News

Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau and Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, answer questions from Juneau area residents about legislative priorities during a townhall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau legislators ‘worried’ about upcoming session

Juneau’s three-person delegation to the Alaska Legislature told a well-attended town hall meeting Thursday night that they are worried about what will and will not… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau and Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, answer questions from Juneau area residents about legislative priorities during a townhall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

How you can help with snow removal

With severe winter weather in the forecast for Juneau this weekend, snow is projected to pile up around town. The Department of Transportation & Public… Continue reading

The future of king salmon fishing in Southeast will change this week as the Board of Fisheries considers proposals to boost struggling Chinook stocks on the Chilkat and Taku rivers. The board convened in Sitka Thursday for a 13-day meeting that will resume Monday morning. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Board of Fisheries weighs proposals protecting Chinook stocks in Southeast

The future of king salmon fishing in Southeast will change this week as the Board of Fisheries considers proposals to boost struggling Chinook stocks on… Continue reading

The future of king salmon fishing in Southeast will change this week as the Board of Fisheries considers proposals to boost struggling Chinook stocks on the Chilkat and Taku rivers. The board convened in Sitka Thursday for a 13-day meeting that will resume Monday morning. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

United Way collecting donations all month in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the United Way of Southeast Alaska AmeriCorps Program is collecting donations around town. All month, the organizations… Continue reading

In this March 15, 2017 photo, Senate President Pete Kelly watches as lawmakers vote on Senate Bill 26. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Tough choices abound in 2018’s Year of the Budget

Alaska has a $2.7 billion annual budget deficit. It’s the largest of any state other than Illinois. The deficit is bigger than California’s. It’s bigger… Continue reading

In this March 15, 2017 photo, Senate President Pete Kelly watches as lawmakers vote on Senate Bill 26. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
123rf.com Stock Photo

Free legal advice available Monday

Getting legal help can be a costly, timely process. This Monday, however, legal advice for people in four Alaska communities will be free. This Monday… Continue reading

123rf.com Stock Photo
A concept image of the Alaska-class ferry. (Courtesy Image | Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Alaska-class ferry misses goal: Parts to be built Outside

As Alaska struggles to solve a multibillion-dollar annual deficit, it seems like a distant dream: A state, flush with cash, spending $120 million to build… Continue reading

A concept image of the Alaska-class ferry. (Courtesy Image | Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
In this Dec. 8, 2006 photo, Nathan Weyiouanna’s abandoned house at the west end of Shishmaref, Alaska, sits on the beach after sliding off during a fall storm in 2005. Alaska health officials are warning that serious health issues could crop up as the state warms. A report by the Alaska Division of Public Health released this week says longer growing seasons and fewer deaths from exposure are likely positive outcomes from climate change. But the 77-page report says additional diseases, lower air quality from more wildfires, melting permafrost and disturbances to local food sources also are potential outcomes. Warming already has thawed soil and eroded coastlines, leading at least three villages, Shishmaref, Kivalina and Newtok to consider relocating. (Diana Haecker | The Associated Press File)

Report: Health problems could arise as Alaska warms

ANCHORAGE — Climate change in Alaska has the potential to create serious physical and mental health problems for Alaskans, according to a new report from… Continue reading

In this Dec. 8, 2006 photo, Nathan Weyiouanna’s abandoned house at the west end of Shishmaref, Alaska, sits on the beach after sliding off during a fall storm in 2005. Alaska health officials are warning that serious health issues could crop up as the state warms. A report by the Alaska Division of Public Health released this week says longer growing seasons and fewer deaths from exposure are likely positive outcomes from climate change. But the 77-page report says additional diseases, lower air quality from more wildfires, melting permafrost and disturbances to local food sources also are potential outcomes. Warming already has thawed soil and eroded coastlines, leading at least three villages, Shishmaref, Kivalina and Newtok to consider relocating. (Diana Haecker | The Associated Press File)

