News

Curt Chamberlain, an attorney who grew up practicing subsistence fishing in Aniak, argues at Friday’s Alaska Federation of Natives convention for changes to federal law to protect Native subsistence harvests. Chamberlain was one of the speakers participating in a floor session on the subject. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Native leaders at AFN call for legal overhaul to protect traditional fish harvests

The crash of salmon stocks in Western Alaska’s Kuskokwim River has sparked a bitter court fight between the federal and state governments, and now Alaska… Continue reading

Curt Chamberlain, an attorney who grew up practicing subsistence fishing in Aniak, argues at Friday’s Alaska Federation of Natives convention for changes to federal law to protect Native subsistence harvests. Chamberlain was one of the speakers participating in a floor session on the subject. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Lyle’s & Jensen’s Home Furnishings on Jordan Avenue, a family business in that location for about 27 years, has sold the building, but will continue to operate in the location until the end of December. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)

Furniture store closing after a long run, but may be back

Alaska Industrial Hardware purchased the building, according to assessors office.

Lyle’s & Jensen’s Home Furnishings on Jordan Avenue, a family business in that location for about 27 years, has sold the building, but will continue to operate in the location until the end of December. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
A city-owned warehouse about a mile south of the Goldbelt Tram is scheduled to open as a winter warming shelter starting Friday. The shelter will have cots, hand-washing stations, outdoor portable restrooms and other basic services. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

City: Emergency warming shelter to be open daily 9 p.m.-7 a.m. (8 a.m. Sundays) starting Friday

Multiple evening shuttles from Glory Hall and downtown, one in morning from Thane shelter planned

A city-owned warehouse about a mile south of the Goldbelt Tram is scheduled to open as a winter warming shelter starting Friday. The shelter will have cots, hand-washing stations, outdoor portable restrooms and other basic services. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A retail complex in the 9100 block of Glacier Highway is where investigators with the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs (SEACAD) task force arrested David Melvin Cox Jr., 35, on drug charges Thursday afternoon, according to the Juneau Police Department. JPD said Cox, when approached, re-entered a business, attempting to discard drugs and cash before surrendering. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)

Juneau man suspected of dealing variety of illegal drugs arrested by SEACAD

David Melvin Cox Jr., 35, also faces weapons charges

A retail complex in the 9100 block of Glacier Highway is where investigators with the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs (SEACAD) task force arrested David Melvin Cox Jr., 35, on drug charges Thursday afternoon, according to the Juneau Police Department. JPD said Cox, when approached, re-entered a business, attempting to discard drugs and cash before surrendering. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
A flyer left Thursday under a car windshield of an employee at a business near the winter warming shelter scheduled to open Friday at a city-owned warehouse in Thane informs residents of an Assembly meeting Monday to discuss the shelter. The flyer also refers to a petition leaders at Resurrection Lutheran Church are circulating seeking to operate the shelter again at the church this winter after doing so the past two years. Karen Perkins, the church’s pastor, stated church leaders did not put flyers under windshields of businesses in the area or suggest people distributing the notices do so. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Resurrection Lutheran Church leaders circulate petition to again operate winter warming shelter

Objections voiced about shortcomings at planned site, lack of input by affected agencies and people.

A flyer left Thursday under a car windshield of an employee at a business near the winter warming shelter scheduled to open Friday at a city-owned warehouse in Thane informs residents of an Assembly meeting Monday to discuss the shelter. The flyer also refers to a petition leaders at Resurrection Lutheran Church are circulating seeking to operate the shelter again at the church this winter after doing so the past two years. Karen Perkins, the church’s pastor, stated church leaders did not put flyers under windshields of businesses in the area or suggest people distributing the notices do so. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rows of tour buses are parked Thursday next to a city-owned warehouse, at left, a portion of which is scheduled to open as a winter warming shelter starting Friday night. Some businesses managers and employees in the area say people experiencing homelessness have been found sleeping on busses and engaging in other disruptive activity, which is prompting an increase in security and other precautions in preparation for the shelter’s opening. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Security and other impacts of winter warming shelter on nearby businesses raise concerns

Resident near Mill Campground says illegal activity surged, worries about same as shelter opens.

Rows of tour buses are parked Thursday next to a city-owned warehouse, at left, a portion of which is scheduled to open as a winter warming shelter starting Friday night. Some businesses managers and employees in the area say people experiencing homelessness have been found sleeping on busses and engaging in other disruptive activity, which is prompting an increase in security and other precautions in preparation for the shelter’s opening. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska souvenirs bearing the names Oliver and Olivia are seen in a downtown Anchorage gift shop on Thursday. Oliver was the most popular name for baby boys in Alaska in 2022, and Olivia was one of the most popular names for baby girls. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska vital statistics show declines in both deaths and births in 2022

Worst COVID-19 effects may be easing, while fertility continues yearslong downward trend.

