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Sonya Kelliher-Combs teaches a youth activity Saturday afternoon where Juneau middle school students were invited to learn how to create a a pouch made from hog intestine and embellished with beads and natural materials. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

‘It’s a part of who I am’

Artist uses the endangered art of marine mammal gut to explore the truth of Alaska Native history

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters move to extinguish a trailer fire Friday morning. The cause of the fire is believed to be caused by an electric toaster, officials say.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Toaster apparent cause of fatal fire

One person, two dogs dead after trailer blaze.

Cars zoom across the downtown bridge connecting Juneau to Douglas Island. Thursday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Public Works and Facilities Committee hosted an open forum meeting to discuss a proposed second crossing from Juneau to Douglas Island. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Opinions cross at city-hosted second crossing meeting

Residents express support and concern about the potential project.

The Juneau School District was scammed out of nearly $270,000 this fall, according to a memo shared with the City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee at its Wednesday night meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

School district scammed out of nearly $270,000 by someone posing as a vendor

City officials say CBJ may assist in covering the financial burden

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney speaks to members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

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UA president talks new UAS chancellor, ‘fiscal stability’ of university system

Chancellor selection to be announced in coming weeks, president says

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Plows work to clear Mendenhall Valley streets on Wednesday.

News

Blizzard prompts closures, elevates avalanche risk in Juneau

Officials say as the snow continues to fall, the avalanche risk rises

The sun shines over the Montana Creek area Saturday afternoon. Earlier this week, the City and Borough of Juneau released the final draft of the Montana Creek Draft master plan, which is now open for public comment until March. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

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City releases final draft of Montana Creek master plan

Residents have until the end of March to submit comments

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Fresh snow covers West Douglas Pioneer Road Saturday afternoon. Monday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly discussed whether to move forward with a local company which seeks to gain access to provide electric-assisted bicycle tours on the city-owned gravel road.

News

Longer road ahead for proposed e-bike tours on Pioneer Road

A company seeks to provide tours three times per day, six days a week

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities drops explosives via helicopter to trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road Tuesday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Explosives used to reduce avalanche risk

Mission comes ahead of expected heavy snowfall.

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted Monday evening to consolidate the Treadwell Arena Advisory Board, the Aquatics Board and the Jensen-Olson Arboretum Advisory Board into one collective Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

City to consolidate multiple advisory boards

The decision comes after difficulties to fill board vacancies and maintain consist meetings

A lifeguard walks the perimeter of the Augustus Brown Pool Friday morning. The 50-year-old City and Borough of Juneau-owned pool is planned to close on April 3 of this year and will remain closed until early 2024 to undergo $8 million in renovations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

A splashy renovation: Augustus Brown Pool set for an update

Renovations include locker/changing rooms, resurfacing leisure pool and electrical systems upgrades.

A life preserver hangs on a post at Don. D Statter Harbor Tuesday evening. On Thursday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors board discussed a potential 8.1% increase to all docks and harbors fees starting in July along with an additional 9% increase on top of that to be implemented in the next few years (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Docks and harbors board considers fee increases, requiring insurance

The increase is set to be the largest in 40 years, said port director

City Finance Director Jeff Rogers speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce in 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

City finance director to leave post

Jeff Rogers said he expects to depart sometime this summer

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

Police: 2 arrested after 5,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills, fentanyl seized

Juneau man and woman arrested on felony charges.

A line of electric-assisted bicycles sit on display at Juneau Bike Doctor Thursday afternoon. Two companion bills introduced this year seeks to revise state code to allow for any e-bikes a part of the generally recognized three-tier classifications of e-bikes to ride anywhere a regular bike would be allowed. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Braking news: Bill would define e-bikes same as bicycles

Increasingly popular way to ride currently undefined in state law.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau addresses a crowd during a recent rally outside the Alaska State Capitol. Hannan is the sponsor of a bill that would ban licensed practitioners from performing “conversion therapy” in the state.

News

Lawmaker says ban on conversion therapy can help address LGBTQ+ youth suicide

The bill, sponsored by Juneau Rep. Sara Hannan, awaits a House committee hearing.

An excavator on a barge scoops floating debris near the shore of Gastineau Channel on Monday morning. The effort was a part of the recovery process of a 107-foot tugboat that sank at a dock south of the cruise ship docks in late December. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Tagish out of water: Sunken tugboat destroyed after more than a weeklong recovery effort

Recovery and pollution cleanup expected to be complete in coming days, Coast Guard official says

The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as it sets Monday evening. Tuesday is the last day for the public to submit comments to the U.S. Forest Service on proposed changes to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Mendenhall Glacier area comment period closing soon

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public input on seven plans that vary in impact on the area.

University of Alaska Southeast students run out of the freezing water after jumping into the waters of Auke Bay on Saturday afternoon for the 25th UAS Polar Plunge. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

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Freezin’ for a reason: UAS students and Juneau residents take a plunge at Auke Bay

According to officials, the water temperature was 37 degrees during the time of the plunge.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Professor of Alaska Native languages at the University of Alaska Southeast, X’unei Lance Twitchell, analyses a ChatGPT story in Lingít while teaching his Intermediate Tlingit II class Thursday evening.

News

Does AI have a place in Tlingit language revitalization?

UAS professor weighs in.