News

Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Supreme Court orders use of interim map for elections

The decision came just over a week before the June 1 filing deadline for the August primaries.

  • May 24, 2022
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
Gavel (Courtesy photo)
A male red-winged blackbird displays his showy red patches and calls to a rival male (Gina Vose photo)

On the Trails: Birds and beetles at Kingfisher Pond

Something is almost always happening at Kingfisher Pond.

A male red-winged blackbird displays his showy red patches and calls to a rival male (Gina Vose photo)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Dozens of containers of infant formula, including some eligible to be purchased with WIC benefits, are on shelves at Foodland IGA on Monday. But many other brands are absent and Brad Folckomer, the store’s assistant director, said while certain brands have generally remained available during a critical nationwide shortage, special types some mothers need are missing and it’s unknown when the situation may improve.

Local infant formula shortages likely to persist

Juneau outlets say limited supplies exist, but many brands absent and donations for needy lacking

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Dozens of containers of infant formula, including some eligible to be purchased with WIC benefits, are on shelves at Foodland IGA on Monday. But many other brands are absent and Brad Folckomer, the store’s assistant director, said while certain brands have generally remained available during a critical nationwide shortage, special types some mothers need are missing and it’s unknown when the situation may improve.
Syringes and colorful bandages are prepared as children from local schools prepare to get COVID-19 vaccines in Pittsfield, Mass., on Monday Dec. 13, 2021. Three doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine offer strong protection for children younger than 5, the company announced Monday, May 23, 2022. Pfizer plans to give the data to U.S. regulators later this week in a step toward letting the littlest kids get the shots. (Ben Garver / The Berkshire Eagle)

Pfizer says 3 COVID shots protect children under 5

The company released preliminary results on Monday.

Syringes and colorful bandages are prepared as children from local schools prepare to get COVID-19 vaccines in Pittsfield, Mass., on Monday Dec. 13, 2021. Three doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine offer strong protection for children younger than 5, the company announced Monday, May 23, 2022. Pfizer plans to give the data to U.S. regulators later this week in a step toward letting the littlest kids get the shots. (Ben Garver / The Berkshire Eagle)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Capitol will be the site of a committee hearing next month that will focus on the recent firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Legislature modernizes definition of consent in sexual assault cases

Change made with unanimous support in Legislature.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Capitol will be the site of a committee hearing next month that will focus on the recent firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Larry Atkinson, left, receives a meal from Erin Youngstrom for the Meals on Wheels program on Monday, May 23, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

They have the meals, they need the wheels

Volunteer shortage.

Larry Atkinson, left, receives a meal from Erin Youngstrom for the Meals on Wheels program on Monday, May 23, 2022. (Peter Segall / 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 Tuesday, May 24, 2022

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

  • May 23, 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)
Andreas Jones crosses the finish line during the annual Alaska Law Enforcement Torch Run at Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday morning. Nine disabled athletes and about 20 others participated in the race in Juneau, one of 15 communities statewide raising money for Special Olympics Alaska as part of the event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sprinters’ spirit aids marathon effort

30 Juneau participants raise $7,100 for annual statewide annual Alaska Law Enforcement Torch Run

Andreas Jones crosses the finish line during the annual Alaska Law Enforcement Torch Run at Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday morning. Nine disabled athletes and about 20 others participated in the race in Juneau, one of 15 communities statewide raising money for Special Olympics Alaska as part of the event. (Mark Sabbatini / 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 May 22, 2022

Here’s what to expect this week.

  • May 21, 2022
A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows the Capital City Fire/Rescue logo that adorns an an ambulance decorated with a formline design. On Friday night, CCFR responded to and extinguished a small fire at a local middle school. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Firefighters extinguish ‘small fire’ at middle school

No injuries were reported.

  • May 21, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
This photo shows the Capital City Fire/Rescue logo that adorns an an ambulance decorated with a formline design. On Friday night, CCFR responded to and extinguished a small fire at a local middle school. (Peter Segall / 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 Saturday, May 21, 2022

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

  • May 21, 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)
Anchorage’s City Hall is seen as something of a "pilot project" for a new City Hall in Juneau, according architects designing the proposed facility – but primarily in terms of practical features since they say green space is also a key part of the design. ( Ken Graham Photography)

Clear skies and a cleared out virtual meeting

Few attendees and no public input at online presentation of proposed $41.2m facility.

