News

teaser

On the Trails: Whelks learning and hemlocks fluting

Whelk-learned individuals.

teaser
Annie Bartholomew and Miguel Rohrbacher, Juneau artists, kick off the 2022 Alaska Folk Festival to a standing ovation at Centennial Hall on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Folk Festival begins with a roar

The nearly half-century old festival is back in person.

Annie Bartholomew and Miguel Rohrbacher, Juneau artists, kick off the 2022 Alaska Folk Festival to a standing ovation at Centennial Hall on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
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)

Interior Secretary Haaland to visit Alaska this month

Planned stops: Anchorage, Fairbanks and King Cove.

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)
Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, rings up purchases while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 is scheduled to close in August if a new owner can’t be found. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

J&J Deli and Asian Mart, a local favorite for 43 years, faces closure in August unless a new owner is found

Owner says pending closure is due to health rather than economic reasons.

Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, rings up purchases while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 is scheduled to close in August if a new owner can’t be found. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Tuesday, April 5, 2022

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

  • Apr 5, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
The Alaska House of Representatives voted to adopt a finance committee substitute of the state's operating budget bill on Monday, April 4, 2022, allowing for amendments to be submitted. An outbreak of COVID-19 among lawmakers and their staff couples with debate over masking policy led to canceled sessions last week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

As floor sessions return, House sets to work on budget

Additional budget items.

The Alaska House of Representatives voted to adopt a finance committee substitute of the state's operating budget bill on Monday, April 4, 2022, allowing for amendments to be submitted. An outbreak of COVID-19 among lawmakers and their staff couples with debate over masking policy led to canceled sessions last week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, walks to meet Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., on Capitol Hill, Monday, April 4, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Murkowski announces support for confirmation of Jackson to Supreme Court

She joins two other high-profile Republican senators who said they would support Jackson.

Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, walks to meet Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., on Capitol Hill, Monday, April 4, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Donovan Jackson, 12, of Juneau competes in the one-foot high kick during the 2022 Traditional Games on April 2, 2022. The games were held at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Juneau hosts record-setting Traditional Games competition

It was the largest iteration of the games held in Juneau yet.

Donovan Jackson, 12, of Juneau competes in the one-foot high kick during the 2022 Traditional Games on April 2, 2022. The games were held at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, left, appears with then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a rally at the Iowa State University on Jan. 19, 2016, in Ames, Iowa. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has picked up a prized endorsement in her bid in an extremely crowded field to fill the unexpired term of the late U.S. Rep. Don Young. Former President Donald Trump backed Palin on Sunday, April 3, 2022, in a statement from his political action committee. (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer)

Trump endorses Palin in bid for Alaska’s sole House seat

Trump backed Palin late Sunday in a statement from his political action committee.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, left, appears with then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a rally at the Iowa State University on Jan. 19, 2016, in Ames, Iowa. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has picked up a prized endorsement in her bid in an extremely crowded field to fill the unexpired term of the late U.S. Rep. Don Young. Former President Donald Trump backed Palin on Sunday, April 3, 2022, in a statement from his political action committee. (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer)
A joint forces honor guard carries the casket of Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, down the steps of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska's congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18, 2022. He was 88. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)

Alaska’s leadership lauds late congressman at memorial

ANCHORAGE — Members of Alaska’s political leadership lauded the late U.S. Rep. Don Young Saturday at a public memorial to celebrate his life. Young, who… Continue reading

A joint forces honor guard carries the casket of Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, down the steps of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska's congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18, 2022. He was 88. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)
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 3, 2022

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

  • Apr 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)
Pedestrians wearing protective masks walk along Broadway in the SoHo district of New York, Friday, March 4, 2022. COVID-19 hospitalization numbers have plunged to their lowest levels since the early days of the pandemic, offering a much needed break to health care workers and patients alike following the omicron surge. (AP Photo / John Minchillo)

Number of COVID patients in U.S. hospitals reaches record low

Hospitalization numbers have plunged to their lowest levels since the early days of the pandemic.

