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The City and Borough of Juneau announced on Monday it is lowering its community risk level. The move means masking will no longer be required inside indoor, public spaces. Currently, masks are required in city facilities, but a chance is expected in the near future, said Deputy City Manager Robert Barr. (Pam Menegakis / Unsplash)

City lowers community risk level

Masks are recommended, but no longer required.

The City and Borough of Juneau announced on Monday it is lowering its community risk level. The move means masking will no longer be required inside indoor, public spaces. Currently, masks are required in city facilities, but a chance is expected in the near future, said Deputy City Manager Robert Barr. (Pam Menegakis / Unsplash)
Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. McCave introduced bills to enact a reciprocal tax on Washington state after lawmakers in that state forwarded a bill that would tax refined fuel to Alaska and House members passed a resolution urging Washington lawmakers not to pass the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska lawmakers push back on proposed Washington state legislation

Withdrawn fuel tax provision proves unpopular with lawmakers.

Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. McCave introduced bills to enact a reciprocal tax on Washington state after lawmakers in that state forwarded a bill that would tax refined fuel to Alaska and House members passed a resolution urging Washington lawmakers not to pass the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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 Monday, Feb. 28

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
Emergency organizations and search and rescue groups gathered on Friday, Feb. 25, to practice urban avalanche rescues in a large-scale exercise. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Local emergency organizations hold urban avalanche exercise

Fortune favors the prepared.

Emergency organizations and search and rescue groups gathered on Friday, Feb. 25, to practice urban avalanche rescues in a large-scale exercise. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Viktor Tkachenko, who moved to Alaska from Ukraine last year, holds a sign asking NATO for assistance defeating Russian airpower at a protest against the war in Marine Park on Feb. 26, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Sunflowers under a rainy sky: Juneau rallies for Ukraine

The blue and yellow of Ukraine was resplendent in downtown Juneau.

Viktor Tkachenko, who moved to Alaska from Ukraine last year, holds a sign asking NATO for assistance defeating Russian airpower at a protest against the war in Marine Park on Feb. 26, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
teaser

Senators to watch as Supreme Court fight unfolds

Murkowski, Collins, Graham among others.

  • Feb 26, 2022
  • By Mary Clare Jalonick Associated Press
  • Nation-World
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The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is currently working on a study for a second crossing across the Gastineau Channel, seen here on Aug. 22, 2021, to North Douglas Island. The public outreach portion of the study is set to begin in May, according to DOT. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Federal funds could pave way for a second crossing

An opportune time.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is currently working on a study for a second crossing across the Gastineau Channel, seen here on Aug. 22, 2021, to North Douglas Island. The public outreach portion of the study is set to begin in May, according to DOT. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department is readying for the inbound cruise season as it makes headway on other projects around the city, said the harbormaster. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Docks and harbors rigs for cruise season

It’ll be the first full season since 2019.

Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department is readying for the inbound cruise season as it makes headway on other projects around the city, said the harbormaster. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
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 Friday, Feb. 25

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
Pat Pitney was named President of the University of Alaska Friday after serving as interim president for over a year. She is the first woman to hold the position in UA's history. (Courtesy photo / University of Alaska)

Pat Pitney named UA President

After shedding interim label, she’s the first woman to hold the post.

Pat Pitney was named President of the University of Alaska Friday after serving as interim president for over a year. She is the first woman to hold the position in UA's history. (Courtesy photo / University of Alaska)
Juneau police officers hunkered down next to the berm visible between homes, said an eyewitness, before an officer fired his weapon three times and striking two trailers, mistakenly believing a man having a mental health crisis had a gun on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Police release name of officer who fired weapon during recent incident

The officer being investigated has worked for the department since 2016.

Juneau police officers hunkered down next to the berm visible between homes, said an eyewitness, before an officer fired his weapon three times and striking two trailers, mistakenly believing a man having a mental health crisis had a gun on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
An olive-sided flycatcher perches atop a tree in Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Sara Germain, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Alaska Science Forum: Bird havens on a trans-continental journey

Right about now, songbirds in Brazil are shifting on their perches…

An olive-sided flycatcher perches atop a tree in Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Sara Germain, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
The MV Tazlina arrives in Juneau in this May 2020 photo. Federal relief dollars may be coming to the state to aide the Alaska Marine Highway System, but the unions that run the ships say workers are leaving the state. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Union reps say Alaska’s losing maritime workers

Retention is declining.

The MV Tazlina arrives in Juneau in this May 2020 photo. Federal relief dollars may be coming to the state to aide the Alaska Marine Highway System, but the unions that run the ships say workers are leaving the state. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File Shawn Arnold has been selected as principal of Thunder Mountain High School, to begin that role with the new school year in late July.

New principal picked for Thunder Mountain High School

It won’t change his commute too much.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File Shawn Arnold has been selected as principal of Thunder Mountain High School, to begin that role with the new school year in late July.
Ukrainian servicemen sit atop armored personnel carriers driving on a road in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Alaska elected officials react to Russian invasion of Ukraine

The invasion began Wednesday evening, Alaska time after a long military buildup.

Ukrainian servicemen sit atop armored personnel carriers driving on a road in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
This October 2019 photo shows Kensington Gold Mine's tailing treatment facility. On Thursday, the U.S. Forest Service announced a final record of decision that clears the way for a phased approach to a plan expanding the life of the mine by at least a decade. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Forest Service OKs phased approach for plan to extend life of Kensington Gold Mine

The proposed plan generated hundreds of public comments from residents, organizations and agencies.

This October 2019 photo shows Kensington Gold Mine's tailing treatment facility. On Thursday, the U.S. Forest Service announced a final record of decision that clears the way for a phased approach to a plan expanding the life of the mine by at least a decade. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
President Joe Biden speaks about the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)

Update: Biden hits Russia with sanctions, shifts troops to Germany

The sanctions target Russian banks, oligarchs and high-tech sectors,

  • Feb 24, 2022
  • By Aamer Madhani, Zeke Miller and Ellen Kickmeyer Associated Press
  • Nation-World
President Joe Biden speaks about the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)
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, Feb. 25, 2022

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

  • Feb 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)
Flares light up the landscape after sunset on the oil patch in the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota on Oct. 27, 2021. Over much of the last decade, oil and gas operators in Texas and a dozen other U.S. states have flared, or burned off, at least 3.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, according to an analysis of satellite data by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism. (Isaac Stone Simonelli / Howard Center for Investigative Journalism)

Actual greenhouse gas volumes exceed official reports

Auditors warned of bad data for years.

  • Feb 24, 2022
  • Howard Center for Investigative Journalism
  • Nation-World
Flares light up the landscape after sunset on the oil patch in the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota on Oct. 27, 2021. Over much of the last decade, oil and gas operators in Texas and a dozen other U.S. states have flared, or burned off, at least 3.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, according to an analysis of satellite data by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism. (Isaac Stone Simonelli / Howard Center for Investigative Journalism)
Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer speaks during a news conference on Feb. 23, 2022 about an officer-involved shooting the previous day. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Police investigating officer-involved shooting

Minor injuries from broken glass were reported, but no-one was shot.

Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer speaks during a news conference on Feb. 23, 2022 about an officer-involved shooting the previous day. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)