Mark Sabbatini

A now out-dated sign for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services remains at the entrance of a building in Juneau on June 22, nearly a year after the department was split into two. The building still houses many agencies providing services for the new Department of Health, while some have been relocated next door under the Department of Family and Community Services (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Signs remain uncertain a year after Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services splits in two

Agencies suffer hard year as food stamps, children’s services, other programs come under scrutiny.

A now out-dated sign for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services remains at the entrance of a building in Juneau on June 22, nearly a year after the department was split into two. The building still houses many agencies providing services for the new Department of Health, while some have been relocated next door under the Department of Family and Community Services (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Rae Mills, a mentor with the “Weaving Our Pride” project, hangs strands of wool yarn on a loom that will be used to create two Pride Robes at the Zach Gordon Youth Center on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Spinning the first threads of two Alaska Native Pride Robes

Mentors to spend year with students at Zach Gordon Youth Center creating the permanent wearable art

Rae Mills, a mentor with the “Weaving Our Pride” project, hangs strands of wool yarn on a loom that will be used to create two Pride Robes at the Zach Gordon Youth Center on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
One of the two 60-passenger cars on the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway descends Mount Roberts in late May. The tram has been closed nearly every day since last Sunday due to mechanical issues, but a company official said the tram is expected to reopen Saturday. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)

Tram expected to reopen Saturday after closing for several days for repairs

Mechanical issues force halt of cable cars; Mount Roberts race on Saturday cancelled.

One of the two 60-passenger cars on the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway descends Mount Roberts in late May. The tram has been closed nearly every day since last Sunday due to mechanical issues, but a company official said the tram is expected to reopen Saturday. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)
A complaint filed Wednesday with the Alaska Public Offices Commission alleges advocates of repealing the state’s open primary elections and ranked choice voting are violating numerous campaign disclosure laws. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Ranked choice repeal ‘church’ violating campaign laws, complaint alleges

Four organizations and two people leading repeal effort accused of “laundering donations”

A complaint filed Wednesday with the Alaska Public Offices Commission alleges advocates of repealing the state’s open primary elections and ranked choice voting are violating numerous campaign disclosure laws. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Cash isn’t going as far as it used to, but it’s losing value much less quickly so far this year, with an inflation rate of 3.1% in April, compared to an 8.1% rate for all of 2022, according to a state report released Wednesday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Statewide inflation down sharply so far this year, housing costs still rising

Alaska’s inflation at 3.1% in April after hitting 41-year high of 8.1% for 2022, state reports

Cash isn’t going as far as it used to, but it’s losing value much less quickly so far this year, with an inflation rate of 3.1% in April, compared to an 8.1% rate for all of 2022, according to a state report released Wednesday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Children pick up sand dollars on Sandy Beach on July 3. The end of this week is expected to be ideal beach weather with near-record temperatures forecast in Juneau and elsewhere in Southeast Alaska. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire File)

Heat wave expected Friday

Temperatures not expected to break Juneau’s all-time high of 90F set on July 7, 1975.

Children pick up sand dollars on Sandy Beach on July 3. The end of this week is expected to be ideal beach weather with near-record temperatures forecast in Juneau and elsewhere in Southeast Alaska. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire File)
The Ati-Atihan Juneau Group proceeds down Egan Drive during Juneau’s annual Fourth of July parade on Tuesday. The group won the top overall prize among parade participants. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

An Independence Day tribute to the seen and unseen

‘Voices of Alaska’ theme at this year’s Juneau parade an opportunity ‘for every voice to be heard’

The Ati-Atihan Juneau Group proceeds down Egan Drive during Juneau’s annual Fourth of July parade on Tuesday. The group won the top overall prize among parade participants. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Bridget Weiss discusses her 39-year career in public education on Thursday, her second-to-last day as superintendent of the Juneau School District, in a break room at Thunder Mountain High School.

Wise last lessons from Weiss

Former superintendent looks back at 39-year K-12 career, ahead to new job inspiring future teachers.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Bridget Weiss discusses her 39-year career in public education on Thursday, her second-to-last day as superintendent of the Juneau School District, in a break room at Thunder Mountain High School.
Nicole Adair, a 2001 graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaat.at Kalé, pitches for the Antiques as teammate Tania Hansen, a 1998 graduate, plays first base and Angi Thibodeau, a 1999 graduate, awaits an opportunity to advance as a member of the Classics during the fourth annual JDHS Softball Alumni Game on Sunday at Melvin Park. (Photo courtesy of JDHS softball)

Annual JDHS alumni softball game results in classy matchup

Closest-ever finish goes down to the wire as participation opened to public for first time.

