News

This photos shows Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center, which recently announced its closure. The clinic intends to begin processing records requests from clients in May, according to an announcement from the clinic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center to close

Development furthers Juneau’s already perilous pet care shortage.

This photos shows Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center, which recently announced its closure. The clinic intends to begin processing records requests from clients in May, according to an announcement from the clinic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy - seen here speaking with reporters in the Cabinet Room at the Alaska State Capitol on March 8, 2022 - spoke to the Empire recently about his approach to government after having served as Alaska's chief executive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

A Q&A with Gov. Mike Dunleavy

‘You work the hand your dealt with.’

Gov. Mike Dunleavy - seen here speaking with reporters in the Cabinet Room at the Alaska State Capitol on March 8, 2022 - spoke to the Empire recently about his approach to government after having served as Alaska's chief executive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This undated photo shows Rosemary Hagevig, who passed away on Thursday after a battle with illness. Hagevig is remembered as a consummate volunteer and longtime community lynchpin. (Courtesy Photo / Candy Behrends)

‘A consummate community volunteer’: Rosemary Hagevig, former Juneau citizen of the year, dies

Hagevig served two terms on the Assembly, was one of 11 Alaskans to carry the Olympic Torch in ‘96.

This undated photo shows Rosemary Hagevig, who passed away on Thursday after a battle with illness. Hagevig is remembered as a consummate volunteer and longtime community lynchpin. (Courtesy Photo / Candy Behrends)
This graph, included in the meeting packet for Thursday’s Joint Assembly School Board Facility Planning Committee, shows “high case,” “mid-case” and “low case” scenarios for enrollment in Juneau Schools. Enrollment is projected to decline by over 1,000 students in the mid-case scenario. (Screenshot)

A schooling in subtraction: Report projects drop in Juneau’s student enrollment over next 10 years

“Mid-range” forecast shows over 1,000-student reduction by 2032.

This graph, included in the meeting packet for Thursday’s Joint Assembly School Board Facility Planning Committee, shows “high case,” “mid-case” and “low case” scenarios for enrollment in Juneau Schools. Enrollment is projected to decline by over 1,000 students in the mid-case scenario. (Screenshot)
Robert Barr, deputy city manager; Rorie Watt, city manager; Jeff Rogers, city finance director and Adrien Speegle, a budget analyst, participate Wednesday night in a City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Uncertainty looms as city begins its budget process

A deficit is projected, additional federal funds are not.

Robert Barr, deputy city manager; Rorie Watt, city manager; Jeff Rogers, city finance director and Adrien Speegle, a budget analyst, participate Wednesday night in a City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a stack of pocket constitutions at the Alaska State Capitol. A broad coalition has formed in opposition to a potential State Constitution Convention. Alaskans are asked every 10 years on ballots whether a convention should be held. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Coalition to oppose constitutional convention grows

A lot could change.

This photo shows a stack of pocket constitutions at the Alaska State Capitol. A broad coalition has formed in opposition to a potential State Constitution Convention. Alaskans are asked every 10 years on ballots whether a convention should be held. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This public domain image shows the Golden Bridge in Vladivostok, Russia. After a narrow vote by the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, the Russian city and Juneau are still sister cities.

Assembly narrowly rejects suspending relationship with Russian sister city

“People, not government,” was the prevailing sentiment.

This public domain image shows the Golden Bridge in Vladivostok, Russia. After a narrow vote by the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, the Russian city and Juneau are still sister cities.
Thunder Mountain High School was briefly locked down on Tuesday afternoon as police dealt with a nearby situation. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

TMHS locked down briefly after report of nearby gunshots

A suspect was taken into custody, and no injuries have been reported.

Thunder Mountain High School was briefly locked down on Tuesday afternoon as police dealt with a nearby situation. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

With federal funds falling away, city readies its budget

City eyes an initial defecit.

Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A black bear looks around near the Shrine of St. Therese in 2021. Experts said bears will soon be returning the Juneau’s urban environs. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

Be bear-aware as furry neighbors return to Juneau

It’s almost opening day for the cubs.

