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City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Waahlaal Giidaak Barbara Blake (left) fans herself while sitting next to Carole Triem (right) during a warm Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday evening. The City and Borough of Juneau narrowly approved funding for a plan that could offer up to six weeks of paid-parental leave to city employees. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City funds parental leave incentive for employees

A current proposal suggests six weeks of leaves for municipal parents.

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Waahlaal Giidaak Barbara Blake (left) fans herself while sitting next to Carole Triem (right) during a warm Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday evening. The City and Borough of Juneau narrowly approved funding for a plan that could offer up to six weeks of paid-parental leave to city employees. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, May 11, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Angela Harris (center) gives testimony Wednesday on Senate bill 53 to the House Judiciary Committee while she sits next to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Matt Claman, an Anchorage Democrat (right) and a member of his staff, Emma Potter (left) Harris survived a stabbing by a known offender who was released because of his incompetence to face criminal charges. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bill allowing up to 2 years of involuntary commitment in psychiatric facilities advances in Legislature

Senate passed the bill 14-6 on Monday, House heard testimony on Wednesday.

Angela Harris (center) gives testimony Wednesday on Senate bill 53 to the House Judiciary Committee while she sits next to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Matt Claman, an Anchorage Democrat (right) and a member of his staff, Emma Potter (left) Harris survived a stabbing by a known offender who was released because of his incompetence to face criminal charges. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
On a visit to Pokai Bay, Cruz shares the significance of the ancestral lands where she lives, on the Waianae coast of O’ahu. Cruz speaks to the battle that her community is enduring to protect their lands and leads prayers with the visitors from Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Lauren Tanel)
Capital City Weekly

Resilient Peoples & Place: Cultural healing mission bonds Indigenous peoples across the Pacific

Tucked amongst the endless array of fog-coated islands that make up the Tongass National Forest, on the northwest edge of Kupreanof Island, is the small… Continue reading

On a visit to Pokai Bay, Cruz shares the significance of the ancestral lands where she lives, on the Waianae coast of O’ahu. Cruz speaks to the battle that her community is enduring to protect their lands and leads prayers with the visitors from Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Lauren Tanel)
Firefighters respond Monday evening to the site of a structure fire on Meander Way. Three people and a dog made it out of the residence without suffering injuries, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue Fire Marshal Dan Jager, but a cat was determined to be deceased as a result of the blaze. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Investigation continues into structure fire

3 people and a dog escaped the blaze, but a cat did not.

Firefighters respond Monday evening to the site of a structure fire on Meander Way. Three people and a dog made it out of the residence without suffering injuries, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue Fire Marshal Dan Jager, but a cat was determined to be deceased as a result of the blaze. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Virginia Behrends, a parent of four student in the Juneau School District, sits next to Ted Wilson, district director of Teaching and Learning Support, as she share’s public testimony as the board of education discussed a proposal for a once-weekly change to school start times beginning in the fall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

District considers late start on Wednesdays starting next school year

The 30-minute delay will allow for teacher’s to meet together for professional development.

Virginia Behrends, a parent of four student in the Juneau School District, sits next to Ted Wilson, district director of Teaching and Learning Support, as she share’s public testimony as the board of education discussed a proposal for a once-weekly change to school start times beginning in the fall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, May 10, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday votes 29-31 to reject Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s nomination of Bethany Marcum to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. She was the only nominee among dozens not to be confirmed. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Legislature rejects Marcum for UA Regents

Impassioned speeches made ahead of 29-31 vote.

A joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday votes 29-31 to reject Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s nomination of Bethany Marcum to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. She was the only nominee among dozens not to be confirmed. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This Monday evening photo shows the Savikko Park playground on South Douglas. The playground is set to be replaced throughout the summer as a part of the City and Borough of Juneau’s park improvement project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

New playground, improvements slated for Savikko Park

Construction at the park will begin Wednesday and last through August, city officials say.

This Monday evening photo shows the Savikko Park playground on South Douglas. The playground is set to be replaced throughout the summer as a part of the City and Borough of Juneau’s park improvement project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Spruce tip, Fireweed blend jelly. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: Postcards from the Rainforest

If your hometown could talk, they asked, what would it say?

Spruce tip, Fireweed blend jelly. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
A line of electric-assisted bicycle sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor in February. On Monday the Senate passed a bill that would to regulate e-bikes under the same regulations as normal bicycles. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Senate passes bill defining e-bikes the same as bicycles in Alaska

The increasingly popular way to ride is currently undefined in state law.

A line of electric-assisted bicycle sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor in February. On Monday the Senate passed a bill that would to regulate e-bikes under the same regulations as normal bicycles. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
President Joe Biden talks with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., on the House steps as they leave after attending an annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon gathering at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 17, 2023. Facing the risk of a government default as soon as June 1, President Joe Biden has invited the top four congressional leaders to a White House meeting for talks on Tuesday, May 9. (AP File Photo / Alex Brandon)

McCarthy: Debt deal needed next week to avoid default

Remarks come ahead of high-stakes meeting.

