News

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)
Courtesy Photo / Arena Stage Molly Smith directs Brad Oscar and the cast of “Damn Yankees” in 2005 at Arena Stage.

Americana exceptionalism: Perseverance Theatre founder Molly Smith to retire from Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

Perseverance Theatre founder Molly Smith retiring at Arena Stage after 25 years in Washington, D.C.

Courtesy Photo / Arena Stage Molly Smith directs Brad Oscar and the cast of “Damn Yankees” in 2005 at Arena Stage.
A man bikes past the Assembly Building, located just across the street from the Alaska State Capitol. The building is set to be renovated into a 33-unit multi-family apartment complex to house legislative staff. (Clarise Larson /Juneau Empire)

Extra leg room: Commission OKs plan to make legislative apartments

It is set to become a 33-unit apartment complex designated for legislative staff

A man bikes past the Assembly Building, located just across the street from the Alaska State Capitol. The building is set to be renovated into a 33-unit multi-family apartment complex to house legislative staff. (Clarise Larson /Juneau Empire)
City Clerk Beth McEwen directs a fan at City Attorney Robert Palmer, left, and Assembly member Greg Smith as they discuss revisions to a list of proposed projects that will be funded by an extension of a temporary 1% sales tax if voters approve it this fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Initial ‘shopping list’ for 1% sales tax extension drafted

Building maintenance, affordable housing and child care top proposals.

City Clerk Beth McEwen directs a fan at City Attorney Robert Palmer, left, and Assembly member Greg Smith as they discuss revisions to a list of proposed projects that will be funded by an extension of a temporary 1% sales tax if voters approve it this fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The question of whether to exempt unprepared foods from sales tax is likely to be posed to Juneau residents via poll instead of on municipal ballots after Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting. (Unsplash / nrd)

Food tax exemption to get a survey instead of a vote

Advisory vote during fall election nixed by Assembly members, who say poll will provide better data

The question of whether to exempt unprepared foods from sales tax is likely to be posed to Juneau residents via poll instead of on municipal ballots after Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting. (Unsplash / nrd)
The Norwegian Sun sat moored in Juneau on Monday after striking striking ice Saturday afternoon near Yakutat Bay on its way to Skagway. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Update: Cruise ship that struck iceberg departs Juneau

It’s heading to Seattle for repairs.

The Norwegian Sun sat moored in Juneau on Monday after striking striking ice Saturday afternoon near Yakutat Bay on its way to Skagway. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, 320 W. Willoughby Ave., will be open as a cooling center through Wednesday for elders who need a cool place during the ongoing heatwave. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Tlingit and Haida opens cooling center for elders

Keep your cool during the heatwave.

Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, 320 W. Willoughby Ave., will be open as a cooling center through Wednesday for elders who need a cool place during the ongoing heatwave. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Sealaska Corp. announced it will no longer require a blood quantum for people of Alaskan Native descent to become a shareholder. (Michael S. Lockett/ Juneau Empire)

Sealaska Corp drops blood quantum requirement

The decision opens the door to approximately 15,000 people to enroll

Sealaska Corp. announced it will no longer require a blood quantum for people of Alaskan Native descent to become a shareholder. (Michael S. Lockett/ Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a Capital Transit bus en route along Glacier Highway in the Mendenhall Valley. City officials are considering temporary cuts to some routes amid a shortage of drivers low ridership. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire.)

City considers cutting bus routes

Staff shortage and low ridership drive discussion.

This photo shows a Capital Transit bus en route along Glacier Highway in the Mendenhall Valley. City officials are considering temporary cuts to some routes amid a shortage of drivers low ridership. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire.)
A 13-year-old girl was medevaced Saturday after being struck by a vehicle near the crosswalk across Egan Drive by Gold Creek. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Teen in serious condition after SUV strikes bike

Juneau Police Department is investigating.

A 13-year-old girl was medevaced Saturday after being struck by a vehicle near the crosswalk across Egan Drive by Gold Creek. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
An Alaska Seaplanes Cessna 208A, seen here on the tarmac, suffered damage after failing to achieve takeoff near Elfin Cove on Sunday, June 26, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Seaplanes)

No one hurt after plane’s takeoff goes awry

The aircraft failed to achieve take off and hit the beach while leaving Elfin Cove.

