Clarise Larson

This March 10 photo shows fentanyl pills seized by police. A Juneau woman was arrested Saturday on a felony drug charge and police seized over 6,000 pills suspected to contain fentanyl. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Police: Over 6,000 fentanyl pills seized after traffic stop

A Juneau woman was arrested on a drug-related charge, after police found more than 6,000 pills, believed to contain fentanyl, inside a vehicle she was… Continue reading

This March 10 photo shows fentanyl pills seized by police. A Juneau woman was arrested Saturday on a felony drug charge and police seized over 6,000 pills suspected to contain fentanyl. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Assembly members listen to a discussion about the near and long-term future of Juneau’s solid waste management during “Talkin’ Trash” work session held by members of the Assembly Public Works and Facilities Committee Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Assembly members listen to a discussion about the near and long-term future of Juneau’s solid waste management during “Talkin’ Trash” work session held by members of the Assembly Public Works and Facilities Committee Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Brian Erickson, vice president and general manager of Hecla Greens Creek Mine, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Mine VP gives update, addresses report on elevated lead levels in Hawk Inlet

“They made numerous unsupported comparisons and conclusions to support their allegation.”

Brian Erickson, vice president and general manager of Hecla Greens Creek Mine, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Assembly Member Michelle Bonnet Hale talk with City Manager Rorie Watt Wednesday night after the the 2024-2025 municipal budget was introduced at the city finance committee meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Assembly Member Michelle Bonnet Hale talk with City Manager Rorie Watt Wednesday night after the the 2024-2025 municipal budget was introduced at the city finance committee meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The series “Credible, Idiot Strings” features cotton fabric, nylon thread and steel wire to draw attention to the high rates of suicide in Alaska Native and Indigenous communities. The series is a part of the new exhibition “Visceral: Verity” on display at the Alaska State Museum and featured during the April First Friday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
The series “Credible, Idiot Strings” features cotton fabric, nylon thread and steel wire to draw attention to the high rates of suicide in Alaska Native and Indigenous communities. The series is a part of the new exhibition “Visceral: Verity” on display at the Alaska State Museum and featured during the April First Friday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Glacier Swim Club’s Joshua Edwards come up for air during a competition race in the Savannah Cayce Southeast Championship at Juneau’s Dimond Aquatic Center this weekend. Edwards placed third as an individual scorer in the 13/14-year-old boys age group. (Courtesy / Phil Loseby)
Glacier Swim Club’s Joshua Edwards come up for air during a competition race in the Savannah Cayce Southeast Championship at Juneau’s Dimond Aquatic Center this weekend. Edwards placed third as an individual scorer in the 13/14-year-old boys age group. (Courtesy / Phil Loseby)
Signs encouraging voters to support Proposition 2, which OK’d $6.6 million in bond debt for recreation improvements, sit in a chair on the track at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park ahead of a football game last fall. Monday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved issuing the bond debt, but concern was expressed about whether field work would involve artificial turf. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

City directs $6.6M toward recreation projects approved by voters

Assembly member expressed concerns about one of the project’s link to PFAS

Signs encouraging voters to support Proposition 2, which OK’d $6.6 million in bond debt for recreation improvements, sit in a chair on the track at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park ahead of a football game last fall. Monday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved issuing the bond debt, but concern was expressed about whether field work would involve artificial turf. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This is a photo of the current site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. On Monday night the Assembly authorized $5 million to go toward the project that is expected to cost $75 million. (City and Borough of Juneau)

City OKs $5M toward proposed Capital Civic Center

The money is intended to show the city’s commitment to the project as it seeks federal funding

This is a photo of the current site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. On Monday night the Assembly authorized $5 million to go toward the project that is expected to cost $75 million. (City and Borough of Juneau)
A police officer stands on duty in early March. The City and Borough of Juneau announced Monday incoming Juneau Police Department officers will now be offered a hiring bonus of up to $30,000 in exchange for a four-year commitment to the department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City offers up to $30K hiring bonus for new police officers

Police union representative says it’s not enough to fix the department’s recruitment challenges

A police officer stands on duty in early March. The City and Borough of Juneau announced Monday incoming Juneau Police Department officers will now be offered a hiring bonus of up to $30,000 in exchange for a four-year commitment to the department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau’s Chase Saviers goes in for a layup Monday afternoon in a B Bracket game against Metlakatla during the Juneau Lions Club 74th Annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau lands 111 points in win over Metlakatla

The team won by exactly 40-points.

