News

Drag queen Gigi Monroe reads a book about a wig during Drag Storytime at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

One for the books: Drag Storytime returns

Balloons, books, bustin’ moves.

Drag queen Gigi Monroe reads a book about a wig during Drag Storytime at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Ships in Port for the week of June 26

Here’s what to expect this week.

  • Jun 26, 2022
A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A crowd of people protesting near the Alaskan State Capitol clap at one of the many speakers at the protest. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘We won’t go back’: Abortion rights protesters rally near the state Capitol

Demonstrators denounce decision.

A crowd of people protesting near the Alaskan State Capitol clap at one of the many speakers at the protest. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
FILE - Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney's campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska Supreme Court ruling keeps Sweeney off House ballot

In a brief written order, the high court said it affirmed the decision of a Superior Court judge.

FILE - Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney's campaign manager said, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the campaign did not plan to sue over a finding released by Alaska elections officials stating that she cannot advance to the special election for U.S. House following the withdrawal of another candidate. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen, File)
President Joe Biden signs into law S. 2938, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act gun safety bill, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 25, 2022. First lady Jill Biden looks on at right. (AP Photo / Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President signs landmark gun measure, says ‘lives will be saved’

The House gave final approval Friday, following Senate passage Thursday.

President Joe Biden signs into law S. 2938, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act gun safety bill, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 25, 2022. First lady Jill Biden looks on at right. (AP Photo / Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Saturday, June 25, 2022

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

  • Jun 25, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
Courtesy Photo / Juneau Culture Club Juneau Culture Club poses on the Whitehaven Beach along the Whitsundays Island in Australia on June 15.

Land Down Under goes over well with culture club

After years of waiting, youths take trip to Australia.

Courtesy Photo / Juneau Culture Club Juneau Culture Club poses on the Whitehaven Beach along the Whitsundays Island in Australia on June 15.
This photo shows a return envelope from the recent special primary election for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. On Friday, a judge sided with the state elections office on a decision to omit fifth-place finisher Tara Sweeney from ballots in the special general election. Al Gross, who finished third in the special primary, dropped out of the race, creating confusing circumstances ahead of Alaska's first ranked choice vote. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Judge rules Sweeney wont advance to special election

Decision has Sweeney off the ballot for special election.

  • Jun 24, 2022
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
This photo shows a return envelope from the recent special primary election for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. On Friday, a judge sided with the state elections office on a decision to omit fifth-place finisher Tara Sweeney from ballots in the special general election. Al Gross, who finished third in the special primary, dropped out of the race, creating confusing circumstances ahead of Alaska's first ranked choice vote. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Has Du Eetíxʼ Xʼaakeidíx̱ Haa Sitee performs at Pride Outside at Skater’s Cabin, an LGBTQ community event organized by NAMI Juneau on June 5, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Meryl Connelly-Chew)

Local LGBTQ+ advocate receives award for work building community

Community-based work is their focus and their calling.

Has Du Eetíxʼ Xʼaakeidíx̱ Haa Sitee performs at Pride Outside at Skater’s Cabin, an LGBTQ community event organized by NAMI Juneau on June 5, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Meryl Connelly-Chew)
Three people were arrested over several days in a series of events stemming from a June 16 shoplifting incident, with a significant amount of methamphetamine seized. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Shoplifting investigation leads to arrests on drug charges

Significant amounts of drugs and loose cash, as well as stolen goods, were found.

Three people were arrested over several days in a series of events stemming from a June 16 shoplifting incident, with a significant amount of methamphetamine seized. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Ben Gaglioti, an ecologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, stands next to a mountain hemlock tree damaged in winter on the outer coast of Glacier Bay National Park in Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photos / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Bonsai trees tell of winters long past

By Ned Rozell A GREEN PLATEAU NORTH OF LITUYA BAY — “These are museum-class bonsais,” Ben Gaglioti says as we walk through an elfin forest.… Continue reading

Ben Gaglioti, an ecologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, stands next to a mountain hemlock tree damaged in winter on the outer coast of Glacier Bay National Park in Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photos / Ned Rozell)
Emily Chapel holds up a sign containing an expletive in protest of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The decision had protected rights to abortion access for nearly 50 years. Following the new decision, states can decide to ban abortion. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Juneau residents weigh in on Supreme Court overturning Roe

Here’s what they said.

Emily Chapel holds up a sign containing an expletive in protest of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The decision had protected rights to abortion access for nearly 50 years. Following the new decision, states can decide to ban abortion. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Demonstrators gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, June 24, 2022. The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years, a decision by its conservative majority to overturn the court's landmark abortion cases. (AP Photo / Jose Luis Magana)

Update: Alaskans react to Supreme Court overturn of Roe v. Wade

The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion.

Demonstrators gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, June 24, 2022. The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years, a decision by its conservative majority to overturn the court's landmark abortion cases. (AP Photo / Jose Luis Magana)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Peter Froehlich, a retired Juneau district judge who is now a volunteer tour guide, explains the history of the history of the Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building to a group of visitors Thursday. The organ has been idle since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now needs repairs before regular Friday lunchtime concerts and other performances on the 94-year-old instrument can resume.

Historic organ is in need of tuneup

How much it will cost and who will do it remain up in the air.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Peter Froehlich, a retired Juneau district judge who is now a volunteer tour guide, explains the history of the history of the Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building to a group of visitors Thursday. The organ has been idle since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now needs repairs before regular Friday lunchtime concerts and other performances on the 94-year-old instrument can resume.
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Friday, June 24, 2022

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

  • Jun 24, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
Candidate for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives Tara Sweeney, a Republican, was in Juneau on Monday, May 16, 2022, and sat down with the Empire for an interview. A lawsuit filed Thursday challenges a decision to omit Sweeney from ballots in the upcoming Aug. 16 special election. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lawsuit says Sweeney should advance in House race

The lawsuit says the Division of Elections misinterpreted state law.

Candidate for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives Tara Sweeney, a Republican, was in Juneau on Monday, May 16, 2022, and sat down with the Empire for an interview. A lawsuit filed Thursday challenges a decision to omit Sweeney from ballots in the upcoming Aug. 16 special election. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who spoke to the Alaska State Legislature on Feb. 22, 2022, said in a news conference Thursday she was supporting the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act aimed at addressing the high levels of gun violence in the U.S. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Murkowski defends federal gun bill, criticizes inaction

Republican resistance.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who spoke to the Alaska State Legislature on Feb. 22, 2022, said in a news conference Thursday she was supporting the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act aimed at addressing the high levels of gun violence in the U.S. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Excess deaths across Alaska rose above predicted numbers as the pandemic continued to hit the state hard through 2021. COVID-19, as an underlying cause, became the third-largest cause of death. (Associated Press photo)

Report: COVID was Alaska’s third-leading cause of death in 2021

Excess deaths were also way up from predicted numbers.

Excess deaths across Alaska rose above predicted numbers as the pandemic continued to hit the state hard through 2021. COVID-19, as an underlying cause, became the third-largest cause of death. (Associated Press photo)
Juneau is on track to beat record high temperatures going into the weekend and following week as a heatwave rolls through the Southeast. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Sun and potentially record-setting heat are in Juneau’s future

Heatwave goodbye to the clouds.

Juneau is on track to beat record high temperatures going into the weekend and following week as a heatwave rolls through the Southeast. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Ships in Port for the week of June 19

Here’s what to expect this week.

  • Jun 23, 2022
A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)