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Longtime Juneau Board of Education member Brian Holst listens during a board meeting in May. Holst rescinded his run for candidacy for a fourth term on the board late last week. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Longtime school board member rescinds candidacy

Brian Holst pulls from race days after submitting, set to step away after nine years.

A construction worker uses machinery Monday afternoon while working on the construction site of Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s revived Haven House. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

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Revived Haven House means safety and stability for women after incarceration

The construction of the non-congregate shelter is expected to be completed in spring 2024.

This is a photo of the Treadwell Ditch Trail on South Douglas. On Saturday a teenage boy died after he failed to make it to shore after jumping into the water by the Glory Hole. His body was later recovered Sunday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

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Teenage boy dies after jumping in water near Treadwell Trail

The body of the boy was recovered Sunday afternoon by the Alaska State Troopers.

Retiring Juneau Chief of Police Ed Mercer (left) and City Manager Rorie Watt (right) smile for a photo during Mercer’s retirement ceremony Friday afternoon at the Juneau Police Department station. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

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‘He is the rock that this department rests on:’ Ceremony honors police chief’s retirement

Ed Mercer, JPD chief for six years, starting new job as head of anti-drug trafficking program.

Juneau Drag performer and event emcee Gigi Monroe struts the runway in front of hundreds gathered at the main stage of the Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines on Friday evening for the performance group’s debut show at the fair. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

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Southeast Alaska State Fair greets Juneau Drag with ‘incredible’ turnout

The debut show went on despite the group facing local scrutiny months prior to the event.

The Juneau School District is responding to a letter from the Alaska Department of Education Early Development, which could endanger $2.28 million in “outside the cap” funding in the district’s budget for the current year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

State broadens challenge of ‘outside the cap’ funding to all school districts in Alaska

The years-long practice of extra funding may be halted across the state; Juneau board defends stance

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Juneau Chief of Police Ed Mercer speaks to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon ahead of his retirement slated for Monday, July 31.

News

Police chief talks recruitment woes, threat of illegal drugs ahead of retirement

Ed Mercer gives his final talk to the Chamber days before his departure from department.

A section of safety rail ends into a bull rail along the downtown cruise ship docks in July. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

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Dock and Harbors moves forward with proposed $2M installation of Seawalk safety railings

Safety concerns cited as reason for potential project.

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Ships in Port for the Week of July 22

Here’s what to expect this week.

A candlelit vigil was held at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to honor Paul Rodriguez Jr., pictured, who drowned while kayaking on Mendenhall Lake last week. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

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Candlelight vigil held for man who drowned kayaking at Mendenhall Lake

A recovery effort for the body of Paul Rodriguez Jr. continues.

This is a photo of humpback whales surfacing near a Juneau Tours and Whale Watch boat. (Courtesy / Juneau Tours and Whale Watch)

News

Unlimited numbers of whale watching boats causing wave of concern

Local operators and industry officials create committee to address impacts, potential limits.

Roald Simonson, a longtime resident of Juneau’s Telephone Hill, walks down Dixon Street in the Telephone Hill area on Wednesday evening. He said he plans to attend the upcoming city hosted meeting to discuss possible redevelopment plans for the area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

City to hold open house to discuss future fate of Telephone Hill

The meeting next Wednesday invites residents to share their ideas for the downtown land.

Courtesy / JoAnna Pilapil This is a photo of Paul Jose Rodriguez Jr. shared by a friend who said he sent the photo to her the day he was reported missing on July 11.

News

Camera of missing man near Mendenhall Glacier discovered, reveals he drowned

Helmet with attached camera discovered during search.

A cycle rickshaw and cars park outside the front of the Glory Hall’s former downtown homeless shelter Tuesday evening. The building is slated to begin its transformation into seven affordable housing units and additional commercial use space in mid-October. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Downtown Glory Hall apartment project to begin construction this fall

The former homeless shelter will be converted into seven affordable housing units

A Temsco Helicopters aircraft participates in a search along the Mendenhall River on Monday for a person reported missing since last Tuesday, who was last seen kayaking toward the Mendenhall Glacier. (Courtesy Photo/ Megan Rigas)

News

Man missing after last seen kayaking toward Mendenhall Glacier

The search is ongoing, officials say.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File City and Borough of Juneau Clerk Beth McEwen certifies areawide candidate Paul Kelly’s paperwork Friday morning within minutes of the local election filing period opening. Kelly is running for one of the two areawide Assembly positions open.

News

Candidates roll in as the filing period continues for local election

Two incumbents and three new faces file for Assembly, no candidates for school board.

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Juneau man arrested on felony charges after apparent break-in

He faces more than 10 criminal charges relating to the incident.

A boat passes under the Juneau-Douglas Bridge in late June. A person reportedly jumped off the bridge managed to make it to Overstreet Park on Saturday evening, according to the Juneau Police Department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

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Police: Person makes it ashore after jumping off Juneau-Douglas Bridge, witness says

Coast Guard helicopter unsuccessfully searches for person after report of jump Saturday evening.

Basketball players face off at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at for a basketball game in December 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Juneau city, school district to remain neutral on proposed statewide transgender sports ban

Local leaders share personal stances ahead of decision slated for late July.

City and Borough of Juneau resident Paul Kelly hands his candidacy forms to City Clerk Beth McEwen within minutes of the local election filing period opening on Friday. Kelly is running for one of the two areawide seats open on the Assembly. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Candidates file for this fall’s local election

Four seats for the taking on the Assembly, two open on the school board.