Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in which options for a long-range fiscal plan were discussed. Dunleavy said in the coming days, he expects a sales tax proposal to be drafted and that a special session to create long-term plan is possible. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in which options for a long-range fiscal plan were discussed. Dunleavy said in the coming days, he expects a sales tax proposal to be drafted and that a special session to create long-term plan is possible. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Authorities respond Wednesday evening to a fatal two-vehicle crash at Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police seek more info on fatal crash

Investigation continues into two-vehicle collision at Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive.

Authorities respond Wednesday evening to a fatal two-vehicle crash at Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Michelle Bonnet Hale, Greg Smith and Christine Woll listen to discussion Wednesday night from other Assembly members about the community funding requests for the 2023 fiscal year budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Several community asks are on the outs following Wednesday night city meeting

Assembly members makes some tough calls as it works through the budget process.

From left to right, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Michelle Bonnet Hale, Greg Smith and Christine Woll listen to discussion Wednesday night from other Assembly members about the community funding requests for the 2023 fiscal year budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
2Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, of the House Judiciary Committee listen to Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Executive Director Robert Corbisier explain why his agency is seeking changes to its name and duties, including exempting religious and other nonprofit organizations from anti-discrimination workplace rules. A bill making those changes got its first hearing by the committee Wednesday about an hour after it was introduced on the House floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bill seeks to allow workplace discrimination by religious, nonprofit organizations

State human rights commission seeking change after eliminating LGBTQ+ protections

2Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, of the House Judiciary Committee listen to Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Executive Director Robert Corbisier explain why his agency is seeking changes to its name and duties, including exempting religious and other nonprofit organizations from anti-discrimination workplace rules. A bill making those changes got its first hearing by the committee Wednesday about an hour after it was introduced on the House floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows an Aleutian tern. Intentionally scheduled during the “slow season” to help boost the economy between the steelhead and sockeye runs, the Yakutat Tern Festival is a celebration of Yakutat’s natural and cultural resources, highlighted by the area’s Aleutian terns. The Yakutat Nature Society will host the 12th Annual Yakutat Tern Festival in Yakutat, from June 1 through June 4 — with a more robust schedule of events compared to recent years. (Courtesy Photo / Nate Catterson)

12th Annual Yakutat Tern Festival is not just for the birds

Southeast Alaska Birding Trail & Guide offers regenerative ways to see state, boost rural economies.

This photo shows an Aleutian tern. Intentionally scheduled during the “slow season” to help boost the economy between the steelhead and sockeye runs, the Yakutat Tern Festival is a celebration of Yakutat’s natural and cultural resources, highlighted by the area’s Aleutian terns. The Yakutat Nature Society will host the 12th Annual Yakutat Tern Festival in Yakutat, from June 1 through June 4 — with a more robust schedule of events compared to recent years. (Courtesy Photo / Nate Catterson)
A moose walks into the lobby of the Kenai Cinemas in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Photo courtesy Kenai Cinemas)

Video of movie theater moose encounter goes viral

As of Tuesday evening, the video had amassed more than 2.3 million views on TikTok

A moose walks into the lobby of the Kenai Cinemas in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Photo courtesy Kenai Cinemas)
A line of vehicles responds to the scene of a fatal wreck at Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road. The two-vehicle crash involved a car and a truck. Three people in critical condition were taken to the hospital after the wreck, and one person died at the scene, according to Juneau Police Department. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police investigate wreck after one dead, three injured

Authorities say avoid Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive.

A line of vehicles responds to the scene of a fatal wreck at Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road. The two-vehicle crash involved a car and a truck. Three people in critical condition were taken to the hospital after the wreck, and one person died at the scene, according to Juneau Police Department. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, April 27, 2023

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

  • Apr 27, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire 
Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, exchanges words with Rep. CJ McCormick, D-Bethel, before Wednesday’s House floor session. The two legislators were on opposite sides of a 4-3 House Education Committee vote earlier during the morning to advance a bill restricting references to sex and gender in public schools, with Allard supporting the bill and McCormick opposing.

‘Parental rights’ bill expanded to require parents’ OK for entire curriculum

Legislation restricting sex and gender references in schools advances out of first committee.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire 
Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, exchanges words with Rep. CJ McCormick, D-Bethel, before Wednesday’s House floor session. The two legislators were on opposite sides of a 4-3 House Education Committee vote earlier during the morning to advance a bill restricting references to sex and gender in public schools, with Allard supporting the bill and McCormick opposing.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Senate Finance Committee co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, right, listens to Sealaska Corp. Board Chair Joe Nelson testify about the committee’s proposed budget during a hearing April 20.

Revised Senate budget contains smaller education increase, $1,300 PFD

Finance Committee proposing one-time $680 per-pupil boost in attempt to avoid deficit

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Senate Finance Committee co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, right, listens to Sealaska Corp. Board Chair Joe Nelson testify about the committee’s proposed budget during a hearing April 20.
Stripped sections of bark and hardened drops of tree sap are seen on May 24, 2018, on trees near Big Lake that are infested with bark beetles. That kind of damage kills infested spruce trees. (Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)

House-passed bill would trim the time needed for Alaska loggers to cut state-owned forests

Measure could reduce wildfire risks, but critics worry about overuse by the state agency in charge.

