Mark Sabbatini

Welcome messages in multiple languages are painted on windows at the University of Alaska Anchorage at the start of the semester in January. (University of Alaska Anchorage photo)

Juneau refugee family gets ‘leave immediately’ notice; four people affiliated with UAA have visas revoked

Actions part of nationwide sweep as Trump ignores legal orders against detentions, deportations.

Welcome messages in multiple languages are painted on windows at the University of Alaska Anchorage at the start of the semester in January. (University of Alaska Anchorage photo)
Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell, the featured guest artists for the 50th Alaska Folk Festival, perform the final concert of the weeklong event at Centennial Hall on Sunday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

50th Alaska Folk Festival is one for the records

Capacity crowds, Grammy-winning artists, sellout of merchandise, future film make for resounding week.

Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell, the featured guest artists for the 50th Alaska Folk Festival, perform the final concert of the weeklong event at Centennial Hall on Sunday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sara Hannan (D-Juneau), left, confers with Rep. Alyse Galvin (I-Anchorage) during a break in a House floor session on March 10, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau lawmaker’s bill allowing ‘snow classics’ as statewide charitable gaming activity passes House

Local Nordic ski club among groups hoping to use snowfall guessing contests as fundraisers.

Rep. Sara Hannan (D-Juneau), left, confers with Rep. Alyse Galvin (I-Anchorage) during a break in a House floor session on March 10, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Workers begin to install an airport-style security system inside the front entrance of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Installation of airport-style security system underway at Alaska State Capitol

Most visitors will need to pass through screening starting around April 21, officials say.

Workers begin to install an airport-style security system inside the front entrance of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Workers install HESCO barriers along the Mendenhall River. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Lawsuit by property owner seeks to ban CBJ from installing HESCO barriers

Plaintiff argues city didn’t get proper federal authorization; municipal attorney says claims are errant.

Workers install HESCO barriers along the Mendenhall River. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 hold a protest at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

State employee salaries fall short of levels intended to be competitive, long-delayed study finds

31 of 36 occupation groups are 85%-98% of target level; 21 of 36 are below public/private sector average.

Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 hold a protest at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Four petitions seeking to put proposals on the fall municipal election ballot were filed this week with the Juneau city clerk’s office. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Group hopes to put mill rate cap, food and utility tax exemptions, in-person elections on local fall ballot

Three petitions submitted Thursday by Affordable Juneau Coalition now under CBJ review.

Four petitions seeking to put proposals on the fall municipal election ballot were filed this week with the Juneau city clerk’s office. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 9, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 9, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Senate meets Thursday, where a bill boosting per-student education funding by $1,000 was introduced on the floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Education bill with $1,000 BSA hike — and nothing else — gets to Senate floor; veto by Dunleavy expected

Senate president says action on lower per-student education funding increase likely if veto override fails.

The Alaska State Senate meets Thursday, where a bill boosting per-student education funding by $1,000 was introduced on the floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks at a House majority news conference, April 8, 2025, in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage; Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage; Edgmon; and Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, are seated left to right. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska lawmakers are divided over state budget, stuck without agreement over dividend, schools

House majority leaders appeal to GOP minority, Gov. Dunleavy for agreement on spending plan.

Alaska House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks at a House majority news conference, April 8, 2025, in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage; Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage; Edgmon; and Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, are seated left to right. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Debris from a home that partially fell into the Mendenhall River due to a record glacial outburst flood remains on the riverbank on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Trump executive order seeks to block states and municipalities from enforcing their climate policies

Order could affect everything from recently enacted state carbon laws to Juneau’s renewable energy goals.

Debris from a home that partially fell into the Mendenhall River due to a record glacial outburst flood remains on the riverbank on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A Juneau School District maintenance supervisor examines the ceiling at Riverbend Elementary School on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. The school, since renamed Kax̲dig̲oowu Héen Elementary School, has experienced roof problems since its construction, according to district officials. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau’s school board approves project lists for proposed voter bond at $5M, $10M and $15M levels

Roof, heating, ventilation and security prioritized as Assembly considers bond items for fall election.

A Juneau School District maintenance supervisor examines the ceiling at Riverbend Elementary School on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. The school, since renamed Kax̲dig̲oowu Héen Elementary School, has experienced roof problems since its construction, according to district officials. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
Quentin O’Domin attempts a 100-inch two-foot high kick during the Traditional Games on Sunday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Mindsets and methods matter more than muscles for some medalists at Traditional Games

More than 250 competitors young and old test ancient Iñupiaq skills at three-day Juneau event.

Quentin O’Domin attempts a 100-inch two-foot high kick during the Traditional Games on Sunday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Youth Choir sings the official state song during its traditional appearance to open the 50th Alaska Folk Festival on Monday night at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini)

50th Folk Festival opens with longtime, long-absent, new and other performers

Weeklong festival adheres to tradition, but revisits many of its past moments with tales and tunes.

The Alaska Youth Choir sings the official state song during its traditional appearance to open the 50th Alaska Folk Festival on Monday night at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini)
Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

New initiative limiting cruise tourism in Juneau filed Monday by Ship-Free Saturday supporter

Measure would set 1.5M passenger annual limit, ban ships with 250+ people before May and after Sept.

Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Protesters spill out into the street beyond the front of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday as part of anti-Trump demonstrations that took place internationally during the day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Largest Juneau protest of Trump’s second term joins voices of discontent at events worldwide

Wide range of grievances shared in speeches and songs Saturday at Alaska State Capitol.

Protesters spill out into the street beyond the front of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday as part of anti-Trump demonstrations that took place internationally during the day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Anchorage band Big Chimney Barn Dance performs in the main ballroom of Centennial Hall on Sunday, April 14, 2024, near the end of the 49th Annual Alaska Folk Festival. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

50th Folk Festival looks to continue long traditions, only more so with record performer interest

Weeklong festival will feature long-ago as well as current musicians, all captured for documentary.

The Anchorage band Big Chimney Barn Dance performs in the main ballroom of Centennial Hall on Sunday, April 14, 2024, near the end of the 49th Annual Alaska Folk Festival. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Brad Hogarth, one of four finalists to be the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, guides the ensemble through a rehearsal on Tuesday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Symphony takes guest conductor on road trip for Sitka show before Sunday’s concert at JDHS

Brad Hogarth, a performer and conductor at Sitka holiday shows, auditions to be symphony’s music director.

Brad Hogarth, one of four finalists to be the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, guides the ensemble through a rehearsal on Tuesday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The House Finance Committee listens to public testimony about next year’s proposed budget on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

State budget with $1.9B deficit and ‘full’ $3,800 PFD sent to House floor; expect drastic revisions by Senate

House Finance plan passes after battles among allies as well as opponents; vote on $1,000 PFD fails 7-4.

The House Finance Committee listens to public testimony about next year’s proposed budget on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
An Eaglecrest skier cruises downhill in warm temperatures and scant snow on Wednesday. The ski area announced Thursday its last day of the season will be this Sunday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest Ski Area to end season a week early on Sunday with concert, but no Slush Cup

Poor conditions much of the season limited operations, officials say rain may wipe out scant snow left.

An Eaglecrest skier cruises downhill in warm temperatures and scant snow on Wednesday. The ski area announced Thursday its last day of the season will be this Sunday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)