(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Friday, May 26

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A newly hatched bald eagle chick is attended to by an adult. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Springtime fun and signs of new life

When spring finally came, it came in a rush. Cottonwood and alder leaves fairly leaped from the buds and grew rapidly toward full size. I… Continue reading

A newly hatched bald eagle chick is attended to by an adult. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
A student touches her tassel as she greets family members during the entrance procession of the graduation ceremony at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘We figured out how to stay together’: Commonalities at core of JDHS graduation

Ceremony was a show of promise for JDHS graduating seniors.

A student touches her tassel as she greets family members during the entrance procession of the graduation ceremony at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School Senior Class President Mackenzie Olver shakes hands with Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss after receiving her diploma at the 2023 graduation ceremony Sunday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Strength and resiliency: Thunder Mountain celebrates graduates of 2023 class

“Each one of you matters and each one of your lives affects so many others.”

Thunder Mountain High School Senior Class President Mackenzie Olver shakes hands with Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss after receiving her diploma at the 2023 graduation ceremony Sunday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Kaydence Ernzen sheds tears of joy after getting a surprise call from her father minutes after she graduated from Yaakoosgé Daakahídi High School on Sunday. Her father was in the Philippines on the day of the ceremony as Ernzen graduated months earlier than originally anticipated. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Yaakoosgé Daakahídi graduation: ‘Small and mighty’

Stories of all 31 seniors at alternative high school shared by staff who know them best

Kaydence Ernzen sheds tears of joy after getting a surprise call from her father minutes after she graduated from Yaakoosgé Daakahídi High School on Sunday. Her father was in the Philippines on the day of the ceremony as Ernzen graduated months earlier than originally anticipated. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks on the Senate floor May 16. His bill allowing disabled military veterans to receive free fur-trapping licenses was signed into law last week by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Kiehl’s bill granting free fur-trapping licenses to disabled veterans becomes law

Local senator’s proposal that passed Legislature 59-0 signed by governor just before Memorial Day

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks on the Senate floor May 16. His bill allowing disabled military veterans to receive free fur-trapping licenses was signed into law last week by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys soccer team pose with their championship trophy after defeating Soldotna 4-0 for the ASAA DII Boys Soccer State Championship, Saturday, at West Anchorage High School (Courtesy Photo / JDHS Soccer)

JDHS boys win state soccer crown

Crimson Bears own pitch against Soldotna

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys soccer team pose with their championship trophy after defeating Soldotna 4-0 for the ASAA DII Boys Soccer State Championship, Saturday, at West Anchorage High School (Courtesy Photo / JDHS Soccer)
The Sun shines on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, May 27, 2023. House negotiators left the Capitol in the early hours of Saturday without a debt limit deal with the White House. They’re expected to return later in hopes of reaching an agreement over the holiday weekend. (AP Photo / Patrick Semansky)

Biden, GOP reach tentative deal to raise debt ceiling, avoid calamitous U.S. default

Agreement risks angering both Democratic and Republican sides.

  • May 27, 2023
  • By Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Zeke Miller and Kevin Freking Associated Press
  • Nation-World
The Sun shines on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, May 27, 2023. House negotiators left the Capitol in the early hours of Saturday without a debt limit deal with the White House. They’re expected to return later in hopes of reaching an agreement over the holiday weekend. (AP Photo / Patrick Semansky)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Feltleaf willow leaves emerge beneath where a moose nipped off buds during winter of 2022-2023 in Fairbanks. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Feltleaf willow leaves emerge beneath where a moose nipped off buds during winter of 2022-2023 in Fairbanks. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
This photo was taken at Point Bridget State Park. (Courtesy Photo / Nicholette Villarreal)

Wild Shots

Reader-submitted photos of Mother Nature in Southeast Alaska.

This photo was taken at Point Bridget State Park. (Courtesy Photo / Nicholette Villarreal)
The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Matthew Murray, an attorney representing the Alaska State Employees Association, presents the union’s arguments in its lawsuit against the Dunleavy administration to the Alaska Supreme Court on Oct. 13, 2022. (Screenshot from Gavel Alaska livestream)

Dunleavy illegally altered rules for union dues, state supreme court rules

Nearly $450,000 in damages and costs awarded to ASEA as judgement in 2019 lawsuit upheld

Matthew Murray, an attorney representing the Alaska State Employees Association, presents the union’s arguments in its lawsuit against the Dunleavy administration to the Alaska Supreme Court on Oct. 13, 2022. (Screenshot from Gavel Alaska livestream)
File Photo

Washington woman arrested for sourcing drugs distributed to Juneau in 2022

“I think this will make a difference in the amount of drugs flowing into our community.”

File Photo
A member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, places flags in front of each headstone for "Flags-In" at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Thursday, May 25, 2023, to honor the Nation's fallen military heroes ahead of Memorial Day. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

A Memorial Day explainer

Plus, what’s happening in Juneau on Monday.

  • May 26, 2023
  • By Ben Finley Associated Press
  • Events
A member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, places flags in front of each headstone for "Flags-In" at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Thursday, May 25, 2023, to honor the Nation's fallen military heroes ahead of Memorial Day. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)
Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

What’s next for the most debated bills pending in the Legislature?

Education funding increase, “parental rights” and other proposals will resurface next year.

Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
This combination image shows senior students Kiley Morris, 18, of Thunder Mountain High School, Helen John, 17, of Yaakoosgé Daakahídi High School, and Krishna Bathija, 18, of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Each is scheduled to speak at their respective graduation ceremonies on Sunday. (Photos by Juneau Empire staff)

3 on ‘23: Graduating seniors discuss past lessons and future plans

Students among speakers at Juneau’s three high school ceremonies Sunday

This combination image shows senior students Kiley Morris, 18, of Thunder Mountain High School, Helen John, 17, of Yaakoosgé Daakahídi High School, and Krishna Bathija, 18, of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Each is scheduled to speak at their respective graduation ceremonies on Sunday. (Photos by Juneau Empire staff)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Police investigate assault in Lemon Creek area

“JPD does not believe there is any danger to the public at large.”

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
An employee at Barnacle Foods in Juneau chops up bull kelp as it makes it was down a conveyor belt. The company is among many in Alaska seeking to use kelp for a variety of commercial and scientific purposes.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Seeking the rich rewards of sustainability

Economic as well as environmental prospects emphasized at second annual energy conference

An employee at Barnacle Foods in Juneau chops up bull kelp as it makes it was down a conveyor belt. The company is among many in Alaska seeking to use kelp for a variety of commercial and scientific purposes.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Students from the Tlingit culture, language and literacy program at Harborview Elementary School dance in front of elders during the program’s in early February. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Students from the Tlingit culture, language and literacy program at Harborview Elementary School dance in front of elders during the program’s in early February. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)