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This photo shows cabins for Eaglecrest Ski Area’s recently acquired gondola which overall shipping cost came in $262,000 over budget. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

Eaglecrest Gondola shipping cost comes in $262,000 over budget

City talks funding of gondola project and a possible new partnership

This photo shows cabins for Eaglecrest Ski Area’s recently acquired gondola which overall shipping cost came in $262,000 over budget. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., briefs reporters as he returns from a White House meeting with President Joe Biden and other congressional leaders, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. Biden is looking to ensure government funding and lock in more legislative wins before Democrats lose control of the House in January. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Landmark same-sex marriage bill wins Senate passage

Alaska senators among 12 Republicans to support bill.

  • Nov 29, 2022
  • By Mary Clare Jalonick Associated Press
  • Nation-World
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., briefs reporters as he returns from a White House meeting with President Joe Biden and other congressional leaders, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. Biden is looking to ensure government funding and lock in more legislative wins before Democrats lose control of the House in January. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore berths at in the Juneau Harbor in late October. Findings from this year’s Juneau Tourism Survey showed nearly 75% supported limiting the number of large cruise ships per day in Juneau’s harbor to five.

Survey shows preference for daily limit on ships visiting Juneau

Respondents generally report positive impact, but shine light on some challenges.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore berths at in the Juneau Harbor in late October. Findings from this year’s Juneau Tourism Survey showed nearly 75% supported limiting the number of large cruise ships per day in Juneau’s harbor to five.
In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB investigator Clint Crookshanks, left, and member Jennifer Homendy stand near the site of some of the wreckage of the DHC-2 Beaver, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, that was involved in a midair collision near Ketchikan. The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that the Federal Aviation Administration should tighten rules about minimum visibility during flights and require more weather training for pilots who fly around Ketchikan. (Peter Knudson/NTSB via AP)

Safety board recommends new measures for Alaska air tours

The board wants regulations for Ketchikan similar to requirements in Hawaii and the Grand Canyon.

In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB investigator Clint Crookshanks, left, and member Jennifer Homendy stand near the site of some of the wreckage of the DHC-2 Beaver, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, that was involved in a midair collision near Ketchikan. The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that the Federal Aviation Administration should tighten rules about minimum visibility during flights and require more weather training for pilots who fly around Ketchikan. (Peter Knudson/NTSB via AP)
Harbor seals have a face full of whiskers, which the seals use to follow hydrodynamic wakes left by prey fish; even a blind seal can track a fish this way, discriminating victims by size and shape and direction of movement. (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)

On the Trails: The sense of touch

Touch is a mechanical sense, detecting physical stimuli such as pressure, texture, stretch, vibrations and flow. Touch receptors come in a variety of forms —… Continue reading

Harbor seals have a face full of whiskers, which the seals use to follow hydrodynamic wakes left by prey fish; even a blind seal can track a fish this way, discriminating victims by size and shape and direction of movement. (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)
CCFR crews work to extinguish a house fire in the 2200 block of Radcliffe Road early Monday morning. All occupants of the home were able to escape safely without injury. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

Recent fires underscore importance of smoke detectors, fire marshal says

Residences safely evacuated in two separate blazes.

CCFR crews work to extinguish a house fire in the 2200 block of Radcliffe Road early Monday morning. All occupants of the home were able to escape safely without injury. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Nov. 29

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

  • Nov 28, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The ranked choice outcome for Alaska’s U.S. Senate race is shown during an Alaska Public Media broadcast on Thursday. Incumbent Lisa Murkowski defeated fellow Republican Kelly Tshibaka by getting more than 50% of votes when two lower-finishing candidates were eliminated, with votes from people opting for Democrat Pat Chesbro as their first choice providing the necessary margin. Murkowski supporters note she won more first-choice votes than Tshibaka and thus would have prevailed without ranked choice voting, while Tshibaka supporters claim the challenger would have prevailed back in August under a closed-primary system and thus almost certainly would have won the general election. (Alaska Division of Elections)

Voting far from over for ranked choice

Alaska certain to revive the debate during coming months as many nationwide hail it as a success.

The ranked choice outcome for Alaska’s U.S. Senate race is shown during an Alaska Public Media broadcast on Thursday. Incumbent Lisa Murkowski defeated fellow Republican Kelly Tshibaka by getting more than 50% of votes when two lower-finishing candidates were eliminated, with votes from people opting for Democrat Pat Chesbro as their first choice providing the necessary margin. Murkowski supporters note she won more first-choice votes than Tshibaka and thus would have prevailed without ranked choice voting, while Tshibaka supporters claim the challenger would have prevailed back in August under a closed-primary system and thus almost certainly would have won the general election. (Alaska Division of Elections)
Wind blows a shimmer over the water at the Douglas Harbor Sunday afternoon. Taku Winds along with single-digit temperatures are expected to hit downtown Juneau and Douglas in the early hours of Tuesday morning and are predicted to last until later Tuesday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Taku Tuesday: Officials warn of high winds and cold weather

Winds between 60-70 mph expected.

