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Alan Alda, center, was host of PBS’s “Scientific American Frontiers” when he visited Alaska in 2004. To his right is By Valentine, who worked in the glaciers lab at the Geophysical Institute with glaciologist Keith Echelmeyer (on Alda’s left). Echelmeyer died of brain cancer six years after Alda’s visit. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell, enhanced 18 years later by JR Ancheta)

Alaska Science Forum: Alan Alda and the Alaska messengers

Climate change in the Arctic and Alaska is substantial; we can see signals it has arrived…”

Alan Alda, center, was host of PBS’s “Scientific American Frontiers” when he visited Alaska in 2004. To his right is By Valentine, who worked in the glaciers lab at the Geophysical Institute with glaciologist Keith Echelmeyer (on Alda’s left). Echelmeyer died of brain cancer six years after Alda’s visit. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell, enhanced 18 years later by JR Ancheta)
Mile runners takeoff from the starting line during the ninth annual Turkey Trot on Thursday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

And they’re off: Turkey Trot draws hundreds

Fun in the briefly shining sun.

Mile runners takeoff from the starting line during the ninth annual Turkey Trot on Thursday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A larger-than-life reindeer awaits holiday shoppers near an entrance at Nugget Mall on Wednesday, where there were no obvious “Black Friday” signs or banners on display, but merchants are nonetheless readying sales prices in the hopes of luring an increased flow of traffic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Black Friday looking less bleak

Economic and weather storms a setback, but post-pandemic participation by shoppers promising

A larger-than-life reindeer awaits holiday shoppers near an entrance at Nugget Mall on Wednesday, where there were no obvious “Black Friday” signs or banners on display, but merchants are nonetheless readying sales prices in the hopes of luring an increased flow of traffic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, Nov. 24

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

  • Nov 24, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai shows the ranked choice tabulation for the U.S. House race Wednesday afternoon in Juneau. Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola prevailed over Republican former Gov. Sarah Palin by a final tally of 54.9% to 45.1% after lower-finishing candidates Republican Nick Begich III amd Libertarian Chris Bye were eliminated during the first two rounds of instant choice runoffs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Update: Incumbents secure reelection in statewide races

Ranked choice results mean legislative leadership future is unclear.

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai shows the ranked choice tabulation for the U.S. House race Wednesday afternoon in Juneau. Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola prevailed over Republican former Gov. Sarah Palin by a final tally of 54.9% to 45.1% after lower-finishing candidates Republican Nick Begich III amd Libertarian Chris Bye were eliminated during the first two rounds of instant choice runoffs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock screams to a sold out crowd for the opening show of a three-night stay at Seattle’s Showbox venue Monday, Nov. 21. Modest Mouse is currently touring to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the band’s fourth album “The Lonesome Crowded West.” (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

25 to life: Reflecting on ‘The Lonesome Crowded West’ at a milestone

Anniversary shows commemorate the indie-rock stalwarts’ breakthrough album.

Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock screams to a sold out crowd for the opening show of a three-night stay at Seattle’s Showbox venue Monday, Nov. 21. Modest Mouse is currently touring to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the band’s fourth album “The Lonesome Crowded West.” (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This image released by PBS shows characters, from left, Tooey, voiced by Sequoia Janvier, Trini, voiced by Vienna Leacock and Molly, voiced by Sovereign Bill, in a scene from the animated series “Molly of Denali.” The animated show, which highlights the adventures of a 10-year-old Athabascan girl, Molly Mabray, has been nominated for two Emmys. (PBS)
Capital City Weekly

‘You can do these things’: Emmy-nominated Juneau writers hope ‘Molly of Denali’ success opens door for more Indigenous voices

“It’s a huge moment for Alaska Native people”

This image released by PBS shows characters, from left, Tooey, voiced by Sequoia Janvier, Trini, voiced by Vienna Leacock and Molly, voiced by Sovereign Bill, in a scene from the animated series “Molly of Denali.” The animated show, which highlights the adventures of a 10-year-old Athabascan girl, Molly Mabray, has been nominated for two Emmys. (PBS)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Barbara Bechtold and John Tomaro deliver a Thanksgiving meal package to a Mendenhall Valley home on Saturday. The couple, both of whom have lived in Juneau since the 1970s, have made the deliveries and taken part in other volunteer efforts for many years. The estimated 300 to 400 packages being delivered this year are a collaborative effort by St. Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army, The Glory Hall and other local entities.

