Mark Sabbatini

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(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Entering the political arena

MAGA rally faithful—and Trump —come to Alaska.

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Former NFL defensive tackle leads an exercise inside the Dimond Park Field House. The former pro has been helping local athletes refine their skills while in town. (Courtesy Photo)

Top of the line: Former NFL DT helps youths work on their game

He’s conducting a camp for middle and elementary school students from Monday to Thursday.

Former NFL defensive tackle leads an exercise inside the Dimond Park Field House. The former pro has been helping local athletes refine their skills while in town. (Courtesy Photo)
A couple of visitors watch preparations Friday afternoon for the Save America Rally scheduled Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Quiet before the red storm

Arena for Donald Trump rally mostly tranquil, but buzz building 24 hours before speakers take stage

A couple of visitors watch preparations Friday afternoon for the Save America Rally scheduled Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a sample ballot for the Aug. 16 special general election to determine who will fill the months remaining on Don Young's term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Alaska's longtime representative died in March. The three candidates vying to fill Young's term are also among those running for a full two-year term and will appear on primary ballot the same day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy, Begich, Murkowski remain favorites in new poll

Ranked-choice voting could shake up U.S. House race, as Peltola has slim edge against Palin

This photo shows a sample ballot for the Aug. 16 special general election to determine who will fill the months remaining on Don Young's term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Alaska's longtime representative died in March. The three candidates vying to fill Young's term are also among those running for a full two-year term and will appear on primary ballot the same day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
In this Nov. 7, 2020, photo Jaimie Sekona holds a Trump flag on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol. The former president is scheduled to speak Saturday afternoon at a rally in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Still time to trip out for Trump

Plenty of flights and rooms available for weekend rally in Anchorage — but much local interest?

In this Nov. 7, 2020, photo Jaimie Sekona holds a Trump flag on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol. The former president is scheduled to speak Saturday afternoon at a rally in Anchorage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy of Protect Juneau Homeowners’ Privacy An Uncle Sam dinosaur adorns part of a float in Juneau’s July 4 by the group Protect Juneau Homeowner’s Privacy, which has successfully put a referendum on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot to eliminate a requirement that property buyers publicly disclose purchase prices.

Petition to repeal city ordinance OK’d; Assembly has until Aug. 1 to repeal rule to nix election vote

“We needed 107. We turned in about 550.”

Courtesy of Protect Juneau Homeowners’ Privacy An Uncle Sam dinosaur adorns part of a float in Juneau’s July 4 by the group Protect Juneau Homeowner’s Privacy, which has successfully put a referendum on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot to eliminate a requirement that property buyers publicly disclose purchase prices.
Rachel Hurst hands her son Benjamin, 4, a beach ball to throw to the crowd from the Hawaiian-themed Juneau Urgent Care float during the July 4 parade in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau, the state of the union is festive

Melting pot of states, cultures and colors join in healthy unity for July 4 parade in unique times.

Rachel Hurst hands her son Benjamin, 4, a beach ball to throw to the crowd from the Hawaiian-themed Juneau Urgent Care float during the July 4 parade in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Iryna Hrynchenko and her 18 year old son, Ivan Hrynchenko, 18, Joyanne Bloom and Bridget Smith toast to the Ukrainians’ arrival Saturday at Juneau Airport. Bloom and Smith are part of a five-person group of residents who raised funds to bring the Hrynchenkos to Juneau, and is helping them with housing, education and job opportunities, and in other ways. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Spirit of America: Mother and son arrive as Juneau’s first Ukrainian refugees after four-month journey

“It’s just so beautiful.”

Iryna Hrynchenko and her 18 year old son, Ivan Hrynchenko, 18, Joyanne Bloom and Bridget Smith toast to the Ukrainians’ arrival Saturday at Juneau Airport. Bloom and Smith are part of a five-person group of residents who raised funds to bring the Hrynchenkos to Juneau, and is helping them with housing, education and job opportunities, and in other ways. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kim Kovol will be the acting commissioner for the new Alaska Department of Family and Community Services which debuts Friday. (Courtesy Photo)

New state department gets new commissioner

Kim Kovol, a longtime social services worker, will head the Dept. of Family and Community Services

Kim Kovol will be the acting commissioner for the new Alaska Department of Family and Community Services which debuts Friday. (Courtesy Photo)
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Board takes steps toward probe of ‘milk’ incident

There is debate about whether local or national experts are preferred for investigation.

