Site Logo
Rep. DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer, center, discusses budget legislation with her chief of staff, Remond Henderson, standing, and Reps. Neil Foster, D-Nome, left, and Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham on March 20, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Draft House budget includes $2,272 PFD, $680 per-student education increase, $152 million surplus

Plan boosts dividends $444 by abandoning agreement to put half the amount in reserve fund.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 19, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week ending March 23

Three decades of capital city coverage.

Participants in a climate rally gather in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday. The event received a permit from the City and Borough of Juneau allowing the street to be closed to vehicle traffic for 90 minutes, although some participants used the gathering to denounce a bill by Gov. Dunleavy to limit unauthorized public demonstrations. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Rally highlights concerns about global and political climate, including bill restricting protests

Participants at permitted gathering at Capitol denounce proposal aimed at unauthorized gatherings.

The Aiviq icebreaker, targeted by the U.S. Coast Guard for purchase and deployment in Alaska, completes a chartered refueling operation at Davis Research Station in Antarctica. (Kirk Yatras / Australian Antarctic Program)

News

Juneau-based Coast Guard icebreaker in final budget bill as Congress tries to avoid shutdown

Murkowski, Sullivan say they don’t expect repeat of last minute-deal in ‘22 that sunk vessel’s funds.

The Adventure Bound tour vessel, docked in Aurora Harbor, is one of two tour boats formerly operated by Adventure Bound Alaska being offered by the city in a sealed-bid auction scheduled next Wednesday. (City and Borough of Juneau)

News

Adventure Bound Alaska’s two tour boats being auctioned off by city due to company’s prolonged debt

Impounding and sealed-bid sale of large charter vessels “is a first for me,” harbormaster says.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Police calls for Monday, March 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Mike Bucy, Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School’s band teacher, conducts an ensemble of Taku Winds and DHMS band students during a rehearsal for a concert Saturday at Thunder Mountain High School. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Community Bands)

News

Sundown showdown of the mild and Wild West featured in concert Saturday at TMHS

Performance by Taku Winds and local students promises brawls, cattle drives and classical concerto.

People throw cornstarch of various colors at each other during a Holi celebration in downtown Juneau in 2023. (Photo by Cody Bennett)

News

Holi festival bringing more than the usual colors of spring to downtown Juneau

Traditional Hindu celebration expands with new events, venues in third year.

Legislators and other guests view a newly unveiled portrait of the late Congressman Don Young on Monday, the second anniversary of his death, to be in the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Portrait of Don Young for Alaska State Capitol unveiled on second anniversary of his death

Painting of late Congressman who served nearly 50 years will be on second floor near House Chambers.

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Flaws found in study cited by Dunleavy claiming Alaska ranks second in adequately funding schools

“I’m definitely saying don’t take it at face value,” study’s co-author says.

Metlakatla’s Drena Hayward (#15) passes the ball to a teammate in their opening game against Yakutat during the 75th Gold Medal Basketball Tournament on Sunday morning at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sports

75th Gold Medal Basketball Tournament opens with all harboring hopes for week ahead

Winners and losers not reading too much into opening games with some teammates still to arrive.

A board in the House Chambers at the Alaska State Capitol shows Monday’s vote tally of 39-20 to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of Senate Bill 140, one vote short of the two-thirds necessary. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Legislature fails by a single vote of 39-20 to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of education bill

Legislators warn bad blood may hamper other issues as numerous Republicans abandon earlier support.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Veto override vote on education bill expected to have consequences — and no assurance of extra funds

Retaliation by governor, fractured relationships within Legislature on other issues among concerns.

Flags flank the entrance to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

News

Dunleavy vetoes sweeping education bill that includes $680 increase in per-student funding

Legislature expected to meet for veto override session Monday, unknown if enough votes exist.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 10, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of March 16

Three decades of capital city coverage.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Juneau Board of Education President Deedie Sorensen (left) and Vice President Emil Mackey, holding his son Emil Mackey IV, listen to discussion about next year’s budget for the school district during a meeting Thursday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé.

News

School board passes budget that cuts staff 12%, hopes for BSA increase that will save some jobs

Board members make wish list if state funding increases, as governor vetoes bill providing funds.

The Juneau Board of Education debates a school district consolidation plan after midnight Wednesday, near the end of an eight-hour meeting at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé auditorium. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

School board sticks with consolidation plan for one high school after eight-hour debate of two-school alternative

Claims of plan for two grade 8-12 schools based on faulty and incomplete data, district leaders say.

An overhead image shows possible locations to relocate offices for Juneau’s municipal employees along with some available parking lots. (City and Borough of Juneau image)

News

Many options, little consensus on moving City Hall to vacated school district buildings

Assembly members debate downtown vs. valley, converting school to office space, costs and parking.

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. headquarters in Juneau is where most of the estimated 70 employees manage the state’s primary savings account. The corporation opened a satellite office in Anchorage last year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Intent language nixing Permanent Fund Corp.’s new Anchorage office added to House budget

Office opened last year without earmarked funds; APFC head says HQ could eventually move from Juneau

A map shows possible routes for a second Juneau-Douglas crossing, with the “Sunny Point East” route circled as the highest-scoring option in a report presented to city leaders on Monday. (Map by DOWL)

News

Sunny Point route near airport runway gets highest score for second Juneau-Douglas crossing

However, all seven options get negative scores; concerns by airport officials and residents linger.