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“Alaska is consistently rated very high, in part because of the consistent boating safety programs, such as Kids Don’t Float,” said Mike Folkerts, boating safety specialist for Coast Guard District 17. He said such campaigns and widespread use of life jackets help explain why Alaska saw fewer boating-related deaths last year than in 2018. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

2019 boating deaths, injuries in Alaska down from previous years

Alaska’s high rate of life jacket use likely saved many lives.

“Alaska is consistently rated very high, in part because of the consistent boating safety programs, such as Kids Don’t Float,” said Mike Folkerts, boating safety specialist for Coast Guard District 17. He said such campaigns and widespread use of life jackets help explain why Alaska saw fewer boating-related deaths last year than in 2018. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall | Juneau Empire Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer was among the attendees at the “I Can’t Breathe” vigil held Saturday, May 30 at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park.

JPD Chief talks department strengths, struggles amid nationwide protests

The department is adapting to deal with community demands.

Peter Segall | Juneau Empire Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer was among the attendees at the “I Can’t Breathe” vigil held Saturday, May 30 at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park.
Juneau a testing hub? Assembly to consider buying testing machine

Juneau a testing hub? Assembly to consider buying testing machine

It would mean more local testing control.

Juneau a testing hub? Assembly to consider buying testing machine
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported Thursday two new COVID-19 cases for Juneau. (NIAID-RML via AP)

State reports 2 new COVID-19 cases for Juneau

They’re under investigation.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported Thursday two new COVID-19 cases for Juneau. (NIAID-RML via AP)
A plan is being refined to use CARES Act funds to help feed Juneau’s food-insecure residents, such as the patrons of the Glory Hall. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Proposal would ‘set the table’ to address community hunger

The plan would give business to local restaurants.

A plan is being refined to use CARES Act funds to help feed Juneau’s food-insecure residents, such as the patrons of the Glory Hall. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Assembly votes for no tax hike and a reduced budget

Assembly votes for no tax hike and a reduced budget

Flat taxes, flat budget.

Assembly votes for no tax hike and a reduced budget
Chief Ed Mercer of the Juneau Police Department answered questions from the Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau on the department’s use of force policy, oversight, and other topics during an Assembly webinar on June 9, 2020. (Stock photo | Juneau Empire)

Assembly asks for use of force policy specifics

Police department’s top brass says no for now, citing legal concerns.

Chief Ed Mercer of the Juneau Police Department answered questions from the Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau on the department’s use of force policy, oversight, and other topics during an Assembly webinar on June 9, 2020. (Stock photo | Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau Beth Weldon delivers opening remarks during the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds’ annual meeting at Centennial Hall, Sept. 12, 2019. After recovering from COVID-19, Weldon encourages people to get tested for the illness, if they have new symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Mayor recovers from COVID-19, emphasizes importance of testing

She was case No. 32, city says.

City and Borough of Juneau Beth Weldon delivers opening remarks during the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds’ annual meeting at Centennial Hall, Sept. 12, 2019. After recovering from COVID-19, Weldon encourages people to get tested for the illness, if they have new symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Ketchikan residents turn out to show support to the LGBTQ community after a florist refused service to a gay couple on June 5, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Tommy Varela)

Ketchikan man says 2 grooms were a deal breaker for local florist

More than 100 people showed up to show their support.

Ketchikan residents turn out to show support to the LGBTQ community after a florist refused service to a gay couple on June 5, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Tommy Varela)
Morgan Fawcett of Woosh.ji.een of Juneau dances in the Grand Entrance for Celebration 2018 along Willoughby Avenue on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Sealaska’s Celebration is virtually ready to begin

Celebration is scheduled to resume in-person next year.

Morgan Fawcett of Woosh.ji.een of Juneau dances in the Grand Entrance for Celebration 2018 along Willoughby Avenue on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Leah Haskell-Cummins speaks during a rally for human rights and the sanctity of black lives in Marine Park on June 6, 2020, following the death of George Floyd in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Hundreds gather in Juneau for physical and virtual human rights rallies

The rally went from Marine Park to the Douglas Bridge.

