News

The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill reducing sentences for and clearing records for marijuana possession on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a day adopted as an unofficial holiday by cannabis users. The maker of the bill said the timing was no intended. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House passes marijuana bill on cannabis ‘holiday’

Pure coincidence.

The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill reducing sentences for and clearing records for marijuana possession on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, a day adopted as an unofficial holiday by cannabis users. The maker of the bill said the timing was no intended. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks briefly to reporters as she leaves a courthouse in New York, Feb. 14, 2022. Palin is one of 48 candidates for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat, which was held for decades by Republican Rep. Don Young, who died last month. Palin says she's serious about the run though some critics have questioned her motivations. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)

Palin on serving in Congress: ‘It would be all about Alaska’

Palin is among 48 candidates running for Alaska’s lone House seat.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks briefly to reporters as she leaves a courthouse in New York, Feb. 14, 2022. Palin is one of 48 candidates for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat, which was held for decades by Republican Rep. Don Young, who died last month. Palin says she's serious about the run though some critics have questioned her motivations. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)
Construction on Capital Transit's new Mendenhall Valley Transit Center was underway on Thursday, April 14, 2022, on Mendenhall Mall Road. Officials hope the center to be open in July and are seeking public feedback about the scheduling of bus routes from the new center. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

With new transit center opening, officials seek feedback on bus scheduling

Take the survey.

Construction on Capital Transit's new Mendenhall Valley Transit Center was underway on Thursday, April 14, 2022, on Mendenhall Mall Road. Officials hope the center to be open in July and are seeking public feedback about the scheduling of bus routes from the new center. (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 Wednesday, April 20, 2022

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

  • Apr 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)
Axel Gillam, inventory supervisor for the Alaskan Kush Company, talks the state of business ahead of 4/20. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau empire)

Regulations, wait time make future of on-site pot consumption hazy

Some retail outlets see sobering loss of sales as first post-COVID 4/20 arrives.

Axel Gillam, inventory supervisor for the Alaskan Kush Company, talks the state of business ahead of 4/20. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau empire)
Nora (Ginger Patterson) and the Proprietor (Adara Allen) stand at the forefront of a wide assortment of critters, including, a macaw (Georgia Post) and a donkey (Elizabeth Eriksen). (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Juneau Dance Theatre’s showcase is ready to spring

Animals big and small will gather in one place. Critters from the depths of the sea to not-quite-outer space — are all part of Juneau… Continue reading

Nora (Ginger Patterson) and the Proprietor (Adara Allen) stand at the forefront of a wide assortment of critters, including, a macaw (Georgia Post) and a donkey (Elizabeth Eriksen). (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks to reporters after addressing a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Sullivan said he is supporting fellow Republican, Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, in her reelection bid this year but said he has not yet endorsed a candidate in Alaska’s U.S. House race. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Sullivan says he hasn’t endorsed yet in Alaska’s House race

By Becky Bohrer Associated Press U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said he is supporting fellow Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski in her reelection bid this year and… Continue reading

Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks to reporters after addressing a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Sullivan said he is supporting fellow Republican, Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, in her reelection bid this year but said he has not yet endorsed a candidate in Alaska’s U.S. House race. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. In his annual address to state lawmakers, Sullivan was highly critical of the environmentally-focused policies of the Biden Administration and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who's visiting Alaska this week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Sullivan has harsh words for Haaland, White House in annual address

Senator urges feds to “unleash” Alaska’s energy.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. In his annual address to state lawmakers, Sullivan was highly critical of the environmentally-focused policies of the Biden Administration and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who's visiting Alaska this week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy photo / Travis Mead A Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighter moves to extinguish and early morning vehicle fire on April 19, 2022. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

CCFR investigating early-morning vehicle fire

The vehicle, which had been parked for several months, was totally gutted.

Courtesy photo / Travis Mead A Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighter moves to extinguish and early morning vehicle fire on April 19, 2022. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The City and Borough of Juneau announced on April 19 that masks were no longer required on public transit, including Juneau International Airport, Capital Transit and CAPITAL AKcess. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau airport and public transit drop mask requirement

Nationwide, many locations have made masks optional.

The City and Borough of Juneau announced on April 19 that masks were no longer required on public transit, including Juneau International Airport, Capital Transit and CAPITAL AKcess. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Nikki is an old favorite that we see near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center; here she is with a couple of new cubs. Black bears mate in early summer, but the fertilized egg is not implanted until fall; then gestation takes about seven months, resulting in a tiny cub that won’t emerge from the den until early summer. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Reproductive delays in mammals

By Mary F. Willson For the Juneau Empire Human animals have a simple, direct system: copulation and sperm delivery may lead to fertilization of an… Continue reading

Nikki is an old favorite that we see near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center; here she is with a couple of new cubs. Black bears mate in early summer, but the fertilized egg is not implanted until fall; then gestation takes about seven months, resulting in a tiny cub that won’t emerge from the den until early summer. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
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 19, 2022

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

  • Apr 19, 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)
Hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 18, 2022. Over a million passengers are expected to arrive aboard large cruise ships this summer, and local business say its been a challenge finding enough workers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Cruise ships are returning to Juneau, will seasonal workers?