Alaska souvenirs bearing the names Oliver and Olivia are seen in a downtown Anchorage gift shop on Thursday. Oliver was the most popular name for baby boys in Alaska in 2022, and Olivia was one of the most popular names for baby girls. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A moose is seen in Midtown Anchorage on Oct. 31, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

After illegal Alaska moose kill, 2 men will be banned globally from hunting for 4 years

A plea deal pending in Anchorage’s federal court would ban two men from hunting anywhere in the world for four years as punishment for illegally… Continue reading

A moose is seen in Midtown Anchorage on Oct. 31, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Joe Wanner is scheduled to become the new chief financial officer of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Nov. 15, the hospital announced Thursday. He has previously served in that role at the hospital as well as its controller. (Photo courtesy of Bartlett Regional Hospital)

Former Bartlett Regional Hospital CFO returning to job

Joe Wanner scheduled to start Nov. 15, following resignation of Sam Muse amidst leadership turmoil.

Joe Wanner is scheduled to become the new chief financial officer of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Nov. 15, the hospital announced Thursday. He has previously served in that role at the hospital as well as its controller. (Photo courtesy of Bartlett Regional Hospital)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Monday, Oct. 16, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Tanner Johnson, playing the role of Candide, rehearses Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. The operetta “Candide” is based on Stephen Sondheim’s adaptation of the classic novella by Voltaire. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Juneau Symphony and Lyric Opera team up for ‘Candide’

Ensemble includes 60-chair symphony, 40-person chorus, seven actors.

Tanner Johnson, playing the role of Candide, rehearses Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. The operetta “Candide” is based on Stephen Sondheim’s adaptation of the classic novella by Voltaire. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
Fall colors are seen on Aug. 24, 2015, along the Canning River on the western edge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, the last entity to hold leases in the refuge coastal plan, has gone to federal court to try to get the canceled leases reinstated. (Photo by Katrina Liebich/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Alaska development agency sues federal government over canceled oil leases

Lawsuit about ANWR drilling argues Biden administration put politics over legal mandates

Fall colors are seen on Aug. 24, 2015, along the Canning River on the western edge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, the last entity to hold leases in the refuge coastal plan, has gone to federal court to try to get the canceled leases reinstated. (Photo by Katrina Liebich/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 21, 2005. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Oct. 22

Three decades of capital city coverage.

This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 21, 2005. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau City Clerk Beth McEwen explains the ballot certification process to election workers Monday at the City and Borough of Juneau’s Ballot Processing Center. The results of the Oct. 3 municipal election were certified Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Candidates keep their leads, City Hall bond defeated in final municipal election results

Winter warming shelter among issues for new Assembly, transgender sports ban for new school board.

Juneau City Clerk Beth McEwen explains the ballot certification process to election workers Monday at the City and Borough of Juneau’s Ballot Processing Center. The results of the Oct. 3 municipal election were certified Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rafters navigate the Mendenhall River in July of 2021. (Photo by John Harley)
Capital City Weekly

Sustainable Alaska: Adventures in a changing climate

It’s difficult to quantify and rank the threats of climate change — how do you weigh the complete collapse of a Yukon salmon run against… Continue reading

Rafters navigate the Mendenhall River in July of 2021. (Photo by John Harley)
Stephanie Harold creates sketches among a crowd at the annual Traditional Food Fair in Hoonah on Sept. 9. (Photo by Ian Johnson)
Capital City Weekly

Resilient Peoples and Place: ‘Our Food is Our Medicine’

Xunaa celebrates 6th annual Traditional Food Fair.

Stephanie Harold creates sketches among a crowd at the annual Traditional Food Fair in Hoonah on Sept. 9. (Photo by Ian Johnson)
Half of the students in a clown class perform a hastily constructed song-and-dance routine for the other half of the students acting as the audience at Perseverance Theatre on Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Class clowns: Getting a lesson in constructive comedy from actor in Oscar-winning best picture

Locals learn to “to climb around in your own self” as Ketchikan native Tallie Medel comes to Juneau.

Half of the students in a clown class perform a hastily constructed song-and-dance routine for the other half of the students acting as the audience at Perseverance Theatre on Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A red king crab is seen in the water at Kodiak in 2005. Surveys this year indicated that stocks in the Bering Sea are strong enough to allow a small Bristol Bay red king crab fishery after two years of closures. (Photo by David Csepp/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

As the once-lucrative Bering Sea crab harvest resumes, Alaska’s fishers face challenges

In the short term, Alaska crab fishers and the communities that depend on them will get a slight reprieve from the disastrous conditions they have… Continue reading

A red king crab is seen in the water at Kodiak in 2005. Surveys this year indicated that stocks in the Bering Sea are strong enough to allow a small Bristol Bay red king crab fishery after two years of closures. (Photo by David Csepp/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
An exercise station at Anchorage’s Westchester Lagoon is seen on Monday. The “Fitness Cluster” offers opportunities for strength and cardiovacular training, and signage gives fitness information and advice. Two-thirds of Alaska adults are overweight or obese, and about a fifth of them engage in no physical activity, according to an annual report released by the state Department of Health. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska syphilis case numbers drop a bit after years of increases, but concerning signs remain

Alaska last year had a slight decrease in its number of reported syphilis cases, marking the first year without an increase since an outbreak was… Continue reading

An exercise station at Anchorage’s Westchester Lagoon is seen on Monday. The “Fitness Cluster” offers opportunities for strength and cardiovacular training, and signage gives fitness information and advice. Two-thirds of Alaska adults are overweight or obese, and about a fifth of them engage in no physical activity, according to an annual report released by the state Department of Health. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)