People rally in support of renewable energy policies, such as strengthening a renewable energy fund, across from the Alaska Capitol on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. Some environmentalists are skeptical of legislation proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that aims to capitalize on carbon storage and carbon markets. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Alaska carbon plan: Boost state coffers without cutting oil

Hearings with state lawmakers are underway…

People rally in support of renewable energy policies, such as strengthening a renewable energy fund, across from the Alaska Capitol on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. Some environmentalists are skeptical of legislation proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that aims to capitalize on carbon storage and carbon markets. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
Jay Dóosh Tláa Zeller dances in celebration in front of the newly installed mural depicting Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon, on Sept. 1. Zeller served as the Sealaska Heritage Institue project coordinator for the mural, which was done by Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl and her team of apprentices. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Celebration marks completion of mural

A place of “honor, dignity and respect”

Jay Dóosh Tláa Zeller dances in celebration in front of the newly installed mural depicting Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon, on Sept. 1. Zeller served as the Sealaska Heritage Institue project coordinator for the mural, which was done by Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl and her team of apprentices. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Gov. Ernest Gruening (seated) signs the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945. Witnessing are O. D. Cochran, Elizabeth Peratrovich, Edward Anderson, Norman Walker and Roy Peratrovich. (Courtesy Photo / Alaska State Library - Historical Collections)

Officials honor Elizabeth Peratrovich day with proclamations

With physical gatherings limited, virtual events and statements marked the day.

Gov. Ernest Gruening (seated) signs the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945. Witnessing are O. D. Cochran, Elizabeth Peratrovich, Edward Anderson, Norman Walker and Roy Peratrovich. (Courtesy Photo / Alaska State Library - Historical Collections)
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire file
The design for the new gold $1 Elizabeth Peratrovich coin was on display during the Elizabeth Peratrovich Day celebration at the Tlingit and Haida Community Council on Feb. 16, 2020.

Program minted to spread Peratrovich dollars

A program could bring $1 coins to Alaska financial intuitions,

  • Feb 15, 2023
  • By Ben Hohenstatt Juneau Empire
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire file
The design for the new gold $1 Elizabeth Peratrovich coin was on display during the Elizabeth Peratrovich Day celebration at the Tlingit and Haida Community Council on Feb. 16, 2020.
League of Women Voters of Juneau volunteers Karen Crane, left, Cheryl Jebe and others prepare Annie Boochever's book about civil rights leader Elizabeth Peratrovich, "Fighter in Velvet Gloves," for mailing at the Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. Over 450 copies of the book were packaged to be shipped to libraries and school across Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Celebrating an icon: Local project ships Peratrovich book to libraries, schools for free

Project opens new chapter of Elizabeth Peratrovich awareness.

League of Women Voters of Juneau volunteers Karen Crane, left, Cheryl Jebe and others prepare Annie Boochever's book about civil rights leader Elizabeth Peratrovich, "Fighter in Velvet Gloves," for mailing at the Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. Over 450 copies of the book were packaged to be shipped to libraries and school across Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Manford Lum (Morgan Gwilym Tso) takes a jump shot during a scene rehearsal performance of Perseverance Theatre’s upcoming play “The Great Leap” opening Friday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A look before the ‘Leap’

Previewing Perseverance Theatre’s latest, which blends basketball, Chinese history and identity.

Manford Lum (Morgan Gwilym Tso) takes a jump shot during a scene rehearsal performance of Perseverance Theatre’s upcoming play “The Great Leap” opening Friday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

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

  • Feb 15, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire 
Juneau Police Department along with first responders on the scene of an accident Tuesday morning involving three vehicles at the intersection of Mendenhall Loop and Mall Road. No injuries were reported.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire 
Juneau Police Department along with first responders on the scene of an accident Tuesday morning involving three vehicles at the intersection of Mendenhall Loop and Mall Road. No injuries were reported.
Heidi Drygas, executive director of the 8,000-member Alaska State Employees Association, addresses a rally outside the Alaska State Capitol on Friday where participants protested the workforce shortage facing various agencies including the state Division of Public Assistance. Drygas on Tuesday gave qualified support to an order by Gov. Mike Dunleavy eliminating the four-year degree requirement for most state jobs, stating it is a small part of a big issue involving poor wages, benefits and morale among employees. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Change by degrees: Dunleavy nixes college requirement for most jobs

Dunleavy nixes college requirement for most jobs; some say it fails to fix real workforce problems.

