News

This City and Borough of Juneau chart shows the history of the city's restricted and unrestricted general funds. (Courtesy Image / City and Borough of Juneau)

A big unexpected loss, but a bigger unexpected gain

City’s investments return $4M less than predicted, but an extra $16M is coming from the state.

This City and Borough of Juneau chart shows the history of the city's restricted and unrestricted general funds. (Courtesy Image / City and Borough of Juneau)
JDHS basketball player Trinity Jackson signs her letter of intent to play basketball for Skagit Valley College on May 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS player signs to play Skagit Valley basketball

New college, same colors.

JDHS basketball player Trinity Jackson signs her letter of intent to play basketball for Skagit Valley College on May 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A Carnival Cruise Lines vessel similar to one due in Juneau following a COVID outbreak aboard steams past Douglas in 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

City contacting ship on way to town following COVID outbreak

The ship, due to arrive here Saturday, experienced an outbreak enroute from Miami to Seattle.

A Carnival Cruise Lines vessel similar to one due in Juneau following a COVID outbreak aboard steams past Douglas in 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. Courtesy Photo / Lenco)

Police and fire dept leaders address armored vehicle concerns

“A really tough, heavy-duty ambulance.”

This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. Courtesy Photo / Lenco)
This photo shows a ballot for the City and Borough of Juneau 2021 municipal election. The election was conducted primarily by mail. On Monday, city officials discussed (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Assembly to consider changes to election code

Changes include Petition booklets, touch-screen ballots, rules for voting centers and boxes

This photo shows a ballot for the City and Borough of Juneau 2021 municipal election. The election was conducted primarily by mail. On Monday, city officials discussed (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Monday night approved drafting ballot language that would exempt food from sales tax, if a 1% sales tax increase during summer months is approved.

Food sales tax exemption likely to appear on fall ballot

More detailed discussion is expexted.

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Monday night approved drafting ballot language that would exempt food from sales tax, if a 1% sales tax increase during summer months is approved.
The Public Works and Facilities Committee heard a meme from the head of the Juneau-Douglas City Museum outlining some of the issues of the 70-year-old building and a proposal for a new structure on the waterfront on May 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Public works committee eyes changes to biosolids disposal, new city museum location

A new museum would ease many issues from the current building.

The Public Works and Facilities Committee heard a meme from the head of the Juneau-Douglas City Museum outlining some of the issues of the 70-year-old building and a proposal for a new structure on the waterfront on May 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Senate Judiciary Committee moved a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing on teams of the sex they identify with on Monday, May 2, 2022. The bill could go to a floor vote sometime this week. (Screenshot)

Transgender sports bill ready for Senate vote

Privacy issues.

The Senate Judiciary Committee moved a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing on teams of the sex they identify with on Monday, May 2, 2022. The bill could go to a floor vote sometime this week. (Screenshot)
Robert Yates, left, receives his certificate for Indigenous language teaching during the commencement ceremony for University of Alaska Southeast on May 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

UAS returns to in-person commencement

Students walked the stage into the next phase of life in person once more.

Robert Yates, left, receives his certificate for Indigenous language teaching during the commencement ceremony for University of Alaska Southeast on May 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Riverview Senior Living facility is under construction on Clinton Drive in the Mendenhall Valley on Monday, May 2, 2022. Senior living has been an issue for Juneau and the facility received financial support from the city. The projects promoters say they've already received a number of applications. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Applications pour into new senior facility

Growing senior population.

The Riverview Senior Living facility is under construction on Clinton Drive in the Mendenhall Valley on Monday, May 2, 2022. Senior living has been an issue for Juneau and the facility received financial support from the city. The projects promoters say they've already received a number of applications. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A Juneau man was cited for multiple sexual abuse of a minor charges following his arrest last week for incidents that took place in 2019 and 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Juneau man indicted on multiple sexual abuse of minor charges

If convicted, the suspect faces 99 years imprisonment.

A Juneau man was cited for multiple sexual abuse of a minor charges following his arrest last week for incidents that took place in 2019 and 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
Courtesy photo / Sydney Akagi Photography Bartender Logan Terry pours a drink during an opening event for the Crystal Saloon, a newly overhauled bar downtown.

What’s old is new again: A Crystal Saloon returns to Juneau

It’s a name with a history reaching back over the last century.

Courtesy photo / Sydney Akagi Photography Bartender Logan Terry pours a drink during an opening event for the Crystal Saloon, a newly overhauled bar downtown.
A 22-foot healing totem pole carved by master carver Wayne Price, who is Tlingit, is now being installed next to the fishing dock at Twin Lakes (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A long road toward healing: Totem pole depicting tale of overcoming domestic violence now being installed at Twin Lakes

It’s expected to debut during Celebration.

A 22-foot healing totem pole carved by master carver Wayne Price, who is Tlingit, is now being installed next to the fishing dock at Twin Lakes (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
American Legion Auke Bay Post 25 disposed of the flags that were collected over the past winter. The flags were disposed of in a ceremony and in accordance with regulations. (Courtesy Photo / Jordin Michelle Sember)

American Legion holds flag ceremony

Over 100 unserviceable, torn or worn flags were disposed of.

American Legion Auke Bay Post 25 disposed of the flags that were collected over the past winter. The flags were disposed of in a ceremony and in accordance with regulations. (Courtesy Photo / Jordin Michelle Sember)
A phone screen displays a message warning that a suspicious email may be an attempt at stealing personal information. Cybercrime rose to new heights in 2021, according to FBI data, but there are some steps people can take to be safe, according to local law enforcement. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Cybercrime on rise nationwide as local departments address threat

A few good practices can neutralize most common scams and crimes.

A phone screen displays a message warning that a suspicious email may be an attempt at stealing personal information. Cybercrime rose to new heights in 2021, according to FBI data, but there are some steps people can take to be safe, according to local law enforcement. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
There will be substantial disruptions to traffic on Tongass Boulevard for the next week as a reconstruction project takes place. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Tongass Boulevard traffic pattern shifted all week

Some intersections are closed and others limited as construction moves forward.

There will be substantial disruptions to traffic on Tongass Boulevard for the next week as a reconstruction project takes place. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Project Homeless Connect was held Thursday at the Glory Hall. The last time the event was held was January 2020.

Social services organizations, people Connect again

Resource fair returns after a pandemic pause.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Project Homeless Connect was held Thursday at the Glory Hall. The last time the event was held was January 2020.
Eaglecrest General Manager Dave Scanlan explains how the COVID-19 pandemic and abnormally low employee salaries posed challenges during the past year and how the ski area’s budget request for next year can help resolve them during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pandemic impact, staffing shortages shape budget requests

Ski area, hospital and airport factor into Finance Committee meeting.

Eaglecrest General Manager Dave Scanlan explains how the COVID-19 pandemic and abnormally low employee salaries posed challenges during the past year and how the ski area’s budget request for next year can help resolve them during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of an antidrug taskforce arrested two people on Tuesday suspected of drug trafficking, with one suspect later proving to be concealing heroin internally. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Police say drugs were found inside suspect arrested at airport

The suspect had more than 100 grams of heroin removed, according to police.

Members of an antidrug taskforce arrested two people on Tuesday suspected of drug trafficking, with one suspect later proving to be concealing heroin internally. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Law enforcement officials arrested two airline passengers at Juneau International Airport for possession of drugs on Tuesday evening. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Two arrested at airport after cops find over $22K of drugs

More than $20,000 in drugs were found in their luggage, according to police.

Law enforcement officials arrested two airline passengers at Juneau International Airport for possession of drugs on Tuesday evening. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)