A black bear looks around near the Shrine of St. Therese in 2021. Experts said bears will soon be returning the Juneau’s urban environs. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)
Annie Bartholomew and Miguel Rohrbacher, Juneau artists, kick off the 2022 Alaska Folk Festival to a standing ovation at Centennial Hall on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Folk Festival begins with a roar

The nearly half-century old festival is back in person.

Annie Bartholomew and Miguel Rohrbacher, Juneau artists, kick off the 2022 Alaska Folk Festival to a standing ovation at Centennial Hall on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, rings up purchases while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 is scheduled to close in August if a new owner can’t be found. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

J&J Deli and Asian Mart, a local favorite for 43 years, faces closure in August unless a new owner is found

Owner says pending closure is due to health rather than economic reasons.

Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, rings up purchases while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 is scheduled to close in August if a new owner can’t be found. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This conceptual rendering shows what a proposed welcome center near the the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center would look like. The center is part of a proposed overhaul for the popular recreation area. (U.S. Forest Service)

Mendenhall overhaul: Residents ask questions about expansion plans during webinar

Residents ask questions about expansion plans during webinar.

This conceptual rendering shows what a proposed welcome center near the the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center would look like. The center is part of a proposed overhaul for the popular recreation area. (U.S. Forest Service)
A.J. Wilson, 17, DeAndre Pittman, 16, and Elora Johnson, 16, eat lunch Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. They, like many students, agree the free meals available during the pandemic are worth continuing if funding can be found after it ends June 30, but they are likely to look off-campus for food if they are required to pay for school lunches again. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

With federal funding ending, full-priced school lunches could be on the menu for many students next year

District hopes to continue to offer free breakfast, “reasonably priced” lunches.

A.J. Wilson, 17, DeAndre Pittman, 16, and Elora Johnson, 16, eat lunch Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. They, like many students, agree the free meals available during the pandemic are worth continuing if funding can be found after it ends June 30, but they are likely to look off-campus for food if they are required to pay for school lunches again. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sara Hannan (D-Juneau) speaks during a Friday fundraising dinner and silent auction for the people of Ukraine at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall which raised more than $30,000. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Tens of thousands raised at fundraiser for Ukraine

The fundraiser for UNICEF’s Ukraine mission was a huge success, said organizers.

Rep. Sara Hannan (D-Juneau) speaks during a Friday fundraising dinner and silent auction for the people of Ukraine at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall which raised more than $30,000. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Featured artist Jill Kaasteen Meserve designed the logo gracing the front of Tidal Echoes’ 2022 edition. (Courtesy photo / Tidal Echoes)

Loss and birds: UAS releases annual literary journal

Eased restrictions streamlined the production, but the release event will still be online.

Featured artist Jill Kaasteen Meserve designed the logo gracing the front of Tidal Echoes’ 2022 edition. (Courtesy photo / Tidal Echoes)
The boards of the Glory Hall and Juneau Housing First Collaborative are merging, aiming to complete the process by July 1. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Glory Hall and Juneau Housing First boards to merge

Users won’t notice any difference.

The boards of the Glory Hall and Juneau Housing First Collaborative are merging, aiming to complete the process by July 1. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department stood up a new missing persons database to help the community in the search for the lost. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Police launch local missing people database

It’s meant to help the police and community work together to find missing persons more quickly.

The Juneau Police Department stood up a new missing persons database to help the community in the search for the lost. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Jake Blount, an award winning banjo player, is the featured artist for the Alaska Folk Festival’s 2022 show. (Courtesy photo / Michael Last)

Q&A: Renowned East Coast banjo performer to headline Folk Fest

Drawing his inspiration from Black and Indigenous communties back east, Blount is the featured artist for 2022.

Jake Blount, an award winning banjo player, is the featured artist for the Alaska Folk Festival’s 2022 show. (Courtesy photo / Michael Last)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Riverbend Elementary School principal Elizabeth Pisel-Davis gestures at drawings of things schoolchildren were thankful for that currently decorate the walls of the school after massive flooding from a burst pipe in January meant much the school’s interior had to be gutted.

New walls, news roof, new name: Riverbend undergoing major changes

The school board will vote on the name change in April.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Riverbend Elementary School principal Elizabeth Pisel-Davis gestures at drawings of things schoolchildren were thankful for that currently decorate the walls of the school after massive flooding from a burst pipe in January meant much the school’s interior had to be gutted.