News

Two male sockeye salmon battle for territory in Steep Creek near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Sockeye harvest numbers soaring, other species see decline

See the salmon stats here.

Two male sockeye salmon battle for territory in Steep Creek near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo / Forest Service Alaska Region Western blackheaded budworm out to lunch on Southeast Alaska Hemlock trees.

The defoliator coming to a forest near you

Tongass National Forest visitors can help document western blackheaded budworms’ impact.

Courtesy Photo / Forest Service Alaska Region Western blackheaded budworm out to lunch on Southeast Alaska Hemlock trees.
A Juneau Police Department community service officer vehicle cordons off a road as officers took a man wanted on a $50,000 warrant into custody. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Police arrest wanted man following armed standoff

A shot was fired by the suspect, but no one was injured.

A Juneau Police Department community service officer vehicle cordons off a road as officers took a man wanted on a $50,000 warrant into custody. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Rachel Hurst hands her son Benjamin, 4, a beach ball to throw to the crowd from the Hawaiian-themed Juneau Urgent Care float during the July 4 parade in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau, the state of the union is festive

Melting pot of states, cultures and colors join in healthy unity for July 4 parade in unique times.

Rachel Hurst hands her son Benjamin, 4, a beach ball to throw to the crowd from the Hawaiian-themed Juneau Urgent Care float during the July 4 parade in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mia Halloway (6) grabs a cotton candy with her dad in Savikko Park. A long string of kids stood in line to grab a cotton candy from the Twhrly Whrliy Cotton Candy stand on a bright and sunny Fourth of July afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Fun and sun mark holiday in Douglas

Hot dogs and panting pups present for festivities.

Mia Halloway (6) grabs a cotton candy with her dad in Savikko Park. A long string of kids stood in line to grab a cotton candy from the Twhrly Whrliy Cotton Candy stand on a bright and sunny Fourth of July afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Hill Lewis, aka Rolland and Paul Caldwell, aka Alberic Hawk, duel to the death (sort of) for spectators during Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Go ‘Fourth’ into battle: Historical re-creators spend Independence Day at the park

Ever seen a knight fight a samurai?

Hill Lewis, aka Rolland and Paul Caldwell, aka Alberic Hawk, duel to the death (sort of) for spectators during Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Kathy Benner, former manager of the Juneau Raptor Center, trades looks with Phil, a gyrfalcon. (Courtesy photo / Kathy Benner)

Friend of the feathers: Longtime Juneau Raptor Center member and manager departs

She’s been with the organization on and off since the ’90s.

Kathy Benner, former manager of the Juneau Raptor Center, trades looks with Phil, a gyrfalcon. (Courtesy photo / Kathy Benner)
Locals gathered for a whale of a time near Tahku, the Alaska Whale Sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau celebrates the Fourth of July

Bright lights in the big city.

Locals gathered for a whale of a time near Tahku, the Alaska Whale Sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Runners pound up Fish Creek Road towards the ski area during the Eaglecrest Road and Ridge Race on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Up with the sun: runners tackle Eaglecrest

Onward and upward, up the rising road.

Runners pound up Fish Creek Road towards the ski area during the Eaglecrest Road and Ridge Race on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Ships in Port for the week of July 3

Here’s what to expect this week.

A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Aoibhinn Reetz executes her creative vision for her bike during the Douglas Fourth of July Committee’s annual Bicycle Decorating session held at the Douglas Public Library on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

All the trimmings: Douglas kids ready for holiday

Streamers, flags and reflectors, all in.

Aoibhinn Reetz executes her creative vision for her bike during the Douglas Fourth of July Committee’s annual Bicycle Decorating session held at the Douglas Public Library on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Iryna Hrynchenko and her 18 year old son, Ivan Hrynchenko, 18, Joyanne Bloom and Bridget Smith toast to the Ukrainians’ arrival Saturday at Juneau Airport. Bloom and Smith are part of a five-person group of residents who raised funds to bring the Hrynchenkos to Juneau, and is helping them with housing, education and job opportunities, and in other ways. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Spirit of America: Mother and son arrive as Juneau’s first Ukrainian refugees after four-month journey

“It’s just so beautiful.”

Iryna Hrynchenko and her 18 year old son, Ivan Hrynchenko, 18, Joyanne Bloom and Bridget Smith toast to the Ukrainians’ arrival Saturday at Juneau Airport. Bloom and Smith are part of a five-person group of residents who raised funds to bring the Hrynchenkos to Juneau, and is helping them with housing, education and job opportunities, and in other ways. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows fireworks. Local officials asked that people celebrating the Fourth of July enjoy the holiday safely and abide by the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks ordinance. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Statewide firework ban omits Southeast Alaska —authorities still urge caution

Stay safe and fire aware.

This photo shows fireworks. Local officials asked that people celebrating the Fourth of July enjoy the holiday safely and abide by the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks ordinance. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File) Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

What you need to know for this fourth of July

Check out the scheduled events here.

Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File) Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Board takes steps toward probe of ‘milk’ incident

There is debate about whether local or national experts are preferred for investigation.

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho spoke about rank choice voting at the Chamber of Commerce's weekly luncheon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The 411 on ranked choice voting

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho gives the lowdown.

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho spoke about rank choice voting at the Chamber of Commerce's weekly luncheon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Petty Officer 2nd Class William Peters tips Matthew Shockley into Twin Lakes on June 30, 2022 as part of a boating safety class. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Boating safety — better lake than never

Up the creek, with a paddle.

Petty Officer 2nd Class William Peters tips Matthew Shockley into Twin Lakes on June 30, 2022 as part of a boating safety class. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Photos by Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Reef Shark replaced the USCGC Liberty as the cutter for Sector Juneau earlier in June, stationed at Don D. Statter Harbor.

Tropical shark, Alaska home: Reef Shark replaces cutter Liberty

The new cutter has big boots to fill, but brings the enthusiasm to do it.

Photos by Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Reef Shark replaced the USCGC Liberty as the cutter for Sector Juneau earlier in June, stationed at Don D. Statter Harbor.
Rachel Hightower and Ben Burns present a board showing homes, other buildings and activities near a proposed marijuana dispensary in Douglas, during a Juneau Planning Commission meeting Tuesday. The couple argued the dispensary, which was unanimously approved by the commission, is inappropriate for a neighborhood where there are families with small children and a school. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

First marijuana dispensary in Douglas clears early hurdle

Proposed shop approved by Planning Commission despite opposition from neighbors

Rachel Hightower and Ben Burns present a board showing homes, other buildings and activities near a proposed marijuana dispensary in Douglas, during a Juneau Planning Commission meeting Tuesday. The couple argued the dispensary, which was unanimously approved by the commission, is inappropriate for a neighborhood where there are families with small children and a school. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Glory Hall’s housing hopes survive

Plan turning downtown homeless shelter into apartments gets 2nd reprieve from Planning Commission

This photo shows the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)