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A bear crosses a sidewalk during the early hours of Sept. 13 in downtown Juneau. (Courtesy/ August Williams)

News

Fall means rise in bear activity

It’s almost Octo-bear

A completed ballot is dropped into the ballot drop box in the Don D. Statter Harbor parking lot on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

News

Election Day nears for local races

They’ve got mail.

On Thursday morning, JPD Officer Austin Thomas and Officer Taylor Davis walk the fielded area which was blocked off by crime scene tape. Multiple tents and a police vehicle sat in the field where the tape surrounded, another police vehicle sat in a dirt parking area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Death investigation continues

Autopsy scheduled for Friday; no arrests made

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire On Thursday morning at what police described as an active crime scene, JPD Officer Austin Thomas and Officer Taylor Davis walk the fielded area which was blocked off by crime scene tape. Multiple tents and a police vehicle sat in the field where the tape surrounded, another police vehicle sat in a dirt parking area.

News

No arrests made as death investigation continues

More information expected today.

A sign encouraging voters to vote yes on Proposition 4 stands at a busy Mendnehall Valley intersection. The proposition to repeal a city ordinance requiring buyers to disclose the sales price of real property has been a flashpoint in the municipal election with groups forming in support and opposition of the proposition. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

News

The disclosure dilemma

Supporters say it’s more accurate, opponents say it’s an invasion of privacy — voters will decide.

From left to right, Thunder Mountain High School cross country runners Randy Stichert, Piper Blackgoat and Kobe Yturbe finish up their run at cross country practice on Monday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Lacing up: Local cross country teams prep to host the largest race in Southeast Alaska this weekend

Run Juneau, run!

Featured artist Jill Kaasteen Meserve designed the logo gracing the front of Tidal Echoes’ 2022 edition. (Courtesy photo / Tidal Echoes)

News

Tidal Echoes waves in submissions from across Southeast Alaska

UAS’s Tidal Echoes opens to accept all mediums of art to be featured in its annual journal

On the ballot of this year’s municipal election, voters will decide if the city’s temporary” 1% sales tax should be extended as it celebrates its 50th consecutive year implemented in the City and Borough of Juneau. Last time it passed, close to 78% of residents voted yes, according to CBJ, and if passed again, it will go into effect Oct. 1, 2023, and run until Sept. 30, 2028. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

News

50 years ‘temporary’ and counting?

Voters asked to decide if the city’s 1% sales tax should be extended another 5 years

A new track and artificial turf field could be on the way to Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park if voters decide to OK 6.6 million in general obligation bond debt to go toward the funding of construction and equipment costs for park improvements at city-located parks. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

News

Campaign trails: Proposition puts recreation improvement question to voters

The $6.6M bond package will cause a slight increase in annual property taxes over 15 years.

AP Photo / Evan Vucci President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens at right.

News

White House estimates over 60K Alaskans to benefit from student loan forgiveness plan

The state adds a small portion to the estimated 40M borrowers eligible for relief across the country

Voters in the City and Borough of Juneau municipal election will decide whether to approve $35 million in bond debt to fund the majority of the construction cost for a new City Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

The $35M question: Advocates and critics weigh in on City Hall proposition

Ballots put bond debt question to voters.

This photo shows an aerial view of the Pederson Hill subdivision area. (Courtesy Photo / City and Borough of Juneau)

News

City OKs negotiation for potential affordable housing projects

City manager says it’s a “first step” toward addressing lack of housing.

June Bunch, a co-host of the event, sings during the open mic event Thursday night as part of the Crystal Saloon BABEFEST series. Bunch also shared her singing chops during the Wednesday night “Tribute to Joni Mitchell.” (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

BABEFEST comes to Juneau

The four-night series features local artists and celebrates the many “babes” here in capital city

Duff Mitchell, managing director of Juneau Hydropower announced Juneau Hydropower’s joint development agreement to construct Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Plant with the Tokyo-based developer JPOWER during a Thursday afternoon Zoom news conference, which included an appearance by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, and other officials as a part of the project. (Screenshot)

News

Juneau Hydropower announces Sweetheart deal

After more than a decade of planning, project is expected to break ground sometime next year

This photo shows the Nelson Homestead in Haines and is a 128.5-acre property conserved in 2013 by the Southeast Alaska Land Trust. (Courtesy / Southeast Alaska Land Trust)

News

Crowdsourcing for conservation: Southeast Alaska residents can now donate to a nonprofit’s efforts to conserve land

Residents across Southeast Alaska are now able to donate to a nonprofit’s efforts to conserve land

In a letter shared to the public on Monday, Juneau Raptor Center President Dale Cotton announced “it is with great sorrow” that the center has decided to suspend its operations in Juneau after 35 years of service. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire )

News

Juneau raptor center suspends operations

Expect a phased wind-down with building vacated by end of the year

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire A cycle rickshaw passes the North State Office Building parking garage located on Willoughby Avenue in downtown Juneau. The City and Borough of Juneau’s Assembly passed an ordinance unopposed Monday night that gave the OK for the appropriation of $5 million to go toward partially funding the planning and construction of additional parking levels.

News

City OKs $5M for future downtown parking expansion project

An addition $5M could be added if the temp. 1% sale tax extension is approved in upcoming election

A car sit parked on Dixon Street in the Telephone Hill area on Tuesday afternoon. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly passed an ordinance Monday night that appropriated $100,000 to initiate the process of redevelopment of the area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

City takes step toward redeveloping Telephone Hill

Assembly OKs $100,000 for the planning process which could include new housing development

Mila Cosgrove shakes hands with Sen. Jesse Kiehl after receiving a plaque from the members of the Thirty-Second Alaska State Legislature that honored her for her state service. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Cosgrove honored for ‘diligent and dedicated’ public service

Retiring in 2021, she spent more than two decades of public service work in the state and in…

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire City Borough of Juneau’s City Clerk Beth McEwen gives a tour of the new local Ballot Processing Center to residents on Monday afternoon.

News

City unveils new Ballot Processing Center

It opens just weeks ahead of the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 4