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Dasha Pearson, second from right, with her sister Natalia Dontsova, center, and father Alexander Dontsov, second from right, in Seattle on March 8, 2022. Pearson's family fled Ukraine when the war started, and now they and other displaced Ukrainians are trying to find a home in Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Dasha Pearson)

Fleeing war, Ukrainians are finding a home in Alaska

Willing to work.

Dasha Pearson, second from right, with her sister Natalia Dontsova, center, and father Alexander Dontsov, second from right, in Seattle on March 8, 2022. Pearson's family fled Ukraine when the war started, and now they and other displaced Ukrainians are trying to find a home in Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Dasha Pearson)
Blue Shibler, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children (center), Emily Thompson, Parents As Teachers coordinator for the organization (left) and Nikki Love, Community Engagement and ROCK Juneau Coordinator for AEYC (right) address the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee on Wednesday in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Community respite funds get serious scrutiny

Glory Hall funds put on hold, heating assistance and park improvements get the OK.

Blue Shibler, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children (center), Emily Thompson, Parents As Teachers coordinator for the organization (left) and Nikki Love, Community Engagement and ROCK Juneau Coordinator for AEYC (right) address the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee on Wednesday in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska state Senate President Peter Micciche, center, looks on as lawmakers gather in front of him on the Senate floor on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. A bill dealing with the annual dividend paid to residents was bumped from the Senate floor on Wednesday. Micciche said it did not have the votes to pass. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska lawmakers struggle with dividend debate

Legislative leaders have said they see resolving the divisive debate as critical.

Alaska state Senate President Peter Micciche, center, looks on as lawmakers gather in front of him on the Senate floor on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. A bill dealing with the annual dividend paid to residents was bumped from the Senate floor on Wednesday. Micciche said it did not have the votes to pass. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
This City and Borough of Juneau chart shows the history of the city's restricted and unrestricted general funds. (Courtesy Image / City and Borough of Juneau)

A big unexpected loss, but a bigger unexpected gain

City’s investments return $4M less than predicted, but an extra $16M is coming from the state.

This City and Borough of Juneau chart shows the history of the city's restricted and unrestricted general funds. (Courtesy Image / City and Borough of Juneau)
A Yakutat woman has been arrested following a fatal vehicle crash in Yakutat last week. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

One dead, one arrested after rollover wreck in Yakutat

One person is currently being held at Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

A Yakutat woman has been arrested following a fatal vehicle crash in Yakutat last week. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Lawmakers held a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, to vote to confirm Gov. Mike Dunleavy's appointments to state boards and commissions. All nominees were confirmed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers confirm Dunleavy appointees, work on PFD

Senate attempts to rework dividend formula.

Lawmakers held a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, to vote to confirm Gov. Mike Dunleavy's appointments to state boards and commissions. All nominees were confirmed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo Pride flags. A bipartisan, interfaith group of Alaskans are advocating for federal protections for LGBTQ people. The group, which includes over 40 organizations, says the time is right for the U.S. Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would bar discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity when it comes to public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit and the jury system. (Cecilie Johnson / Unsplash)

Alaskans throw support behind federal LGBTQ protections

Over 40 organizations and congregations stump for equality legislation.

This photo Pride flags. A bipartisan, interfaith group of Alaskans are advocating for federal protections for LGBTQ people. The group, which includes over 40 organizations, says the time is right for the U.S. Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would bar discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity when it comes to public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit and the jury system. (Cecilie Johnson / Unsplash)
A Carnival Cruise Lines vessel similar to one due in Juneau following a COVID outbreak aboard steams past Douglas in 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

City contacting ship on way to town following COVID outbreak

The ship, due to arrive here Saturday, experienced an outbreak enroute from Miami to Seattle.

A Carnival Cruise Lines vessel similar to one due in Juneau following a COVID outbreak aboard steams past Douglas in 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)
Lisa Kron, who wrote the lyrics and book for the musical "Fun Home," sits in Perseverance Theatre's take on the Bechdel's house on Maple Avenue. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

‘This is exactly the size of a story of a lesbian’: A QA with ‘Fun Home’ lyricist and playwright Lisa Kron

The transformative power of theater and a difficult adaptation.

