Ben Hohenstatt

Spruce Root business development manager Paul Hackenmueller, Village Coffee Company owner Justyne Wheeler, Foundroot co-owner Leah Wagner, Spruce Root Board Chairwoman Susan Bell and Spruce Root programs manager Ashley Snookes smile together after the presentation of the Path to Prosperity awards Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

These two Southeast businesses just won $25K

Alaska-ready seeds and village’s first drive-thru earn awards.

Spruce Root business development manager Paul Hackenmueller, Village Coffee Company owner Justyne Wheeler, Foundroot co-owner Leah Wagner, Spruce Root Board Chairwoman Susan Bell and Spruce Root programs manager Ashley Snookes smile together after the presentation of the Path to Prosperity awards Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Meilani Schijvens, owner and director of Rain Coast data and former executive director of Southeast Conference, gives a presentation on Southeast Alaska By the Numbers at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Meilani Schijvens, owner and director of Rain Coast data and former executive director of Southeast Conference, gives a presentation on Southeast Alaska By the Numbers at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Gov’s chief of staff says getting ferries back in service is a top priority
Gov’s chief of staff says getting ferries back in service is a top priority
Capitol Live: Senate leadership at Southeast Conference

Capitol Live: Senate leadership at Southeast Conference

Summary: Bipartisanship and civil discourse has been one of the distinguishing features of this senate, Giessel says. But none of the senators have set aside… Continue reading

Capitol Live: Senate leadership at Southeast Conference
Meki Toutaiolepo led all scorers in Thunder Mountain High Schools victory Friday night at Juneau-Douglas High Schooll: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Courtesy Photo | Heather Holt)

TMHS holds off JDHS for back-to-back wins

Thunder Mountain pays a visit to Juneau-Douglas, winning Friday and Satuday.

Meki Toutaiolepo led all scorers in Thunder Mountain High Schools victory Friday night at Juneau-Douglas High Schooll: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Courtesy Photo | Heather Holt)
Juneau’s legislators want to shape up the ships

Juneau’s legislators want to shape up the ships

Ferries and funding formula fill Native Issues Forum.

Juneau’s legislators want to shape up the ships
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Who will shape ferries’ future?
Who will shape ferries’ future?
Courtesy Photo | Sealaska Heritage Institute                                 “Raven Makes the Aleutians” from Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Baby Raven Reads series won a Picture Book Honor award from the American Indian Library Association.
Courtesy Photo | Sealaska Heritage Institute                                 “Raven Makes the Aleutians” from Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Baby Raven Reads series won a Picture Book Honor award from the American Indian Library Association.
Lani Strong Hotch of Klukwan was one of two weavers from Southeast Alaska to be named USA Fellows by United States Artists. (Courtesy Photo | United States Artists)
Lani Strong Hotch of Klukwan was one of two weavers from Southeast Alaska to be named USA Fellows by United States Artists. (Courtesy Photo | United States Artists)
Axed Ocean Ranger funds could improve sewage plants

Axed Ocean Ranger funds could improve sewage plants

The money from the program could go elsewhere under this new proposal.

Axed Ocean Ranger funds could improve sewage plants
Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speak at the Alaska Chamber’s Legislative Fly-In, Wednesday. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Alaska lawmakers vow this year will be different than last year’s fiasco

Legislative leaders from all parties say they want to work together and finish on time.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speak at the Alaska Chamber’s Legislative Fly-In, Wednesday. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Assembly member Carole Triem chairs the Visitor Industry Task Force meeting in the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The task force will hear public testimony Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Visitor Industry Task Force to hold public comment meeting

Here’s your second chance to weigh in.

Assembly member Carole Triem chairs the Visitor Industry Task Force meeting in the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The task force will hear public testimony Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, talks with Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka Tuesday morning following a House Administration Committee Finance Subcommittee meeting. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

‘Sexy’ mortar: Committee hears about department’s far-reaching impact and proposed budget

Department of Administration is the mortar in state government’s brick wall, commissioner says.

Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, talks with Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka Tuesday morning following a House Administration Committee Finance Subcommittee meeting. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, talks with Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka Tuesday morning following a House Administration Committee Finance Subcommittee meeting. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, talks with Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka Tuesday morning following a House Administration Committee Finance Subcommittee meeting. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Capitol Live: State of the State, time to put partisan politics aside, Gov. says

Capitol Live: State of the State, time to put partisan politics aside, Gov. says

8:20 p.m. Summary While the legislators in the Majority Caucus were encouraged to hear a different tone from the governor, the question of the PFD… Continue reading

Capitol Live: State of the State, time to put partisan politics aside, Gov. says
Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, listen Margie Beedle give testimony Monday. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Juneau residents show up to support Pioneer Homes bill

Rate changes went into effect in September.

Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, listen Margie Beedle give testimony Monday. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to members of the media before welcoming Juneau residents to the Governor’s Open House on Dec. 11, 2018.
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to members of the media before welcoming Juneau residents to the Governor’s Open House on Dec. 11, 2018.
Weavers prepare for ‘stunning’ gathering in Juneau
Weavers prepare for ‘stunning’ gathering in Juneau
What you need to know ahead of a wild weekend of conference clashes

What you need to know ahead of a wild weekend of conference clashes

“The record goes out the window when you start looking at conference play.”

What you need to know ahead of a wild weekend of conference clashes