Mark Sabbatini

The JACK Quartet, a modern experimental string ensemble, is scheduled to perform the world premier of a composition by John Luther Adams on May 14 at the National Shrine of St. Thérèse as part of Juneau Jazz and Classics’ 38th annual Spring Festival. (Photo courtesy of the JACK Quartet)

Pulitzer and Grammy winners put spring into Juneau Jazz and Classics starting Saturday

Husband-wife folk team arrives straight from Carnegie; experimental quartet to perform world premiere.

The JACK Quartet, a modern experimental string ensemble, is scheduled to perform the world premier of a composition by John Luther Adams on May 14 at the National Shrine of St. Thérèse as part of Juneau Jazz and Classics’ 38th annual Spring Festival. (Photo courtesy of the JACK Quartet)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 1, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 1, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)

Election to incorporate new Xunaa Borough, and select its Assembly and school board, set for July 15

Approval would form Alaska’s 20th borough; result in dissolution of Hoonah’s municipal government.

The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)
Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Deputy Mayor Greg Smith discuss the city’s proposed budget for next year during a pair of meetings by Assembly members Wednesday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly moves forward on mill rate and utility fee hikes, $10M school projects bond

Juneau leaders opt against utility projects bond, put seasonal sales tax on hold for further study.

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Deputy Mayor Greg Smith discuss the city’s proposed budget for next year during a pair of meetings by Assembly members Wednesday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Tribal elder lder Ilskyaalas Delores Churchill picks up black cod during a traditional foods distribution by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in Hydaburg earlier this year. (CCTHITA photo)

Tlingit and Haida halts traditional foods distribution due to cancellation of federal funding

Providing of salmon, other foods to communities among multiple tribal cuts by Trump administration.

Tribal elder lder Ilskyaalas Delores Churchill picks up black cod during a traditional foods distribution by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in Hydaburg earlier this year. (CCTHITA photo)
Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower (R-Wasilla), right, explains why he is changing his vote on a compromise education bill during Wednesday’s floor session at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Compromise education bill passes Legislature by veto-proof margin despite Dunleavy administration threats

Education commissioner tells school districts to support governor’s policy goals or risk losing funds.

Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower (R-Wasilla), right, explains why he is changing his vote on a compromise education bill during Wednesday’s floor session at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A dropoff box for ballots at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library during Juneau’s 2024 municipal election. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Petitions for mill rate cap, sales tax exemptions and in-person elections certified for signatures

Supporters have until May 30 to get 2,720 signatures to put measures on local fall ballot.

A dropoff box for ballots at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library during Juneau’s 2024 municipal election. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Geoff Kirsch and students from Sayéik Gastineau Community School sing during a rally for early education funding at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Spend more for programs or PFDs? Legislators say reality may mean less money for both.

As protesters plea for reverse to program cuts, Senate budget leader says PFD may shrink to $1,000.

Geoff Kirsch and students from Sayéik Gastineau Community School sing during a rally for early education funding at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage) reviews an amendment on an education bill with other senators during a break in floor debate Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Effort to rush compromise education bill through Legislature hits snag due to ‘drafting error’

Bill returned to Senate, which passed it 19-1, to fix error in amendment; House vote expected by Wednesday

State Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage) reviews an amendment on an education bill with other senators during a break in floor debate Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Assembly members and other city leaders get an overview of the proposed municipal budget for the coming fiscal year during meeting at City Hall on April 5, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

How city leaders collect and spend money from residents, visitors getting big night of scrutiny

CBJ and school budgets, mill rate and utility fee hikes, seasonal sales tax part of Wednesday’s agenda.

Juneau Assembly members and other city leaders get an overview of the proposed municipal budget for the coming fiscal year during meeting at City Hall on April 5, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A courtroom at the Juneau Courthouse. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau man in prison on federal weapons charges gets 13 years on additional state charges

Clyde Pasterski, 44, was convicted by a jury last November for drug and assault offenses.

A courtroom at the Juneau Courthouse. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Protesters rally against the Trump administration’s deportation polices in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 5, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

‘Just give us a chance’: One Juneau refugee family puts faith in God, another flees as departure orders arrive

Both families arrived legally; validity of demands by Trump administration to depart being challenged

Protesters rally against the Trump administration’s deportation polices in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 5, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Liz Harpold, a staff member for Sen. Donny Olson (D-Golovin)​, explains changes to a bill increasing per-student education funding and making various policy changes during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Revised education bill with $700 BSA hike gets new policy measures, advances to Senate floor

Changes easing charter school rules, adding new district evaluations fall short of governor’s agenda.

Liz Harpold, a staff member for Sen. Donny Olson (D-Golovin)​, explains changes to a bill increasing per-student education funding and making various policy changes during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mike Verdoorn, Patrick Bracken and Richard Ward of The Segal Group Inc. provide an overview of their study of Alaska state employee salaries to the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Shortcomings revealed in state employee salary study won’t be addressed until at least next year

Legislators and state administrators dispute who is underpaid and by how much, but agree fix is complex.

Mike Verdoorn, Patrick Bracken and Richard Ward of The Segal Group Inc. provide an overview of their study of Alaska state employee salaries to the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An Alaska Airlines plane passes above participants in the annual Turkey Trot run/walk next to Juneau International Airport on Thanksgiving Day of 2022. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Alaska Airlines issues warning amidst travel industry downturn due to Trump-fueled uncertainty

Company reports $166M loss during first quarter of year, won’t release an outlook for 2025.

An Alaska Airlines plane passes above participants in the annual Turkey Trot run/walk next to Juneau International Airport on Thanksgiving Day of 2022. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
A vote board shows a veto override attempt Tuesday by the Alaska Legislature on a $1,000 increase to per-student education funding falling short of the necessary two-thirds majority with a 33-27 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Senate adds $700 BSA hike to school phone policy bill a day after veto override on $1,000 increase fails

Lawmakers say quick floor vote by Senate, concurrence by House may set up another override session.

A vote board shows a veto override attempt Tuesday by the Alaska Legislature on a $1,000 increase to per-student education funding falling short of the necessary two-thirds majority with a 33-27 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), co-chair of the House Education Committee, speaks in favor of overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of an education funding bill during a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Legislature fails to override Dunleavy’s veto of $1,000 increase in per-student education spending

Lawmakers supporting veto note state’s financial shortfall, suggest smaller BSA increase or new revenue.

Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), co-chair of the House Education Committee, speaks in favor of overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of an education funding bill during a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Bliss cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Ballot petition to restrict daily and annual cruise passengers in Juneau certified for signatures

Opponent of measure argues it violates due process, free travel and other constitutional rights.

The Norwegian Bliss cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Lee Hart puts her jacket back on while talking with security officer Rayme Vinson after going through the new security screening process at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

TSA-style security screenings now required for visitors at Alaska State Capitol

Lawmakers, family, staff and other with keycards can bypass scans that began Monday.

Lee Hart puts her jacket back on while talking with security officer Rayme Vinson after going through the new security screening process at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Will Muldoon’s official campaign profile photo as a Juneau Board of Education candidate in the 2024 municipal election. Muldoon resigned from the board on Monday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Former write-in candidate Will Muldoon resigns from Juneau Board of Education

Muldoon, first write-in to win local election in 29 years in 2021, won easily reelection last fall.

Will Muldoon’s official campaign profile photo as a Juneau Board of Education candidate in the 2024 municipal election. Muldoon resigned from the board on Monday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)