News

The Juneau Police Department will hold a drug take-back day on Oct. 23, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., said the police in a news release. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Police to hold drug take-back day on Oct. 23

Last take-back event, the DEA collected 420 tons of unused or unwanted prescription medication.

The Juneau Police Department will hold a drug take-back day on Oct. 23, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., said the police in a news release. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska Capitol is shown on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. There is interest among lawmakers and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy in settling a dispute over the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend program, but no consensus on what the program should look like going forward. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Alaskans get annual boost of free money from PFD

Checks of $1,114 are expected to be paid to about 643,000 Alaskans, beginning this week.

The Alaska Capitol is shown on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. There is interest among lawmakers and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy in settling a dispute over the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend program, but no consensus on what the program should look like going forward. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
The Federal Aviation Administration released an initiative to improve flight safety in Alaska for all aviation on Oct. 14, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

FAA releases Alaska aviation safety initiatives

The recommendations, covering five areas, range from improvements in hardware to data-gathering.

The Federal Aviation Administration released an initiative to improve flight safety in Alaska for all aviation on Oct. 14, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Clem Tillion, seen here in 2016, served nine terms in the Alaska State Senate, died Wednesday at the age of 96. Tributes to the late senator remembered his influence on state politics, including helping to create the Alaska Permanent Fund and fisheries advocacy. (Courtesy photo / Peter Micciche)

Nine-term state senator Clem Tillion dies at 96

70 years of influence.

Clem Tillion, seen here in 2016, served nine terms in the Alaska State Senate, died Wednesday at the age of 96. Tributes to the late senator remembered his influence on state politics, including helping to create the Alaska Permanent Fund and fisheries advocacy. (Courtesy photo / Peter Micciche)
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, Oct. 14, 2021

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

  • Oct 14, 2021
  • 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)
An Alaska State Trooper was arrested on Wednesday in Soldotna for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor, said the Department of Public Safety commissioner James Cockrell in a news conference. (Juneau Empire File)

State trooper arrested on child sex abuse charges

The suspect has been a trooper for two years.

An Alaska State Trooper was arrested on Wednesday in Soldotna for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor, said the Department of Public Safety commissioner James Cockrell in a news conference. (Juneau Empire File)
A Juneau resident receives a flu shot while getting a booster shot for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at Centennial Hall on Oct. 2, 2021. More than 1,300 Juneau residents received booster shots at the clinic and about half of those people also received a flu shot. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Experts urge flu shots ASAP

Jabs keep infections down and free up health care resources

A Juneau resident receives a flu shot while getting a booster shot for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at Centennial Hall on Oct. 2, 2021. More than 1,300 Juneau residents received booster shots at the clinic and about half of those people also received a flu shot. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The author photographs one of the numerous bull moose he and his wife saw on an elk hunt in Wyoming. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Desired vs. realized success

No elk taken, but it’s nothing to grouse about.

The author photographs one of the numerous bull moose he and his wife saw on an elk hunt in Wyoming. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department A body found on Oct. 5 was confirmed to be that of Joseph Clayton, seen here, reported missing in August.

Body confirmed to be that of missing man

The body was found near the Auke Bay ferry terminal.

Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department A body found on Oct. 5 was confirmed to be that of Joseph Clayton, seen here, reported missing in August.
Alan Young leads the Juneau Symphony through a Tuesday night rehearsal inside St. Paul's Catholic Church. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Together again: Juneau Symphony returns to live, in-person performances

First live performance in almost two years ushers in 59th season

Alan Young leads the Juneau Symphony through a Tuesday night rehearsal inside St. Paul's Catholic Church. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows gray currents, also called stink currants, Vivian Mork photographer. (Vivian Mork Yeilk’ / For the Capital City Weekly)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: Picking currants and riding currents

We give respect and thanks to the berries and the birds as we harvest the last of the berries.

This photo shows gray currents, also called stink currants, Vivian Mork photographer. (Vivian Mork Yeilk’ / For the Capital City Weekly)
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, Oct. 13, 2021

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

  • Oct 13, 2021
  • 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)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk, like the one shown in this June photo, rescued a man from a stricken vessel in the Gulf of Alaska on Oct. 11, 2021.

Coast Guard rescues man from disabled vessel

The sailboat was southbound in the Gulf of Alaska

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk, like the one shown in this June photo, rescued a man from a stricken vessel in the Gulf of Alaska on Oct. 11, 2021.
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 CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a glance for Tuesday, Oct. 12

The most recent state and local figures

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 CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML
Several members of the Alaksa House of Representatives were absent form a floor session Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, but after a quiet first week lawmakers are scheduled to hold committee meetings through the end of the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

COVID cases delay Senate

Still slow going.

Several members of the Alaksa House of Representatives were absent form a floor session Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, but after a quiet first week lawmakers are scheduled to hold committee meetings through the end of the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In 1980, U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and cutters, assisted by the U.S. Air Force and the Canadian armed forces as well as civilian rescue and relief organizations, rescued more than 500 passengers and crew from the cruise ship Prinsendam in the Gulf of Alaska. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Rescuers recall Prinsendam fire following 41st anniversary

It’s been four decades since the Coast Guard’s biggest and most successful rescue.

In 1980, U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and cutters, assisted by the U.S. Air Force and the Canadian armed forces as well as civilian rescue and relief organizations, rescued more than 500 passengers and crew from the cruise ship Prinsendam in the Gulf of Alaska. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
An Arctic tern carries a capelin, perhaps to a waiting female near a nest site. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Courtship and mating gifts

Animal courtship often involves more than fancy displays, songs and even gifts.

  • Oct 12, 2021
  • By Mary F. Willson
An Arctic tern carries a capelin, perhaps to a waiting female near a nest site. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Election workers Nora Laughlin and Bob Laurie man the City Hall election station on the last day of voting for Juneau's municipal election, Oct. 5, 2021. On Friday, results started to roll in with more expected Monday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Update: Continuing count shuffles early results

With almost 70% of the vote counted, results remain unofficial

Election workers Nora Laughlin and Bob Laurie man the City Hall election station on the last day of voting for Juneau's municipal election, Oct. 5, 2021. On Friday, results started to roll in with more expected Monday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This map from the U.S. Cencsus Bureau highlighting Alaska's indigenous populations. A ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska formally recognize the state's already federally recognized tribes took a step forward Monday, when it was certified by the Division of Elections. (Courtesy image/ Wikicommons)

Tribal recognition initiative moves ahead

Mending divisions.

This map from the U.S. Cencsus Bureau highlighting Alaska's indigenous populations. A ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska formally recognize the state's already federally recognized tribes took a step forward Monday, when it was certified by the Division of Elections. (Courtesy image/ Wikicommons)
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 CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a glance for Monday, Oct. 11

The most recent state and local figures

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 CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML