Mark Sabbatini

A storage shed on Meadow Lane catches fire Monday morning. (Photo by Chelsea Stonex)

Storage shed fire spreads to two vehicles, causing explosion, but no injuries reported

Two homes on Meadow Lane suffer broken windows and other damage, according to CCFR.

A storage shed on Meadow Lane catches fire Monday morning. (Photo by Chelsea Stonex)
A 2.9-acre plot of land donated to Huna Totem Corp. by Norwegian Cruise Line is the site for the proposed Aak’w Landing private cruise ship dock. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Amendments to Huna Totem’s proposed private cruise dock to be taken up Monday night by the Assembly

A dozen proposals seek limits on ship size, fines for violations, setting various operational goals.

A 2.9-acre plot of land donated to Huna Totem Corp. by Norwegian Cruise Line is the site for the proposed Aak’w Landing private cruise ship dock. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)
A totem pole and visitor guide sign on the downtown Juneau cruise ship dock on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘Anecdotal’ signs Juneau’s tourism season may see a dropoff due to Trump’s policies, officials say

Tariffs, talk of recession causing uncertainty and ill will resulting in reports of cancellations.

A totem pole and visitor guide sign on the downtown Juneau cruise ship dock on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The House Finance Committee listens to public testimony about next year’s proposed budget on Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

The Alaska House budget currently has a ‘full’ PFD of about $3,800. Except it really doesn’t.

Legislators on all sides agree PFD will shrink drastically before floor vote to avoid $2 billion deficit.

The House Finance Committee listens to public testimony about next year’s proposed budget on Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 9, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 9, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Cable Innovator docks in Juneau on Wednesday, March 13, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Subsea communications cable repair ship makes port stop in Juneau between Southeast projects

Cable Innovator wraps up work in Sitka, now heads for Angoon following regional outage.

The Cable Innovator docks in Juneau on Wednesday, March 13, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Students arrive at Thunder Mountain Middle School on Aug. 15, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

New firings gut nearly half of U.S. Education Department, 25% of NOAA; Forest Service staff get 45-day reprieve

Trump administration moves quickly on additional mass firings, despite some being declared illegal.

Students arrive at Thunder Mountain Middle School on Aug. 15, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka) offers an overview of House Bill 69 during Wednesday’s floor session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

House passes education bill with $1,000 BSA increase as state’s fiscal situation grows bleaker

Senate majority likely to trim hike to $680 while legislators also seek policy deal with governor.

Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka) offers an overview of House Bill 69 during Wednesday’s floor session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nicole Herbert, who this month became the new chief financial officer for the Juneau School District, explains details of next year’s proposed budget to the Juneau Board of Education on Tuesday night at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau School District leaders plan final vote Thursday on ‘conservative’ budget for next year

Plan assumes $400 BSA hike and no staff vacancies; actual figures likely to be more financially favorable.

Nicole Herbert, who this month became the new chief financial officer for the Juneau School District, explains details of next year’s proposed budget to the Juneau Board of Education on Tuesday night at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Multiple vehicles are engulfed by fire Monday night at 30 Mile Glacier Highway. (Capital City Fire/Rescue photo)

Multiple vehicles consumed by fire at Mile 30 Glacier Highway

Fire department says no injuries reported; no further action planned since site is outside fire district.

Multiple vehicles are engulfed by fire Monday night at 30 Mile Glacier Highway. (Capital City Fire/Rescue photo)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Reps. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), left, and Andi Story (D-Juneau), who co-chair the House Education Committee, confer during a break in a floor session Monday focusing on an omnibus education bill.

Republicans get chance to take a whack at omnibus state education bill as it reaches the House floor

Dozens of amendments ranging from more homeschool funds to discipline policies fall short.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Reps. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), left, and Andi Story (D-Juneau), who co-chair the House Education Committee, confer during a break in a floor session Monday focusing on an omnibus education bill.
School buses arrive at the Dzantik’i Heeni campus on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Classroom fire at Dzantik’i Heeni Campus forces evacuation due to electrical wiring risk

Students transported to Dimond Park Field House for pickup or to catch buses home

School buses arrive at the Dzantik’i Heeni campus on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Daaljíni Mary Cruise, left, offers encouragement to participants in a Unity for the Queer Community rally at the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday afternoon. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hundreds participate in Juneau LGBTQ+ rally as Trump administration seeks to erase letters and rights

President’s actions to stop “woke” are putting people’s safety and health at risk, participants say.

Daaljíni Mary Cruise, left, offers encouragement to participants in a Unity for the Queer Community rally at the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday afternoon. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jonas Nordwall performs a noontime concert on the 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ at the State Office Building on Friday. Weekly concerts featuring various performers at the instrument draw between 20 to 50 people, according to an official at the Alaska State Museum, which owns the organ. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Century-old theater organ in State Office Building at ‘tipping point’ for decision on long-term repairs

Officials say up to $300K needed for rebuilding to keep it playable for decades; otherwise “it’ll die.”

Jonas Nordwall performs a noontime concert on the 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ at the State Office Building on Friday. Weekly concerts featuring various performers at the instrument draw between 20 to 50 people, according to an official at the Alaska State Museum, which owns the organ. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
David Witthohn, senior portfolio specialist for Insight Investment, offers an overview of the City and Borough of Juneau’s investment portfolio during a Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Economic slowdown expected due to Trump’s policies, CBJ leaders told by investment advisor

Surprisingly strong economic performance last fall now halted due to firings, cuts, tariff threats.

David Witthohn, senior portfolio specialist for Insight Investment, offers an overview of the City and Borough of Juneau’s investment portfolio during a Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A snowmaker operates at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Feb. 10, 2025. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest Ski Area board OKs 40% hike in employee compensation, hoping to fix hiring woes

Increase in requested budget comes amidst Assembly warnings about money being tight.

A snowmaker operates at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Feb. 10, 2025. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
A road north of Juneau would have to negotiate the steep terrain of the east side of Lynn Canal, pictured here in February of 2014. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file pohoto)

Juneau Access Road is on the map again, as DOT seeks bids for Lynn Canal transportation study

Project declared dead by Gov. Walker in 2017 to get another look, along with ferry options.

A road north of Juneau would have to negotiate the steep terrain of the east side of Lynn Canal, pictured here in February of 2014. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file pohoto)
The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Feb. 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Reinstatement of fired USDA employees ordered; local glacier center worker says no word yet from employer

Federal review board orders 45-day stay affecting nearly 6,000 workers while legal challenge is heard.

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Feb. 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 4, 1985. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 4, 1985. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka) explains changes to House Bill 69 during a House Rules Committee meeting on Wednesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

House education bill sent to floor with smaller $1,000 BSA hike, new policy changes

HB 69 also now includes additional charter school support, open enrollment within districts.

State Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka) explains changes to House Bill 69 during a House Rules Committee meeting on Wednesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)