Anchorage’s City Hall is seen as something of a "pilot project" for a new City Hall in Juneau, according architects designing the proposed facility – but primarily in terms of practical features since they say green space is also a key part of the design. ( Ken Graham Photography)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The future of the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street is in a state of uncertainty, with permitting to refit the interior to affordable housing denied by the City and Borough of Juneau. An appeals process is ongoing, with a public meeting set for Tuesday.

Struggle to repurpose Glory Hall as affordable housing continues

The Glory Hall plans to continue the fight to get permitted.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The future of the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street is in a state of uncertainty, with permitting to refit the interior to affordable housing denied by the City and Borough of Juneau. An appeals process is ongoing, with a public meeting set for Tuesday.
Shawen Bueckers, left, meets the girl who she donated bone marrow to, Amelia Bellmore, at a Be the Match event at Brigham Young University in 2022. (Screenshot)

Child cancer survivor meets woman who saved her life

A bone marrow transplant from a woman hundreds of miles away helped this Juneau child survive.

Shawen Bueckers, left, meets the girl who she donated bone marrow to, Amelia Bellmore, at a Be the Match event at Brigham Young University in 2022. (Screenshot)
A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. Lawmakers passed the Alaska Reads Act on the last day of the legislative session, but several members of the House of Representatives were upset with the bill, and the way it was passed. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

In last-minute move, Legislature passes early reading overhaul

Underlying inequities.

A magnet promoting the Alaska Reads Act released sits atop a stack of Alaskan-authored and Alaska-centric books. Lawmakers passed the Alaska Reads Act on the last day of the legislative session, but several members of the House of Representatives were upset with the bill, and the way it was passed. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Heather Best (in water), a USGS hydrologist, prepares to toss a road-grader blade with a river-measuring device attached into the Yukon River near Eagle, Alaska. USGS hydrologic technician Liz Richards watches for icebergs. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Wading into the icy Yukon River for science

EAGLE, ALASKA — Snow geese flew in a ragged V overhead, rasping as they looked down upon Alaska’s bumpy face for the first time in… Continue reading

Heather Best (in water), a USGS hydrologist, prepares to toss a road-grader blade with a river-measuring device attached into the Yukon River near Eagle, Alaska. USGS hydrologic technician Liz Richards watches for icebergs. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Juneau City Finance Director Jeff Rogers, second from right, updates next year’s city budget to reflect changes made Wednesday night by the Assembly’s Finance Committee during a break in the meeting. The committee approved a $172.3 million general fund spending plan that on paper shows a $10.3 million surplus, but that extra amount is subject to considerable unpredictability – including a potential loss of $16 million in state funds – before a final budget is approved by the full Assembly by June 15. Assisting Rogers with the budget presentation to Assembly members are, from left, Deputy City Manager Robert Barr, City Manager Rorie Watt and Budget Analyst Adrien Speegle. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

City budget: More last-minute spending, no new taxes

City budget approved by Finance Committee rejects mill rate increase, adds funds for social programs.

Juneau City Finance Director Jeff Rogers, second from right, updates next year’s city budget to reflect changes made Wednesday night by the Assembly’s Finance Committee during a break in the meeting. The committee approved a $172.3 million general fund spending plan that on paper shows a $10.3 million surplus, but that extra amount is subject to considerable unpredictability – including a potential loss of $16 million in state funds – before a final budget is approved by the full Assembly by June 15. Assisting Rogers with the budget presentation to Assembly members are, from left, Deputy City Manager Robert Barr, City Manager Rorie Watt and Budget Analyst Adrien Speegle. (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 Friday, May 20, 2022

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

  • May 20, 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)
An online do-it-yourself budget simulator allows users to submit their proposals for Juneau’s budget next year to city officials resulted in 73 spending plans during its first budget cycle, according to officials. (Screenshot)

DIY city budget simulator yields ’educational’ results

More taxes for thee, not me; more community projects for me, not thee among ’unsurprising’ results

An online do-it-yourself budget simulator allows users to submit their proposals for Juneau’s budget next year to city officials resulted in 73 spending plans during its first budget cycle, according to officials. (Screenshot)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters about the state's budget at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 19, 2022. The governor said lawmakers had sent a complete budget, and that there was no need for a special session. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy: No need for special session

Cuts to come.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with reporters about the state's budget at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 19, 2022. The governor said lawmakers had sent a complete budget, and that there was no need for a special session. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)