Cars enter a redesigned left-turn lane designed to improve the line-of-sight of drivers and reduce the distance necessary to cross Egan Drive at the Fred Meyer intersection on Monday. A traffic light on Egan Drive is scheduled to be installed at the intersection by 2027. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Enpire)

Bids to design traffic light, other upgrades at Fred Meyer intersection now being sought by DOT

Project comes after redesign of turn lanes; alternate route recommended by state still on hold.

Cars enter a redesigned left-turn lane designed to improve the line-of-sight of drivers and reduce the distance necessary to cross Egan Drive at the Fred Meyer intersection on Monday. A traffic light on Egan Drive is scheduled to be installed at the intersection by 2027. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Enpire)
A sign posted on the door of the Division of Public Assistance office in Bethel, Alaska, on Oct. 11, 2023. The office offers full services. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska invested millions to fix food stamp backlogs. Some users still can’t get through.

State has not finished tech rollout, officials say they are still working to reopen offices.

A sign posted on the door of the Division of Public Assistance office in Bethel, Alaska, on Oct. 11, 2023. The office offers full services. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
People carry signs at a Juneau rally in favor of an increase to the amount the government pays schools per student on Jan. 29, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska school districts got a one-time funding boost. It came too late for many teachers.

Districts say instructors are leaving because of uncertainty in what is usually a stable profession

People carry signs at a Juneau rally in favor of an increase to the amount the government pays schools per student on Jan. 29, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Mike Bethers and his wife, Astrid, turn over two fish to Alysha Reeves, dock chair at the Auke Nu weighing station during the final day of the 78th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Slow fishing at 78th Golden North Salmon Derby still reels in heavier winning catch than last year

27.7-pound king salmon turned in by Karie Sims tops the scales as three-day event ends Sunday.

Mike Bethers and his wife, Astrid, turn over two fish to Alysha Reeves, dock chair at the Auke Nu weighing station during the final day of the 78th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, Aug. 9, 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, Aug. 8, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ships in port for the week of Aug. 10

Here’s what to expect this week.

Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
From left to right: Jeff Smith, Tanna Peters and Gwenna Corvez return for food after finishing pulling insulation out of two crawlspaces in a row on Saturday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau comes together to help residents recover from the Mendenhall River flood

Hauling wet fiberglass insulation from crawlspaces is currently the biggest need

From left to right: Jeff Smith, Tanna Peters and Gwenna Corvez return for food after finishing pulling insulation out of two crawlspaces in a row on Saturday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
At the Kake Dog Salmon Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, residents and visiting Quakers examined artifacts returned to the village by the ancestor of a Quaker missionary. (Photo courtesy of Jan Bronson)

Alaska Native artifacts returned to Kake as Quakers continue reparations

Sen. Murkowski, federal officials hear of roadblocks to proposed cultural healing center.

At the Kake Dog Salmon Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, residents and visiting Quakers examined artifacts returned to the village by the ancestor of a Quaker missionary. (Photo courtesy of Jan Bronson)
Firefighter Sylvester Olivares-Ramos bows down to give the U.S. Coast Guard softball team their first-place trophy in the Alaska Peace Officer Association’s charity softball tournament on Saturday that fundraises for Special Olympics Alaska. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Charity softball tournament catches more than $1,000 for Special Olympics Alaska

Alaska Peace Officers Association Capital City Chapter hosts “Guns Versus Hoses Charity Softball”

Firefighter Sylvester Olivares-Ramos bows down to give the U.S. Coast Guard softball team their first-place trophy in the Alaska Peace Officer Association’s charity softball tournament on Saturday that fundraises for Special Olympics Alaska. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The Douglas Harbor weighing station is quiet on Saturday morning as the 78th Golden North Salmon Derby begins its second day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

78th Golden North Salmon Derby starts slow due to flood cleanup, fishing conditions

23.3-pound king leads after first day; weekend weather forecast is for a chance of rain.

The Douglas Harbor weighing station is quiet on Saturday morning as the 78th Golden North Salmon Derby begins its second day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Stranding Network members examined a young male humpback whale on July 8, 2024 near Elfin Cove. Members included a veterinarian with Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services and a biologist with Glacier Bay National Park. (Photo courtesy Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services)

Ship strikes suspected of causing two whale deaths in Icy Strait

One whale was pregnant at the time of death, according to NOAA.

Alaska Stranding Network members examined a young male humpback whale on July 8, 2024 near Elfin Cove. Members included a veterinarian with Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services and a biologist with Glacier Bay National Park. (Photo courtesy Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services)
A crew member aboard a Prince William Sound works with the operator vessel’s skiff, which is used to maneuver the net into position. (Photo courtesy of Megan Corazza)

‘Huge disaster’: Historically weak pink salmon runs strain Alaska’s seine fishermen

Skippers in Prince William Sound and Kodiak say this year’s harvest is one of the worst they’ve seen.

A crew member aboard a Prince William Sound works with the operator vessel’s skiff, which is used to maneuver the net into position. (Photo courtesy of Megan Corazza)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Aug. 9, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Aug. 9, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alysha Reeves, a nine-year Golden North Salmon Derby official, validates a fisherman’s ticket at the Auke Nu weigh station on Friday morning, the first day of the three-day derby. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

78th annual Golden North Salmon Derby offers a nibble of normalcy in wake of record flood

Occasional rain, a few stray trees in the waters near Juneau expected as three-day event begins.

Alysha Reeves, a nine-year Golden North Salmon Derby official, validates a fisherman’s ticket at the Auke Nu weigh station on Friday morning, the first day of the three-day derby. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Flowers, notes, cash donations and other items are placed Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at a memorial for Steven Kissack, a longtime Juneau resident experiencing homelessness, at the spot he was fatally shot by police the previous day. The stuffed malamute is in recognition of his dog Juno, who was present when the shooting occurred. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Memorial benefit show for Steven Kissack seeks to help others facing his struggles

Ten music acts scheduled to perform Saturday at Crystal Saloon in memory of well-known homeless resident.

Flowers, notes, cash donations and other items are placed Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at a memorial for Steven Kissack, a longtime Juneau resident experiencing homelessness, at the spot he was fatally shot by police the previous day. The stuffed malamute is in recognition of his dog Juno, who was present when the shooting occurred. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A view of the Treasury Department building in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 2022. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

$83 million loan program for Alaska tribal and small businesses approved by U.S. Dept. of Treasury

Program aims to help businesses that may not receive loans otherwise.

A view of the Treasury Department building in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 2022. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)
A worker examines a flooded yard where fuel and other hazardous material may have spilled. (Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation photo)

Resources for flood cleanup and recovery offered by city, other entities

Waste collection and disposal options expanded, volunteer coordination and other efforts underway

A worker examines a flooded yard where fuel and other hazardous material may have spilled. (Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, Aug. 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 Monday, Aug. 5, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)