News

This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. The Biden administration is weighing approval of a major oil project on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope that supporters say represents an economic lifeline for Indigenous communities in the region but environmentalists say is counter to Biden’s climate goals. A decision on ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Willow project, in a federal oil reserve roughly the size of Indiana, could come by early March 2023. (ConocoPhillips)

Biden faces dilemma in fight over Willow project

A decision could come by early March.

This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. The Biden administration is weighing approval of a major oil project on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope that supporters say represents an economic lifeline for Indigenous communities in the region but environmentalists say is counter to Biden’s climate goals. A decision on ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Willow project, in a federal oil reserve roughly the size of Indiana, could come by early March 2023. (ConocoPhillips)
Five Bohemian waxwings rest on a snowy branch between bouts of feeding. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Variable sightings and weather in winter

Winter is an odd time of year here.

Five Bohemian waxwings rest on a snowy branch between bouts of feeding. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
A map shows the salary for Alaska’s governor of $145,000 a year is midrange compared to other states. A proposal rejected by the state Senate that would raise the governor’s salary to about $176,000, which would rank 10th among states rather than the current ranking of 28th. (Sources: Book of the States, Ballotpedia)

Pay hikes for governor, other executive branch leaders, nixed by Senate

Increase would make Dunleavy 10th highest paid in U.S. instead of 28th; House rejection also likely

A map shows the salary for Alaska’s governor of $145,000 a year is midrange compared to other states. A proposal rejected by the state Senate that would raise the governor’s salary to about $176,000, which would rank 10th among states rather than the current ranking of 28th. (Sources: Book of the States, Ballotpedia)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023

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

  • Feb 28, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Southeast Alaska Food Bank director Chris Schapp separates cans of salmon on Monday donated by SeaShare based out of Washington state. Thanks to a recent announcement from the Alaska State Department of Health, Schapp’s food bank will be one of four food banks to receive much needed financial assistance.

State announces raft of actions to address food stamp backlog

Funds for local food banks, automatic renewals are among the measures.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Southeast Alaska Food Bank director Chris Schapp separates cans of salmon on Monday donated by SeaShare based out of Washington state. Thanks to a recent announcement from the Alaska State Department of Health, Schapp’s food bank will be one of four food banks to receive much needed financial assistance.
FILE - New graduates walk into the High Point Solutions Stadium before the start of the Rutgers University graduation ceremony in Piscataway Township, N.J., on May 13, 2018. The Supreme Court is about to hear arguments over President Joe Biden’s student debt relief plan. It’s a plan that impacts millions of borrowers who could see their loans wiped away or reduced. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)

Explaining the arguments in the Supreme Court student loan case

Where things stand ahead of the hearing as well as what to expect:

FILE - New graduates walk into the High Point Solutions Stadium before the start of the Rutgers University graduation ceremony in Piscataway Township, N.J., on May 13, 2018. The Supreme Court is about to hear arguments over President Joe Biden’s student debt relief plan. It’s a plan that impacts millions of borrowers who could see their loans wiped away or reduced. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)
Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014.

Aurora Forecast

Forecasts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute for the week of Feb. 26

  • Feb 26, 2023
Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014.
Black Awareness Association president Sherry Patterson and her son and evening’s emcee Michael Patterson address a full crowd after leading a prayer at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Saturday during Rise, a Black History Month celebration. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Rise shines in return after 5-year break

Black Awareness Association event and fundraiser held again.

Black Awareness Association president Sherry Patterson and her son and evening’s emcee Michael Patterson address a full crowd after leading a prayer at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Saturday during Rise, a Black History Month celebration. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Scott Kawasaki, in a hallway in the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 16 holds up the strip showing he has tested negative for COVID-19. Kawasaki said he opted to take a test that day. (Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)

COVID-19 creeps back into Alaska’s Capitol

Voluntary testing, other precautionary measures enacted due to multitude of cases

State Sen. Scott Kawasaki, in a hallway in the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 16 holds up the strip showing he has tested negative for COVID-19. Kawasaki said he opted to take a test that day. (Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)
Snow blankets the landscape along the Montana Creek Trail Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

14.3 inches of snow in Juneau sets new record

Total recorded over 24 hours at airport, breaks 1967 mark of 9 inches for Feb. 24.

