Wire Service

Fred LaPlante serves the Juneau community as the pastor of the Juneau Church of the Nazarene. He is passionate about encouraging others to see life more clearly through faith in God’s Word.

Living and Growing: Love listens first

‘Loving people well requires more than speaking clearly; it requires listening carefully.’

 

Northern sea ice, such as this surrounding the community of Kivalina, has declined dramatically in area and thickness over the last few decades. Photo courtesy Ned Rozell

20 years of Arctic report cards

Twenty years have passed since scientists released the first version of the Arctic Report Card, now a staple at the Fall Meeting of the American… Continue reading

 

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears won fourth place during the Division II Hockey State championships in Palmer last weekend. Photo courtesy of Rapi Sotoa
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears won fourth place during the Division II Hockey State championships in Palmer last weekend. Photo courtesy of Rapi Sotoa
Dr. Karissa Niehoff

OPINION: Protecting the purpose

Why funding schools must include student activities.

Dr. Karissa Niehoff
Seven storytellers will each share seven minute-long stories, at the Kunéix Hidi Northern Light United Church at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, benefitting the Southeast Alaska Food Bank. (Photo by Bogomil Mihaylov on Unsplash)

Mudrooms returns to Juneau’s Kunéix Hidi Northern Light United Church

Seven storytellers will present at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10.

Seven storytellers will each share seven minute-long stories, at the Kunéix Hidi Northern Light United Church at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, benefitting the Southeast Alaska Food Bank. (Photo by Bogomil Mihaylov on Unsplash)
A sign reading, "Help Save These Historic Homes" is posted in front of a residence on Telephone Hill on Friday Nov. 21, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

OPINION: The Telephone Hill cost is staggering

The Assembly approved $5.5 million to raze Telephone Hill as part of the “Telephone Hill Redevelopment Project.” The CBJ Project Summary and the City Manager’s… Continue reading

A sign reading, "Help Save These Historic Homes" is posted in front of a residence on Telephone Hill on Friday Nov. 21, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy gestures during his State of the State address on Jan. 22, 2026. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

OPINION: It’s time to end Alaska’s fiscal experiment

For decades, Alaska has operated under a fiscal and budgeting system unlike any other state, and some could argue any place in the world. It… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy gestures during his State of the State address on Jan. 22, 2026. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Jeff Lund/contributed
The author would rather fish for steelhead, but he’ll watch the Super Bowl.

I Went to the Woods: Super Bowl spectacle

At some point on Sunday, dopey characters, hopelessly addicted to Doritos, will let others down by crunching their way to everyone’s demise. A scantily clad… Continue reading

Jeff Lund/contributed
The author would rather fish for steelhead, but he’ll watch the Super Bowl.
Win Gruening (courtesy)

OPINION: Eaglecrest’s opportunity to achieve financial independence, if the city allows it

It’s a well-known saying that “timing is everything.” Certainly, this applies to the concerns surrounding Eaglecrest, Juneau’s municipally-owned ski area. Recent management changes, operational difficulties,… Continue reading

Win Gruening (courtesy)
Van Abbott is a long-time resident of Alaska and California. He has held financial management positions in government and private organizations, and is now a full-time opinion writer. He served in the late nineteen-sixties in the Peace Corps as a teacher. (Contributed)

When lying becomes the only qualification

How truth lost its place in the Trump administration.

Van Abbott is a long-time resident of Alaska and California. He has held financial management positions in government and private organizations, and is now a full-time opinion writer. He served in the late nineteen-sixties in the Peace Corps as a teacher. (Contributed)
Peggy McKee Barnhill (Courtesy photo)

Gimme a Smile: How much snow can one backyard hold?

Snow, snow, everywhere, and no place to put it!

Peggy McKee Barnhill (Courtesy photo)
A tsunami is not expected after a 4.4-magnitude earthquake northwest of Anchorage Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (U.S. Geological Survey)

No tsunami expected after 4.4-magnitude earthquake in Alaska

U.S. Geological Survey says 179 people reported feeling the earthquake.

A tsunami is not expected after a 4.4-magnitude earthquake northwest of Anchorage Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (U.S. Geological Survey)
Atticus Hempel stands in a row of his shared garden. (photo by Ari Romberg)

My Turn: What’s your burger worth?

Atticus Hempel reflects on gardening, fishing, hunting, and foraging for food for in Gustavus.

Atticus Hempel stands in a row of his shared garden. (photo by Ari Romberg)
At the Elvey Building, home of UAF’s Geophysical Institute, Carl Benson, far right, and Val Scullion of the GI business office attend a 2014 retirement party with Glenn Shaw. Photo by Ned Rozell

Alaska Science Forum: Carl Benson embodied the far North

Carl Benson’s last winter on Earth featured 32 consecutive days during which temperatures in his chosen town did not rise above zero degrees Fahrenheit. “It’s… Continue reading

At the Elvey Building, home of UAF’s Geophysical Institute, Carl Benson, far right, and Val Scullion of the GI business office attend a 2014 retirement party with Glenn Shaw. Photo by Ned Rozell
Actors in These Birds, a play inspired by death, flowers and Farkle, hold ‘flowers’ during a performance at the UAS Egan Library on Saturday, Jan. 31. (photo courtesy Claire Richardson)

Living and Growing: Why stories of living and dying in Juneau matter

What if we gave our town a safe space to talk about living and dying with family and friends?

Actors in These Birds, a play inspired by death, flowers and Farkle, hold ‘flowers’ during a performance at the UAS Egan Library on Saturday, Jan. 31. (photo courtesy Claire Richardson)
The Spruce Root team gathers for a retreat in Sitka. Spruce Root, is an Indigenous institution that provides all Southeast Alaskans with access to business development resources. (Photo by Lione Clare)

Woven Peoples and Places: Wealth lives in our communities

Sustainable Southeast Partnership reflects on a values-aligned approach to financial wellness.

The Spruce Root team gathers for a retreat in Sitka. Spruce Root, is an Indigenous institution that provides all Southeast Alaskans with access to business development resources. (Photo by Lione Clare)
Cars drive aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Hubbard on June 25, 2023, in Haines. (Photo by James Brooks)

Alaska’s ferry system could run out of funding this summer due to ‘federal chaos problem’

A shift in state funding could help, but a big gap likely remains unless a key federal grant is issued.

Cars drive aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Hubbard on June 25, 2023, in Haines. (Photo by James Brooks)
Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan stands with acting Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday during the after the commissioning ceremony for the Coast Guard icebreaker Storis on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska.

Coast Guard’s new Juneau base may not be complete until 2029, commandant says

Top Coast Guard officer says he is considering whether to base four new icebreakers in Alaska.

Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan stands with acting Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday during the after the commissioning ceremony for the Coast Guard icebreaker Storis on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska.
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Weekly events guide: Juneau community calendar for Feb. 2 – Feb. 8

Visit Juneau Arts and Humanities Council at JAHC.org for more details on this week’s happenings.

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