News

A survey of 394 likely voters in Alaska shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola with a dominant lead over Republican challengers Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III, and increasing that lead over Palin in ranked choice voting rounds, about six weeks before the November general election. But many pundits still suggest a Republican is most likely to win the race and Begich would win a head-to-head match against Peltola. (Dittman Research)

Poll: Peltola has 23% lead over Palin

Survey shows Democratic winner of special election repeating feat against two Republican opponents

A survey of 394 likely voters in Alaska shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola with a dominant lead over Republican challengers Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III, and increasing that lead over Palin in ranked choice voting rounds, about six weeks before the November general election. But many pundits still suggest a Republican is most likely to win the race and Begich would win a head-to-head match against Peltola. (Dittman Research)
A bear crosses a sidewalk during the early hours of Sept. 13 in downtown Juneau. (Courtesy/ August Williams)

Fall means rise in bear activity

It’s almost Octo-bear

A bear crosses a sidewalk during the early hours of Sept. 13 in downtown Juneau. (Courtesy/ August Williams)
A vegetated sand dune that formed between the Tanana River, Interior Alaska hills and the Taylor Highway, as seen from a flight from Seattle to Fairbanks. The Alaska Highway Bridge over the Tanana River is visible at bottom. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Alaska sand dunes hint at ancient past

Sand deposits everywhere in Alaska harken back to a time thousands of years ago…

  • Sep 23, 2022
  • By Ned Rozell
A vegetated sand dune that formed between the Tanana River, Interior Alaska hills and the Taylor Highway, as seen from a flight from Seattle to Fairbanks. The Alaska Highway Bridge over the Tanana River is visible at bottom. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Water rushes down Front Street, just a half block from the Bering Sea, in Nome, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 as the remnants of Typhoon Merbok moved into the region. It was a massive storm system — big enough to cover the mainland U.S. from the Pacific Ocean to Nebraska and from Canada to Texas. It influenced weather systems as far away as California, where a rare late-summer storm dropped rain on the northern part of the state, offering a measure of relief to wildfire crews but also complicating fire suppression efforts because of mud and loosened earth. (AP Photo / Peggy Fagerstrom)

Repair work begins in some Alaska towns slammed by storm

ANCHORAGE — There’s been significant damage to some roads and homes in parts of western Alaska following last weekend’s devastating coastal storm, Gov. Mike Dunleavy… Continue reading

  • Sep 23, 2022
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
Water rushes down Front Street, just a half block from the Bering Sea, in Nome, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 as the remnants of Typhoon Merbok moved into the region. It was a massive storm system — big enough to cover the mainland U.S. from the Pacific Ocean to Nebraska and from Canada to Texas. It influenced weather systems as far away as California, where a rare late-summer storm dropped rain on the northern part of the state, offering a measure of relief to wildfire crews but also complicating fire suppression efforts because of mud and loosened earth. (AP Photo / Peggy Fagerstrom)
Attendees of a government-to-government consultation look on as kuspuks were displayed during the Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation held this week in Anchorage. (Courtesy Photo / Lisa Houghton)

Top Justice Dept. official reflects on Alaska’s unique concerns

Help for Juneau tribal court, emergency rural services may result from aid touted at Anchorge summit

Attendees of a government-to-government consultation look on as kuspuks were displayed during the Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation held this week in Anchorage. (Courtesy Photo / Lisa Houghton)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire On Thursday morning at what police described as an active crime scene, JPD Officer Austin Thomas and Officer Taylor Davis walk the fielded area which was blocked off by crime scene tape. Multiple tents and a police vehicle sat in the field where the tape surrounded, another police vehicle sat in a dirt parking area.

No arrests made as death investigation continues

More information expected today.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire On Thursday morning at what police described as an active crime scene, JPD Officer Austin Thomas and Officer Taylor Davis walk the fielded area which was blocked off by crime scene tape. Multiple tents and a police vehicle sat in the field where the tape surrounded, another police vehicle sat in a dirt parking area.
A sign encouraging voters to vote yes on Proposition 4 stands at a busy Mendnehall Valley intersection. The proposition to repeal a city ordinance requiring buyers to disclose the sales price of real property has been a flashpoint in the municipal election with groups forming in support and opposition of the proposition. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

The disclosure dilemma

Supporters say it’s more accurate, opponents say it’s an invasion of privacy — voters will decide.

A sign encouraging voters to vote yes on Proposition 4 stands at a busy Mendnehall Valley intersection. The proposition to repeal a city ordinance requiring buyers to disclose the sales price of real property has been a flashpoint in the municipal election with groups forming in support and opposition of the proposition. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File A Juneau resident receives a COVID-19 booster shot in October 2001.

COVID boosters, flu shots are widely available

Folks looking to get vaccinated against COVID and/or flu have options.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File A Juneau resident receives a COVID-19 booster shot in October 2001.
Dave Ringle, executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau, removes a face mask after exiting transitional housing Wednesday at the organization’s complex on Teal Street, where a public open day will be part of an annual fundraiser Saturday. The complex is in the midst of various upgrades and Ringle said the fundraiser is intended to help both the projects and provide direct aid to residents. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

St. Vincent’s seeking healthy recovery with fundraiser

Annual event comes as agency tackles long list of housing, other projects in wake of Covid crisis

Dave Ringle, executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau, removes a face mask after exiting transitional housing Wednesday at the organization’s complex on Teal Street, where a public open day will be part of an annual fundraiser Saturday. The complex is in the midst of various upgrades and Ringle said the fundraiser is intended to help both the projects and provide direct aid to residents. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Several police vehicles, including a mobile incident command vehicle, were present Wednesday evening near the Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei (Brotherhood Bridge Trail) trailhead. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police: Death being investigated as homicide

A person of interest and the deceased have been identified.