Snow blankets the landscape along the Montana Creek Trail Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023

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

  • Feb 25, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police: 2 arrested after 5,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills, fentanyl seized

Juneau man and woman arrested on felony charges.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Six Ukrainians who are living in Juneau get a round of applause from state Senators and guests during a floor session Friday, the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, introduced the families and read a collective statement from the families thanking locals who have helped resettlement efforts and asking for continuing support of their homeland. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Ukrainians get Capitol welcome on war anniversary

Six of the people living in Juneau after fleeing war-torn homeland get standing ovation from Senate

Six Ukrainians who are living in Juneau get a round of applause from state Senators and guests during a floor session Friday, the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, introduced the families and read a collective statement from the families thanking locals who have helped resettlement efforts and asking for continuing support of their homeland. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
City Finance Director Jeff Rogers speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce in 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

City finance director to leave post

Jeff Rogers said he expects to depart sometime this summer

City Finance Director Jeff Rogers speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce in 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell A tiny bird tooth — 73 million years old — found in bluffs of the Colville River. Lauren Keller carried this sample to her presentation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Alaska Science Forum: Birds in Alaska, 70 million years ago

They’re no spring chickens.

Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell A tiny bird tooth — 73 million years old — found in bluffs of the Colville River. Lauren Keller carried this sample to her presentation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Jamiann S’eiltin Hasselquist prepares to lead a group of protesters into the office of state Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, at midday Friday. The protest Hasselquist helped organize was in response to questions Eastman asked during a committee hearing Monday about possible economic benefits of dead absued children. A staff member declined to tell the protesters if Eastman was in his office.

Protesters denounce Eastman’s child abuse questions

State representative, censured for asking if dead children save money, subject of demonstration.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Jamiann S’eiltin Hasselquist prepares to lead a group of protesters into the office of state Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, at midday Friday. The protest Hasselquist helped organize was in response to questions Eastman asked during a committee hearing Monday about possible economic benefits of dead absued children. A staff member declined to tell the protesters if Eastman was in his office.
A life preserver hangs on a post at Don. D Statter Harbor Tuesday evening. On Thursday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors board discussed a potential 8.1% increase to all docks and harbors fees starting in July along with an additional 9% increase on top of that to be implemented in the next few years (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Docks and harbors board considers fee increases, requiring insurance

The increase is set to be the largest in 40 years, said port director

A life preserver hangs on a post at Don. D Statter Harbor Tuesday evening. On Thursday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors board discussed a potential 8.1% increase to all docks and harbors fees starting in July along with an additional 9% increase on top of that to be implemented in the next few years (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A lifeguard walks the perimeter of the Augustus Brown Pool Friday morning. The 50-year-old City and Borough of Juneau-owned pool is planned to close on April 3 of this year and will remain closed until early 2024 to undergo $8 million in renovations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A splashy renovation: Augustus Brown Pool set for an update

Renovations include locker/changing rooms, resurfacing leisure pool and electrical systems upgrades.

A lifeguard walks the perimeter of the Augustus Brown Pool Friday morning. The 50-year-old City and Borough of Juneau-owned pool is planned to close on April 3 of this year and will remain closed until early 2024 to undergo $8 million in renovations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Racers from the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay head south on the Haines Highway during the first leg of the race the last time it was held on June 15, 2019. Organizers have announced the 2023 race is planned to go ahead on June 17, with registration opening March 15. (Yukon News file)

Haines Junction to Haines, Alaska bike relay returns June 17

Registration opens March 15 with spots for 1,200 cyclists

  • Feb 24, 2023
  • Stephanie Waddell News Reporter
  • Cycling
Racers from the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay head south on the Haines Highway during the first leg of the race the last time it was held on June 15, 2019. Organizers have announced the 2023 race is planned to go ahead on June 17, with registration opening March 15. (Yukon News file)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Friday, Feb. 24, 2023

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

  • Feb 24, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)