Heidi Drygas, executive director of the 8,000-member Alaska State Employees Association, addresses a rally outside the Alaska State Capitol on Friday where participants protested the workforce shortage facing various agencies including the state Division of Public Assistance. Drygas on Tuesday gave qualified support to an order by Gov. Mike Dunleavy eliminating the four-year degree requirement for most state jobs, stating it is a small part of a big issue involving poor wages, benefits and morale among employees. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
The City and Borough of Juneau expressed support at its Tuesday night Committee of the Whole meeting for the long-term care facility, Wildflower Court, to be acquired by Bartlett Regional Hospital.

City expresses support for hospital acquisition of Wildflower Court

Bartlett Regional Hospital officials say merger can help meet current hospice demand.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
The City and Borough of Juneau expressed support at its Tuesday night Committee of the Whole meeting for the long-term care facility, Wildflower Court, to be acquired by Bartlett Regional Hospital.
Members of the Alaska State Legislature listen to U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan’s annual speech in the House chamber last week. Sullivan, fellow Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and several Alaska Native leaders on Tuesday urged the federal government to approve the Willow project. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Native leaders, U.S. senators back major Willow project

They cast it as economically critical for Indigenous communities, important for energy security.

Members of the Alaska State Legislature listen to U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan’s annual speech in the House chamber last week. Sullivan, fellow Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and several Alaska Native leaders on Tuesday urged the federal government to approve the Willow project. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
This July 24, 2018, file photo shows a portion of the 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return form. (AP Photo / Mark Lennihan File)

Local tax pros share advice following IRS announcement

“You put the amendment in after you get your refund.”

This July 24, 2018, file photo shows a portion of the 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return form. (AP Photo / Mark Lennihan File)
The red flowers of the native columbine are caused by anthocyanins. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

On the Trails: The many roads to red

Red and reddish colors can be produced in many ways, by a variety of pigment molecules.

The red flowers of the native columbine are caused by anthocyanins. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)
AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File 
In this Jan. 18, 2014, file photo, endangered orcas swim in Puget Sound and in view of the Olympic Mountains just west of Seattle, as seen from a federal research vessel that has been tracking the whales.

City takes step toward opposing lawsuit threatening closure of Southeast Alaska king salmon trolling

CBJ follows other Southeast Alaska cities which cite negative economic impacts

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File 
In this Jan. 18, 2014, file photo, endangered orcas swim in Puget Sound and in view of the Olympic Mountains just west of Seattle, as seen from a federal research vessel that has been tracking the whales.
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023

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

  • Feb 14, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Claes Schneider holds a picture of his grandmother, Tracy Lynn Day, right, who has been missing since Feb. 14 2019.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Claes Schneider holds a picture of his grandmother, Tracy Lynn Day, right, who has been missing since Feb. 14 2019.
Alaska House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, accepts a Valentine’s Day card from a Montessori Borealis preschool student in the hallway outside the House chamber at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday. A couple dozen youths from the Juneau Montessori program visited with their parents and teachers during the morning, lobbying for an increase in education funding. Tilton said during a subsequent press briefing she is not ruling out an increase, but is interested in “outside the box” alternatives. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

What’s in the cards for education funding

Major players at Alaska’s Capitol are showing their hands, but lots of bids and buffs remain.

Alaska House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, accepts a Valentine’s Day card from a Montessori Borealis preschool student in the hallway outside the House chamber at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday. A couple dozen youths from the Juneau Montessori program visited with their parents and teachers during the morning, lobbying for an increase in education funding. Tilton said during a subsequent press briefing she is not ruling out an increase, but is interested in “outside the box” alternatives. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This image shows a Valentine’s Day card from 1917, given to Louise Wirt by Fred Roth when he was in the fourth grade. The couple married years later and the card remained near Louise’s bedside until her death at 91. (Nancy Roth via AP)

Earnest or playful, that Valentine’s card has a history

Hallmark estimates that today 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually.

This image shows a Valentine’s Day card from 1917, given to Louise Wirt by Fred Roth when he was in the fourth grade. The couple married years later and the card remained near Louise’s bedside until her death at 91. (Nancy Roth via AP)
The Pentagon is seen from Air Force One as it flies over Washington, March 2, 2022. U.S. officials say an “unidentified object” has been shot down Sunday for the third time in as many days, this time over Lake Huron, after earlier downings in Alaska and Canada. (AP Photo / Patrick Semansky)

U.S. jets down 4 objects in 8 days, unprecedented in peacetime

“I haven’t ruled out anything at this point.”

  • Feb 13, 2023
  • By Colleen Long, Lolita C. Baldor and Zeke Miller Associated Press
  • Nation-World
The Pentagon is seen from Air Force One as it flies over Washington, March 2, 2022. U.S. officials say an “unidentified object” has been shot down Sunday for the third time in as many days, this time over Lake Huron, after earlier downings in Alaska and Canada. (AP Photo / Patrick Semansky)
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. 12

  • Feb 12, 2023
Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File 
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014.