Juneau’s Chase Saviers goes in for a layup Monday afternoon in a B Bracket game against Metlakatla during the Juneau Lions Club 74th Annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Gold Medal Tournament Masters Bracket basketball team’s Will Whitehead secures a two-point shot early on in the first quarter of a game against Angoon Sunday afternoon a part 74th Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau stays in control against Angoon for M Bracket win

Juneau kept a respectable-yet-close lead through the entire time.

Juneau’s Gold Medal Tournament Masters Bracket basketball team’s Will Whitehead secures a two-point shot early on in the first quarter of a game against Angoon Sunday afternoon a part 74th Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Yakutat’s Trinity Jackson goes up for a shot Monday afternoon in a game against Kake during the Juneau Lions Club 74th Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium. Yakutat prevailed against Kake 69-33. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Yakutat finishes with 36-point lead over Kake in W bracket

Kake women bested on second day of the tournament.

Yakutat’s Trinity Jackson goes up for a shot Monday afternoon in a game against Kake during the Juneau Lions Club 74th Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium. Yakutat prevailed against Kake 69-33. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Spit flies as players from Metlakatla and Hoonah battle for the ball Sunday afternoon in the second B Bracket game of the 74th Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Metlakatla ekes out a win against Hoonah

The game ended with a close 75-70 score.

Spit flies as players from Metlakatla and Hoonah battle for the ball Sunday afternoon in the second B Bracket game of the 74th Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Guy Archibald collects clam shell specimens on Admiralty Island. Archibald was the lead author of a recently released study that linked a dramatic increase of lead levels in Hawk Inlet’s marine ecosystem and land surrounding it on Admiralty Island to tailings released from the nearby Hecla Greens Creek Mine. (Courtesy Photo / John Neary)

New study links mine to elevated lead levels in Hawk Inlet

Hecla Greens Creek Mine official ardently refutes the report’s findings.

Guy Archibald collects clam shell specimens on Admiralty Island. Archibald was the lead author of a recently released study that linked a dramatic increase of lead levels in Hawk Inlet’s marine ecosystem and land surrounding it on Admiralty Island to tailings released from the nearby Hecla Greens Creek Mine. (Courtesy Photo / John Neary)
The City and Borough of Juneau cash office and sales tax office returns to regular service hours starting Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

CBJ cash office and sales tax office returns to regular service hours

This comes after months of reduced operating hours due to a staffing shortage

The City and Borough of Juneau cash office and sales tax office returns to regular service hours starting Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Rep. Sara Hannan, a Juneau Democrat, speaks to the state House Health and Social Services Committee Thursday afternoon in support of a bill she sponsors that would ban licensed practitioners from providing conversion treatment to minors or vulnerable adults in the state of Alaska.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Rep. Sara Hannan, a Juneau Democrat, speaks to the state House Health and Social Services Committee Thursday afternoon in support of a bill she sponsors that would ban licensed practitioners from providing conversion treatment to minors or vulnerable adults in the state of Alaska.
Juneau School Board member Martin Stepetin listens during the discussion Tuesday night as the board finalizes the district’s budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The school board passed a budget — it’s probably going to change

Spending plan uses an uncertain $430 increase in per-student funding from the state.

Juneau School Board member Martin Stepetin listens during the discussion Tuesday night as the board finalizes the district’s budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Sockeye salmon return to Steep Creek to spawn during the summer months of 2022. Residents and youth in Juneau are invited to learn more about the species at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center this Saturday for the final installment of the Mendenhall Minis series of the winter. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Sockeye salmon return to Steep Creek to spawn during the summer months of 2022. Residents and youth in Juneau are invited to learn more about the species at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center this Saturday for the final installment of the Mendenhall Minis series of the winter. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This snow pile outside Thunder Mountain High School is expected grow. The National Weather Service in Juneau issued a winter weather advisory starting Wednesday morning and running through Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

NWS: Snow followed by heavy rain on the way

Roughly 2-5 inches of snow predicted.

This snow pile outside Thunder Mountain High School is expected grow. The National Weather Service in Juneau issued a winter weather advisory starting Wednesday morning and running through Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A car drives up a hill near Auke Bay in early March. Transportation was a popular topic in a recent draft report that found lower greenhouse gas emissions in Juneau when comparing 2010 to 2021. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Report: Juneau’s greenhouse gas emissions down from 2010 to 2021

While dubbed good news, it concludes a trend cannot be definitively established.

A car drives up a hill near Auke Bay in early March. Transportation was a popular topic in a recent draft report that found lower greenhouse gas emissions in Juneau when comparing 2010 to 2021. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)