Is Alaska’s economy as bad as it seems?

ANCHORAGE — It’s certainly not the best of times, but it’s also far from the worst of times for Alaska’s economy, according to Anchorage Economic… Continue reading

Tommy Vrabec, right, smiles after receiving a life-saving award from Capital City Fire Rescue with Peter Fergin, center, on Friday evening, July 29, 2016 at the Juneau International Airport fire station. At left, wiping tears from his eyes, is Stephen Hamilton, who suffered heart failure but was eventually revived with the assistance of Fergin and Vrabec.

On the tennis court, saving a life is no racket

Stephen Hamilton doesn’t remember the day, but he remembers the men who saved his life.On Friday evening, Hamilton wiped tears from his eyes in the… Continue reading

Tommy Vrabec, right, smiles after receiving a life-saving award from Capital City Fire Rescue with Peter Fergin, center, on Friday evening, July 29, 2016 at the Juneau International Airport fire station. At left, wiping tears from his eyes, is Stephen Hamilton, who suffered heart failure but was eventually revived with the assistance of Fergin and Vrabec.

This Day in Juneau History: Aug. 1, 1986

On Aug. 1, 1986, Gov. Bill Sheffield announced his new budget plan for the upcoming year, which included a massive $230 million cut to state… Continue reading

Around Town

Women, Infants and Children walk-in clinic, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., SEARHC Juneau WIC Clinic, 3245 Hospital Drive, first floor. Free nutrition services for income-eligible women who… Continue reading

Recreational boaters watch two orca whales swim near Juneau in July 2011.

Whale-watching boat sinks; 18 rescued

Eighteen people are wet but alive after their whale-watching boat sank Sunday afternoon in Favorite Channel.According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the 35-foot Dolphin Jet… Continue reading

Recreational boaters watch two orca whales swim near Juneau in July 2011.

This Day in Juneau History: July 31, 1986

On July 31, 1986, Gov. Bill Sheffield edited the new budget plan and said that the final draft for the budget would be announced the… Continue reading

Around Town

Open trap shooting, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Juneau Gun Club, 1 Mile Montana Creek Road. The Juneau Gun Club is open to members and public trap… Continue reading

Troopers seek Palmer driver who crashed into patrol car

WASILLA — Alaska State Troopers are looking for a Palmer driver who crashed into a patrol car and was arrested but escaped as he was… Continue reading

Man armed with baseball bat robs Wasilla gas station store

WASILLA — Alaska State Troopers are looking for a man suspected of robbing a Wasilla gas station convenience store early Friday morning while armed with… Continue reading

Anchorage police investigate fatal shooting, body in street

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police are investigating the death of a person shot and killed early Friday morning on the city’s east side.Dispatchers just after 3… Continue reading

Anchorage police seek man who attacked woman jogger on trail

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police say a woman jogging on a trail near an Anchorage high school was attacked from behind but managed to fight off… Continue reading

The Kodiak Island Borough's Marijuana Task Force met this week to discuss pot cultivation and approved a pathway for growers to begin operations on residential lots.

Kodiak pot regulators approve residential growing

KODIAK — A group that advises the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly on marijuana regulations has decided to allow commercial pot growing in some residential areas.The… Continue reading

The Kodiak Island Borough's Marijuana Task Force met this week to discuss pot cultivation and approved a pathway for growers to begin operations on residential lots.

Brothers charged with killing man outside Fairbanks bar

FAIRBANKS — Two brothers have been indicted on murder charges for the shooting death of a man outside a Fairbanks bar last year.A grand jury… Continue reading

This screenshot shows the GoFundMe page for the Wolfe family. The effort raised almost $10,000 in just five hours to benefit the family whose home was destroyed on Saturday, killing a family member.

House fire claims life of Yakutat man

A Yakutat man is dead and his sister’s home has been gutted by a Saturday morning house fire.Yakutat police chief Robert Baty confirmed Saturday evening… Continue reading

This screenshot shows the GoFundMe page for the Wolfe family. The effort raised almost $10,000 in just five hours to benefit the family whose home was destroyed on Saturday, killing a family member.
Mark Matthews was found dead three years ago on a popular Homer trail. The identity of the person who murdered him remains a mystery.

Homer’s only unsolved murder case still in limbo

HOMER — After years of investigation, Homer’s only unsolved murder now awaits a decision by the Kenai District Attorney on whether charges can be filed.… Continue reading

Mark Matthews was found dead three years ago on a popular Homer trail. The identity of the person who murdered him remains a mystery.

Eroding village to vote on whether to move or stay

ANCHORAGE — A tiny island village on Alaska’s storm-battered western coast is entering a new chapter in its decades-long pursuit to move the entire community… Continue reading

Tustumena captain John Mayer explains the improvements to the ship's wheelhouse Monday, Oct. 21, 2013. (James Brooks photo)

After an architect’s disturbing find, Southwest Alaska’s lifeline faces a deadline born of age

In mid-January, everyone aboard the ferry Tustumena was miserable.Each year, the Alaska Marine Highway System takes the Tustumena out of regular service and sails it… Continue reading

Tustumena captain John Mayer explains the improvements to the ship's wheelhouse Monday, Oct. 21, 2013. (James Brooks photo)
The front page of the Empire on July 30, 1986.

This Day in Juneau History: July 30, 1986

On July 30, 1986, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries continued to toy with oil prices, fertilizing doubt that Alaska’s revenue — most of which… Continue reading

The front page of the Empire on July 30, 1986.
After 36 years, owners JoAnn and Dave Lesh are selling the Gustavus Inn.

36 years of making people feel at home, JoAnn and Dave Lesh are selling Gustavus Inn

At the Gustavus Inn, cocktail hour starts at a quarter to six with hors d’oeuvres. It could be homemade sourdough flatbread with pesto made from… Continue reading

After 36 years, owners JoAnn and Dave Lesh are selling the Gustavus Inn.