Mark Sabbatini

Denali as seen in a picture distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 when the nation’s tallest mountain was renamed from Mount McKinley. (National Park Service photo)

Reports: Trump will rename Denali back to Mt. McKinley as part of flurry of executive orders on day one

Other orders expected to focus on immigration crackdowns, dismantle diversity initiatives.

Denali as seen in a picture distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 when the nation’s tallest mountain was renamed from Mount McKinley. (National Park Service photo)
A “pro-life” flag has been flying along with the U.S. flag and Alaska state flag outside the Governor’s Residence since last January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

New prefile bills includes ban on ‘political’ flags by ally of Dunleavy, who has ′pro-life’ flag at mansion

Among 20 other bills are expanding transgender sports ban, increasing scrutiny of use-of-force by police.

A “pro-life” flag has been flying along with the U.S. flag and Alaska state flag outside the Governor’s Residence since last January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A dusting of snow covers the Ptarmigan chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area in December. The lift to the top of the mountain remains closed as of Friday due to a lack of snow. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest board finalizes its case for future stability ahead of meeting with Assembly

Gondola and year-round operations cited in letter as fix for problems in former GM’s report.

A dusting of snow covers the Ptarmigan chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area in December. The lift to the top of the mountain remains closed as of Friday due to a lack of snow. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Juneau Dance Theatre members perform in the 2024 Winter Showcase. Two performances of this year’s show are scheduled Saturday at the Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.At Kalé auditorium. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)

Setting the stage for warmer times at Juneau Dance Theatre’s Winter Showcase

Saturday shows feature more than 50 performers, many headed to competition in Texas next weekend.

Juneau Dance Theatre members perform in the 2024 Winter Showcase. Two performances of this year’s show are scheduled Saturday at the Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.At Kalé auditorium. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)
The pavilion at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, seen Wednesday, is the proposed site for a new set of up to five totem poles carved by local tribal artists. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Proposed totem poles at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center get icy reception from some tribal residents

Concerns raised about accurate representation of area’s Native peoples, project’s sudden announcement

The pavilion at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, seen Wednesday, is the proposed site for a new set of up to five totem poles carved by local tribal artists. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May of 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Rules for short-term housing such as Airbnbs getting another long look from new CBJ task force

11-member group seeks to present Juneau Assembly with recommendations by March 31.

Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May of 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 16, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 16, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A map shows where five proposed totem poles would be placed at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (U.S. Forest Service)

Five new totem poles proposed at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as part of stewardship agreement

Open house Wednesday to discuss project intended to “represent several Tlingit and Haida clans.”

A map shows where five proposed totem poles would be placed at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (U.S. Forest Service)
Kristin Garot asks a question to members of Juneau’s legislative delegation at a town hall in the Dzantik’i Heeni school commons on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Expect tighter budget, but more say in how the money is spent, local legislators say

Juneau lawmakers cite familiar issues of education, pensions as priorities at pre-session town hall

Kristin Garot asks a question to members of Juneau’s legislative delegation at a town hall in the Dzantik’i Heeni school commons on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sara Hannan (left) and Rep. Andi Story, both Juneau Democrats, talk during a break in floor debate Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bans on cellphones for students, abortion, styrofoam food containers among Legislature’s first prefiled bills

Two members of Juneau’s delegation reintroduce bills for students, public employees, crime victims.

Rep. Sara Hannan (left) and Rep. Andi Story, both Juneau Democrats, talk during a break in floor debate Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A combined crew from the Yakutat City and Borough and Tongass National Forest began pilot treatment of willows to improve moose browsing habitat in August of 2023. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

Tongass Forest Plan Revision draft released, starting clock on 45-day comment period

Plan seeks to balance range of tribal, environmental, industrial and climate goals.

A combined crew from the Yakutat City and Borough and Tongass National Forest began pilot treatment of willows to improve moose browsing habitat in August of 2023. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
Kids take part in ski lessons this week at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest’s new GM: “Something drastic needs to happen or that team is going to crumble from the inside”

Employees’ struggles acknowledged as leaders responding to critical report say future holds promise.

Kids take part in ski lessons this week at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Snotty Nose Rez Kids rappers Yung Trybez and Young D sing to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Áak’w Rock canceled due to lack of staff, organizers say Indigenous music festival will return in 2027

Event with virtual debut in 2021 and first in-person fest in 2023 alternates years with Celebration.

Snotty Nose Rez Kids rappers Yung Trybez and Young D sing to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 10, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 10, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A firefighter tries to contain a flareup in a house fire on Aspen Avenue on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

One person killed, one hospitalized in early-morning house fire in Mendenhall Valley

Home considered a total loss, family left without possessions as fire ignites while they’re sleeping.

A firefighter tries to contain a flareup in a house fire on Aspen Avenue on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A firefighter carries a hose toward a Mendenhall Valley house still experiencing flareups hours after a fire started early Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

JPD: Fire that destroyed home deliberately set by man who died from cause ‘not related to the fire’

Relative suffered life-threatening burns reentering house trying to find man, according to police.

A firefighter carries a hose toward a Mendenhall Valley house still experiencing flareups hours after a fire started early Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by a record flood to a delegation of local and congressional leaders on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Flood protection at top of Juneau Assembly’s legislative project funding list

Second Douglas crossing, wastewater plant rank next; some members concerned civic center is low on list.

Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by a record flood to a delegation of local and congressional leaders on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Mendenhall Wastewater Facility is among the many locations in Juneau that local leaders say are in need of overdue major maintenance and upgrades. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Assembly may ask voters to OK $20M utility bond and $10M school bond, cruise visitors to pay $7 more in fees

City leaders also looking at hikes to property taxes and utility rates to cope with snowballing costs.

The Mendenhall Wastewater Facility is among the many locations in Juneau that local leaders say are in need of overdue major maintenance and upgrades. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Hundreds of residents and cruise ship passengers visit the Juneau Maritime Festival at Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau’s younger population dropping fast, older residents increasing rapidly, latest state count shows

8.3% drop in residents under 35 between 2020 and 2024, 21% increase in residents 65 and older.

Hundreds of residents and cruise ship passengers visit the Juneau Maritime Festival at Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Suspicious package in mail leads to drug bust at downtown hotel

$42,700 of suspected illegal drugs and more than $2,000 in cash seized, JPD reports.

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)