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Hundreds of regalia-clad dancers lined Willoughby Avenue behind Centennial Hall on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in preparation for Celebration 2022's grand procession through the hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Hundreds gather for Celebration grand procession

Day one.

Hundreds of regalia-clad dancers lined Willoughby Avenue behind Centennial Hall on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in preparation for Celebration 2022's grand procession through the hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Dr. Michael Johnson, Commissioner of Education and Early Development, is interviewed by members of the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has chosen Dr. Johnson as a Lt. Governor successor if needed. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Education commissioner leaving role after 6 years

Alaska state education commissioner Michael Johnson is stepping down from the role he has held for six years on June 30. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office… Continue reading

  • Jun 9, 2022
  • Associated Press
Dr. Michael Johnson, Commissioner of Education and Early Development, is interviewed by members of the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has chosen Dr. Johnson as a Lt. Governor successor if needed. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Fran Houston, cultural Leader of the A'akw Kwáan, dances during Celebration in downtown Juneau. Wednesday, the biennial celebration of Alaska Native peoples and cultures brought song, dance and the opening of a new arts campus to the capital city. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Celebration opens with Sealaska campus debut

Dances, ceremonies, Alaska’s first 360-degree totem and a new discovery about old times mark event

Fran Houston, cultural Leader of the A'akw Kwáan, dances during Celebration in downtown Juneau. Wednesday, the biennial celebration of Alaska Native peoples and cultures brought song, dance and the opening of a new arts campus to the capital city. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kristall Bullock, 16, right, a Ketchikan resident whose Native-themed vest is part of the Sealaska Heritage Juried Youth Art Exhibit, examines works by her peers during the debt of the exhibit Friday at the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. She said she saw works at the exhibit during Celebration in 2018, when she was with one of the dance groups, and “I was thinking I want to have a piece.” Viewing other works at the exhibit with Bullock are her sister, Anna Lindgren, and 8-month-old niece, Evelyn. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Healthy outlook for return of Celebration

Landmark Alaska Native event returns to Juneau starting Wednesday, with strict COVID-19 rules.

Kristall Bullock, 16, right, a Ketchikan resident whose Native-themed vest is part of the Sealaska Heritage Juried Youth Art Exhibit, examines works by her peers during the debt of the exhibit Friday at the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. She said she saw works at the exhibit during Celebration in 2018, when she was with one of the dance groups, and “I was thinking I want to have a piece.” Viewing other works at the exhibit with Bullock are her sister, Anna Lindgren, and 8-month-old niece, Evelyn. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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 Thursday, June 9, 2022

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

  • Jun 9, 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)
This photo shows Cowee Meadows at the end of May presented a flower show featuring buttercups and the taller lupines; shooting stars bloomed below the yellow canopy. (Mary F. Willson / For the Juneau Empire)

On the Trails: Cowee Meadows observations

Building up buttercups.

  • Jun 8, 2022
  • By Mary F. Willson
This photo shows Cowee Meadows at the end of May presented a flower show featuring buttercups and the taller lupines; shooting stars bloomed below the yellow canopy. (Mary F. Willson / For the Juneau Empire)
The Capitol is seen in Washington, early Friday, April 1, 2022. The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol will go public with its findings starting Thursday, June 9. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Jan. 6 insurrection hearings: How to watch and what to know

Nearly a year since its inception, the House committee will go public.

The Capitol is seen in Washington, early Friday, April 1, 2022. The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol will go public with its findings starting Thursday, June 9. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corp., to divest itself from any Russian investment. Legislation to require divestment did not pass the Legislature. The state still holds millions of dollars in Russian investments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

State still holds millions in Russian investments

Llegislation that would have required the state to sell its Russia holdings did not pass.

Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corp., to divest itself from any Russian investment. Legislation to require divestment did not pass the Legislature. The state still holds millions of dollars in Russian investments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
There have been reports of wolves, like the one shown in this public domain image, near the Mendenhall River Community School in early June, but the Alaska Department of Fish and Game hasn’t received any reports of wolves being a nuisance, said a state biologist. (Milo Weiler / Unsplash)

Not-so-dire wolf: Animal sighting near school not necessarily cause for concern, says biologist

Its presence on a road in daylight is unusual, but not unheard of.

There have been reports of wolves, like the one shown in this public domain image, near the Mendenhall River Community School in early June, but the Alaska Department of Fish and Game hasn’t received any reports of wolves being a nuisance, said a state biologist. (Milo Weiler / Unsplash)
This April photo shows the Juneau International Airport. On Tuesday two Juneau residents were arrested on multiple drug-related charges at the airport. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Two Juneau residents arrested for drugs at airport

It’s the third six-figure bust this week.

