News

The Juneau-Douglas City Museum will be among the public facilities closed because of COVID-19 concerns. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

COVID-19 closings: Public facilities close to limit spread of the virus

Libraries, schools, pools and more.

The Juneau-Douglas City Museum will be among the public facilities closed because of COVID-19 concerns. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire First Student employees and Juneau School District food services supervisor Adrianne Schwartz carry student meals off the bus near Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday.

Juneau School District distributes student meals as schools shuttered

The coronavirus has forced the school district to react quickly.

Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire First Student employees and Juneau School District food services supervisor Adrianne Schwartz carry student meals off the bus near Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Monday.
Triangle Club owner Leeann Thomas, right, and bartender Sam Sims, toast the bar at last call before an indefinite closure due to coronavirus prevention measure, March 18, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

As breweries and restaurants go to takeout, bars face a grim future

Juneau’s bar scene faces a turbulent future.

Triangle Club owner Leeann Thomas, right, and bartender Sam Sims, toast the bar at last call before an indefinite closure due to coronavirus prevention measure, March 18, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
The Glory Hall, one of Juneau’s main shelters for people experiencing homelessness, is enforcing drastic policy changes to combat the spread of coronavirus among its guests, March 17, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

City, nonprofits look to protect homeless citizens from coronavirus

Living in tightly packed shelters, with less access to medicine and protection, Juneau residents experiencing homelessness are some of the most vulnerable members of the… Continue reading

The Glory Hall, one of Juneau’s main shelters for people experiencing homelessness, is enforcing drastic policy changes to combat the spread of coronavirus among its guests, March 17, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Volunteer Michael Starr restocks shelves at the Southeast Alaska Food Bank on Crazy Horse Drive in October 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Food banks adapt to coronavirus

Closed offices and schools will only drive need.

Volunteer Michael Starr restocks shelves at the Southeast Alaska Food Bank on Crazy Horse Drive in October 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Juneau-Douglas City Museum will be among the public facilities closed because of COVID-19 concerns. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

City announces public facility closings

Libraries, pools and more.

The Juneau-Douglas City Museum will be among the public facilities closed because of COVID-19 concerns. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Bartlett Regional Hospital is one of many organizations in Juneau adjusting its operating procedures to deal with the risk of outbreak of the coronavirus. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

School closed over virus concerns as Canada closes ports

“Admittedly, this is not normal.”

Bartlett Regional Hospital is one of many organizations in Juneau adjusting its operating procedures to deal with the risk of outbreak of the coronavirus. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Sayeik: Gastineau Community School was closed Friday, March 13, over COVID-19 concerns after a student was tested for “multiple viruses,” according to the Juneau School District and City and Borough of Juneau.(Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Elementary school closed over virus concerns

The results of the testing have not been released.

Sayeik: Gastineau Community School was closed Friday, March 13, over COVID-19 concerns after a student was tested for “multiple viruses,” according to the Juneau School District and City and Borough of Juneau.(Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Big plans from Tlingit and Haida

Big plans from Tlingit and Haida

“Social enterprise.”

Big plans from Tlingit and Haida
‘We’re obviously not going to put the community at risk’: CBJ monitors impending cruise ship

‘We’re obviously not going to put the community at risk’: CBJ monitors impending cruise ship

The ship has been cleaned and the crew has been changed.

‘We’re obviously not going to put the community at risk’: CBJ monitors impending cruise ship
Juneau-Douglas High School students wait for rides home school on Feb. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska, Juneau School District brace for coronavirus

JSD’s tiered approach will reduce risk, superintendent says

Juneau-Douglas High School students wait for rides home school on Feb. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dave McCasland, owner of Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos, center, talks with Eric Plummer, left, and Brennen Brewer, of Peak Construction, as they set up food truck businesses at Gunakedeit Park, also known as Pocket Park, on Thursday, May 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Local business owners nervous about canceled cruises

The Southeast may be in for a severe economic shock.

Dave McCasland, owner of Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos, center, talks with Eric Plummer, left, and Brennen Brewer, of Peak Construction, as they set up food truck businesses at Gunakedeit Park, also known as Pocket Park, on Thursday, May 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Cold, clear weather is expected for Juneau for the next several days, according to the National Weather Service, on March 11, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest hits 50-day streak of snow days

Eaglecrest Ski Area hit its 50th day of snow on Sunday in a row days before a spell of cold, clear weather. “I can’t believe… Continue reading

Cold, clear weather is expected for Juneau for the next several days, according to the National Weather Service, on March 11, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Coast Guardsmen perform an inspection of a fishing vessel in Sitka Sound on March 19, 2019. (Coast Guard Photo | Ens. Lindsay Wheeler)

All towing vessels to require inspections by July

Owners with multiple vessels will have longer.

Coast Guardsmen perform an inspection of a fishing vessel in Sitka Sound on March 19, 2019. (Coast Guard Photo | Ens. Lindsay Wheeler)
Former reporter takes helm as editor at Empire

Former reporter takes helm as editor at Empire

A familiar face will head up the paper.

Former reporter takes helm as editor at Empire
Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaat.at Kalé’s Kendyl Carson races down the floor as Bartlett High School’s Lavinia Lavelua gives chase at JDHS on Jan. 4. JDHS won 50-44.

JDHS basketball hotshot taking her game to Pepperdine

She’s been offered a full ride to the prestigious private school.

Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaat.at Kalé’s Kendyl Carson races down the floor as Bartlett High School’s Lavinia Lavelua gives chase at JDHS on Jan. 4. JDHS won 50-44.
Tourism task force favors limits via infrastructure

Tourism task force favors limits via infrastructure

Official recommendations are coming soon.

Tourism task force favors limits via infrastructure
Empire Live: City is well prepared to handle coronavirus, Assembly members say

Empire Live: City is well prepared to handle coronavirus, Assembly members say

Live updates from the meeting.

Empire Live: City is well prepared to handle coronavirus, Assembly members say
Thunder Mountain High School’s Meki Toutaiolepo contests a shot by Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Cooper Kriegmont. (Courtesy Photo | Heather Holt)

Tourney time: What you need to know ahead of regionals

JDHS and TMHS will vie with Ketchikan and each other.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Meki Toutaiolepo contests a shot by Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Cooper Kriegmont. (Courtesy Photo | Heather Holt)
Officer from the Juneau Police Department investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred early Sunday morning off of Cinema Drive, Dec. 29, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

JPD officer involved in fatal shooting cleared

The Office of Special Prosecution investigated the case.

Officer from the Juneau Police Department investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred early Sunday morning off of Cinema Drive, Dec. 29, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)