Leah Haskell-Cummins speaks during a rally for human rights and the sanctity of black lives in Marine Park on June 6, 2020, following the death of George Floyd in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall | Juneau Empire This Front Street space used to be home to Trickster Company, which had to close its physical location in Juneau due to COVID-19 related loss off revenue. However, business co-owner Crystal Worl said online sales have allowed the business to maintain its Anchorage operations and wait to find a new Juneau space. Other business operators said online sales have been a boon when in-person business has been slow or impossible.

Online sales have helped local businesses continue to exist

While brick and mortar shuttered, digital sales surged.

Peter Segall | Juneau Empire This Front Street space used to be home to Trickster Company, which had to close its physical location in Juneau due to COVID-19 related loss off revenue. However, business co-owner Crystal Worl said online sales have allowed the business to maintain its Anchorage operations and wait to find a new Juneau space. Other business operators said online sales have been a boon when in-person business has been slow or impossible.
University of Alaska regents cut 39 programs across the system

University of Alaska regents cut 39 programs across the system

Cuts, mergers and reductions.

University of Alaska regents cut 39 programs across the system
Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association, Juneau, speaks during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day community celebration held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Jan. 20, 2020. Patterson is one of many who raised their voice following the death of George Floyd in police custody. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

‘Scars don’t heal if the scabs keep getting picked’: Nation’s hurt is felt at home, say black and indigenous leaders

Black and Alaska Native voices speak in concert against systemic racism.

Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association, Juneau, speaks during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day community celebration held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Jan. 20, 2020. Patterson is one of many who raised their voice following the death of George Floyd in police custody. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
A member of Capital City Fire/Rescue’s Airport Screening Task Force greets passengers disembarking from a flight arriving at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. All passengers are handed fliers with health and safety information as they leave the plane. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

City votes against local quarantine measure, citing state mandate

Governor’s mandate seems like enough for Assembly.

A member of Capital City Fire/Rescue’s Airport Screening Task Force greets passengers disembarking from a flight arriving at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. All passengers are handed fliers with health and safety information as they leave the plane. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Members of Top Hat Cannabis pose with members of the Southeast Alaska Food Bank as they make a $10,000 donation to the food bank on Friday, May 29, 2020. (Courtesy photo | John Nemeth)

Local cannabis company donates $10,000 to food bank

Cannabis industry donations are usually clandestine, but not this one.

Members of Top Hat Cannabis pose with members of the Southeast Alaska Food Bank as they make a $10,000 donation to the food bank on Friday, May 29, 2020. (Courtesy photo | John Nemeth)
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly will decide Wednesday evening whether to extend a mandate that requires out-of-state visitors, such as the ones that come in through Juneau International Airport, to self-quarantine for two weeks. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

City says new visitor regulations are difficult to apply

Assembly also considering a local extension of state’s quarantine mandate

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly will decide Wednesday evening whether to extend a mandate that requires out-of-state visitors, such as the ones that come in through Juneau International Airport, to self-quarantine for two weeks. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
New AMHS rule denied some Hoonah residents their trip home

New AMHS rule denied some Hoonah residents their trip home

They got home, but it was pricey.

New AMHS rule denied some Hoonah residents their trip home
City opposes University of Alaska Southeast absorption

City opposes University of Alaska Southeast absorption

Assembly votes to oppose possible merger.

City opposes University of Alaska Southeast absorption
Dzantiki Heeni Middle School principal Molly Yerkes was named Region 5 Principal of the Year by the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals for 2020. (Courtesy photo | Molly Yerkes)

Look who was named region’s principal of the year

She’s been at the middle school for 16 years now.

Dzantiki Heeni Middle School principal Molly Yerkes was named Region 5 Principal of the Year by the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals for 2020. (Courtesy photo | Molly Yerkes)