Clarise Larson

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)

Death investigation continues

Autopsy scheduled for Friday; no arrests made

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

Fall means rise in bear activity

It’s almost Octo-bear

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

No arrests made as death investigation continues

More information expected today.

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.
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)

The disclosure dilemma

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

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)
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)

50 years ‘temporary’ and counting?

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

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

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

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

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

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.
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)

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.

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)
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)
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)
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)

BABEFEST comes to Juneau

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

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

City OKs negotiation for potential affordable housing projects

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

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

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 Juneau.

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)
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)

Juneau Hydropower announces Sweetheart deal

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

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)
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)

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

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)
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)

City takes step toward redeveloping Telephone Hill

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

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)
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.

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

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.
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 )

Juneau raptor center suspends operations

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

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 )
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.

City unveils new Ballot Processing Center

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

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.