An Alaska Seaplanes Cessna 208A, seen here on the tarmac, suffered damage after failing to achieve takeoff near Elfin Cove on Sunday, June 26, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Seaplanes)
The 2022 Gastineau Little League Majors Division champs are the Juneau Pizza Red Sox. Team members are: (Back row, left to right) manager Nick Nelson, Darwin Decena, coach John Randolf, Andrew Sanders, Joaquin Ramirez, coach PJ, Jamison Randolf, Brenner Harralston, coach Tom Pegues, (front row, left to right) Liam keisseling, Jack Pegues, Micah Nelson, Myles Pasion, Marquis Lim, Matthew Shockly and Fischer Kolodziejski (not pictured.) (Courtesy Photo / Nick Nelson)

Juneau Pizza Red Sox best Ike’s Fuel White Sox for Majors Division title.

Final score: 4-3.

The 2022 Gastineau Little League Majors Division champs are the Juneau Pizza Red Sox. Team members are: (Back row, left to right) manager Nick Nelson, Darwin Decena, coach John Randolf, Andrew Sanders, Joaquin Ramirez, coach PJ, Jamison Randolf, Brenner Harralston, coach Tom Pegues, (front row, left to right) Liam keisseling, Jack Pegues, Micah Nelson, Myles Pasion, Marquis Lim, Matthew Shockly and Fischer Kolodziejski (not pictured.) (Courtesy Photo / Nick Nelson)
A crowd of people protesting near the Alaskan State Capitol clap at one of the many speakers at the protest. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘We won’t go back’: Abortion rights protesters rally near the state Capitol

Demonstrators denounce decision.

A crowd of people protesting near the Alaskan State Capitol clap at one of the many speakers at the protest. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Pioneers of Alaska member Ricky Deising lands a hole-in-one as he tries frisbee golf for the first time on Sandy Beach, Douglas.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Give it a shot : Juneau Disc Golf Club teams up with the Pioneers of Alaska for a sunny celebration

Both groups pitched in.

Pioneers of Alaska member Ricky Deising lands a hole-in-one as he tries frisbee golf for the first time on Sandy Beach, Douglas.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Juneau Culture Club Juneau Culture Club poses on the Whitehaven Beach along the Whitsundays Island in Australia on June 15.

Land Down Under goes over well with culture club

After years of waiting, youths take trip to Australia.

Courtesy Photo / Juneau Culture Club Juneau Culture Club poses on the Whitehaven Beach along the Whitsundays Island in Australia on June 15.
Has Du Eetíxʼ Xʼaakeidíx̱ Haa Sitee performs at Pride Outside at Skater’s Cabin, an LGBTQ community event organized by NAMI Juneau on June 5, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Meryl Connelly-Chew)

Local LGBTQ+ advocate receives award for work building community

Community-based work is their focus and their calling.

Has Du Eetíxʼ Xʼaakeidíx̱ Haa Sitee performs at Pride Outside at Skater’s Cabin, an LGBTQ community event organized by NAMI Juneau on June 5, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Meryl Connelly-Chew)
Emily Chapel holds up a sign containing an expletive in protest of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The decision had protected rights to abortion access for nearly 50 years. Following the new decision, states can decide to ban abortion. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Juneau residents weigh in on Supreme Court overturning Roe

Here’s what they said.

Emily Chapel holds up a sign containing an expletive in protest of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The decision had protected rights to abortion access for nearly 50 years. Following the new decision, states can decide to ban abortion. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Peter Froehlich, a retired Juneau district judge who is now a volunteer tour guide, explains the history of the history of the Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building to a group of visitors Thursday. The organ has been idle since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now needs repairs before regular Friday lunchtime concerts and other performances on the 94-year-old instrument can resume.

Historic organ is in need of tuneup

How much it will cost and who will do it remain up in the air.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Peter Froehlich, a retired Juneau district judge who is now a volunteer tour guide, explains the history of the history of the Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building to a group of visitors Thursday. The organ has been idle since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now needs repairs before regular Friday lunchtime concerts and other performances on the 94-year-old instrument can resume.
Excess deaths across Alaska rose above predicted numbers as the pandemic continued to hit the state hard through 2021. COVID-19, as an underlying cause, became the third-largest cause of death. (Associated Press photo)

Report: COVID was Alaska’s third-leading cause of death in 2021

Excess deaths were also way up from predicted numbers.

Excess deaths across Alaska rose above predicted numbers as the pandemic continued to hit the state hard through 2021. COVID-19, as an underlying cause, became the third-largest cause of death. (Associated Press photo)
Juneau is on track to beat record high temperatures going into the weekend and following week as a heatwave rolls through the Southeast. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Sun and potentially record-setting heat are in Juneau’s future

Heatwave goodbye to the clouds.

Juneau is on track to beat record high temperatures going into the weekend and following week as a heatwave rolls through the Southeast. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)