News

Kari Cravens, of Ashmo’s food truck in Sitka, takes cash from Jacil Lee, a cruise ship passenger stopping in town last week. Many business owners in Sitka are unable to accept credit and debit cards amid an outage in most phone and internet communications. (Sitka Sentinel, republished with permission)

In internet-less Sitka, it’s both ‘mayhem’ and a ‘golden moment’

Surgeries on hold and businesses are cash-only, but more people are talking and sharing stories.

Kari Cravens, of Ashmo’s food truck in Sitka, takes cash from Jacil Lee, a cruise ship passenger stopping in town last week. Many business owners in Sitka are unable to accept credit and debit cards amid an outage in most phone and internet communications. (Sitka Sentinel, republished with permission)
A student exits the University of Alaska Anchorage consortium library on Friday. Alaska now has had 12 years of net outmigration, with more people leaving the state than moving in, contrary to past history when Alaska drew large numbers of young adults. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

With Alaska outmigration continuing, community members contemplate responses

Two-day meeting at UAA gave attendees from different sectors a chance to brainstorm solutions.

A student exits the University of Alaska Anchorage consortium library on Friday. Alaska now has had 12 years of net outmigration, with more people leaving the state than moving in, contrary to past history when Alaska drew large numbers of young adults. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, Sept. 6, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Emire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Emire file photo)
Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ships in port for the week of Sept. 7

Here’s what to expect this week.

Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Members of the Alaska House watch for the vote tally on House Bill 17 on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Governor vetoes bill that would have expanded Alaska women’s access to birth control medicine

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has vetoed a bill that would have eased access to contraceptives. Dunleavy on Wednesday vetoed House Bill 17, a measure that the… Continue reading

Members of the Alaska House watch for the vote tally on House Bill 17 on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds (left) and Xáalnook Erin Tripp star in the play “Cold Case,” focusing on issues involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, which is now performing at Perseverance Theatre. (Akiko Nishijima Rotch / Perseverance Theatre)
Capital City Weekly

Perseverance’s ‘Cold Case’ tops NYT’s list of ‘15 Shows to See on Stages Around the U.S. This Fall’

Award-winning play about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons showing in Juneau until Sept. 22.

Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds (left) and Xáalnook Erin Tripp star in the play “Cold Case,” focusing on issues involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, which is now performing at Perseverance Theatre. (Akiko Nishijima Rotch / Perseverance Theatre)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities at the Alaska State Capitol on March 1, 2023.

Bills by Juneau legislator adding official Indigenous state languages, upgrading dock safety become law

Safety bill by Rep. Story also contains provision by Sen. Kiehl expanding disaster aid eligibility.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities at the Alaska State Capitol on March 1, 2023.
Police and other emergency officials treat Steven Kissack after he was fatally shot on Front Street on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

UPDATE: Bodycam footage of Steven Kissack shooting, results of state investigation scheduled for release Tuesday

Videos, originally scheduled for Friday release, delayed until JPD gets state report, police chief says.

Police and other emergency officials treat Steven Kissack after he was fatally shot on Front Street on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Workers construct a greenhouse behind the Edward K. Thomas building during the summer of 2021. The greenhouse is part of a food sovereignty project by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, which this week received a $15 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency to establish or expand composting operations in five Southast Alaska communities including Juneau. (Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska photo)

Tlingit and Haida gets $15M EPA grant for composting operations in five Southeast Alaska communities

Funds will establish or expand programs in Juneau, Wrangell, Hoonah, Petersburg and Yakutat.

Workers construct a greenhouse behind the Edward K. Thomas building during the summer of 2021. The greenhouse is part of a food sovereignty project by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, which this week received a $15 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency to establish or expand composting operations in five Southast Alaska communities including Juneau. (Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska photo)
Duff Mitchell (right), a board member of the Downtown Business Association, reads a question to Juneau Assembly and mayoral candidates during a forum Tuesday night at V’s Cellar Door restaurant. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Near-unanimous opposition to Ship-Free Saturday proposition by Assembly and mayoral candidates

Mayoral and Assembly hopefuls also discuss downtown’s economic future, City Hall and bond measures.

