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Two of Juneau’s three lawmakers may not run for re-election

Two of Juneau’s three lawmakers may not run for re-election

Two of three Juneau lawmakers in the Alaska Legislature may not run for re-election this year. Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, told the Empire he… Continue reading

Two of Juneau’s three lawmakers may not run for re-election

Southeast fisherman found guilty of ‘creek robbery’, fined $32K and forced to forfeit boat

A Southeast salmon fisherman forfeited his boat to the state of Alaska last week after being found guilty of fishing 65 miles into closed waters,… Continue reading

Lia Heifetz, Matt Kern, Colin Peacock, Eli Wray and Kaila Buerger all spoke at a panel for young food entrepreneurs on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018 at City Hall. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

The local food movement is young

Some fresh faces are looking to make a living while increasing the amount of food grown in Juneau. At least, that’s the first thing you… Continue reading

Lia Heifetz, Matt Kern, Colin Peacock, Eli Wray and Kaila Buerger all spoke at a panel for young food entrepreneurs on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018 at City Hall. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
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Coast Guard rescues woman who jumped into Gastineau Channel

The Coast Guard says it rescued a woman who jumped into Gastineau Channel Tuesday evening from a downtown Juneau pier. In a news release, Coast… Continue reading

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In this Jan. 18, 2017 photo, Gov. Bill Walker speaks during his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Watch Gov. Walker’s State of State address live Thursday night

Gov. Bill Walker is giving his annual State of State Address Thursday night and you can watch it live on juneauempire.com. Beginning at 7 p.m.,… Continue reading

In this Jan. 18, 2017 photo, Gov. Bill Walker speaks during his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A bald eagle sits on top of a tsunami warning tower on the Homer Spit near Mariner Park on Tuesday morning, Sept. 2, 2014, after an error in the alert system caused a false tsunami warning. Towers like this situated in coastal Alaska towns are designed primarily to warn of tsunamis, but also can warn of other events, including possible nuclear missile attacks. (Homer News file photo by Michael Armstrong)

Could false nuke alert happen on the Kenai Peninsula?

HOMER — In September 2014, the National Weather System sent out a false tsunami alarm, triggering tsunami warning sirens in Homer. As happened last Saturday… Continue reading

A bald eagle sits on top of a tsunami warning tower on the Homer Spit near Mariner Park on Tuesday morning, Sept. 2, 2014, after an error in the alert system caused a false tsunami warning. Towers like this situated in coastal Alaska towns are designed primarily to warn of tsunamis, but also can warn of other events, including possible nuclear missile attacks. (Homer News file photo by Michael Armstrong)
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Alaska’s recession derails almost a decade of population stability in Juneau

The state of Alaska revealed earlier this month that the ongoing Alaska recession has wiped out almost a decade of population gain in the City… Continue reading

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Nearly 1,000 people attend the Women’s March in Juneau on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Nearly 1,000 people attend the Women’s March in Juneau on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Second women’s march to take place Saturday in front of Alaska Capitol

One year after almost 1,000 people gathered in front of the Alaska State Capitol for a demonstration of women’s rights, organizers are planning a sequel… Continue reading

Nearly 1,000 people attend the Women’s March in Juneau on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Nearly 1,000 people attend the Women’s March in Juneau on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this April 10, 2017 photo, Luann McVey, left, and Laura Stats sit in the mostly vacant public seating area after giving their public testimony on SB 26 to the House Finance Committee at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Staffers suggest tips for good public testimony

A microphone can be a scary thing. Each year, thousands of Alaskans call or visit the Alaska Legislature to offer their thoughts on a piece… Continue reading

In this April 10, 2017 photo, Luann McVey, left, and Laura Stats sit in the mostly vacant public seating area after giving their public testimony on SB 26 to the House Finance Committee at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, left, and Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, deliver a message to Gov. Bill Walker that the House is open for business on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. Legislators returned to Alaska’s Capitol to open the Second Session of the 30th Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Guardedly optimistic, Alaska Legislature starts second regular session

After the Girl Scouts and the Juneau-Douglas High School choir, two senators walked into the chambers of the Alaska House of Representatives with an air… Continue reading

Rep. Ivy Spohnholz, D-Anchorage, left, and Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage, deliver a message to Gov. Bill Walker that the House is open for business on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. Legislators returned to Alaska’s Capitol to open the Second Session of the 30th Legislature on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

  • Jan 17, 2018
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime
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Juneau man arrested as fugitive from justice

A Juneau man was arrested Sunday as a fugitive from justice after escaping custody in Washington state, according to an Alaska State Troopers dispatch. Alaska… Continue reading

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Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Three finalists named to replace Mike Dunleavy in Alaska Senate

A sitting state legislator is among the three names being forwarded to Gov. Bill Walker as possible replacements for Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla. On Monday… Continue reading

Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In this Feb. 15, 2017 photo, Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, speaks in support of his resolution to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during a House floor sesison. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Report confirms lawmaker harassed staff

An investigation by the Alaska Legislature’s internal watchdog has confirmed that former Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kiana, sexually harassed multiple Legislative employees in 2017. The investigation’s… Continue reading

In this Feb. 15, 2017 photo, Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, speaks in support of his resolution to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during a House floor sesison. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Trillium Landing is a 49-unit apartment complex currently under construction in the Vintage Business Park for persons aged 55 and over. The complex includes studios, one and two-bedroom units and is scheduled to open in September. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Free forum tackles local housing issues

Housing is always a hot topic in Juneau, and those who are curious about the city’s housing market will have all day Thursday to learn… Continue reading

Trillium Landing is a 49-unit apartment complex currently under construction in the Vintage Business Park for persons aged 55 and over. The complex includes studios, one and two-bedroom units and is scheduled to open in September. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Herring, salmon draw public heat at Fish Board

The Alaska Board of Fisheries wrapped up four days of public testimony on Southeast fisheries Tuesday with most of the debate surrounding proposals to change… Continue reading

Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Tlingit and Haida hosts criminal justice talk and free lunch

The Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska will kick off its series of lunchtime lectures at noon Thursday in the Elizabeth… Continue reading

Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Downtown Juneau in the summer. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire File)

City looking for designs of downtown banners

The city is looking to update the banners that hang from downtown light poles, and is looking to the public for proposals. The current banners… Continue reading

Downtown Juneau in the summer. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

  • Jan 16, 2018
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage, left, looks on as Carol Thompson with the state Division of Elections in Anchorage, unseals boxes containing more than 45,000 signatures, Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Elections workers will have to verify the signatures before the measure is approved for the ballot. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press)

Two measures still on track for 2018 ballot

The backers of two ballot measures are turning in their required signatures to the Alaska Division of Elections, keeping the measures on track for a… Continue reading

Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage, left, looks on as Carol Thompson with the state Division of Elections in Anchorage, unseals boxes containing more than 45,000 signatures, Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Elections workers will have to verify the signatures before the measure is approved for the ballot. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press)