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Rachel Hightower and Ben Burns present a board showing homes, other buildings and activities near a proposed marijuana dispensary in Douglas, during a Juneau Planning Commission meeting Tuesday. The couple argued the dispensary, which was unanimously approved by the commission, is inappropriate for a neighborhood where there are families with small children and a school. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

First marijuana dispensary in Douglas clears early hurdle

Proposed shop approved by Planning Commission despite opposition from neighbors

Rachel Hightower and Ben Burns present a board showing homes, other buildings and activities near a proposed marijuana dispensary in Douglas, during a Juneau Planning Commission meeting Tuesday. The couple argued the dispensary, which was unanimously approved by the commission, is inappropriate for a neighborhood where there are families with small children and a school. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Glory Hall’s housing hopes survive

Plan turning downtown homeless shelter into apartments gets 2nd reprieve from Planning Commission

This photo shows the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo / Arena Stage Molly Smith directs Brad Oscar and the cast of “Damn Yankees” in 2005 at Arena Stage.

Americana exceptionalism: Perseverance Theatre founder Molly Smith to retire from Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

Perseverance Theatre founder Molly Smith retiring at Arena Stage after 25 years in Washington, D.C.

Courtesy Photo / Arena Stage Molly Smith directs Brad Oscar and the cast of “Damn Yankees” in 2005 at Arena Stage.
City Clerk Beth McEwen directs a fan at City Attorney Robert Palmer, left, and Assembly member Greg Smith as they discuss revisions to a list of proposed projects that will be funded by an extension of a temporary 1% sales tax if voters approve it this fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Initial ‘shopping list’ for 1% sales tax extension drafted

Building maintenance, affordable housing and child care top proposals.

City Clerk Beth McEwen directs a fan at City Attorney Robert Palmer, left, and Assembly member Greg Smith as they discuss revisions to a list of proposed projects that will be funded by an extension of a temporary 1% sales tax if voters approve it this fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday signed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Gov. Dunleavy signs budget

PFD of about $3,200, $400 million in vetoes to Legislature-approved items among declared highlights

Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday signed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The question of whether to exempt unprepared foods from sales tax is likely to be posed to Juneau residents via poll instead of on municipal ballots after Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting. (Unsplash / nrd)

Food tax exemption to get a survey instead of a vote

Advisory vote during fall election nixed by Assembly members, who say poll will provide better data

The question of whether to exempt unprepared foods from sales tax is likely to be posed to Juneau residents via poll instead of on municipal ballots after Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting. (Unsplash / nrd)
The Alaska Department of Health And Social Services building in Juneau has no visible signs indicating the department is splitting into two agencies as of Friday. Top officials at the department said many of the changes, both physical and in services, are likely weeks and in some cases months away. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Little sign of big change for DHSS

No commissioner at new department, other Dept. of Health and Social Services changes may take months

The Alaska Department of Health And Social Services building in Juneau has no visible signs indicating the department is splitting into two agencies as of Friday. Top officials at the department said many of the changes, both physical and in services, are likely weeks and in some cases months away. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Peter Froehlich, a retired Juneau district judge who is now a volunteer tour guide, explains the history of the history of the Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building to a group of visitors Thursday. The organ has been idle since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now needs repairs before regular Friday lunchtime concerts and other performances on the 94-year-old instrument can resume.

Historic organ is in need of tuneup

How much it will cost and who will do it remain up in the air.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Peter Froehlich, a retired Juneau district judge who is now a volunteer tour guide, explains the history of the history of the Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building to a group of visitors Thursday. The organ has been idle since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now needs repairs before regular Friday lunchtime concerts and other performances on the 94-year-old instrument can resume.
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. On Wednesday the Juneau Police Department shared the findings of its investigation into an incident in which a dozen children drank floor sealant when it was served instead of milk during a summer program breakfast at the school. There was nothing to obviously suggest criminal charges are appropriate, but the findings have been sent to the district attorney for review, according to JPD. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police: No obvious basis for charges in ‘milk’ incident

Investigation of floor sealant being served at summer youth program being reviewed by prosecutors

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. On Wednesday the Juneau Police Department shared the findings of its investigation into an incident in which a dozen children drank floor sealant when it was served instead of milk during a summer program breakfast at the school. There was nothing to obviously suggest criminal charges are appropriate, but the findings have been sent to the district attorney for review, according to JPD. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
An array of “I voted” stickers awaits voters Juneau’s municipal election in October 2020. Residents interested in running for Assembly and Juneau Board of Education seats in this year’s election can start getting schooled with a “toolkit” and workshop scheduled this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

School’s in for aspiring candidates

Assembly and school board members offer wise words as toolkit and workshop for local races arrive

An array of “I voted” stickers awaits voters Juneau’s municipal election in October 2020. Residents interested in running for Assembly and Juneau Board of Education seats in this year’s election can start getting schooled with a “toolkit” and workshop scheduled this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)