News

Philip Richards, research supervisor for the Department of Fish & Game, talks about the declining king salmon stocks in Southeast Alaska on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

What’s causing the Taku king salmon’s decline?

Facing a forecasted second-straight year of record low salmon returns and the closure of the first two months of summer fishing, Juneau’s fishermen want answers.… Continue reading

Philip Richards, research supervisor for the Department of Fish & Game, talks about the declining king salmon stocks in Southeast Alaska on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
W Mitchell speaks at the Pillars of America luncheon at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Mitchell is the second of three speakers hosted by the Juneau Glacier Valley Rotary Club. The last speaker will be Larry Csonka on Wednesday, May 3. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Pillars speaker talks service above self

Pillars of America speaker W. Mitchell’s hardships in life are written clearly over his entire body. “Once you hear him speak, you’ll understand (why we… Continue reading

W Mitchell speaks at the Pillars of America luncheon at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Mitchell is the second of three speakers hosted by the Juneau Glacier Valley Rotary Club. The last speaker will be Larry Csonka on Wednesday, May 3. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Lincoln Gruening, 5, examines a starfish while out with his Juneau Co-op Preschool class on Douglas Island near Shaman Island on Friday, April 28, 2017. The lowest tide of the month was Friday at minus 4.2 feet. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photos: Low Tide Laboratory

Juneau elementary school teachers took their students out of the classroom on Friday to enjoy the lowest tide of the month, -4.2 feet, for “Seaweek”… Continue reading

Lincoln Gruening, 5, examines a starfish while out with his Juneau Co-op Preschool class on Douglas Island near Shaman Island on Friday, April 28, 2017. The lowest tide of the month was Friday at minus 4.2 feet. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Cruise Line International Association Alaska President John Binkley speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. Binkley estimated that a record number of cruise passengers will visit Juneau this summer. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Record number of cruise passengers expected in Juneau this summer

It’s a good thing Juneau updated its cruise docks this year, because they’ll be busier than ever this summer. John Binkley, the Cruise Lines International… Continue reading

Cruise Line International Association Alaska President John Binkley speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. Binkley estimated that a record number of cruise passengers will visit Juneau this summer. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Spring Carnival comes to Juneau

For the next week, the Nugget Mall will temporarily turn into a haven of cotton candy, gravity-defying rides and flashing lights. The Spring Carnival, presented… Continue reading

Geoff Kirsch performs at the 2016 Comedy for a Cause fundraiser. The annual show raises money for NAMI Juneau to put together classes and programs supporting those in Juneau struggling with mental illness. (Photo courtesy of NAMI Juneau)

Comedy show raises money for mental health organization

In the eyes of Crystal Bourland, a comedy show is a perfect fundraiser for a mental health organization. Bourland, the Executive Director of Juneau’s chapter… Continue reading

Geoff Kirsch performs at the 2016 Comedy for a Cause fundraiser. The annual show raises money for NAMI Juneau to put together classes and programs supporting those in Juneau struggling with mental illness. (Photo courtesy of NAMI Juneau)
Jeremie Tinney (Empire archive photo)

Suspect pleads not guilty in December incident that led to JPD shooting

A man injured by a shot fired by a Juneau Police Department officer in December — who then was extradited to Washington on a 2005… Continue reading

Jeremie Tinney (Empire archive photo)
Local poet to celebrate book release

Local poet to celebrate book release

Juneau-based poet Ishmael Hope will celebrate the release of his latest collection of poetry this evening at Kindred Post. The book release party for Hope’s… Continue reading

Local poet to celebrate book release
Veronica Salter’s acrylic painting of two Fulvous whistling ducks won the Alaska Junior Duck Stamp competition and finished fifth nationally. (Photo courtesy of Thunder Mountain High School)

She’s all she’s quacked up to be

When Veronica Salter first looked at paintings from the annual Duck Stamp competition, she was a little overwhelmed at the skill apparent in the artwork.… Continue reading

