Gov. Mike Dunleavy talks to members of the media about the upcoming legislative session before the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy: No surprises in upcoming budget; energy and education will again be big policy goals

Governor also optimistic about Trump, says cancelled post-election announcement wasn’t about Cabinet job.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy talks to members of the media about the upcoming legislative session before the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 11, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 11, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kahyl Dybdahl, left, and Bronze Chevis eat an egg sandwich breakfast before school at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau School District gets $500K extra from BSA increase, may use about $100K to extend free student breakfasts

Juneau gets $5.7M rather than $5.2M from one-time funding boost; free meals set to end this month.

Kahyl Dybdahl, left, and Bronze Chevis eat an egg sandwich breakfast before school at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Safeway supermarket in Juneau, seen here Oct. 4, 2023, was among those in Alaska set to be sold if its parent company, Albertsons Companies Inc., merged with Kroger Co., the parent company of Fred Meyer. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Albertsons backs out of merger deal and sues Kroger after court rulings

Decision comes after federal judge blocks $25B deal between parent companies of Safeway, Fred Meyer.

The Safeway supermarket in Juneau, seen here Oct. 4, 2023, was among those in Alaska set to be sold if its parent company, Albertsons Companies Inc., merged with Kroger Co., the parent company of Fred Meyer. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
James Cheng, and his daughter Gwen, 1, help themselves to some of the 17,050 cookies being offered to visitors during the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
James Cheng, and his daughter Gwen, 1, help themselves to some of the 17,050 cookies being offered to visitors during the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The fishing vessel Wind Walker fishes near Sitka on March 29, 2022. (James Poulson / The Daily Sitka Sentinel)

Two bodies from capsized fishing vessel found Monday amidst debris from boat on beach near Hoonah

Three people remain missing eight days after Sitka-based vessel sinks southwest of Juneau.

The fishing vessel Wind Walker fishes near Sitka on March 29, 2022. (James Poulson / The Daily Sitka Sentinel)
Juneau Assembly members and city administrative leaders participate in group discussions during the Assembly’s annual retreat in the main conference room at Juneau International Airport on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Big list of critical needs means mill rate increase is inevitable, Juneau’s leaders say at annual retreat

Brainstorming session also floats ideas from seasonal sales tax to “we should smoke weed for kids.”

Juneau Assembly members and city administrative leaders participate in group discussions during the Assembly’s annual retreat in the main conference room at Juneau International Airport on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A dump truck reportedly stolen by a drunk driver is ensnared in power lines on Industrial Boulevard early Saturday morning. (Photo by Jeremy Sidney)
A dump truck reportedly stolen by a drunk driver is ensnared in power lines on Industrial Boulevard early Saturday morning. (Photo by Jeremy Sidney)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

911 service out for some Verizon customers, JPD says call business line at (907) 500-0600 if necessary

Some Verizon mobile phone customers had connectivity issues when trying to call 911 starting Saturday afternoon, according to the the Juneau Police Department. “Verizon is… Continue reading

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Alaska Division of Elections officials on Thursday display scanned ballots from the Nov. 5 election on screens for attorneys monitoring a recount of a measure to repeal ranked choice in the state. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Recount of ranked choice repeal upholds voters’ rejection — and increases margin by six votes

State elections officials declare measure failed by 743 votes out of 335,767 cast, or 49.88%-50.12%.

Alaska Division of Elections officials on Thursday display scanned ballots from the Nov. 5 election on screens for attorneys monitoring a recount of a measure to repeal ranked choice in the state. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau International Airport Manager Patty Wahto addresses attendees at a Juneau Airport Board meeting on July 11. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Patty Wahto, manager at Juneau International Airport, retiring next spring after 27-year career

Hired as deputy manager in 1998, she took over top job in 2013 and presided over a series of changes.

Juneau International Airport Manager Patty Wahto addresses attendees at a Juneau Airport Board meeting on July 11. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The 2024 Together Tree is delivered to the Governor’s Residence on Dec. 3 after being harvested near Hoonah. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

Governor’s Holiday Open House a bit thinner this year — if 17,050 cookies and 90 lbs. of fudge can be called that

Students from TMMS, JDHS, Faith Christian School and JAMM will perform during three-hour event Tuesday.

The 2024 Together Tree is delivered to the Governor’s Residence on Dec. 3 after being harvested near Hoonah. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
Hans Rivera (foreground) plays a Mexican song on cello with other Juneau Alaska Music Matters students and a mariachi band from Anchorage as part of a Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

An enlightenment into sights, sounds and spirit of Mexico at annual Feast Day celebration

Local music students join visiting mariachis at church celebrating national holiday for holy visionary.

Hans Rivera (foreground) plays a Mexican song on cello with other Juneau Alaska Music Matters students and a mariachi band from Anchorage as part of a Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nicole Herbert, director of account services for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, address the district’s school board during a Dec. 3 meeting. She is scheduled to become the new chief financial officer for the Juneau School District in March. (Screenshot from Fairbanks North Star Borough School District YouTube video)

School district’s new financial officer coming from Fairbanks district with its own consolidation woes

Nicole Herbert scheduled to start 12 days before Juneau’s school board sends budget to Assembly.

Nicole Herbert, director of account services for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, address the district’s school board during a Dec. 3 meeting. She is scheduled to become the new chief financial officer for the Juneau School District in March. (Screenshot from Fairbanks North Star Borough School District YouTube video)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, Dec. 6, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Aurora forecast through the week of Dec. 8

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute and available online, along with more data, at www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast. The listings below will… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
An intersection in the Mendenhall Valley is submerged during record flooding from Suicide Basin on Aug. 6. A report published last week states such flooding is the result of glacier melt occurring due to climate change. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Believe it or not, costs and damage of climate change are expanding in Juneau and elsewhere in Alaska

Record flooding, fatal landslides, decimated seafood industry cited as regional impacts in new report.

An intersection in the Mendenhall Valley is submerged during record flooding from Suicide Basin on Aug. 6. A report published last week states such flooding is the result of glacier melt occurring due to climate change. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)