News

Capt. Jayme Johns, center, head of the Capital City Fire/Rescue’s water rescue team, briefs a group of CCFR personnel and Coast Guardsmen as they prepare to practice swiftwater rescues in the Mendenhall River on as National Boating Safety Week wraps up May 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

‘Current’ events: Responders rehearse river rescue

“When you’re in the river, you’re at the mercy of the water.”

Capt. Jayme Johns, center, head of the Capital City Fire/Rescue’s water rescue team, briefs a group of CCFR personnel and Coast Guardsmen as they prepare to practice swiftwater rescues in the Mendenhall River on as National Boating Safety Week wraps up May 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Dan Blanchard, CEO of UnCruise Adventures stands at the bridge of the Safari Quest, one of several boats that will ply Alaksa's waters this season. He said the stuffed animal is the ship's official mascot. His daughter, Denee Blanchard, is the captain of the vessel, which left Juneau for a weeklong cruise on May 15. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

UnCruise sets sail with a larger fleet

Strong demand results in more ships moving to Juneau

Dan Blanchard, CEO of UnCruise Adventures stands at the bridge of the Safari Quest, one of several boats that will ply Alaksa's waters this season. He said the stuffed animal is the ship's official mascot. His daughter, Denee Blanchard, is the captain of the vessel, which left Juneau for a weeklong cruise on May 15. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Members of a bicameral conference committee of lawmakers, seen here at their first meeting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, met again Thursday to negotiate the final version of the state's budget. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Budget committee adjourns until after holiday

Lengthy process.

Members of a bicameral conference committee of lawmakers, seen here at their first meeting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, met again Thursday to negotiate the final version of the state's budget. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department will be increasing its presence over Memorial Day weekend to keep holiday-makers safe, according to a news release. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police stepping up presence for Memorial Day weekend

Be safe over the long holiday weekend.

The Juneau Police Department will be increasing its presence over Memorial Day weekend to keep holiday-makers safe, according to a news release. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Third-generation Alaskan and Juneau-transplant Paul Kelly hopes to join the Juneau City Assembly and has recently kicked off his campaign for the seat. He currently serves on the board for Juneau Public Schools. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Kelly launches campaign for CBJ Assembly

He’s a candidate for the October municipal election

Third-generation Alaskan and Juneau-transplant Paul Kelly hopes to join the Juneau City Assembly and has recently kicked off his campaign for the seat. He currently serves on the board for Juneau Public Schools. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
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, May 27, 2021

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

  • May 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)
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 Wednesday, May 27

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
Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, at center, chairs the first meeting of a bicameral conference committee tasked with negotiating the state's final budget bill in the Senate Finance Committee chambers on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Lawmakers had said they wanted to finish before Memorial Day, but Foster said that didn't seem like a possibility. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Budget negotiations begin, will likely continue into June

One day at a time.

Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, at center, chairs the first meeting of a bicameral conference committee tasked with negotiating the state's final budget bill in the Senate Finance Committee chambers on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Lawmakers had said they wanted to finish before Memorial Day, but Foster said that didn't seem like a possibility. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This year’s Rasmuson Foundation Distinguished Artist is Ernestine Saankaláxt’ Hayes. The acclaimed author is former Alaska State Writer Laureate and resides in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Pat Race)
Video
Capital City Weekly

Hayes receives prestigious Distinguished Artist honor

Acclaimed writer from Juneau receives Rasmuson Foundation award.

This year’s Rasmuson Foundation Distinguished Artist is Ernestine Saankaláxt’ Hayes. The acclaimed author is former Alaska State Writer Laureate and resides in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Pat Race)
Video
A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. Before cruise ships can sail to Alaska this summer, they must enter into a port agreement, which outlines health and safety terms. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ authorizes city manager to enter port agreements with cruise lines

CDC requires agreed-upon health and safety standards for cruises

A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. Before cruise ships can sail to Alaska this summer, they must enter into a port agreement, which outlines health and safety terms. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A northern waterthrush sings. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Larcenous lichens and some short stories

That’s not moss…

A northern waterthrush sings. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Anthony Christianson, Hydaburg mayor and leader of the Hydaburg Cooperative Association’s Natural Resource department, harvests cedar bark during a demonstration with the United States Forest Service, artists, Sealaska, and more. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)
Capital City Weekly

Resilient Peoples & Place: ‘Monument Trees’ and cedar stewardship on the Tongass National Forest

“Cedar is the warp in the basket of who we are as a people.”

  • May 26, 2021
  • By Katie Riley, Sitka Conservation Society with Marina Anderson, Organized Village of Kasaan.
  • Capital City Weekly
Anthony Christianson, Hydaburg mayor and leader of the Hydaburg Cooperative Association’s Natural Resource department, harvests cedar bark during a demonstration with the United States Forest Service, artists, Sealaska, and more. (Courtesy Photo / Bethany Sonsini Goodrich)
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, May 26, 2021

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

  • May 26, 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)
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, May 25

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
Juneauites walking the Airport Dike Trail, seen here on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, probably won’t see the monitoring wells being installed in the area around the Juneau International Airport to test for contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS chemicals. Ground water testing is set to take place over the next few years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City testing for PFAS in soil, groundwater around airport

Multi-year process.

Juneauites walking the Airport Dike Trail, seen here on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, probably won’t see the monitoring wells being installed in the area around the Juneau International Airport to test for contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS chemicals. Ground water testing is set to take place over the next few years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Capt. Stephen White, right, presents a commendation to City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors port director Carl Uchytil during an Assembly meeting on May 24, 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Coast Guard commends Docks and Harbors for Lumberman response

Docks and Harbors has played a key role in preventing several major spills, the citation says.

Capt. Stephen White, right, presents a commendation to City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors port director Carl Uchytil during an Assembly meeting on May 24, 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
Starting next month, new rules will govern the use of fireworks in the City and Borough of Juneau. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire File)

CBJ adopts new fireworks rules

New rules ban mortar-style fireworks in neighborhoods

Starting next month, new rules will govern the use of fireworks in the City and Borough of Juneau. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire File)
JDHS graduates make their way from a graduation ceremony held Sunday, May 23. All three Juneau public high school held ceremonies on Sunday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

PHOTOS: 1 day, 3 graduation ceremonies

See photos of the big day.

JDHS graduates make their way from a graduation ceremony held Sunday, May 23. All three Juneau public high school held ceremonies on Sunday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Garrett Klein, a junior at TMHS, recalls his reaction to finding out his painting will hang in Washington D.C. "I was just blown away," Klein said. "I was in absolute shock." Klein thanked Angela Imboden, Nancy Lehnhart and MK MacNaughton for making the success possible. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

From Juneau with love

Local artist’s work to hang in Washington, D.C.

Garrett Klein, a junior at TMHS, recalls his reaction to finding out his painting will hang in Washington D.C. "I was just blown away," Klein said. "I was in absolute shock." Klein thanked Angela Imboden, Nancy Lehnhart and MK MacNaughton for making the success possible. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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, May 25, 2021

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

  • May 25, 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)