Veronica Salter’s acrylic painting of two Fulvous whistling ducks won the Alaska Junior Duck Stamp competition and finished fifth nationally. (Photo courtesy of Thunder Mountain High School)
A rehabilitated Pacific harbor seal looks back at people during its release at the Auke Recreation Beach on August 27, 2014. After toxic levels of mercury were found in an Admiralty Island harbor seal in 2015, conservationists and subsistence hunters are still wondering if a Juneau-based mine is to blame. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Angoon seal hunters still solving mercury mystery

After toxic levels of mercury were found in an Admiralty Island harbor seal in 2015, conservationists and subsistence hunters are still wondering if a Juneau-based… Continue reading

A rehabilitated Pacific harbor seal looks back at people during its release at the Auke Recreation Beach on August 27, 2014. After toxic levels of mercury were found in an Admiralty Island harbor seal in 2015, conservationists and subsistence hunters are still wondering if a Juneau-based mine is to blame. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
City approves Juneau School District 2018 budget

City approves Juneau School District 2018 budget

The Juneau School District has cleared the major hurdle in its budget process, as the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee approved the… Continue reading

City approves Juneau School District 2018 budget
More than 35 vehicles had their tires slashed Monday night along Douglas Highway. (Photo courtesy Young Nguyen)

Tire-slashing spree damages dozens of vehicles in Douglas

More than 30 Douglas residents woke up Wednesday morning to bad news after a vandal slashed tires along a lengthy stretch of the highway between… Continue reading

More than 35 vehicles had their tires slashed Monday night along Douglas Highway. (Photo courtesy Young Nguyen)

Experts to speak on sustainability, innovation in Juneau

Though they’re coming up from Nebraska, two experts on sustainability and innovation have a vision for Juneau’s future. Future Juneau, a two-night event this week,… Continue reading

The Mendenhall Glacier, seen here in May 2016. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire)

Forest Service to talk about future of Mendenhall Glacier Recreational Area

Since September, members of the public have been able to share their thoughts on the future of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreational Area (MGRA), and the… Continue reading

The Mendenhall Glacier, seen here in May 2016. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire)
The budget crisis might claim the Juneau-Douglas City Museum as a victim. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Meeting open for public comment on protecting City Museum

At least five or six people are expected to attend Wednesday night’s City and Borough Assembly meeting to try and protect the Juneau-Douglas City Museum,… Continue reading

The budget crisis might claim the Juneau-Douglas City Museum as a victim. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coppa to serve free ice cream on Saturday

Coppa co-owners Marc Wheeler and Jessica Paris will hold the third annual Free Ice Cream Day from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, at their… Continue reading

A small grass fire erupted in the Mendenhall wetlands near the airport Sunday afternoon. (Courtesy Scott Spickler)

Dry conditions spark grass fires on Douglas, in wetlands

Dry conditions — and some possible human carelessness — are to blame for several brush fires over the weekend. Capital City Fire/Rescue was called to… Continue reading

A small grass fire erupted in the Mendenhall wetlands near the airport Sunday afternoon. (Courtesy Scott Spickler)
Fariah Peterson, 45, of Birmingham, Alabama, died when the Cessna 207 she was piloting crashed 18 miles from Juneau on the way to Hoonah, near Point Howard and Point Couverden on July 17, 2015. (Facebook)

Agency finds pilot error as probable cause of fatal 2015 crash

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its final report on the cause of the Wings of Alaska crash on July 17, 2015, that killed… Continue reading

Fariah Peterson, 45, of Birmingham, Alabama, died when the Cessna 207 she was piloting crashed 18 miles from Juneau on the way to Hoonah, near Point Howard and Point Couverden on July 17, 2015. (Facebook)

Juneau police investigate 44-year-old woman’s death

Juneau police are investigating the death of a 44-year-old Juneau woman. The woman was reported as deceased at about 9:10 a.m. Sunday, Lt. Kris Sell… Continue reading

Three men get ready to dive into the pool at the Treadwell Natatorium in this undated photo. (Alaska State Library Historical Collection, ASL-P525-6-21)

When Life Was Good: Treadwell before and after the cave-in

If you enter the copse of trees just up from the Treadwell Mine Pump House on the shoreline of Gastineau Channel, you will find the… Continue reading

Three men get ready to dive into the pool at the Treadwell Natatorium in this undated photo. (Alaska State Library Historical Collection, ASL-P525-6-21)