Duff Mitchell (right), a board member of the Downtown Business Association, reads a question to Juneau Assembly and mayoral candidates during a forum Tuesday night at V’s Cellar Door restaurant. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds (foreground) and Xáalnook Erin Tripp star in the play “Cold Case,” focusing on a story involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, which is scheduled to make its stage debut Friday at Perseverance Theatre. (Akiko Nishijima Rotch / Perseverance Theatre)
Capital City Weekly

Play revealing unseen struggles of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons debuts at Perseverance Theatre

“Cold Case” features story of rural Iñupiaq woman trying to recover aunt’s body from Anchorage.

Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds (foreground) and Xáalnook Erin Tripp star in the play “Cold Case,” focusing on a story involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, which is scheduled to make its stage debut Friday at Perseverance Theatre. (Akiko Nishijima Rotch / Perseverance Theatre)
James Montiver holds Cassie, and William Montiver holds Alani behind them, members of the Ketchikan Fire Department that helped rescue the dogs on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

Dogs saved after seven days in Ketchikan landslide

Ketchikan Fire Department firefighters with heroic efforts Sunday brought joy and some relief to the community as it grieves the loss of life and homes… Continue reading

  • Sep 5, 2024
  • By Danelle Kelly, Ketchikan Daily News
  • landslide
James Montiver holds Cassie, and William Montiver holds Alani behind them, members of the Ketchikan Fire Department that helped rescue the dogs on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Bartlett Regional Hospital leaders (foreground) present details of their request for financial support to keep hospice, home care and residential substance abuse recovery programs operating during a Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Funding for hospital’s hospice, home health and Rainforest Recovery programs get Assembly support

Plan includes Gastineau Human Services expanding to accommodate Rainforest’s substance abuse treatment.

Bartlett Regional Hospital leaders (foreground) present details of their request for financial support to keep hospice, home care and residential substance abuse recovery programs operating during a Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speaks during a session of the Alaska House of Representatives on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Rauscher was the lead sponsor of House Bill 88. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy vetoes work quota rules for Amazon-like warehouses

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has vetoed a bill that would have required the operators of large warehouses to provide their employees with a written work quota… Continue reading

Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speaks during a session of the Alaska House of Representatives on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Rauscher was the lead sponsor of House Bill 88. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Boxed kits with naloxone, an overdose-reversal drug, and associated equipment are stacked on tables at the Alaska Department of Health’s Anchorage office on Aug. 9. The kits were assembled that day in preparation for distribution to school districts around the state, in accordance with House Bill 202. The bill requires schools to stock the kits and to have personnel trained to use them. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska schools to be stocked with anti-overdose kits, under new law

Emergency kits to save victims of opioid overdoses are on their way to Alaska schools, in accordance with a new law. The law is the… Continue reading

Boxed kits with naloxone, an overdose-reversal drug, and associated equipment are stacked on tables at the Alaska Department of Health’s Anchorage office on Aug. 9. The kits were assembled that day in preparation for distribution to school districts around the state, in accordance with House Bill 202. The bill requires schools to stock the kits and to have personnel trained to use them. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Sept. 6, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week ending Sept. 7

Three decades of capital city coverage.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Sept. 6, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Abortion-rights advocates start a march along several downtown blocks to protest the U.S. Supreme Court ruling’s June 24, 2022, ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. An Alaska judge has ruled that a longstanding provision in state law specifying that licensed physicians are the only medical professionals allowed to provide abortion services violates the Alaska constitution’s equal-protection and privacy guarantees. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska judge strikes down requirement that only licensed physicians provide abortions

Ruling says barring clinicians from providing services violates equal-protection, privacy rights

Abortion-rights advocates start a march along several downtown blocks to protest the U.S. Supreme Court ruling’s June 24, 2022, ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. An Alaska judge has ruled that a longstanding provision in state law specifying that licensed physicians are the only medical professionals allowed to provide abortion services violates the Alaska constitution’s equal-protection and privacy guarantees. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)