Ben Hohenstatt

About 50 artists stand with their work in front of the Sealaska Heritage Institute on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, to protest heavy cuts to state arts programs. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

The 5 biggest arts stories of 2019

The near-vetoes, protests and more that made the year.

About 50 artists stand with their work in front of the Sealaska Heritage Institute on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, to protest heavy cuts to state arts programs. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Here’s what the Juneau Empire and Capital City Weekly writers watched, read, heard and played this year. (Courtesy Photos | Unsplash)
Here’s what the Juneau Empire and Capital City Weekly writers watched, read, heard and played this year. (Courtesy Photos | Unsplash)
Juneau’s almost entirely closed on Christmas

Juneau’s almost entirely closed on Christmas

Hope you like movies.

Juneau’s almost entirely closed on Christmas
Capital City Fire/Rescue CARES program manager Joe Mishler talks about the new sleep-off program on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. The center, located at St. Vincent de Paul, gives a safe place for up to four people found to be too inebriated to be left on the street. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sleeping it off: An inside look at Juneau’s sleep off program for chronic inebriates

Six months in, here’s what the program looks like.

Capital City Fire/Rescue CARES program manager Joe Mishler talks about the new sleep-off program on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. The center, located at St. Vincent de Paul, gives a safe place for up to four people found to be too inebriated to be left on the street. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau performers will rock the mic before Wu-Tang rapper
Juneau performers will rock the mic before Wu-Tang rapper
Toby Russell, stars as Buddy the Elf, during rehearsal of “Elf the Musicial” at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Toby Russell, stars as Buddy the Elf, during rehearsal of “Elf the Musicial” at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Anastasia Hobson-George, right, works with weaver Lily Hope as the Artist-in-Residence at the Walter Soboleff Center in May 2019. Hobson-George is one of the youngest-ever winners of a Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Award. Applications for the awards are now open. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Anastasia Hobson-George, right, works with weaver Lily Hope as the Artist-in-Residence at the Walter Soboleff Center in May 2019. Hobson-George is one of the youngest-ever winners of a Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Award. Applications for the awards are now open. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Rapper’s delight planned for Friday night
Rapper’s delight planned for Friday night
A project to replace nearly a mile of aging water line along the Douglas Highway, from the David Street intersection to Crow Hill pump station, is among the drinking water projects targeted for funding in 2020, according to a release from the EPA. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

More work is coming to Douglas Highway

Project will start in spring.

A project to replace nearly a mile of aging water line along the Douglas Highway, from the David Street intersection to Crow Hill pump station, is among the drinking water projects targeted for funding in 2020, according to a release from the EPA. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jim Hoff, right, and Frederick J. Jackson, Sr. study maps during a presentation about communities left out of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jim Hoff, right, and Frederick J. Jackson, Sr. study maps during a presentation about communities left out of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Juneau School District’s administration building is at the corner of Glacier Avenue and 12th Street. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget would not mean more money for the district, administrators said. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Juneau School District’s administration building is at the corner of Glacier Avenue and 12th Street. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget would not mean more money for the district, administrators said. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau residents attend a vigil to end gun violence sponsored by Moms Demand Action at the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Vigil remembers lives lost to guns, hopes for improvements

It’s been seven years since Sandy Hook.

Juneau residents attend a vigil to end gun violence sponsored by Moms Demand Action at the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Downtown bar closes for business

Downtown bar closes for business

Monthly drag shows are still planned.

Downtown bar closes for business
Julia O’Malley, food journalist, has a new book out that was co-published by the University of Washington Press and the Anchorage Museum. (Courtesy Photo | Nathaniel Wilder)
Julia O’Malley, food journalist, has a new book out that was co-published by the University of Washington Press and the Anchorage Museum. (Courtesy Photo | Nathaniel Wilder)
Fred Meyer advertises flu vaccinations via a banner outside its pharmacy on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Flu activity is on the rise in Alaska

Just in time for the holidays.

Fred Meyer advertises flu vaccinations via a banner outside its pharmacy on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Crystal clear: Subsistence and tradition influence new exhibition at city museum
Crystal clear: Subsistence and tradition influence new exhibition at city museum
Juneau Youth Services re-opens intervention program after fatal crash
Juneau Youth Services re-opens intervention program after fatal crash
Molly Box is the new permanent principal of Harborview Elementary School, and Elizabeth Pisel-Davis is the new permanent principal of Riverbend Elementary School. Both previously served as interim principal at their respective schools. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau School District announces two new principals

They’re both familiar faces.

Molly Box is the new permanent principal of Harborview Elementary School, and Elizabeth Pisel-Davis is the new permanent principal of Riverbend Elementary School. Both previously served as interim principal at their respective schools. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this file photo, the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, Malaspina and Tazlina, hidden from view, are tied up at the Auke Bay Terminal in July 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this file photo, the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, Malaspina and Tazlina, hidden from view, are tied up at the Auke Bay Terminal in July 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Bear with them, they’re learning

Bear with them, they’re learning

Lecture examines behavior of not-quite adult bears

Bear with them, they’re learning