  • May 9, 2023
  • By Zeke Miller, Seung Min Kim, Josh Boak and Lisa Mascaro Associated Press
  • Nation-World
President Joe Biden talks with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., on the House steps as they leave after attending an annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon gathering at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 17, 2023. Facing the risk of a government default as soon as June 1, President Joe Biden has invited the top four congressional leaders to a White House meeting for talks on Tuesday, May 9. (AP File Photo / Alex Brandon)
E. Jean Carroll arrives at Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in New York. A jury in New York City is set to begin deliberations in a civil trial over Carroll’s claims that Donald Trump raped her in a luxury Manhattan department store.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards accuser $5M

Verdict announced in a federal courtroom in New York City on the first day of jury deliberations.

E. Jean Carroll arrives at Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in New York. A jury in New York City is set to begin deliberations in a civil trial over Carroll’s claims that Donald Trump raped her in a luxury Manhattan department store.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Snow covers the gondola that the City and Borough of Juneau purchased from Galsterberg Ski Area in Austria as it sits scattered in the snow outside Eaglecrest Ski Area in February. At Monday night’s Assembly meeting the Assembly approved a deal in which Goldbelt Inc. will invest $10 million toward the installation and construction of the gondola project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Gondola project to get $10M boost by July

Assembly OKs revised revenue agreement with Goldbelt, construction expected next summer

Snow covers the gondola that the City and Borough of Juneau purchased from Galsterberg Ski Area in Austria as it sits scattered in the snow outside Eaglecrest Ski Area in February. At Monday night’s Assembly meeting the Assembly approved a deal in which Goldbelt Inc. will invest $10 million toward the installation and construction of the gondola project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Fallen trees line the beginning of the West Douglas Pioneer Road in late April. On Monday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted to reject a proposal for the second time from a local company that sought to gain access to provide electric-assisted bicycle tours on the city-owned gravel road. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Assembly votes down proposed Pioneer Road e-bike tours — again

The proposal was orginally rejected in late April.

Fallen trees line the beginning of the West Douglas Pioneer Road in late April. On Monday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted to reject a proposal for the second time from a local company that sought to gain access to provide electric-assisted bicycle tours on the city-owned gravel road. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, May 9, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Firefighters were called Monday evening to the site of a structure fire on Meander Way. Three human occupants and a dog made it out of the residence without suffering injuries, according to Capital Citer Fire/Rescue Fire Marshal Dan Jager, but a cate that was inside the home at the time of the fire was unaccounted for immediately after firefighters extinguished the blaze. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Fire causes extensive damage to Mendenhall Valley area residence

Intentional cause not ruled out, according to fire marshal.

Firefighters were called Monday evening to the site of a structure fire on Meander Way. Three human occupants and a dog made it out of the residence without suffering injuries, according to Capital Citer Fire/Rescue Fire Marshal Dan Jager, but a cate that was inside the home at the time of the fire was unaccounted for immediately after firefighters extinguished the blaze. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, and House Rules Committee Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, talk to reporters in the speaker’s office Friday afternoon about the House’s priorities during the last 13 days of this year’s scheduled legislative session. Both legislators said a cap on spending is a priority of the Republican-led House majority as the budget for next year and the size of this year’s Permanent Fund dividend remain the biggest unresolved issues. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

House Speaker declares spending cap a priority

Budget-cutting measure has ties to Senate’s plan to reduce PFDs — but it’s not a trade-off, leaders say

State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, and House Rules Committee Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, talk to reporters in the speaker’s office Friday afternoon about the House’s priorities during the last 13 days of this year’s scheduled legislative session. Both legislators said a cap on spending is a priority of the Republican-led House majority as the budget for next year and the size of this year’s Permanent Fund dividend remain the biggest unresolved issues. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, explains the details of his bill banning PFAS chemicals for most firefighting during the Senate floor session on Monday. The bill passed unanimously and now goes to the House for consideration. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Kiehl’s ‘no new spills’ PFAS bill passes Senate

Unanimous vote comes after years of effort by Juneau lawmaker to limit harm of “forever chemicals”

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, explains the details of his bill banning PFAS chemicals for most firefighting during the Senate floor session on Monday. The bill passed unanimously and now goes to the House for consideration. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Bethany Marcum, executive director of the Alaska Policy Forum, responds to questions from the Senate Education Committee on March 14 about her nomination to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. Her organization’s conservative policies, including backing a budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that proposed a 40% cut to the university system, made her one of the most controversial nominees who will be considered during a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers raise questions ahead of joint Legislative confirmation session

UA Regents nominee among those expected to face opposition in Tuesday’s votes.

Bethany Marcum, executive director of the Alaska Policy Forum, responds to questions from the Senate Education Committee on March 14 about her nomination to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. Her organization’s conservative policies, including backing a budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that proposed a 40% cut to the university system, made her one of the most controversial nominees who will be considered during a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)