News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen in a screenshot of a news conference on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in Anchorage. Dunleavy said that if reelected, he will seek to raise the prison sentence for dealing illegal drugs that result in a death. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy plans longer prison terms for drug dealers linked to overdose deaths

The proposal would still have to pass muster with the Alaska Legislature

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen in a screenshot of a news conference on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in Anchorage. Dunleavy said that if reelected, he will seek to raise the prison sentence for dealing illegal drugs that result in a death. (Screenshot)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The four-term Republican incumbent is being opposed by the state’s party leadership in favor of a challenger backed by former President Donald Trump, similar to the 2010 election when she won a historic write-in campaign against a Tea Part challenger that defeated her in the primary election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Murkowski swings for middle in race filled with wild pitches

Four-term U.S. senator who won 2010 write-in campaign again facing strong challenge from the right

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The four-term Republican incumbent is being opposed by the state’s party leadership in favor of a challenger backed by former President Donald Trump, similar to the 2010 election when she won a historic write-in campaign against a Tea Part challenger that defeated her in the primary election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Brenda Weaver and Olga Lijó Seráns stand in Hearthside Books in downtown Juneau on Monday, Oct. 16, one day after Seráns took over as the official owner. Weaver, who had been the bookstore’s owner since 2014, said she looks forward to retirement and spending more time with friends and family. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Hearthside Books enters into new chapter with new owner

“I’m going to miss a whole lot about it, this has been a labor of love.”

Brenda Weaver and Olga Lijó Seráns stand in Hearthside Books in downtown Juneau on Monday, Oct. 16, one day after Seráns took over as the official owner. Weaver, who had been the bookstore’s owner since 2014, said she looks forward to retirement and spending more time with friends and family. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau. About 20% of the prison’s population was recently relocated to other facilities in South Central Alaska. The transfers come amid renovations to the aging facility. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

20% of prison’s population transferred amid repairs

Dozens of people incarcerated at LCCC moved to other facilities.

This photo shows Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau. About 20% of the prison’s population was recently relocated to other facilities in South Central Alaska. The transfers come amid renovations to the aging facility. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Mary Peltola, an Alaska Democrat, delivers a speech on the U.S. House floor before Thursday’s vote approving her first bill, establishing an Office of Food Security in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It passed the House by a 376-49 vote, although its fate in the Senate is undetermined. (Screenshot / U.S. House video)

Peltola leads House challengers in new fundraising reports

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, of Alaska, reported raising $2.3 million in just over three weeks in September, leaving the Democrat with a large cash advantage… Continue reading

Rep. Mary Peltola, an Alaska Democrat, delivers a speech on the U.S. House floor before Thursday’s vote approving her first bill, establishing an Office of Food Security in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It passed the House by a 376-49 vote, although its fate in the Senate is undetermined. (Screenshot / U.S. House video)
Members of the Canvass Review Board stand and sit as a group inside the CBJ Ballot Processing Center Monday morning. The board members and other city officials began the election certification process Monday morning and are expected to announce the final results on Wednesday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Proponents, opponents weigh in on expected election results

The results are set to certified on Wednesday

Members of the Canvass Review Board stand and sit as a group inside the CBJ Ballot Processing Center Monday morning. The board members and other city officials began the election certification process Monday morning and are expected to announce the final results on Wednesday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Jarrell Williams (1) smiles after securing what was essentially a game-ending interception. Payton Grant (9) and Thomas Baxter (84) react to the big play. After the big play, the Huskies’ offense would take the field for victory formation. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies advance to state championship game

Juneau will face Colony High School in Anchorage.

Jarrell Williams (1) smiles after securing what was essentially a game-ending interception. Payton Grant (9) and Thomas Baxter (84) react to the big play. After the big play, the Huskies’ offense would take the field for victory formation. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A ballot is placed in a drop box on Tuesday, Oct. 4, during the City and Borough of Juneau municipal election. Voters could cast ballots by mail. at voting centers located at City Hall and the Mendenhall Valley Public Library or at secure drop boxes at Don D. Statter Harbor and at the Douglas Public Library/ Fire Station. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Local election results: A few hundred votes the difference for two props

Friday figures have City Hall debt voted down, real estate ordinance repeal OK’d .

A ballot is placed in a drop box on Tuesday, Oct. 4, during the City and Borough of Juneau municipal election. Voters could cast ballots by mail. at voting centers located at City Hall and the Mendenhall Valley Public Library or at secure drop boxes at Don D. Statter Harbor and at the Douglas Public Library/ Fire Station. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022

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

  • Oct 15, 2022
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
Chesbro For Alaska Pat Chesbro, the lone Democrat in the three-way race for one of Alaska’s U.S. Senate seats in the November general election, poses for her official campaign profile picture.