Stripped sections of bark and hardened drops of tree sap are seen on May 24, 2018, on trees near Big Lake that are infested with bark beetles. That kind of damage kills infested spruce trees. (Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)
JDHS’ Gloria Bixby slides safe into second base and under the tag of TMHS’ Jenna Dobson during the first inning of a drizzly Friday night game against Thunder Mountain High School in May 2021 that raised money for mental health. TMHS and JDHS both will be participating in the Paint it Pink Cancer Awareness games on Saturday, May 13 along with Ketchikan and Sitka high schools at Melvin Park and Dimond Park Field No. 4 (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
JDHS’ Gloria Bixby slides safe into second base and under the tag of TMHS’ Jenna Dobson during the first inning of a drizzly Friday night game against Thunder Mountain High School in May 2021 that raised money for mental health. TMHS and JDHS both will be participating in the Paint it Pink Cancer Awareness games on Saturday, May 13 along with Ketchikan and Sitka high schools at Melvin Park and Dimond Park Field No. 4 (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, talks with a guest page on the House floor Wednesday morning. Story, a member of the House Education Committee, was among the members in the minority who expressed concern a bill giving teachers end-of-year bonuses will be used by House leaders to avoid a larger and more general increase to public school funding this session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A step forward for teacher bonuses, a step back for a BSA increase

House committee advances year-end educator payments, but outlook for school funding boost dims

Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, talks with a guest page on the House floor Wednesday morning. Story, a member of the House Education Committee, was among the members in the minority who expressed concern a bill giving teachers end-of-year bonuses will be used by House leaders to avoid a larger and more general increase to public school funding this session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department is asking the community to assist in identifying a man who allegedly threw a large rock at a police patrol vehicle windshield at around 2:30 a.m. on April 16. This is a picture shared by police of the the man wearing an orange cap and gray hoody as seen in surveillance footage. (Juneau Police Department)

Police seek help identifying man who allegedly threw a rock at a patrol vehicle

JPD shared images of the man wearing an orange cap and gray hoody.

The Juneau Police Department is asking the community to assist in identifying a man who allegedly threw a large rock at a police patrol vehicle windshield at around 2:30 a.m. on April 16. This is a picture shared by police of the the man wearing an orange cap and gray hoody as seen in surveillance footage. (Juneau Police Department)
The author's steelhead was not in the mood for pictures. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: One good fish

Often it’s the thinking that supplies the proper amount of weight and gratitude.

The author's steelhead was not in the mood for pictures. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
From left to right, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Carole Triem, Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Wade Bryson listen to City Clerk Beth McEwen as she speaks about election code changes Monday night at the Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting where member’s OK’d the city to move an ordinance to make vote-by-mail elections the default in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City moves to make vote-by-mail elections the default in Juneau

The ordinances are set to be introduced in May and open for public hearing in June.

From left to right, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Carole Triem, Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Wade Bryson listen to City Clerk Beth McEwen as she speaks about election code changes Monday night at the Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting where member’s OK’d the city to move an ordinance to make vote-by-mail elections the default in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Haines man arrested at Juneau airport on drug charges

A Haines man was arrested Tuesday night on drug charges at the Juneau International Airport under the suspicion of transporting controlled substances from Washington state,… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
University of Alaska Southeast freshman Micheal Bethel paints a piece titled “Parents” on Friday while at an art gallery hosted Friday evening at UAS that showcased students’ work from the UAS Northwest Coast Art program. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska Southeast freshman Micheal Bethel paints a piece titled “Parents” on Friday while at an art gallery hosted Friday evening at UAS that showcased students’ work from the UAS Northwest Coast Art program. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A welcome song is played and sang by Tulalip performers during a Road to Healing event at the Tulalip Gathering Hall in Marysville, Washington on Sunday, April 23, 2023. The tour is lead by United States Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Cabinet secretary visits Tulalip to listen to boarding school survivors

“Federal Indian boarding school policies have touched every Indigenous person I know,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said Sunday.

A welcome song is played and sang by Tulalip performers during a Road to Healing event at the Tulalip Gathering Hall in Marysville, Washington on Sunday, April 23, 2023. The tour is lead by United States Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The students and instructors of the University of Alaska Southeast’s Policy & Procedure Practicum course in the lobby of Anchorage’s Egan Center while attending the Federal Subsistence Board Meeting during the first week of February. (Lee House / Sitka Conservation Society)

Resilient Peoples & Place: Bringing the next generation’s voices to the table

“Getting engaged starts at the kitchen table with what you’re feeding your family.”

The students and instructors of the University of Alaska Southeast’s Policy & Procedure Practicum course in the lobby of Anchorage’s Egan Center while attending the Federal Subsistence Board Meeting during the first week of February. (Lee House / Sitka Conservation Society)