Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, right, speaks as committee’s ranking member Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., looks on, during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. Oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge moved closer Wednesday as a key Senate panel approved a bill to open the remote refuge to energy exploration. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved the drilling measure, 13-10. (Jose Luis Magana | The Associated Press)

Arctic refuge drilling closer as Senate panel moves ahead

WASHINGTON — Oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge moved closer Wednesday as a key Senate panel approved a bill to open… Continue reading

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, right, speaks as committee’s ranking member Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., looks on, during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. Oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge moved closer Wednesday as a key Senate panel approved a bill to open the remote refuge to energy exploration. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved the drilling measure, 13-10. (Jose Luis Magana | The Associated Press)

Police calls for Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017

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

Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Tribes of Alaska is showing “Awake: A Dream from Standing Rock” at its movie night Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (Photo courtesy of CCTHITA)

Movie, mining on the mind at Tlingit & Haida event

Tonight is all about movies and mining at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. The Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska is holding a… Continue reading

Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Tribes of Alaska is showing “Awake: A Dream from Standing Rock” at its movie night Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (Photo courtesy of CCTHITA)

City sets opening date for warming center

Starting Dec. 1, some of Juneau’s most vulnerable residents will have a place to sleep on nights where temperatures dip below freezing. The City and… Continue reading

Greg Gallant and his fishing partner, Kodi, show off their king crab catch in August 2009. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Look out, king crab: Juneau area fishery opens for first time in six years

Starting today, Juneauites will have the chance to catch king crab in the waters surrounding their backyards. It’s the first time in six years a… Continue reading

Greg Gallant and his fishing partner, Kodi, show off their king crab catch in August 2009. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

With winter arriving, it’s time to prepare pipes, home heating systems

As snow starts falling and temperatures start dropping, it’s time to take seasonal precautions, both the City and Borough of Juneau and Capital City Fire/Rescue… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain High School football coaching staff and players wait for their turn to give public testimony surrounding the consolidation of Juneau’s football teams under Juneau-Douglas High School, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in the JDHS Library. Coaches, players and TMHS student government members spoke in favor of establishing a program under a new name and colors. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain students push for compromise in football merger

Juneau’s two high school football programs will be playing together in the future, and students and parents at Thunder Mountain High School want to see… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain High School football coaching staff and players wait for their turn to give public testimony surrounding the consolidation of Juneau’s football teams under Juneau-Douglas High School, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in the JDHS Library. Coaches, players and TMHS student government members spoke in favor of establishing a program under a new name and colors. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
The World’s Largest Lesson at Eaglecrest took place on Jan. 6, 2017. A movie night Saturday, Nov. 18 aims to raise money for the Eaglecrest Foundation. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New Warren Miller movie showing twice Saturday

Prolific ski movie director Warren Miller’s 68th movie is out, and those in Juneau will have two chances to see it Saturday. The Hangar on… Continue reading

The World’s Largest Lesson at Eaglecrest took place on Jan. 6, 2017. A movie night Saturday, Nov. 18 aims to raise money for the Eaglecrest Foundation. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017

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

Playing with Fish. (Photo by Elizabeth Figus, a speaker at Fishermen’s Expo)

Fishermen Expo a festival of information, ideas, and connections

Fishermen from Sitka and beyond gathered last week for a fall Fishermen’s Expo from Nov. 7-9. The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA) partnered with the… Continue reading

Playing with Fish. (Photo by Elizabeth Figus, a speaker at Fishermen’s Expo)
Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, center, leaves the House chambers with Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, left, and Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, after holding a short technical session at the Capitol on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. The Alaska Senate on Friday approved a constitutionally problematic criminal justice reform bill, then adjourned the fourth special session of the 30th Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislature’s special session lives in limbo without legislators

The Alaska Legislature’s special session will continue — without most legislators. On Monday, the Alaska House of Representatives failed to adjourn the ongoing fourth special… Continue reading

Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, center, leaves the House chambers with Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, left, and Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, after holding a short technical session at the Capitol on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. The Alaska Senate on Friday approved a constitutionally problematic criminal justice reform bill, then adjourned the fourth special session of the 30th Alaska Legislature. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017

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

Amalga Distillery sports a full house during First Friday on Oct. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alcohol board still allows ‘fun’ at distilleries and breweries

Alaska’s alcohol control board declined to ban distilleries and breweries from hosting fundraisers and special events, but the board did vote to advance a proposal… Continue reading

Amalga Distillery sports a full house during First Friday on Oct. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Singer/songwriter Maggie Rogers is playing a free show at the University of Alaska Southeast on Saturday. (Promotional photo)

Fast-rising songwriter to play free show Saturday

A young artist who gained widespread attention with a song about Alaska is returning to the Last Frontier this weekend, including a stop in Juneau.… Continue reading

Singer/songwriter Maggie Rogers is playing a free show at the University of Alaska Southeast on Saturday. (Promotional photo)
The first snow of the season covers Juneau on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire)

Friday’s snowfall was normal, and that’s unusual

Juneau’s first snowfall of the season brought 3.5 inches of heavy, wet flakes to Juneau International Airport on Friday, according to measurements taken by the… Continue reading

The first snow of the season covers Juneau on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire)
Susan Bell, of The McDowell Group, discusses challenges facing the Alaska Marine Highway System during a Republican Women of Juneau lunch at Prospector Hotel on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Researchers developing plan for future of Alaska Marine Highway

At the Southeast Conference in September, conference leaders announced a plan to reform the Alaska Marine Highway System, aiming to run it as a public… Continue reading

Susan Bell, of The McDowell Group, discusses challenges facing the Alaska Marine Highway System during a Republican Women of Juneau lunch at Prospector Hotel on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this April 2011 photo, Private Gabriel Jones of Wasilla, right, and Private Joshua Bollick of Anchorage, stand guard next to three armoured personel carriers belonging to the Alaska Army National Guard 297th Military Police Company as they practice in downtown Juneau. (Juneau Empire File)

Public input needed on increasing National Guard in Juneau

Correction: An earlier version of this article provided the incorrect location of the upcoming town hall meeting, due to incorrect information provided by the organizers. The… Continue reading

In this April 2011 photo, Private Gabriel Jones of Wasilla, right, and Private Joshua Bollick of Anchorage, stand guard next to three armoured personel carriers belonging to the Alaska Army National Guard 297th Military Police Company as they practice in downtown Juneau. (Juneau Empire File)
A man skis at Eaglecrest in January. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Skiing at Eaglecrest on Thursday. Michael Penn | Juneau Empire

Throwback movie night raises money for Eaglecrest Foundation

The snow has begun to fall in Juneau, which means it’s time for SNOvember at the Gold Town Nickelodeon. This Friday, the annual film festival… Continue reading

A man skis at Eaglecrest in January. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Skiing at Eaglecrest on Thursday. Michael Penn | Juneau Empire

Annual event encourages tobacco users to stop for a day

Taking just one day off from smoking can be the first step in quitting for good, and this Thursday could be that day for people… Continue reading

Romantic chamber music at the state library

Romantic chamber music at the state library

Con Brio Chamber Series will hold its “Love in the Last of the Light – a concert of romantic music” concert this weekend. Performances are… Continue reading

Romantic chamber music at the state library