Businesses cite disruption, housing in challenging hiring market.

Hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 18, 2022. Over a million passengers are expected to arrive aboard large cruise ships this summer, and local business say its been a challenge finding enough workers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A Forest Service fire crew gets brief during an operation. Fire crews from Alaska are frequently deployed to the Lower 48 to help combat wildfires that are growing larger and closer to urban areas in many cases. (Courtesy photo / Parker Anders)

Into the fire: Alaska’s wildlands firefighters eye coming dry season

Alaska’s wildlands firefighters lend a hand where needed nationwide.

A Forest Service fire crew gets brief during an operation. Fire crews from Alaska are frequently deployed to the Lower 48 to help combat wildfires that are growing larger and closer to urban areas in many cases. (Courtesy photo / Parker Anders)
Michael Patz, raised in Juneau, stands on the ice in front of the S.A. Agulhas II next to a sign showing the location of the wreck of Ernest Shackleton’s vessel, the Endurance, rediscovered by searchers aboard the icebreaker. (Courtesy photo / Michael Patz)

‘My interest was in the adventure’: Man from Juneau talks role in finding long-lost ship near Antarctica

Cold ice, clear water and lots of sealife.

Michael Patz, raised in Juneau, stands on the ice in front of the S.A. Agulhas II next to a sign showing the location of the wreck of Ernest Shackleton’s vessel, the Endurance, rediscovered by searchers aboard the icebreaker. (Courtesy photo / Michael Patz)
In this photo made available by the U.S. Air Force, two Air Force F-35A Lighting IIs assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing fly over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, April 14, 2022. The final two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets have arrived at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska, completing the full complement of 54 aircraft. Col. David “Ajax” Berkland of the 354 Fighter Wing at Eielson called it “a really significant day for us in terms of the buildup of Eielson Air Force Base.” (Senior Airman Jose Miguel Tamondong / U.S. Air Force via AP)

Arrival of final 2 F-35s completes complement at Alaska base

FAIRBANKS — The final two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets have arrived at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, completing the full complement of 54… Continue reading

In this photo made available by the U.S. Air Force, two Air Force F-35A Lighting IIs assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing fly over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, April 14, 2022. The final two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets have arrived at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska, completing the full complement of 54 aircraft. Col. David “Ajax” Berkland of the 354 Fighter Wing at Eielson called it “a really significant day for us in terms of the buildup of Eielson Air Force Base.” (Senior Airman Jose Miguel Tamondong / U.S. Air Force via AP)
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 17, 2022

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

  • Apr 17, 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)
In this Jan. 30, 2014 photo, an RQ7 Shadow unmanned aircraft flies from its pneumatic catapult launcher at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. U.S. military bases in the Arctic and sub-Arctic are failing to harden their installations against long-term climate change as required, even though soaring temperatures and melting ice already are cracking base runways and roads and worsening flood risks up north, the Pentagon’s watchdog office said April 14, 2022. (AP Photo / Dan Joling)

Climate toll on Arctic bases: Sunken runways, damaged roads

Watchdog office: Military bases are failing to prepare for long-term climate change.

In this Jan. 30, 2014 photo, an RQ7 Shadow unmanned aircraft flies from its pneumatic catapult launcher at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. U.S. military bases in the Arctic and sub-Arctic are failing to harden their installations against long-term climate change as required, even though soaring temperatures and melting ice already are cracking base runways and roads and worsening flood risks up north, the Pentagon’s watchdog office said April 14, 2022. (AP Photo / Dan Joling)
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Gondola is a go: City agrees to pay $1.33 million for used lift in Austria

Now, the trick is getting it home and installed at Eaglecrest Ski Area.

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on June 17, 2021. Murkowski continues to have a substantial cash advantage over her opponent backed by former President Donald Trump, who has vowed revenge on the incumbent Alaska Republican. Murkowski brought in more than $1.5 million in the three-month period ending March 31, 2022, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The quarterly reports were due Friday, April 15. Murkowski ended the quarter with $5.2 million cash on hand with no debt. (Evelyn Hockstein / Pool Photo)

Murkowski maintains cash advantage over Tshibaka

Trump bump doesn’t close the gap.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on June 17, 2021. Murkowski continues to have a substantial cash advantage over her opponent backed by former President Donald Trump, who has vowed revenge on the incumbent Alaska Republican. Murkowski brought in more than $1.5 million in the three-month period ending March 31, 2022, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The quarterly reports were due Friday, April 15. Murkowski ended the quarter with $5.2 million cash on hand with no debt. (Evelyn Hockstein / Pool Photo)