News

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, April 26, 2022

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

  • Apr 26, 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)
Protestors critical of the cruise ship industry gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, April 25, 2022, the same day the first large ship of the season arrived in Juneau. Demonstrators said the industry had a poor environmental record and called on the state to continue to Ocean Rangers program, a voter-approved initiative which put state monitors aboard ships to ensure compliance with state regualtions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Protesters call for more enforcement of environmental regulations aboard ships

As cruise ships return, some residents remain wary.

Protestors critical of the cruise ship industry gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, April 25, 2022, the same day the first large ship of the season arrived in Juneau. Demonstrators said the industry had a poor environmental record and called on the state to continue to Ocean Rangers program, a voter-approved initiative which put state monitors aboard ships to ensure compliance with state regualtions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A tugboat sprays its water cannons in welcome as the Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on April 25, 2022, the first cruise of the 2022 season. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Ships in Port for the week of April 24, 2022

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2022 schedule. Capacity figures were pulled from cruise lines’ websites. Monday, April 25 Norwegian Cruise… Continue reading

  • Apr 25, 2022
A tugboat sprays its water cannons in welcome as the Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on April 25, 2022, the first cruise of the 2022 season. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday

2022 cruise season begins

Visitors and Juneau locals alike were excited for the arrival.

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday
This August 2021 photo shows signs on the doors for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé reminding those entering the building that masking is required. On Saturday, the district announced a change in CDC COVID-19 community level, masking would again be required. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Masks again required in Juneau schools

Announcement follows a change in CDC COVID-19 community level.

This August 2021 photo shows signs on the doors for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé reminding those entering the building that masking is required. On Saturday, the district announced a change in CDC COVID-19 community level, masking would again be required. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Amy Purvis, a private security officer who’s been a Juneau resident since 2000, sketches a heart and rose for a piece of woodburning art she hopes to sell to tourists this summer on the still mostly empty pier at Marine Park on Friday.

Modest welcome and big hopes for 1st cruise ship of the season

City officials predicting near-normal season, but many uncertainties linger

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Amy Purvis, a private security officer who’s been a Juneau resident since 2000, sketches a heart and rose for a piece of woodburning art she hopes to sell to tourists this summer on the still mostly empty pier at Marine Park on Friday.
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 Sunday, April 24, 2022

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

  • Apr 24, 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 This photo shows a rockfish in the aquarium at Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc. on April 22, 2022. The hatchery is reopening to the public beginning Monday.

DIPAC to reopen doors to public

Put it there, chum.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows a rockfish in the aquarium at Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc. on April 22, 2022. The hatchery is reopening to the public beginning Monday.
Former state lawmaker from Fairbanks John Coghill was in Juneau on Friday, April 22, 2022, and is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, vacated recently by the death of Don Young. Coghill faces a crowded field but says he has the experience and pragmatism to get the job done. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Former state lawmaker John Coghill says Congress needs his experience

Not long after Don Young’s death, several people reached out to John Coghill asking if he’d be interested in running for Alaska’s lone seat in… Continue reading

Former state lawmaker from Fairbanks John Coghill was in Juneau on Friday, April 22, 2022, and is running for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, vacated recently by the death of Don Young. Coghill faces a crowded field but says he has the experience and pragmatism to get the job done. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This August 2021 photo shows a Princess Cruise Line ship docked in Juneau. The cruise line announced this week that a controversial contactless payment method will not be expanded to Alaska in the immediate future. Prior to the decision, MedallionPay was panned by members of the business community. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Princess puts plans for ’contactless’ MedallionPay system on hold in Alaska

Businesses and municipal officials bristle at proposed no-contact system.

This August 2021 photo shows a Princess Cruise Line ship docked in Juneau. The cruise line announced this week that a controversial contactless payment method will not be expanded to Alaska in the immediate future. Prior to the decision, MedallionPay was panned by members of the business community. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
George Divoky and his friend Matt Thomas pose in front of Divoky’s cabin on Cooper Island after repairing polar-bear damage in April, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Craig George)

Alaska Science Forum: His 48th summer on top of the world

In the ’80s, 225 pairs of black guillemots nested on Cooper Island. Last year: 25 pairs counted.

George Divoky and his friend Matt Thomas pose in front of Divoky’s cabin on Cooper Island after repairing polar-bear damage in April, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Craig George)
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, April 22, 2022

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

  • Apr 22, 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)
Gregg Brelsford, an independent candidate for Alaska’s U.S. House of Representatives seat, poses for a photo on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)

‘No drama’ Brelsford running for Congress

Former Republican running as an undeclared candidate touts civic experience

Gregg Brelsford, an independent candidate for Alaska’s U.S. House of Representatives seat, poses for a photo on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)
FILE - In this April 23, 2021 photo, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington. Secretary Haaland vowed on her first day on the job to ensure Native American tribes have opportunities to speak with her and the agencies she oversees. Native American and Alaska Native groups are seeing change under Haaland but some remain frustrated with the pace of action. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Haaland announces land transfers for Alaska Native veterans

An additional 27 million acres of land will be made available to Vietnam War-era veterans.

FILE - In this April 23, 2021 photo, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks during a news briefing at the White House in Washington. Secretary Haaland vowed on her first day on the job to ensure Native American tribes have opportunities to speak with her and the agencies she oversees. Native American and Alaska Native groups are seeing change under Haaland but some remain frustrated with the pace of action. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
Joe Shockley prepares a car for baling at Skookum Recycling on April 19, 2022. Skookum is partnered with the City and Borough of Juneau to dispose of junk cars for free for the first 50 registrants beginning on April 22, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

City offers free junk car recycling for first 50 registrants

All towing and recycling fees will be waved for those who meet the requirements.

Joe Shockley prepares a car for baling at Skookum Recycling on April 19, 2022. Skookum is partnered with the City and Borough of Juneau to dispose of junk cars for free for the first 50 registrants beginning on April 22, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Some of the bowls available for selection by attendees of the Empty Bowls event, the Glory Hall’s annual fundraiser, sit on display at the shelter’s new garden. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Empty Bowl returns resurgent as pandemic recedes

The event is open to all who purchase a ticket online.

Some of the bowls available for selection by attendees of the Empty Bowls event, the Glory Hall’s annual fundraiser, sit on display at the shelter’s new garden. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Audience members listen to Port Director Carl Uchytil present the proposed docks and harbors budget for next year to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The public will get an opportunity to comment on the city’s full spending plan at an Assembly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

SimCity 2023: Online tool allows people to submit their own spending plans

Assembly to take testimony on the budget on Monday.

Audience members listen to Port Director Carl Uchytil present the proposed docks and harbors budget for next year to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The public will get an opportunity to comment on the city’s full spending plan at an Assembly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.(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, April 21, 2022

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

  • Apr 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)
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Alberta's oilsands are operating with critical staff only as the highly contagious Omicron variant sweeps the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a Glance for Wednesday, April 20

Numbers come from reports from the City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Operations Center and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, which shares… Continue reading

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Alberta's oilsands are operating with critical staff only as the highly contagious Omicron variant sweeps the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML
Ben Hohenstatt / capital city weekly Big Alison (Allison Mickelson) watches Small Alison (Fiona McFarlin) join in a family cleaning frenzy ahead of an important visit during rehearsal for “Fun Home.”
Capital City Weekly

Let the ‘Fun Home’ begin

Long-awaited musical is set to open soon.

Ben Hohenstatt / capital city weekly Big Alison (Allison Mickelson) watches Small Alison (Fiona McFarlin) join in a family cleaning frenzy ahead of an important visit during rehearsal for “Fun Home.”