City and Borough of Juneau

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Aviation traffic at the Juneau International Airport was down 62% in 2020. Here, travelers arrive at the Juneau International Airport on Nov. 25, one of many days when air travel was much lower than historical norms.

Airport traffic down 62% in 2020

Pandemic-related air travel losses could lead to higher fees, fewer services in future.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Aviation traffic at the Juneau International Airport was down 62% in 2020. Here, travelers arrive at the Juneau International Airport on Nov. 25, one of many days when air travel was much lower than historical norms.
On Wednesday night, the Finance Committee will meet to discuss the future of the Household Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. The programs, which are were funded with federal CARES Act money, aim to help people who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ Finance Committee to consider expanding relief programs

With nearly $5 million already distributed, more need remains.

On Wednesday night, the Finance Committee will meet to discuss the future of the Household Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. The programs, which are were funded with federal CARES Act money, aim to help people who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year's Eve. Based on resident complaints, CBJ is considering new regulations that will restrict the types of fireworks that can be used in different parts of the borough, limit the sale of fireworks and impose fines of $500 for violations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ considers new restrictions on fireworks

Fuse is lit, but final decision is still a ways off.

Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year's Eve. Based on resident complaints, CBJ is considering new regulations that will restrict the types of fireworks that can be used in different parts of the borough, limit the sale of fireworks and impose fines of $500 for violations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The Juneau Police Department and other law enforcement agencies say they are prepared for the possibility of political violence at the Capitol building on the day of the presidential inauguration. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

No known threats of violence, but police say they’re prepared

“The Juneau Police Department and our partners have not received any specific threats,” the agency said.

The Juneau Police Department and other law enforcement agencies say they are prepared for the possibility of political violence at the Capitol building on the day of the presidential inauguration. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Juneau City Hall. The City and Borough of Juneau has distributed nearly $5 million in household and individual assistance grants since October. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

All housing and most personal assistance grants processed

About $5 million in aid is flowing to households and individuals in Juneau.

Juneau City Hall. The City and Borough of Juneau has distributed nearly $5 million in household and individual assistance grants since October. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The City and Borough of Juneau will consider whether to offer a property tax reduction to encourage housing development downtown. (File Photo)

Assembly to consider tax break to boost housing development

The proposal is a 12-year tax break on new construction with four or more units in a downtown area of Juneau.

The City and Borough of Juneau will consider whether to offer a property tax reduction to encourage housing development downtown. (File Photo)
Even as coronavirus numbers are going down and vaccines are being distributed, pandemic-related facilities like the testing site at Juneau International Airport, seen here in this Oct. 12 file photo, are scheduled to remain for some time, according to city health officials. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Vaccines are coming, but pandemic facilities will remain

Testing sites and other COVID-19 operations will continue, officials say, but infections are trending down.

Even as coronavirus numbers are going down and vaccines are being distributed, pandemic-related facilities like the testing site at Juneau International Airport, seen here in this Oct. 12 file photo, are scheduled to remain for some time, according to city health officials. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Expected heavy snow and high winds Thursday evening prompted Alaska’s Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to issue a warning of increased avalanche hazard along Thane Road. (File photo)

Avalanche risk increasing along Thane Road

Be careful and plan for the possibility of an extended road closure.

Expected heavy snow and high winds Thursday evening prompted Alaska’s Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to issue a warning of increased avalanche hazard along Thane Road. (File photo)
A child plays at Capital School Park. The park is in line for a remodel that will fix the crumbling retaining wall, visible in the background. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

A new life is in store for Capital School Park

Public input is helping craft a vision for the park’s voter-approved facelift.

A child plays at Capital School Park. The park is in line for a remodel that will fix the crumbling retaining wall, visible in the background. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
Staff pass through a COVID-19 screening checkpoint set up on the ground floor of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. The new session of the Alaska State Legislature starts Jan. 19, and some lawmakers and their staff have already arrived in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

New Legislature, same issues, says Juneau’s delegation

Alaska’s perennial problems are likely to dominate the session that starts next week, lawmakers say.

Staff pass through a COVID-19 screening checkpoint set up on the ground floor of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. The new session of the Alaska State Legislature starts Jan. 19, and some lawmakers and their staff have already arrived in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
City leaders are waiting to learn more about the City and Borough of Juneau’s protocols that allow cruise ships to resume sailing. The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Amid COVID, cruise season planning is off to a slow start

The Assembly faces obstacles in setting local health protocols for visitors.

City leaders are waiting to learn more about the City and Borough of Juneau’s protocols that allow cruise ships to resume sailing. The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)