Police calls for Friday, Jan. 12, 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 12, 2018
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Dr. Mark Miller, superintendent for the Juneau School District, gives an overview of the district’s budget at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Appearing with Miller are Brian Holst, school board president, left, Ted Wilson, Director of Teaching and Learning, center, and Bridget Weiss, Director of Student Services, right. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

As budgets tighten, community partnerships key in arts education

Speaking at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday, Juneau School District Superintendent Mark Miller was frank about the school district’s current budget situation. Statewide… Continue reading

Dr. Mark Miller, superintendent for the Juneau School District, gives an overview of the district’s budget at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Appearing with Miller are Brian Holst, school board president, left, Ted Wilson, Director of Teaching and Learning, center, and Bridget Weiss, Director of Student Services, right. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
123rf.com Stock Photo

Heavy snow forecast for Friday; will turn to rain this weekend

Juneau will soon have a reminder of what makes a normal winter. On Thursday morning, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for… Continue reading

123rf.com Stock Photo

Three finalists named to replace Westlake in Legislature

The Alaska Democratic Party has announced three finalists to fill the vacant seat in the Alaska House of Representatives left by the resignation of Rep.… Continue reading

A wolf stands at the edge of Sandy Beach parking lot on Saturday. (Peter Fellman | Courtesy Photo)

Man encounters wolf at Sandy Beach

Peter Fellman’s friendly dog Bingo is an ambassador of sorts. He’s an easy-going “mongrel” of a mutt who earned his nickname calming canine tensions at… Continue reading

A wolf stands at the edge of Sandy Beach parking lot on Saturday. (Peter Fellman | Courtesy Photo)

Juneau removes eagle nest protections from land use code

Alaska’s capital city removed protections for eagle nests from its land use code. Some Juneau officials said the protections became difficult to enforce because there… Continue reading

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University students with the Indian Legal Clinic offer their recommendations to improve the voting access and participation of Indians across the state on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, in Phoenix, Arizona. The presentation was part of a hearing by the Native American Voting Rights Coalition. (Anita Snow | The Associated Press)

Groups record voting rights abuses against Native Americans

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Election sites far from reservations. Poll workers who don’t speak tribal languages. Unequal access to early voting sites. Native Americans say they… Continue reading

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University students with the Indian Legal Clinic offer their recommendations to improve the voting access and participation of Indians across the state on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, in Phoenix, Arizona. The presentation was part of a hearing by the Native American Voting Rights Coalition. (Anita Snow | The Associated Press)
Assembly member and City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee Chair Jesse Kiehl poses a question Wednesday about the possibility of the city getting involved in the process of Hydro One purchasing Alaska Energy Light & Power. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

City looks at being ‘intervener’ in purchase of AEL&P

City officials are mulling getting further involved in the pending sale of Juneau’s electric utility. During a lengthy informational meeting Wednesday night, the City and… Continue reading

Assembly member and City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee Chair Jesse Kiehl poses a question Wednesday about the possibility of the city getting involved in the process of Hydro One purchasing Alaska Energy Light & Power. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Harry F. Snyder Photograph Collection: Treadwell, Alaska, 1916-1918. ASL-PCA-38

History of Treadwell Ditch Trail subject of Saturday lecture

When it was still in operation, the famed Treadwell Mine depended on water sourced from a miles-long ditch cut into the Douglas mountainside. After falling… Continue reading

Harry F. Snyder Photograph Collection: Treadwell, Alaska, 1916-1918. ASL-PCA-38
In this April 2014 photo, Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, left, speaks with Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, Rep. Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla, and Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, in the House Chambers. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Rep. Tammie Wilson alleges bullying by former state senator

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, is sharing her own story of being bullied in the state Legislature as she calls for harassment investigations within the… Continue reading

In this April 2014 photo, Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, left, speaks with Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, Rep. Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla, and Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, in the House Chambers. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, Jan. 11, 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 10, 2018
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime

Program features music of Northern composers

This weekend, two musical performances will show off the music of Northern composers. Arctic Dreams, the latest installment in the Con Brio Chamber Series, features… Continue reading