News

President Joe Biden announces that along with the European Union and the Group of Seven countries, the U.S. will move to revoke "most favored nation" trade status for Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Alaska lawmakers applaud ban on Russian seafood

Alcohol, seafood and diamonds.

President Joe Biden announces that along with the European Union and the Group of Seven countries, the U.S. will move to revoke "most favored nation" trade status for Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police investigate unidentified body

Authorities are investigating an unidentified body found Thursday afternoon.

(Michael Penn / 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 Friday, March 11, 2022

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

  • Mar 11, 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 Empire file photo shows students at Floyd Dryden Middle School, Jan. 11, 2021, with desks separated to accommodate for COVID-19 social distancing protocols. The Juneau School District announced masks would become optional indoors on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Juneau schools to make masks optional starting April 4

A little breathing room.

This Empire file photo shows students at Floyd Dryden Middle School, Jan. 11, 2021, with desks separated to accommodate for COVID-19 social distancing protocols. The Juneau School District announced masks would become optional indoors on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
Alaska Sen. Tom Begich, left, and Rep. Zack Fields, right, both Anchorage Democrats, joined a news conference Thursday to talk up President Joe Biden's agenda in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Democratic state lawmakers praise Biden’s impact in Alaska

Bills’ benefits.

Alaska Sen. Tom Begich, left, and Rep. Zack Fields, right, both Anchorage Democrats, joined a news conference Thursday to talk up President Joe Biden's agenda in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A Navy TALON robot examines a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in front of the Alaska State Capitol on March 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Teamwork makes the dream work: Navy, JPD hold bomb drill outside capitol building

It’s good to know what to do before a crisis happens.

A Navy TALON robot examines a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in front of the Alaska State Capitol on March 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Hayley Gilson JDHS’ Skylar Tuckwood (13) dribbles while defended by TMHS’ Ashlyn Gates (2). The JDHS girls won the game 54-29 in large part due to Tuckwood’s 20 points and seven steals.

Region V tournament starts with mixed results for Juneau teams

Winners and losers after Wednesday’s games.

Courtesy Photo / Hayley Gilson JDHS’ Skylar Tuckwood (13) dribbles while defended by TMHS’ Ashlyn Gates (2). The JDHS girls won the game 54-29 in large part due to Tuckwood’s 20 points and seven steals.
district

Juneau lawmaker’s bills would increase per-student funding

A modest increase.

district
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, March 10, 2022

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

  • Mar 10, 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, March 9

Numbers come from reports from the City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Operations Center and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, as well… 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
This Empire file photo shows the mill facility at the Kensington Gold Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. A new study from the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage tries to imagine what the state's mining industry could look like in 20 years. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire file)

Economists explore mining’s future in Alaska

A lot of variables.

This Empire file photo shows the mill facility at the Kensington Gold Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. A new study from the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage tries to imagine what the state's mining industry could look like in 20 years. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire file)
This photo shows a dandelion. "During spring’s root season, people dig up and dry dandelion root, then ground it for coffee, claiming it’s a good substitute." writes By Yéilk’ Vivian Mork. (Yéilk’ Vivian Mork / For the Capital City Weekly)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: Waking up with the plants of Taakw eetí

Wake up, Taakw eetí is almost here!

This photo shows a dandelion. "During spring’s root season, people dig up and dry dandelion root, then ground it for coffee, claiming it’s a good substitute." writes By Yéilk’ Vivian Mork. (Yéilk’ Vivian Mork / For the Capital City Weekly)
The Alaska Folk Festival will take place at Centennial Hall from April 4-10 after two years of being curtailed sharply by the pandemic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Folk Fest returns full force to Juneau

The 47th annual performance of the event returns to live concerts with a roar.

The Alaska Folk Festival will take place at Centennial Hall from April 4-10 after two years of being curtailed sharply by the pandemic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire A boat at the Fisherman’s Bend pier caught fire Tuesday night, injuring one person, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue.

One injured in Auke Bay boat fire

The cause of the engine fire is under investigation.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire A boat at the Fisherman’s Bend pier caught fire Tuesday night, injuring one person, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue.
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, March 9, 2022

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

  • Mar 9, 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)
A dead whale previously seen and necropsied on a small island near Angoon was spotted afloat on March 3. The cuts visible come from the necropsy effort, said a NOAA official. (Larry Talley / Courtesy photo)

Whale’s body spotted near Tenakee Inlet

The animal with a long history in the area has been necropsied.

A dead whale previously seen and necropsied on a small island near Angoon was spotted afloat on March 3. The cuts visible come from the necropsy effort, said a NOAA official. (Larry Talley / Courtesy photo)
At a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Gov. Mike Dunleavy outlined his plan to have the state divest its assets from Russia. The disruption in the global market could be beneficial to Alaska, the governor said, if it is able to develop its resources. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska pushes ahead with Russian divestment

Costs likely to increase

At a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Gov. Mike Dunleavy outlined his plan to have the state divest its assets from Russia. The disruption in the global market could be beneficial to Alaska, the governor said, if it is able to develop its resources. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
House Rep. Ben Carpenter speaks at a town hal meeting in Nikiski on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Election changes dominate town hall

Carpenter addressed ranked choice, legislation aimed at voter fraud

House Rep. Ben Carpenter speaks at a town hal meeting in Nikiski on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
This photo shows a least and crested auklet on Kasatochi Volcano in 2012 (Gary S Drew / United States Geological Survey)

On the Trails: Birds’ sense of smell

Old myth doesn’t pass the sniff test.

This photo shows a least and crested auklet on Kasatochi Volcano in 2012 (Gary S Drew / United States Geological Survey)
President Joe Biden announces a ban on Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia's economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

Biden bans Russian oil, warns of ‘Putin price hike’ at pump

Biden announced Tuesday the U.S. will ban all Russian oil imports.

President Joe Biden announces a ban on Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia's economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)