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Hecla Green’s Creek environment/surface operations manager Martin Stearns (left) listens to Angoon resident Floyd Kim express his opposition to the four alternatives for the Hecla Greens Creek Mine North Extension Project, of which includes expanding its 8.5-million-cubic yard disposal facility to hold up to an additional five million cubic yards of tailings and waste rock storage. Kim was among the around 15 residents who joined the meeting held Friday afternoon in Angoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Angoon residents speak out against Greens Creek Mine expansion

“We have no real power to stop what’s going on — even if we fight it seems to happen anyways.”

Hecla Green’s Creek environment/surface operations manager Martin Stearns (left) listens to Angoon resident Floyd Kim express his opposition to the four alternatives for the Hecla Greens Creek Mine North Extension Project, of which includes expanding its 8.5-million-cubic yard disposal facility to hold up to an additional five million cubic yards of tailings and waste rock storage. Kim was among the around 15 residents who joined the meeting held Friday afternoon in Angoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, left, offers her opinion during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Sunday about changes the committee made to a bill she’s sponsoring that would prevent state and municipal officials from closing stores that sell firearms during disaster declarations. The committee, which watered down some aspects of the original version, advanced the bill to a potential floor vote after a 50-minute hearing that featured heated public testimony both for and against the proposal. At right, state Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, presiding over the meeting as chair of the committee, denied the sudden hearing scheduled with less than a day’s notice is related to efforts to advance a bill of his that’s stalled in a House committee. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Gun legislation gets short-notice hearing on Mother’s Day

Senate holds expedited meeting to advance House Speaker’s bill lessening disaster restrictions.

State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, left, offers her opinion during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Sunday about changes the committee made to a bill she’s sponsoring that would prevent state and municipal officials from closing stores that sell firearms during disaster declarations. The committee, which watered down some aspects of the original version, advanced the bill to a potential floor vote after a 50-minute hearing that featured heated public testimony both for and against the proposal. At right, state Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, presiding over the meeting as chair of the committee, denied the sudden hearing scheduled with less than a day’s notice is related to efforts to advance a bill of his that’s stalled in a House committee. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Robert Myers, a North Pole Republican, smiles while on the Senate floor in early May. On Saturday the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill he sponsored that would require the state’s Department of Corrections to issue state IDs to anyone leaving the state’s custody who does not have one at the time of their release. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Bill to offer incarcerated people in Alaska state IDs upon release heads to governor

The House passed the bill unanimously Saturday afternoon.

Sen. Robert Myers, a North Pole Republican, smiles while on the Senate floor in early May. On Saturday the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill he sponsored that would require the state’s Department of Corrections to issue state IDs to anyone leaving the state’s custody who does not have one at the time of their release. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
This image shows the cover of Kate Troll’s new book, “All In Due Time: A Memoir of Siblings, Genealogy, Secrets and Love.” (Cirque Press)
Capital City Weekly

New book tells story of growing family and admiration

Kate Troll’s memoir details discovery of siblings and new appreciation of her mother.

This image shows the cover of Kate Troll’s new book, “All In Due Time: A Memoir of Siblings, Genealogy, Secrets and Love.” (Cirque Press)
A plane sits in brush on Fontaine Avenue at around 5:45 p.m. after a crash on Thursday, May 11, 2023, near Sterling, Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Alisha Joe)

No injuries reported after Sterling plane crash

Alaska State Troopers were notified of the crash at around 5:45 p.m. on Thursday

A plane sits in brush on Fontaine Avenue at around 5:45 p.m. after a crash on Thursday, May 11, 2023, near Sterling, Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Alisha Joe)
A marijuana plant is displayed in a cannabis shop. (Jeff Chiu/AP)

House OKs making some marijuana convictions private

Bill expanding court’s decision to limit public web access for minor offenses passes 36-4.

A marijuana plant is displayed in a cannabis shop. (Jeff Chiu/AP)
Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, center, House Majority Leader Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, right, and House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, talk to Rep. Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla, about his request to have a bill discharged from the House Judiciary Committee chaired by Vance. The request was the second for a bill during Friday’s floor session, based on the belief Vance would not allow the bills to advance beyond her committee, following a floor vote when a bill she sponsored related to boycotts involving Israel failed by a 20-20 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Tie vote on Israel discrimination bill sets off fury in House

Ban on public agencies contracting with companies boycotting Israel fails, may get revote Saturday.

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, center, House Majority Leader Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, right, and House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, talk to Rep. Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla, about his request to have a bill discharged from the House Judiciary Committee chaired by Vance. The request was the second for a bill during Friday’s floor session, based on the belief Vance would not allow the bills to advance beyond her committee, following a floor vote when a bill she sponsored related to boycotts involving Israel failed by a 20-20 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, Senate Rules Chair Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, and Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, discuss late-session budget negotiations with the House during a press conference late Thursday afternoon.

