News

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, July 28, 2021

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

  • Jul 28, 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)
Shoppers wear masks inside of The Cool store in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course Tuesday, July 27, 2021, on some masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging. City and Borough of Juneau officials are considering extending local mitigation measures that advise residents to wear masks when in indoor public spaces. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)

City assembly to revisit mitigation measures

A special meeting is set for Wednesday evening

Shoppers wear masks inside of The Cool store in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course Tuesday, July 27, 2021, on some masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging. City and Borough of Juneau officials are considering extending local mitigation measures that advise residents to wear masks when in indoor public spaces. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Permanent Fund posts record earnings as lawmakers debate state deficit

Record earnings, lengthy debate.

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
A nearly full moon can be seen rising over Thunder Mountain last December. According to NASA, a normal lunar fluctuation-called a moon wobble- will cause coastal flooding in many parts of the country in the mid 2030s. However, an oceanographer says that Southeast Alaska will not experience the same level of flooding due to declining ocean depths driven by glacial retreat. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Researcher: Moon wobble unlikely to flood Juneau

Glacial retreat and natural tide fluctuations offer protection

A nearly full moon can be seen rising over Thunder Mountain last December. According to NASA, a normal lunar fluctuation-called a moon wobble- will cause coastal flooding in many parts of the country in the mid 2030s. However, an oceanographer says that Southeast Alaska will not experience the same level of flooding due to declining ocean depths driven by glacial retreat. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Fireweed flowers have narrow, dark pink sepals between the wide, paler-pink petals, possibly making an added attraction. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: The making of a flower

Pistils at dawn.

Fireweed flowers have narrow, dark pink sepals between the wide, paler-pink petals, possibly making an added attraction. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
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 Tuesday, July 27, 2021

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

  • Jul 27, 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)
Deputy City Clerk Diane Cathcart finalizes the list of candidates seeking office in the October municipal election on Monday afternoon. On Monday, races for seats on both the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and Juneau School District Board of Education took shape. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Local election takes shape ahead of filing deadline

Mayor unopposed, school race heats up

Deputy City Clerk Diane Cathcart finalizes the list of candidates seeking office in the October municipal election on Monday afternoon. On Monday, races for seats on both the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and Juneau School District Board of Education took shape. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19 cases are rising and health officials say new variants are spurring the increase, even among the vaccinated. But health officials note the majority of hospitalizations and deaths are occurring in unvaccinated people. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Officials urge health diligence as COVID cases rise

Mask up indoors.

COVID-19 cases are rising and health officials say new variants are spurring the increase, even among the vaccinated. But health officials note the majority of hospitalizations and deaths are occurring in unvaccinated people. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
Veterans and active duty servicemembers carry the totem pole on July 24, 2021 as hundreds gathered in Hoonah for its raising. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Hoonah honors veterans with totem pole, future memorial park

From the Alaska Territorial Guard to today’s servicemembers, the Southeast has a legacy of service.

Veterans and active duty servicemembers carry the totem pole on July 24, 2021 as hundreds gathered in Hoonah for its raising. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
In this May 24, 2021, photo, Linda Dunegan poses for a photo in the sanctuary of the Open Door Baptist Church in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunegan purchased a former strip club and leased the main floor to the church. (AP Photo/ Mark Thiessen)

Divine transformation: Ex-Alaska strip club becomes church

From pole to pulpit.

  • Jul 26, 2021
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
In this May 24, 2021, photo, Linda Dunegan poses for a photo in the sanctuary of the Open Door Baptist Church in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunegan purchased a former strip club and leased the main floor to the church. (AP Photo/ Mark Thiessen)
Contractors raise a totem pole honoring veterans of the armed services into place in Hoonah on July 24, 2021, in a ceremony attended by hundreds. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Photos: Totem pole honoring veterans raised in Hoonah

Hundreds gather for ceremony.

Contractors raise a totem pole honoring veterans of the armed services into place in Hoonah on July 24, 2021, in a ceremony attended by hundreds. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Ginger Hudson, seen here on July 23, 2021, stepped up as the manager of the Jensen-Olson Arboretum in January of 2021, taking over one of the northernmost arboretums in the world, as well as one renowned internationally for its collection of primrose plants. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

New arboretum manager takes root

It’s a rare gardner that has experience growing plants this far north.

