News

SpaceX says it will fly 2 people to moon next year

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX said Monday it will fly two people to the moon next year, a feat not attempted since NASA’s Apollo heyday… Continue reading

President Donald Trump speaks to a meeting of the National Governors Association, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at the White House in Washington. (Evan Vucci | The Associated Press)

Trump looks to refocus his presidency in address to Congress

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s first address to Congress gives him a welcome opportunity to refocus his young administration on the core economic issues that… Continue reading

President Donald Trump speaks to a meeting of the National Governors Association, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at the White House in Washington. (Evan Vucci | The Associated Press)
In this file photo from January 2016, vehicles fill the Juneau Walmart parking lot on the first day of its going out of business sale. Juneau’s Walmart, which has been open since 2007, was among 154 stores in the U.S. being “pruned” from the corporate tree, according to Walmart spokesperson Delia Garcia. About 180 Juneau residents lost their jobs. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Sold: Anchorage investment group purchases former Walmart building

After rumors and speculation swirling for the past year, the 10-acre property on Glacier Highway that formerly housed Walmart has been sold. D’s Investment Corporation… Continue reading

In this file photo from January 2016, vehicles fill the Juneau Walmart parking lot on the first day of its going out of business sale. Juneau’s Walmart, which has been open since 2007, was among 154 stores in the U.S. being “pruned” from the corporate tree, according to Walmart spokesperson Delia Garcia. About 180 Juneau residents lost their jobs. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Fairbanks man accused of setting occupied vehicle on fire

FAIRBANKS — Alaska State Troopers say they have arrested a Fairbanks man suspected of setting a vehicle on fire while people were inside the car.… Continue reading

Two Alaska highways reopen after weekend snow closures

Two northern Alaska highways closed by heavy snowfall reopened Monday. Highways north of Fairbanks saw 7 to 9 inches of new snow Sunday and high… Continue reading

Biologists begin moose count pilot study in Anchorage

ACNHORAGE — Alaska wildlife officials have begun a study to learn more about Anchorage’s urban moose population and the most efficient way to count the… Continue reading

Officials readying for Eielson F-35s to spur housing crunch

FAIRBANKS — Officials in Alaska are preparing for a possible housing crunch in 2020 that is expected to coincide with an influx of service members… Continue reading

In this May 24, 2015 photo a vehicle drives on a pier to be loaded onto an Alaska state ferry while people fish underneath the pier in Homer. The fishing town is the latest U.S. city to consider affirming its commitment to inclusion amid national concerns about the treatment of immigrants, religious minorities and others. Homer city leaders are expected to weigh a resolution Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, that says Homer will resist any efforts to profile “vulnerable populations.” (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press)

Inclusivity measure stirs debate in Homer

JUNEAU — The small Alaska fishing community of Homer is no stranger to political activism. In the 1970s, a landmark legal case involving one of… Continue reading

In this May 24, 2015 photo a vehicle drives on a pier to be loaded onto an Alaska state ferry while people fish underneath the pier in Homer. The fishing town is the latest U.S. city to consider affirming its commitment to inclusion amid national concerns about the treatment of immigrants, religious minorities and others. Homer city leaders are expected to weigh a resolution Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, that says Homer will resist any efforts to profile “vulnerable populations.” (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press)

Pederson Hill subdivision to go in front of Juneau Planning Commission

The Pederson Hill Subdivision is inching closer and closer to becoming a reality. The proposed subdivision will go before the Juneau Planning Commission on Tuesday,… Continue reading

Native Issues Forum to discuss criminal justice reform

A Native Issues Forum is set for this coming Thursday on the topic of criminal justice reform. The guest speakers are Senator John Coghill, R-North… Continue reading

Petersburg renovates municipal building

PETERSBURG — Petersburg will be open for business Monday in the renovated portion of its municipal building. KFSK-FM reported work is expected to eventually total… Continue reading