Legislature running out of time as big budget differences persist

“I’m not real optimistic that we can get something done by 121 days,” House Speaker says

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, Senate Rules Chair Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, and Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, discuss late-session budget negotiations with the House during a press conference late Thursday afternoon.
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Saturday, May 13, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Members of the Juneau Police Department stand at attention to honor fallen officers on Friday during the Alaska Peace Officers Association’s annual memorial service at Evergreen Cemetery. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

First responders gather to honor fallen officers

Alaska Peace Officers Association holds annual memorial service.

Members of the Juneau Police Department stand at attention to honor fallen officers on Friday during the Alaska Peace Officers Association’s annual memorial service at Evergreen Cemetery. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Alaska Airlines Juneau artist Crystal Kaakeeyáa Worl, who is Tlingit and Athabascan, poses with an Alaska Airlines 737-800 aircraft decorated with Worl’s latest work, Xáat Kwáani (Salmon People). Alaska Airlines held a unveiling ceremony on Friday, May 12 to welcome the plane into service.

Formline meets airline: Crystal Worl’s salmon-inspired design takes to the skies

Xáat Kwáani makes its inaugural flight.

Courtesy Photo / Alaska Airlines Juneau artist Crystal Kaakeeyáa Worl, who is Tlingit and Athabascan, poses with an Alaska Airlines 737-800 aircraft decorated with Worl’s latest work, Xáat Kwáani (Salmon People). Alaska Airlines held a unveiling ceremony on Friday, May 12 to welcome the plane into service.
The Mendenhall Glacier, Photo Point and Nugget Falls are seen under cloudy skies Friday morning. The trails and recreation area around these heavily visited destinations are poised to change following the release of a final environmental impact statement. The U.S. Forest Service’s preferred alternative would nearly double the recreation area’s capacity in anticipation of demand over the next 30 years. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Plan for Mendenhall Glacier area ditches motorboats

Forest Service’s preferred alternative outlined in new report.

The Mendenhall Glacier, Photo Point and Nugget Falls are seen under cloudy skies Friday morning. The trails and recreation area around these heavily visited destinations are poised to change following the release of a final environmental impact statement. The U.S. Forest Service’s preferred alternative would nearly double the recreation area’s capacity in anticipation of demand over the next 30 years. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Artist Liza McElroy of Seward, Alaska, recently sketched two moose in their summertime aquatic environment to illustrate this story. (Courtesy Image / Liza McElroy)

Alaska Science Forum: Why is a moose’s nose so big?

The more you nose.

Artist Liza McElroy of Seward, Alaska, recently sketched two moose in their summertime aquatic environment to illustrate this story. (Courtesy Image / Liza McElroy)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Friday, May 12, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The author's wife waits for a steelhead to hit. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: A solid skunking

But learning never stops and often happens best when reflecting upon failure.

The author's wife waits for a steelhead to hit. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Residents and community leaders fill the Assembly chambers during the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night. The Assembly made decisions on what community funding requests would receive funding and what would not. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Asked and answered: Assembly decides on community funding requests

Millions OK’d in the process.

Residents and community leaders fill the Assembly chambers during the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night. The Assembly made decisions on what community funding requests would receive funding and what would not. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State House members with wide-ranging views on a so-called “fentanyl bill,” including both of Juneau’s representatives, discuss proposed amendments during Wednesday’s floor session. Standing from left to right are Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, David Eastman, R-Wasilla, Andi Story, D-Juneau, and Alyse Galvin, D-Anchorage. The bill passed by a 35-5 vote Thursday, with Story voting in favor and Hannan against.

‘Fentanyl bill’ passes House

Some drug offenders causing death can be charged withg murder under governor’s proposal.

State House members with wide-ranging views on a so-called “fentanyl bill,” including both of Juneau’s representatives, discuss proposed amendments during Wednesday’s floor session. Standing from left to right are Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, David Eastman, R-Wasilla, Andi Story, D-Juneau, and Alyse Galvin, D-Anchorage. The bill passed by a 35-5 vote Thursday, with Story voting in favor and Hannan against.
File photo Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Man arrested after suspected ‘serious’ face and head assault to known woman

Alcohol appeared to be a factor, according to police.

File photo Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
An illustration by Alaska’s Lucas Elliott of characters in the mountains above Juneau is featured in a poster advertising this year’s Alaska Robotics MiniCon, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museum. Elliott is among more than 50 visiting artists who will present their works in a variety of events. (Illustration by Lucas Elliott courtesy of Alaska Robotics)

A big return for a mini-con

Annual comic convention is back with award-winning artists.

An illustration by Alaska’s Lucas Elliott of characters in the mountains above Juneau is featured in a poster advertising this year’s Alaska Robotics MiniCon, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museum. Elliott is among more than 50 visiting artists who will present their works in a variety of events. (Illustration by Lucas Elliott courtesy of Alaska Robotics)
A Transportation Security Administration officer checks luggage at the Juneau International Airport in March. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Washington man arrested on drug charges at airport

Police seize narcotics with an estimated value of $110,000.

A Transportation Security Administration officer checks luggage at the Juneau International Airport in March. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)