Several police vehicles, including a mobile incident command vehicle, were present Wednesday evening near the Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei (Brotherhood Bridge Trail) trailhead. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake and a featured presenter at the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Anchorage on Wednesday, speaks during a memorial service at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, June 7, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

‘It is not the past’: Conference confronts high rate of violence against Indigenous women

“It comes at an especially important moment.”

Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake and a featured presenter at the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Anchorage on Wednesday, speaks during a memorial service at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, June 7, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
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Sniffen indicted on sexual abuse counts

Sniffen will be arraigned Monday.

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Courtesy Photo / Taylor Vidic Lindsay Clark of the Juneau Symphony will be one of 10 symphony musicians to take part in the Crystal Saloon’s, Beer. Brats. Brandenburgs. event the evening of Oct.1.

Bach meets weizen-bock

Classical bars to be played at downtown bar

Courtesy Photo / Taylor Vidic Lindsay Clark of the Juneau Symphony will be one of 10 symphony musicians to take part in the Crystal Saloon’s, Beer. Brats. Brandenburgs. event the evening of Oct.1.
On the ballot of this year’s municipal election, voters will decide if the city’s temporary” 1% sales tax should be extended as it celebrates its 50th consecutive year implemented in the City and Borough of Juneau. Last time it passed, close to 78% of residents voted yes, according to CBJ, and if passed again, it will go into effect Oct. 1, 2023, and run until Sept. 30, 2028. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

50 years ‘temporary’ and counting?

Voters asked to decide if the city’s 1% sales tax should be extended another 5 years

On the ballot of this year’s municipal election, voters will decide if the city’s temporary” 1% sales tax should be extended as it celebrates its 50th consecutive year implemented in the City and Borough of Juneau. Last time it passed, close to 78% of residents voted yes, according to CBJ, and if passed again, it will go into effect Oct. 1, 2023, and run until Sept. 30, 2028. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo from 2020 shows Mamie Clare with her family Jim Clare, Lione Clare, and Krisanne Rice. Clare, formerly of Sitka, knows firsthand that recovering from an eating disorder isn’t easy. (Courtesy Photo / Krisanne Rice)

Sitka family shares story to raise eating disorder awareness

Subject specialist comes to town for a pair of presentations.

This photo from 2020 shows Mamie Clare with her family Jim Clare, Lione Clare, and Krisanne Rice. Clare, formerly of Sitka, knows firsthand that recovering from an eating disorder isn’t easy. (Courtesy Photo / Krisanne Rice)
Featured artist Jill Kaasteen Meserve designed the logo gracing the front of Tidal Echoes’ 2022 edition. (Courtesy photo / Tidal Echoes)
Capital City Weekly

Tidal Echoes waves in submissions from across Southeast Alaska

UAS’s Tidal Echoes opens to accept all mediums of art to be featured in its annual journal

Featured artist Jill Kaasteen Meserve designed the logo gracing the front of Tidal Echoes’ 2022 edition. (Courtesy photo / Tidal Echoes)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho displays a slide showing some of the arguments being made for voting in favor of a state constitutional convention in the November general election while explaining the reasons he opposes such a convention during a lecture Tuesday at the Walter Soboleff Building. He said voters have rejected a convention by large margins almost every time it has come up every ten years since statehood, but a current mood of higher political distrust in government nationwide means there appears to be a higher likelihood of passage this year.

Presentation details cons of constitutional convention

Yes-vote rallies seek end to PFD “political football” as Southeast leaders warn of regional harm

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho displays a slide showing some of the arguments being made for voting in favor of a state constitutional convention in the November general election while explaining the reasons he opposes such a convention during a lecture Tuesday at the Walter Soboleff Building. He said voters have rejected a convention by large margins almost every time it has come up every ten years since statehood, but a current mood of higher political distrust in government nationwide means there appears to be a higher likelihood of passage this year.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Kelsey Martin asks about the status of her son’s Permanent Fund Dividend check after arriving first at Juneau’s PFD office in the State Office Building on Tuesday, the first day direct deposit payments of the $3,284 dividends are being credited. Eligible residents who did not receive direct deposits will be paid by checks that will be mailed starting Oct. 6.

$3,284 payments make their way to many residents

Others arrive at PFD office bright and early with questions.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Kelsey Martin asks about the status of her son’s Permanent Fund Dividend check after arriving first at Juneau’s PFD office in the State Office Building on Tuesday, the first day direct deposit payments of the $3,284 dividends are being credited. Eligible residents who did not receive direct deposits will be paid by checks that will be mailed starting Oct. 6.
In this undated file photo the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska is shown. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

Oil price drop endangers plan to fund Alaska schools a year early

If oil prices fall, amount is automatically reduced to an amount the state can afford. At

In this undated file photo the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska is shown. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
AP Photo / Evan Vucci President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens at right.

White House estimates over 60K Alaskans to benefit from student loan forgiveness plan

The state adds a small portion to the estimated 40M borrowers eligible for relief across the country

AP Photo / Evan Vucci President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens at right.