Fowl weather friends deliver feasts

Thanksgiving food baskets and communal gathering provide traditional meal for thousands

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Barbara Bechtold and John Tomaro deliver a Thanksgiving meal package to a Mendenhall Valley home on Saturday. The couple, both of whom have lived in Juneau since the 1970s, have made the deliveries and taken part in other volunteer efforts for many years. The estimated 300 to 400 packages being delivered this year are a collaborative effort by St. Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army, The Glory Hall and other local entities.
A cellphone screen displays spam text messages. During busy shopping season, scammers pretending to be other people, businesses or agencies frequently attempt to gain personal information via “spoofed” text messages, emails or phone calls. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘Criminals do not take the holidays off’

FBI shares tips to avoid being scammed during busy shopping season.

A cellphone screen displays spam text messages. During busy shopping season, scammers pretending to be other people, businesses or agencies frequently attempt to gain personal information via “spoofed” text messages, emails or phone calls. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 23

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

  • Nov 23, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The author isn't a big fan of atmospheric rivers, but the forest variety are very much appreciated. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Tireless thankfulness

One should never tire of writing columns about gratitude. I hope I never do.

The author isn't a big fan of atmospheric rivers, but the forest variety are very much appreciated. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Centennial Hall, seen here, will host the 40th annual Juneau Public Market along with the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Nov. 25-27. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Public Market returns for 40th year

Indigenous Artists & Vendors Holiday Market runs same weekend.

Centennial Hall, seen here, will host the 40th annual Juneau Public Market along with the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Nov. 25-27. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The final election results, including ranked choice votes, will be tallied starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Alaska Division of Election’s director’s office. The tally will be covered live by the Juneau Empire, as well as broadcast live by other media including KTOO. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Ranked choice winners to be revealed Wednesday

Little drama expected in U.S. House and Senate races, but state legislative leadership a toss-up

The final election results, including ranked choice votes, will be tallied starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Alaska Division of Election’s director’s office. The tally will be covered live by the Juneau Empire, as well as broadcast live by other media including KTOO. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows boats moored at the Don. D Statter Harbor on a summer day. Multiple ordinances proposed by the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors Board were authorized at Monday night’s Assembly meeting including the OK for a daily fee for vessels at Statter Harbor that do not move every 10 days during the summer. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘Moor’ changes on deck for CBJ Docks Harbors

Changes include daily fee for vessels at Statter Harbor that do not move every 10 days amid summer

This photo shows boats moored at the Don. D Statter Harbor on a summer day. Multiple ordinances proposed by the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors Board were authorized at Monday night’s Assembly meeting including the OK for a daily fee for vessels at Statter Harbor that do not move every 10 days during the summer. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, University of Kansas students Hayley Harman, Kylie Kookesh and Delilah Begay smile for a photo inside the White House. Last week the trio participated in the annual White House Tribal Youth Forum hosted by the White House, United National Indian Tribal Youth and the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute. (Courtesy / Kylie Kookesh)

From Angoon to the White House: College student heads to Washington to discuss Alaska Native issues

“Coming from a small community in Alaska like Angoon, I never would have thought that would be there”

From left to right, University of Kansas students Hayley Harman, Kylie Kookesh and Delilah Begay smile for a photo inside the White House. Last week the trio participated in the annual White House Tribal Youth Forum hosted by the White House, United National Indian Tribal Youth and the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute. (Courtesy / Kylie Kookesh)
Juneau International Airport is expected to be busy during Thanksgiving holiday week amid lax COVID-restrictions. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Juneau International Airport prepares for busy holiday

Long-term lots expected to be full.

Juneau International Airport is expected to be busy during Thanksgiving holiday week amid lax COVID-restrictions. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Nov. 22

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

  • Nov 22, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
People walk the docks during a busy cruise ship day as the sun sets in downtown Juneau on Aug. 29. Cruise tourism rebounded to near-normal levels this year, giving Southeast economists and businesses reason for future optimism after the region was by some measures the hardest hit economically in the U.S. during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Study: Alaska’s economic growth ‘at or near the bottom’ in U.S.

Low oil prices, slow pandemic recovery cited as causes, but some in Southeast see rosy prospects.

People walk the docks during a busy cruise ship day as the sun sets in downtown Juneau on Aug. 29. Cruise tourism rebounded to near-normal levels this year, giving Southeast economists and businesses reason for future optimism after the region was by some measures the hardest hit economically in the U.S. during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Aurora forecast

Forecasts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute for the week of Nov.20.

  • Nov 21, 2022
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Rain runoff runs down a drain in the Mendenhall Valley. As of Sunday, Juneau had accumulated 82.48 inches of rain and/or melted snow, which means this year’s total would need just a touch more than 2.5 inches of rainfall to beat the current record set in 1991. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau on track to break rainfall record

Long may it rain

Rain runoff runs down a drain in the Mendenhall Valley. As of Sunday, Juneau had accumulated 82.48 inches of rain and/or melted snow, which means this year’s total would need just a touch more than 2.5 inches of rainfall to beat the current record set in 1991. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)