News

A letter from the Alaska Broadcasters Association was sent to Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham, R-Kenai-Soldotna, on July 1, 2021, condemning a post he shared on Facebook that compared journalists and medical professionals who disseminate information about COVID-19 to Nazis executed for war crimes. (Letter provided by the Alaska Broadcasters Association) Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)

Broadcasters group decries lawmaker’s Facebook post

House Rep. Ron Gillham, who represents the Kenai-Soldotna area, posted a meme comparing journalists, medics to Nazis.

A letter from the Alaska Broadcasters Association was sent to Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham, R-Kenai-Soldotna, on July 1, 2021, condemning a post he shared on Facebook that compared journalists and medical professionals who disseminate information about COVID-19 to Nazis executed for war crimes. (Letter provided by the Alaska Broadcasters Association) Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)
The Alaska State Library Museum and Archives was open on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 and according to staff, seeing a rise in the amount of visitors. Numbers aren't where they were before the pandemic, but local curators are optimistic about this summer. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s museums are optimistic for summer

Hope for a rebound.

The Alaska State Library Museum and Archives was open on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 and according to staff, seeing a rise in the amount of visitors. Numbers aren't where they were before the pandemic, but local curators are optimistic about this summer. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The full moon sets over Cohen Island, foreground, Shelter Island, left, and the Chilkat Mountain Range in this November 2013 photo. A fishing vessel sank Tuesday night near Shelter Island, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. People are advised to steer clear of the area of the sinking. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Fishing vessel sinks near Shelter Island

Three people recovered, none harmed.

The full moon sets over Cohen Island, foreground, Shelter Island, left, and the Chilkat Mountain Range in this November 2013 photo. A fishing vessel sank Tuesday night near Shelter Island, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. People are advised to steer clear of the area of the sinking. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Author-signed copies of "Luna's Big Oxcident," a children's book based on a real Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, will be available in exchange for donations to the musk ox farm during First Friday. (Courtesy Image / P.T. Custard)

Local author tells the tale of 3-legged musk ox

Get an autographed copy Friday

Author-signed copies of "Luna's Big Oxcident," a children's book based on a real Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, will be available in exchange for donations to the musk ox farm during First Friday. (Courtesy Image / P.T. Custard)
This July 1, 2021 photo shows flooding along the Taku River south of Juneau. The National Weather Service lifted flood warnings for area rivers but not before record-high floodwaters on the Taku River damaged homes. (Courtesy photo / Kathleen Samalon)

Properties damaged, water recedes after record-setting flooding

High heat, high water.

This July 1, 2021 photo shows flooding along the Taku River south of Juneau. The National Weather Service lifted flood warnings for area rivers but not before record-high floodwaters on the Taku River damaged homes. (Courtesy photo / Kathleen Samalon)
Walter Alexander Soboleff Jr., listens to the story he shared and narrated for the Juneau Voices audio walk on June 24, 2021. His story recounts the struggles he had growing up as the child of prominent Alaskan Native leader and minister Walter Soboleff, namesake of building listeners look out on while hearing the installation. He wore his late father’s hat to a recent celebration of the project. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s less-heard history comes to life in new downtown audio walk

Audio installations share heritage through personal stories

Walter Alexander Soboleff Jr., listens to the story he shared and narrated for the Juneau Voices audio walk on June 24, 2021. His story recounts the struggles he had growing up as the child of prominent Alaskan Native leader and minister Walter Soboleff, namesake of building listeners look out on while hearing the installation. He wore his late father’s hat to a recent celebration of the project. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
People follow the One People’s Canoe Society canoe to Savikko Park at the end of the Douglas Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2019. After the pandemic forced a hiatus on festivities last year, a full slate of activities are scheduled for this weekend. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

It’s shaping up to be a busy July 4 weekend

Party like it’s America’s 245th birthday

People follow the One People’s Canoe Society canoe to Savikko Park at the end of the Douglas Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2019. After the pandemic forced a hiatus on festivities last year, a full slate of activities are scheduled for this weekend. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)
When the rules changed in May, the city published this summary to help residents understand the updated fireworks regulations. (Courtesy Image/City and Borough of Juneau)

Here’s what you need to know ahead of celebrating the Fourth of July

Know the rules for masks and fireworks

When the rules changed in May, the city published this summary to help residents understand the updated fireworks regulations. (Courtesy Image/City and Borough of Juneau)
Two people have been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and other charges stemming from a death that occurred on Shell Simmons Drive and Glacier Highway, Oct. 6, 2020. (Mike Keck / Juneau Empire)

2 indicted on murder charges in Glacier Highway death

The October incident involved the death of a 32-year-old man.

Two people have been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and other charges stemming from a death that occurred on Shell Simmons Drive and Glacier Highway, Oct. 6, 2020. (Mike Keck / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Clarion file/courtesy)

Kenai lawmaker shares photo comparing media and medical officials to Nazi war criminals

Republican Ron Gillham represents the Kenai-Soldotna area in the Alaska State House of Representatives.

Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Clarion file/courtesy)
Alex Borton, left, and his father David Borton, aim to traverse Alaska's Inside Passage in a solar-powered vessel. The pair left Bellingham, Washington on May 26 and arrived in Juneau's Harris Harbor Sunday, June 27. They head to Glacier Bay next. The boat is powered by rooftop solar panels. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Sailing on sunshine

The Wayward Sun carries on.

Alex Borton, left, and his father David Borton, aim to traverse Alaska's Inside Passage in a solar-powered vessel. The pair left Bellingham, Washington on May 26 and arrived in Juneau's Harris Harbor Sunday, June 27. They head to Glacier Bay next. The boat is powered by rooftop solar panels. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
The Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc.’s Macaulay Salmon Hatchery on Monday, June 28, 2021. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Indoor DIPAC exhibits to remain closed for summer

Outdoor viewing and salmon counts still on

The Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc.’s Macaulay Salmon Hatchery on Monday, June 28, 2021. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
A parachute can be seen tangled between two trees Sunday near the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway Nature Center. Capital City Fire/Rescue and Talon Lobaugh, owner of Everybody's Tree Service, were able to help a stuck paraglider without incident or injury. (Courtesy Photo / Talon Lobaugh)

Tangled paraglider rescued from Mount Roberts

Tree-mendous effort Sunday evening.

A parachute can be seen tangled between two trees Sunday near the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway Nature Center. Capital City Fire/Rescue and Talon Lobaugh, owner of Everybody's Tree Service, were able to help a stuck paraglider without incident or injury. (Courtesy Photo / Talon Lobaugh)
Two traditional Tlingit canoes powered by local students traversed 17.64 miles between Statter Harbor and Douglas Harbor on Friday, June 25, 2021. (Courtesy Photo/Chuck Seaca, Alaska Humanities Forum)

Paddling the channel

Local students complete 17-mile journey

Two traditional Tlingit canoes powered by local students traversed 17.64 miles between Statter Harbor and Douglas Harbor on Friday, June 25, 2021. (Courtesy Photo/Chuck Seaca, Alaska Humanities Forum)
Incoming Coast Guard Sector Juneau commander Capt. Darwin A. Jensen, left, and outgoing commander Capt. Stephen R. White, right, congratulate Herman Cestero, center, for his quick action in rescuing a fisherman in distress on June 24, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Visitor rescues fisherman trapped in mud near hatchery

The Texas man was visiting his son, recently stationed in Juneau.

Incoming Coast Guard Sector Juneau commander Capt. Darwin A. Jensen, left, and outgoing commander Capt. Stephen R. White, right, congratulate Herman Cestero, center, for his quick action in rescuing a fisherman in distress on June 24, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Meilani Schijvens, owner of Rain Coast Data, shared the 2021 Business Climate Survey results with members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday. The data show that the pandemic-related tourism restrictions battered communities in Southeast Alaska. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Business climate survey shows pandemic’s outsize local impact

Southeast Alaska one of the country’s hardest-hit areas

Meilani Schijvens, owner of Rain Coast Data, shared the 2021 Business Climate Survey results with members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday. The data show that the pandemic-related tourism restrictions battered communities in Southeast Alaska. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
A former Juneau chiropractor who was indicted for multiple sexual assault charges in April faces a third round of charges as more witnesses come forward. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Former chiropractor faces more sexual assault charges

A dozen witnesses have come forward.

A former Juneau chiropractor who was indicted for multiple sexual assault charges in April faces a third round of charges as more witnesses come forward. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Capt. Darwin A. Jensen, right, will take command of Sector Juneau from Capt. Stephen R. White, left, on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Coming and going: Commanders talk Sector Juneau

They’ve both come a long way since growing up in Idaho.

Capt. Darwin A. Jensen, right, will take command of Sector Juneau from Capt. Stephen R. White, left, on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers will come back to the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on May 28, 2021, for the second special session of the Legislature this summer. Gov. Mike Dunleavy asked lawmakers to resolve what he called a defective budget, leading to a legal dispute between lawmakers and the administration. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Second special session starts as legal dispute continues

Courts asked to advise.

Lawmakers will come back to the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on May 28, 2021, for the second special session of the Legislature this summer. Gov. Mike Dunleavy asked lawmakers to resolve what he called a defective budget, leading to a legal dispute between lawmakers and the administration. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Fresh rainwater sits on top of the ice at Auke Lake in Jeanueary 2019. Although June is typically considered a relatively dry month in the capital city, the National Weather Service is predicting heavy rain starting Wednesday evening and through the weekend. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Multi-day rain event expected for Juneau

Expect 1-3 inches of rain

Fresh rainwater sits on top of the ice at Auke Lake in Jeanueary 2019. Although June is typically considered a relatively dry month in the capital city, the National Weather Service is predicting heavy rain starting Wednesday evening and through the weekend. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)