Jim Rearden in 1955 with a Dall sheep he hunted in the Brooks Range. (Courtesy photo)

Legendary Homer writer, scientist Rearden dies

HOMER — Writer, photographer, editor, professor, biologist, outdoorsman, scholar, veteran, Alaskan and family man: In the history of Alaska’s post-World War II generation that came… Continue reading

Jim Rearden in 1955 with a Dall sheep he hunted in the Brooks Range. (Courtesy photo)
In this Feb. 13 photo, Phil and Jami Gibson pose for a photo in Kodiak, Alaska. The Gibsons look forward to celebrating three years of sobriety in June thanks to the help of faith-based mentoring they received while incarcerated. (Joann Snoderly | Kodiak Daily Mirror)

Prison, mentoring lead to new life

KODIAK — Jami Gibson’s emotions overwhelmed her as she peered from an airplane window at Kodiak just over a year ago, and she began to… Continue reading

In this Feb. 13 photo, Phil and Jami Gibson pose for a photo in Kodiak, Alaska. The Gibsons look forward to celebrating three years of sobriety in June thanks to the help of faith-based mentoring they received while incarcerated. (Joann Snoderly | Kodiak Daily Mirror)

No charges for officer who killed armed man

FAIRBANKS — No charges will be filed against an officer who shot and killed an armed man last year. An investigation found Sgt. Gregory Foster… Continue reading

Senate’s budget fix highlights list of Legislature’s new bills

Lawmakers last week put what are likely the last big pieces of this year’s budget fix on their agenda. On Friday, the members of the… Continue reading

Senate Page Jacob Pennell gives eighth-graders from Floyd Dryden Middle School details about how the Senate works during a tour of the Capitol on Thursday. Juneau School District eighth-graders spend a day at the Capitol combined with a trip to the Dimond Courthouse to learn and see how their government works. The program is done by volunteers according to coordinator Marjorie Menzi. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photo: Capitol students

Capitol students… Continue reading

Senate Page Jacob Pennell gives eighth-graders from Floyd Dryden Middle School details about how the Senate works during a tour of the Capitol on Thursday. Juneau School District eighth-graders spend a day at the Capitol combined with a trip to the Dimond Courthouse to learn and see how their government works. The program is done by volunteers according to coordinator Marjorie Menzi. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, talks with Alaska Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 in the Alaska Capitol before Sullivan was presented with a legislative resolution in support of oil and gas drilling within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Legislature officially asks to drill Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Alaska House’s representative for the North Slope welcomed U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan to the Capitol with a gift Friday: A fresh resolution proclaiming the… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, talks with Alaska Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 in the Alaska Capitol before Sullivan was presented with a legislative resolution in support of oil and gas drilling within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Monday, Feb. 27, 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

  • Feb 26, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Erika McConnell, seen here in on Feb. 23, 2017, has been named Alaska’s new top regulator for alcohol and marijuana. (Contributed photo)

State’s new alcohol and marijuana regulator has Anchorage roots

Erika McConnell is an Anchorage resident who wears glasses and a toothy smile. She enjoys reading, the outdoors and caramels. On March 20, she’ll chew… Continue reading

Erika McConnell, seen here in on Feb. 23, 2017, has been named Alaska’s new top regulator for alcohol and marijuana. (Contributed photo)
The scene of a car crash where Juneau police say a 48-year-old man survived pinned inside his vehicle near the end of North Douglas Highway on Feb. 5. A hiker called police after finding the man Sunday morning. Firefighters had to cut the top of the vehicle off to free the man. He was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Douglas crash survivor has long road ahead to recovery

Lance McVay survived a horrific crash earlier this month after he passed out at the wheel and launched his car into the woods at the… Continue reading

The scene of a car crash where Juneau police say a 48-year-old man survived pinned inside his vehicle near the end of North Douglas Highway on Feb. 5. A hiker called police after finding the man Sunday morning. Firefighters had to cut the top of the vehicle off to free the man. He was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said.