Cowee Meadows

On a cool, gray day just after the sunny summer solstice, a group of friends set out to enjoy the annual Cowee Meadow flower show.… Continue reading

Photos by Mary F. Willson Female goatsbeard flowers, left, are less conspicuous, so the inflorescence is less decorative. Male goatsbeard flowers, right, have visible stamens and slightly larger petals than females, making the inflorescence showy.
Leadonna Castillo crosses the finish line during the Final Soapbox Challenge Tuesday afternoon down St. Ann’s Avenue in Douglas. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Hot dogs, box cars and pie mark the Fourth of July in Douglas

Island fun.

Leadonna Castillo crosses the finish line during the Final Soapbox Challenge Tuesday afternoon down St. Ann’s Avenue in Douglas. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Ati-Atihan Juneau Group proceeds down Egan Drive during Juneau’s annual Fourth of July parade on Tuesday. The group won the top overall prize among parade participants. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

An Independence Day tribute to the seen and unseen

‘Voices of Alaska’ theme at this year’s Juneau parade an opportunity ‘for every voice to be heard’

The Ati-Atihan Juneau Group proceeds down Egan Drive during Juneau’s annual Fourth of July parade on Tuesday. The group won the top overall prize among parade participants. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Fireworks boom above “Tahku” the whale sculpture and downtown during the annual Fourth of July firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau celebrates the Fourth of July

Bright lights in the big city.

Fireworks boom above “Tahku” the whale sculpture and downtown during the annual Fourth of July firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Children participate in a watermelon eating contest Monday evening at a community picnic at Sandy Beach in Douglas. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire)

Celebrating the freedom to begin Fourth festivities early

Watermelon-eating contests, sand dollar search add flavor to beach picnic on eve of Independence Day

Children participate in a watermelon eating contest Monday evening at a community picnic at Sandy Beach in Douglas. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire)
Jim Dalman and his granddaughter Devlin, 6, decorate a bicycle in the Douglas Library parking garage Saturday during the annual pre-July 4 gathering to prepare for the Children’s Parade on Independence Day. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire)

Gearing up for the Fourth of July

Red, white and blue abound as kids deck out their rides in Douglas.

Jim Dalman and his granddaughter Devlin, 6, decorate a bicycle in the Douglas Library parking garage Saturday during the annual pre-July 4 gathering to prepare for the Children’s Parade on Independence Day. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Bridget Weiss discusses her 39-year career in public education on Thursday, her second-to-last day as superintendent of the Juneau School District, in a break room at Thunder Mountain High School.

Wise last lessons from Weiss

Former superintendent looks back at 39-year K-12 career, ahead to new job inspiring future teachers.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Bridget Weiss discusses her 39-year career in public education on Thursday, her second-to-last day as superintendent of the Juneau School District, in a break room at Thunder Mountain High School.