This April photo shows the Juneau International Airport. On Tuesday two Juneau residents were arrested on multiple drug-related charges at the airport. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A Juneau man was sentenced to more than a decade imprisonment for sexual abuse of a minor at Dimond Courthouse on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Man sentenced to 12 years in sexual abuse of minor case

The trial for the 2017 offense concluded in June 2021.

A Juneau man was sentenced to more than a decade imprisonment for sexual abuse of a minor at Dimond Courthouse on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Former Gov. Bill Walker, right, and his running mate former commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development Heidi Drygas, speak to Juneauites gathered for a fundraiser at a private home in Juneau on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Walker’s run for governor comes to Juneau

A crowded field.

Former Gov. Bill Walker, right, and his running mate former commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development Heidi Drygas, speak to Juneauites gathered for a fundraiser at a private home in Juneau on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The 10 participants in season 9 of “Alone,” premiering on May 26, 2022, on the History Channel. Terry Burns of Homer is the fifth from left. Another Alaskan in the series, Jacques Tourcotte of Juneau, is third from left. (Photo by Brendan George Ko/History Channel)
Features

Homer man goes it ‘Alone’

Burns brings lifetime of wilderness experience to survival series.

The 10 participants in season 9 of “Alone,” premiering on May 26, 2022, on the History Channel. Terry Burns of Homer is the fifth from left. Another Alaskan in the series, Jacques Tourcotte of Juneau, is third from left. (Photo by Brendan George Ko/History Channel)
Natalia Spengler, left, Tommy Schoffler, center, and Kelsey Riker rehearse the final scene of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Treadwell Office Mine on Tuesday. The play debuts at 7 p.m. Thursday and will continue at the historic mine site and other outdoors venues until June 26. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Playing around at the office

All the world’s a stage —especially the part by the Treadwell Mine.

Natalia Spengler, left, Tommy Schoffler, center, and Kelsey Riker rehearse the final scene of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Treadwell Office Mine on Tuesday. The play debuts at 7 p.m. Thursday and will continue at the historic mine site and other outdoors venues until June 26. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The author takes a few shots of the sun and lantern-lit tent after sunset on a bear hunt earlier this spring. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: At the speed of sound

Being reflective is not about high ground. It’s not about your place compared to others…

The author takes a few shots of the sun and lantern-lit tent after sunset on a bear hunt earlier this spring. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
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 Wednesday, June 8, 2022

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

  • Jun 8, 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)
The Coast Guard medevaced two people from shore after their plane crashed in the water near Outer Point on Douglas Island, Alaska, June 7, 2022. The two survivors immediately swam ashore after their plane crashed approximately 100 feet from shore. (Courtesy Photo / Coast Guard)

2 stable following plane crash near Outer Point

The plane’s sole two occupants immediately swam to shore.

The Coast Guard medevaced two people from shore after their plane crashed in the water near Outer Point on Douglas Island, Alaska, June 7, 2022. The two survivors immediately swam ashore after their plane crashed approximately 100 feet from shore. (Courtesy Photo / Coast Guard)
Dense residential housing in areas such as Douglas includes a mixture of more expensive homes occupied by long-term owners, rentals occupied by residents from various income categories and an increasing number of short-term rentals occupied by tourists. (Courtesy Photo / City and Borough of Juneau)

Long-term debate continues about short-term rentals

Mandatory registration of Airbnb and similar rentals favored by Assembly members.

Dense residential housing in areas such as Douglas includes a mixture of more expensive homes occupied by long-term owners, rentals occupied by residents from various income categories and an increasing number of short-term rentals occupied by tourists. (Courtesy Photo / City and Borough of Juneau)
Fenton Jacobs, 42, was found guilty on Friday of a number of charges from his involvement in a 2019 stabbing. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Man found guilty of 2nd-degree murder in fatal stabbing case

Jurors deliberated till late Friday, delivering a verdict.

Fenton Jacobs, 42, was found guilty on Friday of a number of charges from his involvement in a 2019 stabbing. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
An artist depiction of a new city hall building at 450 Whittier St. in Juneau, which would cost an estimated $41 million with an underground parking garage, according to a presentation to Juneau Assembly members Monday. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)

A priceless vote for a new city hall

Juneau’s Assembly members OK drafting bond measure for fall ballot, but not yet sure of the amount.

An artist depiction of a new city hall building at 450 Whittier St. in Juneau, which would cost an estimated $41 million with an underground parking garage, according to a presentation to Juneau Assembly members Monday. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)