News

Capital City Fire/Rescue has issued a burn ban in effect till at least Friday evening as several small fires have been reported from the dry weather. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

CCFR handles multiple dry-weather fires

Rain is expected to provide relief over the weekend.

Capital City Fire/Rescue has issued a burn ban in effect till at least Friday evening as several small fires have been reported from the dry weather. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
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 3, 2022

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

  • Jun 3, 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)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Wilbur W. James Jr., 66, was sentenced Thursday to more than 22 years imprisonment for multiple charges of sexual assault, including sexual abuse of a minor, after being found guilty in a trial in February.

Juneau man sentenced to over 2 decades in child sex case

The crimes occurred over a span of decades, according to testimony.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Wilbur W. James Jr., 66, was sentenced Thursday to more than 22 years imprisonment for multiple charges of sexual assault, including sexual abuse of a minor, after being found guilty in a trial in February.
Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon takes a photo of an interactive spreadsheet showing how adjusting sales tax and property tax rates can compensate for revenue lost if food is exempt from local sales taxes during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The committee rejected putting several variations of the food tax exemption on the fall municipal ballot, instead suggesting they may favor an advisory vote on the issue. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Food sales tax exemption stalls out —for now

Members of Juneau’s Assembly reject proposal for fall ballot, but residents may see advisory vote.

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon takes a photo of an interactive spreadsheet showing how adjusting sales tax and property tax rates can compensate for revenue lost if food is exempt from local sales taxes during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The committee rejected putting several variations of the food tax exemption on the fall municipal ballot, instead suggesting they may favor an advisory vote on the issue. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A sign on the Douglas Highway advertises a home for sale on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Home prices in Alaska have been increasing for the past two years but an expected increase to interest rates might cool off the market. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Housing prices rose in Alaska while some homeowners struggle with payments

Manageable mortgages.

A sign on the Douglas Highway advertises a home for sale on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Home prices in Alaska have been increasing for the past two years but an expected increase to interest rates might cool off the market. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This April 12 photo shows Alaska Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, who will not be seeking reelection. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Senate minority leader doesn’t plan to run this year

“In my heart and my mind, I’ve moved away from the job.”

This April 12 photo shows Alaska Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, who will not be seeking reelection. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Bartlett Regional Hospital announced that two of three finalists for its chief executive officer position have withdrawn from consideration citing personal reasons. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

2 of 3 hospital CEO candidates drop out

Finalists withdraw a day before in-person interviews begin, BRH board considers next steps Saturday.

Bartlett Regional Hospital announced that two of three finalists for its chief executive officer position have withdrawn from consideration citing personal reasons. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
An aerial shows the footprint of the test well drilled in the mid-1980s on land owned by the Kaktovik Native village corporation within the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The well is 14 miles east of Kaktovik and the melting the Beaufort Sea is at the top of the picture. One of the bidders in an oil and gas lease sale for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge last year has canceled the lease it bought, the U.S. Interior Department said. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Bidder in ANWR oil and gas lease sale cancels lease

Regenerate Alaska requested the cancellation and its money back.

  • Jun 2, 2022
  • Associated Press
An aerial shows the footprint of the test well drilled in the mid-1980s on land owned by the Kaktovik Native village corporation within the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The well is 14 miles east of Kaktovik and the melting the Beaufort Sea is at the top of the picture. One of the bidders in an oil and gas lease sale for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge last year has canceled the lease it bought, the U.S. Interior Department said. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Forms to run for state office are available at the Alaska Division of Elections' offices in Juneau on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the deadline for potential candidates to file. The state's new voting system has led to a large number of Alaskans running for office this year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s elections are packed as filing deadline passes

More to come.

Forms to run for state office are available at the Alaska Division of Elections' offices in Juneau on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the deadline for potential candidates to file. The state's new voting system has led to a large number of Alaskans running for office this year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rick Kauzlarich is the featured artist for the month of June at the Juneau Artists Gallery. (Courtesy Photo)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday

It’s a busy one.

Rick Kauzlarich is the featured artist for the month of June at the Juneau Artists Gallery. (Courtesy Photo)
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 2, 2022

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

  • Jun 2, 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)
A sign asking Juneau residents to sign a petition eliminating a requirement that property buyers disclose their purchase price is displayed by a signature gatherer during a collection effort earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of the Southeast Alaska Board of Realtors)

Petition seeks to nix real estate disclosure requirement

A possible vote.

