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From left to right, City and Borough of Juneau Deputy City Manager Robert Barr, City Manager Rorie Watt and Finance Director Jeff Rogers discuss a package of proposals addressing recruiting and retaining city employees during the Wednesday evening Assembly Finance Committee meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

City mulls package of perks to fill vacancies

It includes bigger sign-on bonus, retirement fund match and child care contribution.

A “sold” sign hangs outside the property that formerly housed Walmart in early December after it was announced it has been purchased by U-Haul. Company officials recently shared plans to unveil a temporary showroom at its new location by the end of January. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Moving fast: U-Haul plans to open doors at the end of the month for temporary showroom

The company is looking to hire around 15 people, according to U-Haul Company of Alaska president.

Students smile as they walk to their classes for the first day of fall semester at the University of Alaska Southeast. The University of Alaska is set to receive 360,000 acres of federal land within the next four years, set in motion by a clause included in the recently passed $1.7 trillion federal spending bill. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

University of Alaska set to receive 360,000 acres of federal land

UAS chancellor hopeful Southeast Alaska lands will be included in transfer

Juneau resident Denny DeWitt looks at the options for a second Douglas crossing during an open house as part of the evaluation process in early December at the Juneau Arts Humanities Council building. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Second crossing’s 1st phase receives $7M in federal funding

City official says project is still long way from fruition

Tlingit artist Alison Bremner Nax̲shag̲eit’s solo exhibit, “Midnight at the Fireworks Stand,” at the Alaska State Museum is one of the many art displays to be included during the first Friday of the month event. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday

Local artists Christine Carpenter and Elizabeth Jurgeleit set to debut new exhibition

People walk to a cruise ship as it rains downtown in October, 2022. Juneau’s annual precipitation totaled 88.31 inches, breaking the previous annual rainfall record of 85.15 inches set in 1991 by more than 3 inches. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Juneau tops annual rainfall record by more than 3 inches

It was the most rain recorded in Juneau since 1936

Dozens of people run into the cold ocean water on a cloudy Sunday afternoon for the annual Polar Dip at the Auke Recreation Area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Dipping into 2023: Juneau residents brave the cold ocean water to start the new year

“It was very cold and fun”

Junior guard Sean Oliver pushes through a crowd of players for a layup during the third period during Thursday night’s game against South Anchorage High School during the first night of the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Crimson Bears teams secure victories at 2nd night of tournament

JDHS girls and boys keep the momentum at Princess Cruises Capital City Classic

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The privately owned 107-foot tugboat named Tagish sits partially below the water next to the National Guard dock south of the downtown cruise ship docks Thursday morning. Recovery plans by the owner are now underway, but are expected to come at a steep price.

News

Planning for removal of sunken tugboat underway

The owner said the effort could cost between $150,000 to $500,000

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The privately owned 107-foot tugboat named Tagish sits partially below the water next to the National Guard dock south of the downtown cruise ship docks Thursday morning. Officials were at the at the scene to assist cleanup mitigation and recovery efforts.

News

Tugboat sinks near cruise ship docks

Owner says he is unsure of next steps for recovery efforts

Free At-home test kits are available in Juneau at City Hall and all Juneau public libraries, masks and kits are available to patients experiencing symptoms at Bartlett Regional Hospital and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

News

COVID-19 tests still available amid New Year’s celebrations

Respiratory viruses remain at high levels, officials say.

A school bus sits in the parking lot of the University of Southeast Alaska Tech Center downtown. In the fall of 2024, a new commercial driver’s license education training program is expected to be offered at the campus. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

UAS to establish Juneau-based CDL program amid driver shortage

New program could put driver shortage in the rear-view mirror.

A readiness hearing was held Wednesday afternoon at the Juneau State Courthouse for the man accused of killing a Juneau woman in late September. The suspect declined to participate, automatically waiving his rights to a speedy trial. The next readiness hearing is scheduled for early March, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Readiness hearing held for suspect in killing of Juneau woman

The next hearing is set for early March, 2023.

This photo was taken after the Alaska Peace Officers Association’s annual Guns and Hoses hockey game and fundraiser in 2018. This year’s game will be at the Douglas Treadwell Arena at 6:30 p.m. Friday. (Courtesy / Shawn Phelps)

News

Paired-on-ice city: Guns and Hoses hockey fundraiser is coming up

Take my down to the capital city where the rink is clean and the fundraiser names are witty.

Rachelle Garrett kicks the ball over the leg of opposing player, Ariel Barrios, during a soccer match Monday evening at the Dimond Park Field House a part of the Holiday Cup soccer tournament. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Juneau Holiday Cup soccer tournament kicks 2022 goodbye

The annual tournament celebrates 30th anniversary

A bucket of compost awaits pickup by Juneau Composts on Douglas Tuesday morning. The City and Borough of Juneau was earmarked to be included in the $1.7 trillion spending bill which would allocate $2.5 million in funding toward designing and constructing a commercial-scale compost facility in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

City set to receive $2.5M from feds to create new commercial-scale compost facility

City officials say it could extend the landfill’s dwindling lifespan.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The former Juneau Youth Services building was recently purchased by JAHMI Health and Wellness Inc. and is set to be renovated into specialized behavioral health care for children, adolescents and their families. The renovations, expected to be complete in May, are funded by an $870,000 allocation earmarked in the recently passed $1.7 trillion spending bill.

News

New youth behavioral health facility set to open in Juneau this spring

Renovations to begin “as soon as possible,” funded by omnibus spending package allocation.

A worker replenishes the dairy goods at Foodland IGA downtown Thursday morning ahead of the holiday weekend and winter storm. Many Juneau stores will be closing their doors to observe the holiday weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Holiday weekend closures and reduced hours in Juneau

Only a handful of businesses will remain open, most shelters open

Courtesy / U.S. Coast Guard Funding to purchase the Aiviq icebreaker, seen here towing a mobile drilling rig about 100 miles southwest of Kodiak, was cut from $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package passed by Congress. According both of Alaska’s Republican senators, it is a disappointing cut.

News

Icebreaker plan hits snag after funding cut

$150M allocation pulled late, Murkowski says; multiple Juneau-based projects still receive funding.

This is a photo of players who participated in the annual JDHS alumni game in 2021. (Courtesy / Suzanne Sauerteig)

Sports

Out of hibernation, Crimson Bear hockey alums set to head back on the ice

Former coach says upcoming game a chance to reconnect with old faces