Lisa Kron, who wrote the lyrics and book for the musical "Fun Home," sits in Perseverance Theatre's take on the Bechdel's house on Maple Avenue. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows original painting, “Kickback; Southeast Sneakers,” by Marty Sharp. (Courtesy Photo)
Capital City Weekly

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday

A schedule of events for May 6, 2022.

This photo shows original painting, “Kickback; Southeast Sneakers,” by Marty Sharp. (Courtesy Photo)
The Policy and Procedures in the Federal Subsistence Board Process spring 2022 class. This class, hosted by University of Alaska Southeast in partnership with Sitka Conservation Society and supported by the USDA Forest Service connects students with the fish and wildlife public processes that manage subsistence resources. Left to right: Ardel Wikinson, Nathan Cleveland, Nachama Voluck, Heather Bauscher, Jan Straley, and Clare Jungers. (Courtesy Photo / Ryan Morse)
Capital City Weekly

Resilient Peoples & Place: Youth voices reflect on the Federal Subsistence Board process

“As young people, you have a lot more power than you realize”

The Policy and Procedures in the Federal Subsistence Board Process spring 2022 class. This class, hosted by University of Alaska Southeast in partnership with Sitka Conservation Society and supported by the USDA Forest Service connects students with the fish and wildlife public processes that manage subsistence resources. Left to right: Ardel Wikinson, Nathan Cleveland, Nachama Voluck, Heather Bauscher, Jan Straley, and Clare Jungers. (Courtesy Photo / Ryan Morse)
Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum, speaks at a news conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy about the state's efforts to combat the increase in drug overdoses driven by the synthetic opioid fentanyl, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy announces efforts to combat fentanyl crisis

More avenues to get help.

Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum, speaks at a news conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy about the state's efforts to combat the increase in drug overdoses driven by the synthetic opioid fentanyl, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (Screenshot)
This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. Courtesy Photo / Lenco)

Police and fire dept leaders address armored vehicle concerns

“A really tough, heavy-duty ambulance.”

This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. Courtesy Photo / Lenco)
This photo shows black garden ants tending citrus mealybug. When injured, colonial animals such as ants and bees, may emit a type of alarm signal that also calls in reinforcements, to help repel possible danger.(Courtesy Photo / Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C)

On the Trails: The smell of fear

It’s not fiction.

This photo shows black garden ants tending citrus mealybug. When injured, colonial animals such as ants and bees, may emit a type of alarm signal that also calls in reinforcements, to help repel possible danger.(Courtesy Photo / Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C)
Lisa Denny wears "Handmaid's Tale"-inspired garb while holding a sign stating "I stand with Planned Parenthood" during a protest held near the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, May 3, following a leaked draft of a Supreme Court decision that would overturn the landmark case Roe v. Wade. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

What does the leaked Supreme Court draft mean for Juneau and Alaska?

Abortion access would remain, but elections and appointments would be heated.

Lisa Denny wears "Handmaid's Tale"-inspired garb while holding a sign stating "I stand with Planned Parenthood" during a protest held near the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, May 3, following a leaked draft of a Supreme Court decision that would overturn the landmark case Roe v. Wade. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Senate votes to increase PCE payments

‘Fair and modest.’

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This photo shows a ballot for the City and Borough of Juneau 2021 municipal election. The election was conducted primarily by mail. On Monday, city officials discussed (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Assembly to consider changes to election code

Changes include Petition booklets, touch-screen ballots, rules for voting centers and boxes

This photo shows a ballot for the City and Borough of Juneau 2021 municipal election. The election was conducted primarily by mail. On Monday, city officials discussed (Ben Hohenstatt / 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 Wednesday, May 4, 2022

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

  • May 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)
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Monday night approved drafting ballot language that would exempt food from sales tax, if a 1% sales tax increase during summer months is approved.

Food sales tax exemption likely to appear on fall ballot

More detailed discussion is expexted.

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Monday night approved drafting ballot language that would exempt food from sales tax, if a 1% sales tax increase during summer months is approved.
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 3

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

  • May 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)