News

Perseverance Theatre in Douglas was founded in 1979 by Molly Smith and is currently led by Executive Artistic Director Art Rotch. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Perseverance Theatre furloughs employees after debt piles up

Perseverance Theatre, Alaska’s largest professional theater, furloughed its employees after several years of financial problems that are now just coming to light. Management suddenly asked… Continue reading

Perseverance Theatre in Douglas was founded in 1979 by Molly Smith and is currently led by Executive Artistic Director Art Rotch. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A male yearling black bear is pictured trapped in a snare on Douglas Island. The bear was euthanized because of extensive injuries due to the snare. (Alaska State Troopers | Courtesy Photo)

Wolf snare mortally wounds bear cub

A black bear cub has been euthanized after it was found trapped in a snare that was illegally left out on Douglas Island, Alaska State… Continue reading

A male yearling black bear is pictured trapped in a snare on Douglas Island. The bear was euthanized because of extensive injuries due to the snare. (Alaska State Troopers | Courtesy Photo)
Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Malfunction knocks out power briefly

A brief power outage Thursday evening interrupted electrical service for much of the City and Borough of Juneau. According to Alaska Electric Light and Power… Continue reading

Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO of Uncruise Adventures, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, June 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

UnCruise plans to push early tourist season for Southeast

Adventure cruise company UnCruise Adventures will spend as much as three quarters of million dollars to expand the spring tourism season.

Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO of Uncruise Adventures, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, June 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
An artist rendering of the New JACC. (Courtesy image)

New JACC funding may appear on October ballot

There is a change of plans for the New Juneau Arts and Cultural Center, and the city is being asked to help fund it. New… Continue reading

An artist rendering of the New JACC. (Courtesy image)
Veronica Friend leaps over a log during the Women’s Choker Setter contest at the 27th Annual Gold Rush Days Competition at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Gold Rush Days brings family fun, friendly competition

Anybody can be a miner or a logger, even just for one day. That is the one of the reasons that Juneau Gold Rush Days… Continue reading

Veronica Friend leaps over a log during the Women’s Choker Setter contest at the 27th Annual Gold Rush Days Competition at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Jessie Ross, right, loses his balance against Ryan Friend in the log rolling contest at the 27th Annual Gold Rush Days Competition at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

This is how we roll: Lessons in log-rolling from some of Southeast’s best

On a sunny weekend day in June, take a walk along the Twin Lakes trail and look for a man atop a log. He might… Continue reading

Jessie Ross, right, loses his balance against Ryan Friend in the log rolling contest at the 27th Annual Gold Rush Days Competition at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A 1999 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck is pictured after a fire began in its engine compartment. The truck is a total loss, Capital City Fire/Rescue fire marshals say. (CCFR | Courtesy Photo)

Two trucks catch on fire in two days

On back-to-back days, two cars in Juneau caught on fire in unrelated incidents, Capital City Fire/Rescue officials say. The first fire happened at about 2… Continue reading

A 1999 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck is pictured after a fire began in its engine compartment. The truck is a total loss, Capital City Fire/Rescue fire marshals say. (CCFR | Courtesy Photo)
A male yearling black bear is pictured trapped in a snare on Douglas Island. The bear was euthanized because of extensive injuries due to the snare. (Alaska State Troopers | Courtesy Photo)

Wolf snare mortally wounds bear cub

A black bear cub has been euthanized after it was found trapped in a snare that was illegally left out on Douglas Island, Alaska State… Continue reading

A male yearling black bear is pictured trapped in a snare on Douglas Island. The bear was euthanized because of extensive injuries due to the snare. (Alaska State Troopers | Courtesy Photo)
Paula Varney, right, has her picture taken by her husband, Brad, with an estimated 25-pound king salmon held by fishing guide Paul Turinsky, of Chum Fun!, at the Wayside Park on Channel Drive on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. The fish was released after the picture but king salmon can be kept starting today. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kings for keeps: Fishermen can now keep kings, if they can find them

Correction: The annual limit for king salmon applies only to nonresident fishermen, not resident fishermen, as this article previously indicated. This has been updated to… Continue reading

Paula Varney, right, has her picture taken by her husband, Brad, with an estimated 25-pound king salmon held by fishing guide Paul Turinsky, of Chum Fun!, at the Wayside Park on Channel Drive on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. The fish was released after the picture but king salmon can be kept starting today. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Nugget Mall, picture in April. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Nugget Mall sale falls through, deed goes to creditor

A planned buyer for the Nugget Mall has backed out of a $12.5 million deal, the Empire confirmed Thursday. The news puts the mall’s ownership… Continue reading

The Nugget Mall, picture in April. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO of Uncruise Adventures, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, June 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

UnCruise plans to push early tourist season for Southeast

Adventure cruise company UnCruise Adventures will spend as much as three quarters of a million dollars to expand the spring tourism season, CEO Dan Blanchard… Continue reading

Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO of Uncruise Adventures, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, June 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New JACC funding may appear on October ballot

There is a change of plans for the New Juneau Arts and Cultural Center, and the city is being asked to help fund it. New… Continue reading

Veronica Friend leaps over a log during the Women’s Choker Setter contest at the 27th Annual Gold Rush Days Competition at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Gold Rush Days brings family fun, friendly competition

Anybody can be a miner or a logger, even just for one day. That is the one of the reasons that Juneau Gold Rush Days… Continue reading

Veronica Friend leaps over a log during the Women’s Choker Setter contest at the 27th Annual Gold Rush Days Competition at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Two trucks catch on fire in two days

On back-to-back days, two cars in Juneau caught on fire in unrelated incidents, Capital City Fire/Rescue officials say. The first fire happened at about 2… Continue reading

The Nugget Mall, picture in April. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Nugget Mall sale falls through, deed goes to creditor

A planned buyer for the Nugget Mall has backed out of a $12.5 million deal, the Empire confirmed Thursday. The news puts the mall’s ownership… Continue reading

The Nugget Mall, picture in April. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Ben Campbell, a recent graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School, kneels next to one of two of his fish designed bicycle racks on Ferry Way on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. Campbell designed the rack for a class and the city choose to make it a reality. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

High school student designs downtown bike racks

New bike racks installed downtown were designed by local high school student Ben Campbell.

Ben Campbell, a recent graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School, kneels next to one of two of his fish designed bicycle racks on Ferry Way on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. Campbell designed the rack for a class and the city choose to make it a reality. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The proposed site of a new public access cabin at Eaglecrest Ski area lies about a mile from the parking lot, near the Upper Nordic Loop. (Photo courtesy Dave Scanlan)

Eaglecrest to break ground on public use cabin

This summer Eaglecrest Ski Area will break ground on a project 20 years in the making: a public access cabin. Eaglecrest General Manager Dave Scanlan… Continue reading

The proposed site of a new public access cabin at Eaglecrest Ski area lies about a mile from the parking lot, near the Upper Nordic Loop. (Photo courtesy Dave Scanlan)
A jackleg competitor takes his turn during the 2016 Juneau Gold Rush Days. (Juneau Empire File)

Gold Rush Days being held this weekend

Mining and logging are part of Juneau’s history, and both industries will be on display this weekend. The 28th annual Juneau Gold Rush Days are… Continue reading

A jackleg competitor takes his turn during the 2016 Juneau Gold Rush Days. (Juneau Empire File)
Local coalition provides resources, training to help prevent suicide

Local coalition provides resources, training to help prevent suicide

When it comes to helping a friend in need, asking one tough question might be the best way to start, experts say. Hillary Young, the… Continue reading

Local coalition provides resources, training to help prevent suicide