A sign asking Juneau residents to sign a petition eliminating a requirement that property buyers disclose their purchase price is displayed by a signature gatherer during a collection effort earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of the Southeast Alaska Board of Realtors)
Cruise ship workers Leo Garcia, left, Joan Rosos, center, and Gerald Gasper take an ice cream break Wednesday in Marine Park, where the temperature at about 2 p.m. was 77 degrees, one degree below the record set in 1958. A record high of 78 degrees occurred in Juneau on Tuesday, as well as a record high of 74 degrees in Yakutat, with more record temperatures possible in Southeast Alaska this week before cooler weather and rain arrive this weekend, (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Record heat wave hits Juneau

New highs set Tuesday and Wednesday — and Thursday may be hotter; cooler weather expected this weekend

Cruise ship workers Leo Garcia, left, Joan Rosos, center, and Gerald Gasper take an ice cream break Wednesday in Marine Park, where the temperature at about 2 p.m. was 77 degrees, one degree below the record set in 1958. A record high of 78 degrees occurred in Juneau on Tuesday, as well as a record high of 74 degrees in Yakutat, with more record temperatures possible in Southeast Alaska this week before cooler weather and rain arrive this weekend, (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This 2018 photo shows the M/V Malaspina 2018. (Courtesy Photo / Frank P. Flavin)

Ferry retiring to Ketchikan

Malaspina to be sold to LLC; planned to be centerpiece of a historic park.

This 2018 photo shows the M/V Malaspina 2018. (Courtesy Photo / Frank P. Flavin)
An Alaska Army National Guard aircrew flying a UH-60 Black Hawk aided in the rescue of a mountain biker with a possible spinal injury from the wilderness east of Kenai on May 30, 2022. (Alejandro Pena / U.S. Air Force)

National Guard rescues injured biker near Kenai

The biker had a possible spinal injury, requiring aerial medevac.

An Alaska Army National Guard aircrew flying a UH-60 Black Hawk aided in the rescue of a mountain biker with a possible spinal injury from the wilderness east of Kenai on May 30, 2022. (Alejandro Pena / U.S. Air Force)
Troy Quinn, former music director of The Juneau Symphony, leads local musicians through their first rehearsal for the upcoming performances of "A Night at the Oscars" scheduled June 11 and 12. The concert was original scheduled as his final conducting appearance in 2020, but delayed due to COVID-19. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Former symphony director returns for movie music concert

Troy Quinn says “A Night At The Oscars” lets audience see as well as hear what’s missing on film.

Troy Quinn, former music director of The Juneau Symphony, leads local musicians through their first rehearsal for the upcoming performances of "A Night at the Oscars" scheduled June 11 and 12. The concert was original scheduled as his final conducting appearance in 2020, but delayed due to COVID-19. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Written by Lily Wooshkindein Da.áat Hope and illustrated by Kelsey Mata Foote, Sealaska Heritage Institute just released a new children’s book about Celebration for their Baby Raven Reads program. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Native artists, SHI release Celebration-themed children’s book

It’ll join the ever-expanding Baby Raven Reads catalogue.

Written by Lily Wooshkindein Da.áat Hope and illustrated by Kelsey Mata Foote, Sealaska Heritage Institute just released a new children’s book about Celebration for their Baby Raven Reads program. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Mary Goddard holds salmon filets wrapped in deer heart leaves. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: The gift of deer heart

Deer heart is one of the early and most abundant greens in Tlingit Aaní.

Mary Goddard holds salmon filets wrapped in deer heart leaves. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)
FILE - Sarah Palin, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. The judge who presided over Palin's libel case against The New York Times denied her request Tuesday, May 31, 2022, for a new trial, saying she failed to introduce "even a speck” of evidence necessary to prove actual malice. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Judge: No ‘speck’ of proof in Palin’s libel case against NYT

NEW YORK (AP) — The judge who presided over Sarah Palin’s libel case against The New York Times denied her request Tuesday for a new… Continue reading

FILE - Sarah Palin, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. The judge who presided over Palin's libel case against The New York Times denied her request Tuesday, May 31, 2022, for a new trial, saying she failed to introduce "even a speck” of evidence necessary to prove actual malice. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Bill Ritter, former governor of Colorado and founder of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University, promotes bipartisanship in his opening address on May 24 at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Nonpartisan solutions promoted for energy and climate problems, but not everyone is on board

A different framework.

Bill Ritter, former governor of Colorado and founder of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University, promotes bipartisanship in his opening address on May 24 at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)