Ginger Hudson, seen here on July 23, 2021, stepped up as the manager of the Jensen-Olson Arboretum in January of 2021, taking over one of the northernmost arboretums in the world, as well as one renowned internationally for its collection of primrose plants. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Gabriel Katzeek, 39, works unloading supplies at the new Glory Hall facility on Teal Street in the Mendenhall Valley on Friday. The new facility opened the day before, and Katzeek said he hoped the services provided at the Glory Hall will help people get back on their feet.

‘So far, so good’: New Glory Hall facility opens on Teal Street

Step in the right direction.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Gabriel Katzeek, 39, works unloading supplies at the new Glory Hall facility on Teal Street in the Mendenhall Valley on Friday. The new facility opened the day before, and Katzeek said he hoped the services provided at the Glory Hall will help people get back on their feet.
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Friday, July 23, 2021

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

  • Jul 23, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Judge hears arguments in budget effective date suit

Superior Court Judge Herman Walker Jr. heard arguments in Anchorage

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Assembly members Alicia Hughes-Skandijs, left, Carole Triem, center, and Wade Bryson watch results come in at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Empire Live: Unofficial results are in for New JACC grant, Assembly and school board

Results are in!

Assembly members Alicia Hughes-Skandijs, left, Carole Triem, center, and Wade Bryson watch results come in at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Emergency response crews transport an injured passenger to an ambulance at the George Inlet Lodge docks, Monday, May 13, 2019, in Ketchikan, Alaska. The passenger was from one of two float planes reported down in George Inlet early Monday afternoon and was dropped off by a U.S. Coast Guard 45-foot response boat. (Dustin Safranek | Ketchikan Daily News via AP)

Search continued for three missing passengers

Two float planes likely collided in the air.

Emergency response crews transport an injured passenger to an ambulance at the George Inlet Lodge docks, Monday, May 13, 2019, in Ketchikan, Alaska. The passenger was from one of two float planes reported down in George Inlet early Monday afternoon and was dropped off by a U.S. Coast Guard 45-foot response boat. (Dustin Safranek | Ketchikan Daily News via AP)
Juneau School Board candidates Deedie Sorensen, left, Martin Stepetin, Sr., Bonny Jensen and Emil Mackey, right, respond to questions during a candidate forum at KTOO on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. The event was sponsored by the Juneau League of Women Voters. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Video

Video: Watch the municipal candidate forum live here

Learn more about the candidates running for local office.

Juneau School Board candidates Deedie Sorensen, left, Martin Stepetin, Sr., Bonny Jensen and Emil Mackey, right, respond to questions during a candidate forum at KTOO on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. The event was sponsored by the Juneau League of Women Voters. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Video
Mariya Lovishchuk, Executive Director of the Glory Hall -- Juneau’s homeless shelter and soup kitchen -- speaks Wednesday, July 17, 2019, about cuts in services that will take place starting next month with the elimination of state funding. Watch a full video online at juneauempire.com. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Video

WATCH: Glory Hall homeless shelter talks cuts in services

Juneau’s homeless shelter is hoping for a miracle.

Mariya Lovishchuk, Executive Director of the Glory Hall -- Juneau’s homeless shelter and soup kitchen -- speaks Wednesday, July 17, 2019, about cuts in services that will take place starting next month with the elimination of state funding. Watch a full video online at juneauempire.com. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Video
The Serenade of the Seas arrives in Juneau early Friday morning. The Royal Caribbean cruise ship is the first large cruise ship to come to Juneau since the pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 cruise ship season and delayed the 2021 season. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

They’re back: Large cruise ships return to Southeast Alaska

Juneau’s first large cruise ship since start of the pandemic arrived today.

The Serenade of the Seas arrives in Juneau early Friday morning. The Royal Caribbean cruise ship is the first large cruise ship to come to Juneau since the pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 cruise ship season and delayed the 2021 season. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)