News

The scene of a car crash where Juneau police say a 48-year-old man survived pinned inside his vehicle near the end of North Douglas Highway on Feb. 5. A hiker called police after finding the man Sunday morning. Firefighters had to cut the top of the vehicle off to free the man. He was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Douglas crash survivor has long road ahead to recovery

Lance McVay survived a horrific crash earlier this month after he passed out at the wheel and launched his car into the woods at the… Continue reading

The scene of a car crash where Juneau police say a 48-year-old man survived pinned inside his vehicle near the end of North Douglas Highway on Feb. 5. A hiker called police after finding the man Sunday morning. Firefighters had to cut the top of the vehicle off to free the man. He was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Central Council Tribal Court selected for project to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children

The Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska has been selected as one of six new courts to be a part of… Continue reading

University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield and university Title IX coordinator Lori Klein speak to an open forum Wednesday in Egan Hall about the results of a federal investigation into the university system’s handling of sexual assaults. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

UA settles federal investigation into its handling of sexual assaults

In 2013, a University of Alaska student was found in a dorm. She was drunk, unconscious and wrapped in a blanket with her clothing partially… Continue reading

University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield and university Title IX coordinator Lori Klein speak to an open forum Wednesday in Egan Hall about the results of a federal investigation into the university system’s handling of sexual assaults. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Kevin Miller talks about his father, former Rep. Mike Miller of Juneau, who died recently. Rep. Miller served in the Alaska Legislature from 1971 to 1986. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘One of Alaska’s giants’: Former legislator leaves legacy of integrity, love for Alaska after death

In walking through Juneau, there isn’t anything overtly dedicated to Mortimer “Mike” Miller, the former state representative who died Feb. 11. Not even his son… Continue reading

Kevin Miller talks about his father, former Rep. Mike Miller of Juneau, who died recently. Rep. Miller served in the Alaska Legislature from 1971 to 1986. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Coppa owner Marc Wheeler hands out his candied salmon ice cream at the Symphony of Seafood event Wednesday at Centennial Hall. Wheeler’s ice cream took home the competition’s grand prize.

Candied salmon ice cream, kelp salsa & halibut bisque baby food: Seafood contest shows off the new and unusual

In any supermarket, you’ll find dozens of pork, beef and chicken products. Not so for salmon. When it comes to sockeye, king or coho, U.S.… Continue reading

Coppa owner Marc Wheeler hands out his candied salmon ice cream at the Symphony of Seafood event Wednesday at Centennial Hall. Wheeler’s ice cream took home the competition’s grand prize.
Alec Mesdag, Director of Energy Services at AEL&P, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their luncheon at the Hangar Ballroom on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

AEL&P shelves natural gas hopes, but still promotes energy efficiency

Natural gas isn’t coming to Juneau anytime soon, and that has Alaska Electric Light &Power President Tim McLeod “disappointed,” he said at the Juneau Chamber… Continue reading

Alec Mesdag, Director of Energy Services at AEL&P, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their luncheon at the Hangar Ballroom on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Local energy experts to speak to Chamber of Commerce

The Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon Thursday features representatives from one of the oldest establishments in Juneau, looking both at the past and to the… Continue reading

South Franklin Street construction to start next week

The City and Borough of Juneau is beginning the first phase of its Downtown Street Improvements on Feb. 27, CBJ announced Wednesday. The work starts… Continue reading

Juneau man charged with sex abuse of a minor, called danger to community

A 28-year-old Juneau man is facing trial on several counts involving sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl, after being called a danger to the community… Continue reading

Earl Austin, of Hoonah, shows off his artwork in progress of a shark made out of driftwood downtown on Tuesday. Austin said, “I was walking down the beach and I found this. I have an eye for wood.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photo: Shark artwork

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Earl Austin, of Hoonah, shows off his artwork in progress of a shark made out of driftwood downtown on Tuesday. Austin said, “I was walking down the beach and I found this. I have an eye for wood.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photo: Standing with Planned Parenthood

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Sealaska summer camp registration

The application period is now open for several Sealaska Heritage Institute camps and workshops for young adults. Opening the Box: Middle School Math and Culture… Continue reading

Glaziers work to replace a window that was damaged by a BB gun at the Amalga Distillery on Second and Franklin streets Tuesday afternoon. The window had three BB holes in it after a vandalism spree that reportedly occurred Saturday morning, said Brandon Howard, one of the founders working to open the craft distillery.

Vandalism spree racks up nearly $10K in damage to downtown businesses

An 18-year-old Juneau man was arrested after a vandalism spree in the middle of the night left windows and doors broken at a number of… Continue reading

Glaziers work to replace a window that was damaged by a BB gun at the Amalga Distillery on Second and Franklin streets Tuesday afternoon. The window had three BB holes in it after a vandalism spree that reportedly occurred Saturday morning, said Brandon Howard, one of the founders working to open the craft distillery.
Justinian Sutton, 8, launches a friends glider while out in the sun at Melvin Park on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photo: Up, up and away

Photo: Up, up and away… Continue reading

Justinian Sutton, 8, launches a friends glider while out in the sun at Melvin Park on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Downtown Restaurant Week validates Juneau’s growing food scene

Kimchi, duck ramen and khekda bharjiya. You couldn’t find any of these on a Juneau menu five years ago, yet with a burgeoning food scene… Continue reading

Senate Bill 54 aims to roll back some provisions of criminal justice reform

Changes to Senate Bill 91 — a controversial bill was enacted last summer in an effort to reduce Alaska’s prison population — are being rolled… Continue reading

Alexandra Lutnick

‘A more nuanced story’: Sex trafficking expert talks policy at Alaska State Capitol

On Wednesday, actor Ashton Kutcher made national news when he testified, eloquently and passionately, in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on progress in combating… Continue reading

Alexandra Lutnick

Legislative leaders look past fiscal crisis for solutions

Issues such as family breakdown and suicide have plagued Alaska for years, but now, even in the midst of a fiscal crisis that has led… Continue reading

Photo: Innovation Summit, Day 2

Innovation Summit… Continue reading

In this December 2015 file photo, Juneau Police Department Lt. Kris Sell speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce about the recent uptick in heroin usage and violent crime in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

With clashing views on SB 91, JPD Lt. Kris Sell resigns from Criminal Justice Commission

Juneau Police Department Lt. Kris Sell has resigned her seat on the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission, a 13-member group created by the state Legislature in… Continue reading

In this December 2015 file photo, Juneau Police Department Lt. Kris Sell speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce about the recent uptick in heroin usage and violent crime in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)