Wind blows a shimmer over the water at the Douglas Harbor Sunday afternoon. Taku Winds along with single-digit temperatures are expected to hit downtown Juneau and Douglas in the early hours of Tuesday morning and are predicted to last until later Tuesday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Brittney Fuhr digs through remaining canned goods offered at Helping Hands Food Bank during the pantry’s closing day on Friday, Nov. 25. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Helping Hands Food Bank closes after 39 years

“We just want to give a big heartfelt thank you to everyone for their support.”

Brittney Fuhr digs through remaining canned goods offered at Helping Hands Food Bank during the pantry’s closing day on Friday, Nov. 25. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
A "fogbow" on a northbound ship headed for Juneau in late summer. (Courtesy Photo / Paul F. Merrill)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos.

A "fogbow" on a northbound ship headed for Juneau in late summer. (Courtesy Photo / Paul F. Merrill)
Rebecca Hsieh, left, knits small gifts as a first-time vendor at the Juneau Public Market as her friend, MK MacNaughton, a longtime vendor sells hand-painted items near the entrance of Centennial Hall on Saturday. The market, celebrating its 40th year, is scheduled to continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Something sold, something sinew…

Shopping spirits soar for new and longtime vendors from near and far at 40th Juneau Public Market

Rebecca Hsieh, left, knits small gifts as a first-time vendor at the Juneau Public Market as her friend, MK MacNaughton, a longtime vendor sells hand-painted items near the entrance of Centennial Hall on Saturday. The market, celebrating its 40th year, is scheduled to continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Aug. 18, 2022. Florida, Georgia, Texas and Virginia all started new law enforcement units to investigate voter fraud in this year’s elections based on former President Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 presidential contest. So far, those units seem to have produced more headlines than actual cases. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

New state voter fraud units finding few cases from midterms

That’s what election experts expected. Critics suggest units more about politics than finding fraud.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Aug. 18, 2022. Florida, Georgia, Texas and Virginia all started new law enforcement units to investigate voter fraud in this year’s elections based on former President Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 presidential contest. So far, those units seem to have produced more headlines than actual cases. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
A heron stands near Mendenhall Lake. (Courtesy Photo)
Video

November brings bright sights

A good snowfall in early November drew us out to enjoy the brightened landscape…

A heron stands near Mendenhall Lake. (Courtesy Photo)
Video
Defeated candidates Kelly Tshibaka in the U.S. Senate race, left, Les Gara in the governor’s race, center, and Nick Begich in the U.S. House race are among the losers who could again be viable contenders and/or political figures leading up to the 2024 election, according to analysts. (Sources: Mark Thiessen / AP, Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

What’s next for the election’s winners and losers?

Murkowski and Peltola may be key swing votes, Tshibaka the biggest “winner” of losers, analysts say.

Defeated candidates Kelly Tshibaka in the U.S. Senate race, left, Les Gara in the governor’s race, center, and Nick Begich in the U.S. House race are among the losers who could again be viable contenders and/or political figures leading up to the 2024 election, according to analysts. (Sources: Mark Thiessen / AP, Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 26

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

  • Nov 26, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska State Capitol awaits a legislators forming new majority coalitions and the return of Gov. Mike Dunleavy after the winners of the general election were announced Wednesday. The Senate will have a 17-member bipartisan ruling coalition, while the House arrangement remains uncertain due to at least one likely recount and questions about partisan alignments. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Bipartisan majority formed for new state Senate

Eight Republicans join nine Democrats after many years of Republican rule

The Alaska State Capitol awaits a legislators forming new majority coalitions and the return of Gov. Mike Dunleavy after the winners of the general election were announced Wednesday. The Senate will have a 17-member bipartisan ruling coalition, while the House arrangement remains uncertain due to at least one likely recount and questions about partisan alignments. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Anthony Whiteman, left, thanks volunteer Frank Balogh for blending the traditional Thanksgiving foods served during The Salvation Army’s annual communal meal at midday Thursday so they could be consumed through a straw. Whiteman said his jaw was broken three weeks ago by three assailants with brass knuckles and the Thanksgiving meal was his first food other than liquid nutrition since the attack. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Thankful for a smooth holiday feast

Resumption of in-person communal Thanksgiving meal offers many blessings for diners and volunteers

Anthony Whiteman, left, thanks volunteer Frank Balogh for blending the traditional Thanksgiving foods served during The Salvation Army’s annual communal meal at midday Thursday so they could be consumed through a straw. Whiteman said his jaw was broken three weeks ago by three assailants with brass knuckles and the Thanksgiving meal was his first food other than liquid nutrition since the attack. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Sugar Bear Alaskan Treasures, seen here, was one of many artist vendors featured at the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska Indigenous Artists & Vendors Holiday Market from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday through Sunday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Indigenous Holiday Market features local artists

Market’s first return since 2018.

Sugar Bear Alaskan Treasures, seen here, was one of many artist vendors featured at the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska Indigenous Artists & Vendors Holiday Market from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday through Sunday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
During a hearing at the Juneau Courthouse, 34-year-old Anthony Michael Migliaccio, 34, pleaded not guilty after he was arrested on a first-degree murder charge in the killing of a 55-year-old Juneau woman. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Man arrested in killing of Faith Rogers pleads not guilty

News follows a two-month investigation.

During a hearing at the Juneau Courthouse, 34-year-old Anthony Michael Migliaccio, 34, pleaded not guilty after he was arrested on a first-degree murder charge in the killing of a 55-year-old Juneau woman. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)