Nicole Adair, a 2001 graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaat.at Kalé, pitches for the Antiques as teammate Tania Hansen, a 1998 graduate, plays first base and Angi Thibodeau, a 1999 graduate, awaits an opportunity to advance as a member of the Classics during the fourth annual JDHS Softball Alumni Game on Sunday at Melvin Park. (Photo courtesy of JDHS softball)
T.J. Hovest conducts the Juneau Volunteer Marching Band during an Independence Day weekend concert on Sunday at Sealaska Heritage Plaza. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Marching back to Juneau’s traditions for Independence Day

Concert by Juneau Volunteer Marching Band a prelude to their participation in July 4 parade.

T.J. Hovest conducts the Juneau Volunteer Marching Band during an Independence Day weekend concert on Sunday at Sealaska Heritage Plaza. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Image from the exhibition “For Our Children: Chilkat Regalia Woven in the Lineage of Jennie Thulnaut and Clarissa Rizal,” on display at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum this month. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday

Plenty of colorful displays and activities will still be available to Juneau residents after the last of the July 4 fireworks fade, with more than… Continue reading

Image from the exhibition “For Our Children: Chilkat Regalia Woven in the Lineage of Jennie Thulnaut and Clarissa Rizal,” on display at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum this month. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer is retiring at the end of July after a career of more than 30 years in Southeast Alaska law enforcement. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

JPD Chief Ed Mercer retiring

Lifetime Southeast Alaska resident departing July 31 after career of more than 30 years.

Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer is retiring at the end of July after a career of more than 30 years in Southeast Alaska law enforcement. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Photos by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Salissa Thole sings a pop song while a couple dances in the background during a “Neighborhood Cabaret” show at the Glory Hall on Thursday evening. The shows being performed at various location in Juneau are the first of three productions during this year’s Alaska Theater Festival.

Sound shelter from the storm

Cabaret show at the Glory Hall an appreciative exchange between musicians, staff and audience.

Photos by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Salissa Thole sings a pop song while a couple dances in the background during a “Neighborhood Cabaret” show at the Glory Hall on Thursday evening. The shows being performed at various location in Juneau are the first of three productions during this year’s Alaska Theater Festival.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File
Locals gathered for a whale of a time near “Tahku,” the whale sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel in 2022.

How to celebrate the many sights and sounds of July 4

“Voices of Alaska” theme for downtown parade reflects range of Juneau’s traditional holiday events

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File
Locals gathered for a whale of a time near “Tahku,” the whale sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel in 2022.
Bamby Kinville-James (left center) and Jeni Brown (right center) lead a song during a rally held at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on May 5 to recognize Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Justice Department boosts resources for missing and murdered Indigenous cases in Alaska

Four specialists, one possibly in Juneau, will work with tribes and state to focus on rural areas.

Bamby Kinville-James (left center) and Jeni Brown (right center) lead a song during a rally held at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on May 5 to recognize Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A lifeboat on the deck of the Columbia ferry in May. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)

Columbia ferry set to resume service Wednesday

Week of canceled sailings for repairs means longer vehicle wait lists, officials say.

A lifeboat on the deck of the Columbia ferry in May. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)
First Lady Rose Dunleavy (left) breaks a bottle across the bow of the Hubbard ferry during a christening ceremony Monday at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Juneau, as vessel relief captain Ethan Waldvogel watches. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hubbard christened as Alaska’s newest ferry

After years of delays, vessel now making day trips to Juneau, Haines and Skagway

First Lady Rose Dunleavy (left) breaks a bottle across the bow of the Hubbard ferry during a christening ceremony Monday at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Juneau, as vessel relief captain Ethan Waldvogel watches. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Dan Rondeau, 69, descends a trail during the Juneau Ridge Race on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A peak experience for over the hill runners

Ski poles, toboggans and space blankets just par for the course at annual Juneau Ridge Race.

Dan Rondeau, 69, descends a trail during the Juneau Ridge Race on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, talks to residents during a legislative town hall Thursday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Local legislators discuss this year’s achievements, next year’s goals at town hall

Residents raise questions about education funding veto, health and rehabilitation programs.

State Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, talks to residents during a legislative town hall Thursday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Man arrested after firing flare gun at police during foot chase downtown

JPD gets numerous calls after pursuit near Franklin Dock on Friday night

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)