Pedestrians wearing protective masks walk along Broadway in the SoHo district of New York, Friday, March 4, 2022. COVID-19 hospitalization numbers have plunged to their lowest levels since the early days of the pandemic, offering a much needed break to health care workers and patients alike following the omicron surge. (AP Photo / John Minchillo)
Maddox Rogers, 14, of Haines participates in the scissor broad jump Saturday morning shortly after the beginning of the 2022 Traditional Games at Thunder Mountain High School. Maddox set a new record for his age group of 26 feet and 7 3/4 inches. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

PHOTOS: Traditional Games return to Juneau

Over 100 athletes from over 20 communities compete.

Maddox Rogers, 14, of Haines participates in the scissor broad jump Saturday morning shortly after the beginning of the 2022 Traditional Games at Thunder Mountain High School. Maddox set a new record for his age group of 26 feet and 7 3/4 inches. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
UAF ecologist Knut Kielland listens for a lynx he collared last year not far from Wiseman, Alaska. Mount Dillon, part of the Brooks Range, stands in the background. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Happenings north of the Arctic Circle

Though the calendar calls it springtime, the thermometer on the truck reads minus 28 F…

UAF ecologist Knut Kielland listens for a lynx he collared last year not far from Wiseman, Alaska. Mount Dillon, part of the Brooks Range, stands in the background. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File Rep. Don Young smiles during a sit-down in the Juneau Empire’s offices last June. Young died on Friday, according to the longtime U.S. representative’s office.

Candidate crowd balloons on last day to register for special election

Dozens, including a former governor, current state lawmakers and Santa Claus, vie for House seat.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File Rep. Don Young smiles during a sit-down in the Juneau Empire’s offices last June. Young died on Friday, according to the longtime U.S. representative’s office.
Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, center, speaks as state lawmakers and children’s welfare advocates attend a Blue Shirt Day event at the Alaska State Capitol, honoring the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau recognizes beginning of child abuse prevention month

Blue Shirt Day is a national day for child welfare advocacy.

Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, center, speaks as state lawmakers and children’s welfare advocates attend a Blue Shirt Day event at the Alaska State Capitol, honoring the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This conceptual rendering shows what a proposed welcome center near the the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center would look like. The center is part of a proposed overhaul for the popular recreation area. (U.S. Forest Service)

Mendenhall overhaul: Residents ask questions about expansion plans during webinar

Residents ask questions about expansion plans during webinar.

This conceptual rendering shows what a proposed welcome center near the the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center would look like. The center is part of a proposed overhaul for the popular recreation area. (U.S. Forest Service)
FILE - In this Monday, March 1, 2021 file photo, The first Alaska Airlines passenger flight on a Boeing 737-9 Max airplane takes off on a flight to San Diego from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. Dozens of flights along the U.S. West Coast were canceled Friday, April 1, 2022 as Alaska Airlines pilots picketed during ongoing contract negotiations with the airline. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren)

Alaska Airlines cancels dozens of flights as pilots picket

Dozens of flights along the West Coast were canceled Friday as Alaska Airlines pilots picketed.

FILE - In this Monday, March 1, 2021 file photo, The first Alaska Airlines passenger flight on a Boeing 737-9 Max airplane takes off on a flight to San Diego from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. Dozens of flights along the U.S. West Coast were canceled Friday, April 1, 2022 as Alaska Airlines pilots picketed during ongoing contract negotiations with the airline. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren)
A.J. Wilson, 17, DeAndre Pittman, 16, and Elora Johnson, 16, eat lunch Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. They, like many students, agree the free meals available during the pandemic are worth continuing if funding can be found after it ends June 30, but they are likely to look off-campus for food if they are required to pay for school lunches again. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

With federal funding ending, full-priced school lunches could be on the menu for many students next year

District hopes to continue to offer free breakfast, “reasonably priced” lunches.

A.J. Wilson, 17, DeAndre Pittman, 16, and Elora Johnson, 16, eat lunch Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. They, like many students, agree the free meals available during the pandemic are worth continuing if funding can be found after it ends June 30, but they are likely to look off-campus for food if they are required to pay for school lunches again. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Friday, April 1, 2022

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

  • Apr 1, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)