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Shawnda O’Brien, the just-departed state Director of the Division of Public Assistance, talks Dec. 27 about the problems that are resulting in months-long backlogs in processing applications for benefits commonly referred to as food stamps. Her departure as director was announced Monday following weeks of widespread media coverage about the backlog that is expected to take additional months to resolve. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Head of state’s troubled food stamps program replaced

Director of the Division of Public Assistance departs in wake of months-long backlog.

Shawnda O’Brien, the just-departed state Director of the Division of Public Assistance, talks Dec. 27 about the problems that are resulting in months-long backlogs in processing applications for benefits commonly referred to as food stamps. Her departure as director was announced Monday following weeks of widespread media coverage about the backlog that is expected to take additional months to resolve. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A boat sinks at Andrews Marina inside Fisherman’s Bend on Tuesday. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Boat capsizes at Fisherman’s Bend

A 26-foot boat capsized while docked at Andrews Marina inside Fisherman’s Bend on Tuesday. Based on information received from the United States Coast Guard Maritime… Continue reading

A boat sinks at Andrews Marina inside Fisherman’s Bend on Tuesday. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Cruise ships line the downtown docks during a dark evening in late August. On Monday the Assembly voted to delay adopting cruise ship tourism policy objectives recommended by the Visitor Industry Task Force’s final report to allow for further public input. ( Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City puts off adopting tourism task force recommendations, allows more public input

Move made to allow for additional public input.

Cruise ships line the downtown docks during a dark evening in late August. On Monday the Assembly voted to delay adopting cruise ship tourism policy objectives recommended by the Visitor Industry Task Force’s final report to allow for further public input. ( Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A trail cam photo shows a beaver emerging from its snowy lodge and went foraging for branches in December (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)
Video

Mild temperatures and busy beavers

I noticed two uncommon things that this beaver did…

A trail cam photo shows a beaver emerging from its snowy lodge and went foraging for branches in December (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)
Video
Teaser

Anchorage Democrat meets residency rules, judge says

“The result of the November 2022 election is accepted…”

Teaser
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Jan. 10

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

  • Jan 10, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Lawmakers, staff and other workers inside the The Alaska State Capitol are preparing this week for the upcoming session of the Alaska State Legislature that starts Jan. 17, including the release of the first round of prefile bills published Monday by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Election changes dominate first round of legislative bills

Ranked choice voting, security are hot topics; state pensions, ‘capital move’ among repeat proposals.

Lawmakers, staff and other workers inside the The Alaska State Capitol are preparing this week for the upcoming session of the Alaska State Legislature that starts Jan. 17, including the release of the first round of prefile bills published Monday by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The University of Alaska Southeast recently announced the selection of five final candidates in the running to fill its chancellor position six months ahead of the expected retirement of current Chancellor Karen Carey. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

University of Alaska Southeast announces chancellor finalists

The position is set to begin July 1, following the retirement of the university’s current chancellor

The University of Alaska Southeast recently announced the selection of five final candidates in the running to fill its chancellor position six months ahead of the expected retirement of current Chancellor Karen Carey. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
In this photo made available by NASA, the space shuttle Challenger launches the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite in 1984. On Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, the U.S. space agency said the 38-year-old NASA satellite is about to fall from the sky, but the chance of wreckage falling on anybody is “very low.” It's expected to come down Sunday night, give or take 17 hours. (NASA via AP)

Old NASA satellite falls harmlessly from sky off Alaska

It was placed in orbit in 1984 by astronaut Sally Ride.

In this photo made available by NASA, the space shuttle Challenger launches the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite in 1984. On Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, the U.S. space agency said the 38-year-old NASA satellite is about to fall from the sky, but the chance of wreckage falling on anybody is “very low.” It's expected to come down Sunday night, give or take 17 hours. (NASA via AP)
Juneau residents register for COVID-19 vaccinations at Centennial Hall in April of 2021. Bartlett Regional Hospital and other city-owned institutions provided virus tests and vaccinations in a multitude of locations during the pandemic, as well as providing at-home tests and coordinating with other entities such as the Alaska Native-owned SEARHC. (Bartlett Regional Hospital)

Study: Juneau’s COVID-19 response a role model for success

Control of hospital and airport, public communication, coordination with tribes cited as key assets

Juneau residents register for COVID-19 vaccinations at Centennial Hall in April of 2021. Bartlett Regional Hospital and other city-owned institutions provided virus tests and vaccinations in a multitude of locations during the pandemic, as well as providing at-home tests and coordinating with other entities such as the Alaska Native-owned SEARHC. (Bartlett Regional Hospital)
In this Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017 photo, a black bear checks out his surroundings in Granite Basin in Juneau, Alaska. The National Park Service is proposing a rule that would prohibit bear baiting in national preserves in Alaska, the latest in a dispute over what animal rights supporters call a cruel practice. The park service said Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 it is proposing a rule barring bear baiting in national preserves in Alaska. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Hunter bear bait ban proposed for Alaska national preserves

Agency will be taking public comments on the proposal.