Chesbro says she holds the keys to victory

Democrat a longshot in U.S. Senate race, but one of her Republican opponents needs her voters to win

Chesbro For Alaska Pat Chesbro, the lone Democrat in the three-way race for one of Alaska’s U.S. Senate seats in the November general election, poses for her official campaign profile picture.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A totem pole stands outside Hospice and Home Care of Juneau, which is shutting down Wednesday after providing services for about 20 years due to lack of staff. The closure will affect 17 home health and two hospice patients, with program and city officials in discussions with Bartlett Regional Hospital and SEARHC about taking over services for such patients.

Hospice and Home Care of Juneau closing Wednesday

Program halting due to shortage and high cost of staff. Officials hope BRH, SEARHC can offer care.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A totem pole stands outside Hospice and Home Care of Juneau, which is shutting down Wednesday after providing services for about 20 years due to lack of staff. The closure will affect 17 home health and two hospice patients, with program and city officials in discussions with Bartlett Regional Hospital and SEARHC about taking over services for such patients.
Thunder Mountain High School swim team featured in the is photo at their first meet of the season at the beginning of September in Craig. (Courtesy Photo / Josiah Loseby)

Prep swim teams get ready for regions

Regions begin on Oct. 28

Thunder Mountain High School swim team featured in the is photo at their first meet of the season at the beginning of September in Craig. (Courtesy Photo / Josiah Loseby)
Then-Alaska State Senate President Ben Stevens, R Anchorage, talks during an interview on May 25, 2005 at the State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Ben Stevens, a former Alaska Senate president and a son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, died on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. He was 63. (AP Photo / David J. Sheakley)

Ben Stevens, former Alaska Senate president, dies at age 63

Ben Stevens, a former Alaska Senate president and a son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, has died. He was 63. The Alaska State… Continue reading

Then-Alaska State Senate President Ben Stevens, R Anchorage, talks during an interview on May 25, 2005 at the State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Ben Stevens, a former Alaska Senate president and a son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, died on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. He was 63. (AP Photo / David J. Sheakley)
A bull moose looks at a photographer near Whitehorse, Yukon, in summer 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: The man who knew moose like no other

Vic Van Ballenberghe had stood amid their knobby legs for many springs and falls in Interior Alaska.

A bull moose looks at a photographer near Whitehorse, Yukon, in summer 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
FILE - Exterior of the Kroger grocery store in Novi, Mich., is seen Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Two of the nation's largest grocers are planning to merge. Kroger said Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, it has agreed to acquire Albertsons in a $20 billion deal. (Ed Pevos / Ann Arbor News)

Kroger seeks to create grocery giant in $20B Albertsons bid

If approved by regulators, the deal is expected to close in early 2024.

FILE - Exterior of the Kroger grocery store in Novi, Mich., is seen Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Two of the nation's largest grocers are planning to merge. Kroger said Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, it has agreed to acquire Albertsons in a $20 billion deal. (Ed Pevos / Ann Arbor News)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File This photo shows the Juneau Police Station in March 2020.

JPD finishes update to computer system

“It was certainly time to replace.”

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File This photo shows the Juneau Police Station in March 2020.
Bob Bird (left) and Lisa Parker (right) participate in a Constitutional Convention Forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Constitutional convention debate comes to Kenai

Alaskans will be asked on the Nov. 8 general election ballot: “Shall there be a constitutional convention?”

Bob Bird (left) and Lisa Parker (right) participate in a Constitutional Convention Forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelly Tshibaka, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, poses for her official campaign biography photo this spring. (Kelly For Alaska)

Tshibaka sees more than red:Trump-back candidate discusses policy goals in Senate

Weighty words ranging from seabeds to outer space.

Kelly Tshibaka, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, poses for her official campaign biography photo this spring. (Kelly For Alaska)
A person waits at a bus station in the Valley area as rain patters around them Thursday afternoon. Weather service expects the rain to end in the Juneau area overnight Thursday and another front to arrive again Friday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘Landslides are a possibility’: Heavy rainfall and winds expected to continue

Weather service expects the rain to end overnight Thursday, another front Friday night.

A person waits at a bus station in the Valley area as rain patters around them Thursday afternoon. Weather service expects the rain to end in the Juneau area overnight Thursday and another front to arrive again Friday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022

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

  • Oct 13, 2022
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)