News

The sun shines over Auke Bay on Aug. 18 as a sunny weekend belies the coming autumn. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Sun shines as weather edges toward autumn

A sunny weekend belies the coming of gray skies and cooling temperatures.

The sun shines over Auke Bay on Aug. 18 as a sunny weekend belies the coming autumn. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Montana Creek Bridge is closed to all vehicle traffic following recent weather that has damaged the structure, according to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Montana Creek Bridge closed to all vehicles due to damage

Recent weather has rendered it unsafe for cars, ATVs, and other vehicles, as well as horses.

The Montana Creek Bridge is closed to all vehicle traffic following recent weather that has damaged the structure, according to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
An inmate at Anchorage Correctional Complex died last week, bringing total deaths in custody for the Alaska Department of Corrections to eight in 2022, according to a department news release. (Screenshot)

Anchorage inmate dies in custody

It’s the eighth death in custody for Alaska correctional facilities this year.

An inmate at Anchorage Correctional Complex died last week, bringing total deaths in custody for the Alaska Department of Corrections to eight in 2022, according to a department news release. (Screenshot)
In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo / Chris Miller)

Cleanup could be coming for Tulsequah Chief mine

Environmental groups welcome end of receivership after decades of limbo.

In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo / Chris Miller)
A thunderstorm passes between Midland and Odessa, Texas, just behind an array of pump jacks on Thursday, May 14, 2020. While the Inflation Reduction Act concentrates on clean energy incentives that could drastically reduce overall U.S. emissions, it also buoys oil and gas interests by mandating leasing of vast areas of public lands and off the nation’s coasts. (Eli Hartman / Odessa American)

Climate bill’s unlikely beneficiary: U.S. oil and gas industry

The climate measure guarantees new drilling opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska.

A thunderstorm passes between Midland and Odessa, Texas, just behind an array of pump jacks on Thursday, May 14, 2020. While the Inflation Reduction Act concentrates on clean energy incentives that could drastically reduce overall U.S. emissions, it also buoys oil and gas interests by mandating leasing of vast areas of public lands and off the nation’s coasts. (Eli Hartman / Odessa American)
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022

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

  • Aug 18, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
Team Elm faces off against Team Cypress in a battle of tug of war during the Coast Guard’s annual Buoy Tender Olympics on Wednesday at the Coast Guard Station Juneau. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Coast Guard hosts Buoy Tender Olympics in Juneau

Off the chain.

Team Elm faces off against Team Cypress in a battle of tug of war during the Coast Guard’s annual Buoy Tender Olympics on Wednesday at the Coast Guard Station Juneau. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Democratic U.S. House Candidate Mary Peltola hugs a supporter during a campaign event in Juneau on Friday. Peltola emerged as the top finisher in the first round of results on election night, but is facing two better-known Republican challengers who may prevail when the new ranked choice ballots get a final tabulation Aug. 31. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Election results and reactions

Ranked choice will determine who wins House seat; November races take shape.

Democratic U.S. House Candidate Mary Peltola hugs a supporter during a campaign event in Juneau on Friday. Peltola emerged as the top finisher in the first round of results on election night, but is facing two better-known Republican challengers who may prevail when the new ranked choice ballots get a final tabulation Aug. 31. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ada watches the birds from our front yard, the Pacific Ocean, in Wrangell. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Faith Prescott)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: Rescuing Ada

Dog days of summer.

Ada watches the birds from our front yard, the Pacific Ocean, in Wrangell. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Faith Prescott)
Sockeye salmon return to Steep Creek to spawn. Alaska’s overall commercial salmon harvest across all species is currently up 15% from 2021 (2020 for pinks) with Bristol Bay and the Prince William Sound largely carrying the weight while other regions lag, according to data from the most recent Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute weekly salmon harvest update. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Statewide salmon harvest on the upswing compared to last year, species vary in harvest success

See the salmon stats here.

Sockeye salmon return to Steep Creek to spawn. Alaska’s overall commercial salmon harvest across all species is currently up 15% from 2021 (2020 for pinks) with Bristol Bay and the Prince William Sound largely carrying the weight while other regions lag, according to data from the most recent Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute weekly salmon harvest update. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ryan John glasses the edge of the Sag River as it meets the unforgiving, flat tundra on its way to the Arctic Ocean. (Courtesy Photo / Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: North slope caribou

I had stopped hopping from tussock to tussock attempting to keep my feet dry. Frequent missteps and sneaky depths had put water over my gaiters… Continue reading

Ryan John glasses the edge of the Sag River as it meets the unforgiving, flat tundra on its way to the Arctic Ocean. (Courtesy Photo / Jeff Lund)
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022

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

  • Aug 17, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
Democratic U.S. House Candidate Mary Peltola hugs a supporter during a campaign event in Juneau on Friday. Peltola emerged as the top finisher in the first round of results on election night, but is facing two better-known Republican challengers who may prevail when the new ranked choice ballots get a final tabulation Aug. 31. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Update: Unofficial results roll in

Peltola, Murkowski take early leads

Democratic U.S. House Candidate Mary Peltola hugs a supporter during a campaign event in Juneau on Friday. Peltola emerged as the top finisher in the first round of results on election night, but is facing two better-known Republican challengers who may prevail when the new ranked choice ballots get a final tabulation Aug. 31. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A student heads to the main entrance of Thunder Mountain High School to start the first day of school. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

New school year starts ‘a lot closer to normal’

Classes are back in session and with it comes a few new changes, according to school officials

A student heads to the main entrance of Thunder Mountain High School to start the first day of school. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A blue darner dragonfly perched on hands, shoulders, and heads. (Courtesy Photo / Ralf Gerking)

On the Trails: Sights and sounds from the trails in late summer

Winged wonders abound.

A blue darner dragonfly perched on hands, shoulders, and heads. (Courtesy Photo / Ralf Gerking)
This October 2020 photo shows the MV Kennicott. The Alaska Marine Highway System's winter ferry schedule is now available for review. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Winter ferry schedule available for review

Comments now being accepted.

This October 2020 photo shows the MV Kennicott. The Alaska Marine Highway System's winter ferry schedule is now available for review. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022

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

  • Aug 16, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
Voters wait in line outside a polling place during the Republican primary election in Wilson, Wyo., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)

Cheney braces for loss as Trump tested in Wyoming and Alaska

Contests in Wyoming and Alaska offer tests for Trump and his brand of hard-line politics.

Voters wait in line outside a polling place during the Republican primary election in Wilson, Wyo., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
A sign points voters toward an election center during the May special primary election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

What to know for Election Day

Balloting bits including poll places, expected result times and more.

A sign points voters toward an election center during the May special primary election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
2022 marks the 76th year the Goldern North Salmon Derby has existed in Juneau. The derby, which also doubles as a fundraiser, has raised nearly $2 million and given scholarships to more than 300 local high school and graduate students. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A dawdling derby

This year’s salmon derby seemed to lack numbers, participants according to officials

2022 marks the 76th year the Goldern North Salmon Derby has existed in Juneau. The derby, which also doubles as a fundraiser, has raised nearly $2 million and given scholarships to more than 300 local high school and graduate students. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)