In this Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017 photo, a black bear checks out his surroundings in Granite Basin in Juneau, Alaska. The National Park Service is proposing a rule that would prohibit bear baiting in national preserves in Alaska, the latest in a dispute over what animal rights supporters call a cruel practice. The park service said Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 it is proposing a rule barring bear baiting in national preserves in Alaska. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
Skiers cross the frozen lake in front of the Mendenhall Glacier in December. A proposed expansion of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreational Area by the U.S. Forest Service envisions motorized tour boat access in most alternatives, but the three newest ones based on previous public feedback limit vessels to low-impact electronic access or none. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

New study released for Mendenhall Glacier area development, old concerns raised

Report features 3 alternatives based on earlier public input; 2 public meetings set for this month.

Skiers cross the frozen lake in front of the Mendenhall Glacier in December. A proposed expansion of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreational Area by the U.S. Forest Service envisions motorized tour boat access in most alternatives, but the three newest ones based on previous public feedback limit vessels to low-impact electronic access or none. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Saturday, Jan. 7

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

  • Jan 7, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., stands as he is nominated for a twelfth time in the House chamber as the House meets for the fourth day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)

McCarthy elected House speaker in rowdy late-night vote

Changed votes from conservative holdouts

  • Jan 6, 2023
  • By Lisa Mascaro and Farnoush Amiri Associated Press
  • Nation-World
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., stands as he is nominated for a twelfth time in the House chamber as the House meets for the fourth day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)
Reed Stoops bikes stationary with other athletes during a High Cadence Triathlon Team workout at the Dimond Park Field House Thursday evening. Many athletes are still deciding what to do after it was announced in mid-December the Ironman Group announced its decision to cancel the Ironman Alaska races for 2023 and 2024.
Features

Ironman Alaska aftermath: Looking back at the impact of the first and — for now — last Ironman race in Alaska

Economic ripple could be felt across the state.

Reed Stoops bikes stationary with other athletes during a High Cadence Triathlon Team workout at the Dimond Park Field House Thursday evening. Many athletes are still deciding what to do after it was announced in mid-December the Ironman Group announced its decision to cancel the Ironman Alaska races for 2023 and 2024.
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire CCFR and JPD respond to a crash on Thursday afternoon involving three different cars at the intersection of Vanderbilt and Egan Drive.

Driver cited after 3-car crash at Vanderbilt and Egan Drive

CCFR reported only minor injuries.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire CCFR and JPD respond to a crash on Thursday afternoon involving three different cars at the intersection of Vanderbilt and Egan Drive.
The privately owned 107-foot tugboat named Tagish sits submerged in the water next to the National Guard dock south of the downtown cruise ship docks Tuesday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Sunken tugboat owner on tight deadline to recover vessel

According to the owner, the effort is expected to cost around $300,000.

The privately owned 107-foot tugboat named Tagish sits submerged in the water next to the National Guard dock south of the downtown cruise ship docks Tuesday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center. The BBA recently issued a news release asking for donations to coincide with National Blood Donor Month.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

‘There is an urgency’: Blood Bank of Alaska puts out call for donors

The request comes amid National Blood Donor Month.

A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center. The BBA recently issued a news release asking for donations to coincide with National Blood Donor Month.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., talks with Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn. Before the eighth round of voting for speaker as the House meets for the third day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

McCarthy makes big gains for speaker, but still falls short

House adjourned until 6 p.m. Alaska time.

  • Jan 6, 2023
  • By Lisa Mascaro and Farnoush Amiri Associated Press
  • Nation-World
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., talks with Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn. Before the eighth round of voting for speaker as the House meets for the third day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)
A wood frog pauses in the forest just off the Yukon River near the mouth of the Nation River. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Report of frog’s death greatly exaggerated

Alive and hopping.

A wood frog pauses in the forest just off the Yukon River near the mouth of the Nation River. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)