Wire Service

  • 11957 Stories
  • Page 1 of 598
A commercial bowpicker is seen headed out of the Cordova harbor for a salmon fishing opener in June 2024 (Photo by Corinne Smith)

Planned fiber-optic cable will add backup for Alaska’s phone and high-speed internet network

The project is expected to bring more reliable connection to some isolated coastal communities.

 

Members of the Alaska Air and Army National Guard, Alaska Naval Militia, and Alaska State Defense Force work together to load plywood onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, in Bethel, Alaska, Nov. 2, 2025, bound for the villages of Napaskiak, Tuntutuliak, and Napakiak. The materials will help residents rebuild homes and restore community spaces damaged by past storms. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Ericka Gillespie)

Gov. Dunleavy approves Alaska National Guard assisting ICE in Anchorage

The National Guard said five service members will assist with administrative support; lawmakers and civil rights advocates worry that the move signals a ramping up of immigration enforcement operations in Alaska

 

Google Maps screenshot The star shows the approximate location of the proposed Cascade Point Ferry terminal by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities in partnership with Goldbelt, Inc.

Opinion: An open letter to Cascade Point ferry terminal proponents

To: Governor Dunleavy, DOT Directors, and Cascade Point ferry terminal project consultants, Building a ferry terminal at Cascade Point would represent government at its most… Continue reading

 

Browsers crowd into Annie Kaill’s gallery and gift shop during the 2024 Gallery Walk. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Gallery Walk guide for Friday, Dec. 5

The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council announced community events taking place during Gallery Walk on First Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 in Juneau. With over 50… Continue reading

Browsers crowd into Annie Kaill’s gallery and gift shop during the 2024 Gallery Walk. (Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Supreme Court decision treats Alaskans with mental illness worse than criminals

A criminal in Alaska who’s in custody must be presented with charges in court within 48 hours or be freed. It’s a constitutional due process… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate Republicans confirm Rauscher, Tilton and open two vacancies in state House

The Alaska Republican Party is moving quickly after Republicans in the Alaska Senate confirmed Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s picks for two vacancies in the Senate on… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Downtown Skagway, with snow dusting its streets, is seen in this undated photo. (Photo by C. Anderson/National Park Service)

Skagway’s lone paramedic is suing the city, alleging retaliation by fire department officials

This article was reported and published in collaboration between the Chilkat Valley News and the Alaska Beacon. Skagway’s former paramedic is alleging wrongdoing by the… Continue reading

Downtown Skagway, with snow dusting its streets, is seen in this undated photo. (Photo by C. Anderson/National Park Service)

Controversial political website Alaska Landmine faces defamation suit from Alaska state official

By James Brooks Alaska Beacon The chair of Alaska’s human rights commission has sued a political writer for defamation over his description of her work… Continue reading

Winter dining has always carried more weight than the menu might suggest. In the off-season, eating out isn’t just about comfort food or convenience; it’s a way of supporting local businesses as they hold steady through the slower months. Photo credit: Canva.
Impress Branded Content

Savoring local in Juneau: How a simple meal helps the whole community

Independent cafés and neighborhood restaurants keep Juneau strong through the slow season

Winter dining has always carried more weight than the menu might suggest. In the off-season, eating out isn’t just about comfort food or convenience; it’s a way of supporting local businesses as they hold steady through the slower months. Photo credit: Canva.
Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. The Kvichak watershed would be damaged by the Pebble mine project, the Environmental Protection Agency has determined. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency)

Pebble Mine, halted by EPA order, gets support from national development groups

In 2023, the EPA invoked a rarely used “veto” clause of the Clean Water Act to say that there was no way that the proposed Pebble Mine could be developed without significant harm to the environment.

Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. The Kvichak watershed would be damaged by the Pebble mine project, the Environmental Protection Agency has determined. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency)
Win Gruening (courtesy)

Gratitude for our libraries, museums and historians

The thanksgiving weekend is a chance to recognize those who preserve local history

Win Gruening (courtesy)
Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, talks to fellow lawmakers about rules for debate on House Bill 183 on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy appoints Rauscher and Tilton to Alaska Senate, opening two House vacancies

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has appointed state Reps. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, and Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, to two vacancies in the Alaska Senate. Each nomination will become… Continue reading

Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, talks to fellow lawmakers about rules for debate on House Bill 183 on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Google Maps screenshot The star shows the approximate location of the proposed Cascade Point Ferry terminal by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities in partnership with Goldbelt, Inc.

My Turn: Cascade Point terminal would not be efficient

I have enjoyed traveling on the Alaska State Ferries over the years and hope we can continue them in an efficient and reliable manner. The… Continue reading

Google Maps screenshot The star shows the approximate location of the proposed Cascade Point Ferry terminal by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities in partnership with Goldbelt, Inc.
Typewriter

Letter: State solicitor general position: Wasteful, frivolous, outrageous

On Oct. 27, the newly installed Attorney General spawned an astonishing sweetheart scheme: importing an Indiana lawyer, with no Alaska ties or experience, presently working… Continue reading

Typewriter
photo by Peter W. Stevenson / The Washington Post President Donald Trump on Oct. 24.

Opinion: ‘Hang them,’ Trump said

A president’s threat against Congress and the duty of Alaska’s delegation.

photo by Peter W. Stevenson / The Washington Post President Donald Trump on Oct. 24.
Ned Rozell/Submitted A map showing some of Alaska’s more unique place names.

Alaska Science Forum: What’s in an Alaska name?

I once asked a snowmachiner heading out on a trail from Nome where he was going. “Boston,” he said before speeding off. Not knowing of… Continue reading

Ned Rozell/Submitted A map showing some of Alaska’s more unique place names.
The Juneau offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy makes new pick for Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board of directors

By James Brooks Alaska Beacon Craig Richards, a longtime member of the board in charge of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, has been replaced. On… Continue reading

The Juneau offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Salmon returning from the ocean attempt to jump Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve’s Brooks River on July 12, 2018. Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest this year was nearly twice as big as last year’s small harvest. (Photo by Russ Taylor/National Park Service)

Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest rebounds after ultra-low harvest last year

The catch was more plentiful but money remains modest for Alaska fishers

Salmon returning from the ocean attempt to jump Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve’s Brooks River on July 12, 2018. Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest this year was nearly twice as big as last year’s small harvest. (Photo by Russ Taylor/National Park Service)
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis uses dynamic positioning to maintain its position near the Johns Hopkins Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashly Murphy)

As the Arctic heats up, the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaker fleet is preparing for boom times

The Trump administration and Congress, seeking to improve security, have approved funding for eight icebreakers and are planning even more

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis uses dynamic positioning to maintain its position near the Johns Hopkins Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashly Murphy)
Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo Reverend Gordon Blue from the Church of the Holy Trinity gives an invocation at the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Living and Growing: Psalm 30, Ouroboros, the dragon of fear and love.

Psalm 30:6 Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning. Holy Trinity Church is downtown. In a downtown parish, it doesn’t take… Continue reading

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo Reverend Gordon Blue from the Church of the Holy Trinity gives an invocation at the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial on Saturday, May 3, 2025.