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Four cruise ships dock in Juneau on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the departure of a fifth ship also in town during the day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Limit of 16,000 cruise passengers most days, 12,000 on Saturdays being discussed by industry and CBJ

Voluntary policy to “get the peak out of the week” targeted for 2026, city’s tourism director says

Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, and Rep. Mike Prax, R-North Pole, discuss a proposed amendment to a bill sponsored by Allard restricting transgender students’ participation in school sports during a House floor session on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

After accusations of ‘lying’ and ‘hate’ fly, House passes bill restricting transgender students in sports

Bill passes 22-18 after filibuster by minority, but declared dead in Senate as end of session nears.

Finley Sullivan (right), a senior forward who broke her finger in practice a month ago, performs a kickoff to Ruby Rivas (#9), a senior midfielder who tore an anterior cruciate ligament in January, during the final home game of the season for the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls’ soccer team Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Field. Both players came out of the game moments later during an intentional stoppage in play. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Undefeated JDHS girls soccer team gives seniors a healthy sendoff in home finale

Crimson Bears sweep Ketchikan, face TMHS in Falcons’ final home soccer game ever Monday night.

A boat is fully engulfed by fire in Douglas Harbor on Monday evening, with the fire spreading to two other boats. (Capital City Fire/Rescue photo)

News

Fire consumes one boat, spreads to two others in Douglas Harbor

Unknown if people aboard at time fire started, cause under investigation, official says.

Municipal Attorney Robert Palmer reacts to praise for his service from Juneau Assembly members after his resignation was announced during an Assembly meeting Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Municipal Attorney Robert Palmer resigning to take job with Anchorage law firm

Palmer, a CBJ attorney since 2014, plans to depart Aug. 31 to allow time to search for successor.

A photo finish in the 100-meter dash sees Sitka High School’s Adalyna Moore (right) finish ahead of Thunder Mountain High School’s Kerra Baxter — although both were officially clocked at 13.54 seconds — during the Capital Invitational Track and Field Meet on Saturday at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Triumphs come in all forms at annual Capital Invitational Track and Field Meet

Photo finishes, new records, overcoming personal challenges all cause to celebrate at two-day event.

Scott Belleza paints over a mural at the Pipeline Skate Park on Saturday, with a new collection of murals planned for the walls of the facility during the coming months. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Skateboarding diehards come together in massive whiteout Saturday at the Pipeline Skate Park

Murals on walls for past decade — and graffiti added later — painted over as new art awaits.

Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks in favor of an amendment to a bill restricting transgender students from participating in school sports during a floor debate Saturday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

As House plays the filibuster game on transgender sports bill Saturday, students’ focus is on the fields

Legislators spend more than 12 hours in heated debate on amendments; vote on bill scheduled Sunday

The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 9, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week ending May 11

Three decades of capital city coverage.

Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Cruise industry says Marine Passenger Fees being spent illegally as Assembly members give initial OK to $21M list

$5M for shore power, $3M for Capital Civic Center, $2M for Marine Park improvements among projects

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, and Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, discuss an amendment to a bill restricting transgender participation in school sports during a House floor session Thursday.

News

With time for key issues this session running out, House stalled by filibuster of transgender sports ban bill

Bill tabled until Saturday, making its chances bleak with Legislature scheduled to adjourn Wednesday

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo Cars drive past the building where the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. is headquartered on Sept. 21, 2023.

News

Accusations of threats, closed-door decisions and other improprieties raised at Permanent Fund board meeting

Special meeting resulting from leak of emails about one board member leads to wider allegations.

Deputy Mayor Michelle Bonnet Hale (left) talks with Assembly members (from right to left) Alicia Hughes-Skandijs, Wáahlaal Gíidaak Barbara Blake and Ella Adkison following an Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night. Hale and Blake, whose terms expire this fall, say they are not seeking reelection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Two Assembly members say they won’t seek reelection ahead of annual ‘run for office’ workshop

Michelle Bonnet Hale and Wáahlaal Gíidaak Barbara Blake cite family and time considerations.

City Manager Katie Koester (center) explains options for a budget item to members of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee during a meeting Wednesday night as Deputy City Manager Robert Barr and Finance Director Angie Flick listen. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

With city taking over school buildings, leaders balk at funding for newly built projects

Assembly members reject $4M for new nonprofit family center site, suggest using existing facilities.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore berths in Juneau Harbor in late October of 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Cruise ship employee arrested after stabbing multiple people aboard with scissors

South African man tried to deploy lifeboat, then attacked security staff, nurse and a passenger.

Lt. Daniel Schuerman, the ship’s operations officer, shows the 5-inch/54-caliber Mark 45 gun on the foredeck of the USS William P. Lawrence during a tour Sunday in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Navy brings out big guns for visitors aboard destroyer as crew works on community projects during Juneau stop

USS William P. Lawrence open to public tours until its scheduled departure Wednesday

Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, listens to a presentation during a House Education Committee meeting on Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Juneau lawmaker’s bill adding four Indigenous languages to state’s official list unanimously passes Senate

Legislation by Rep. Andi Story also renames, expands size of state Native languages council.

The University of Alaska Southeast class of 2024 receive their degrees during a commencement ceremony Sunday at the UAS Recreation Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

New University of Alaska Southeast graduates cherish the moment and the challenges yet to come

More than 300 degree recipients honored during Sunday’s commencement ceremony.

Red clothing is worn and displayed as a sign of a unified call for action during a rally in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday to commemorate the annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Rally seeks future where Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day is not necessary

More than 50 people gather at Capitol to share stories of missing family, efforts to address issue.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board members including Gabrielle Rubenstein (wearing white) meet with staff and advisors on Oct. 30, 2023, to discuss a proposal to raise the fund’s rate of return by making riskier investments. The idea stalled when advisors suggested the strategy and timing are ill-advised. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Permanent Fund board calls special meeting Wednesday due to leaked emails alleging improper behavior

Ellie Rubenstein accused of setting up meetings between APFC staff and her business associates.