Wire Service

The author’s wife grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts where she had more classmates go to Harvard than the author had classmates total. But that doesn’t mean her upbringing was better. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Different, not better or worse

A seven-foot minuteman stands on a rock base where Massachusetts Avenue splits at the end of Lexington’s main drag. He was unveiled in 1900 to… Continue reading

The author’s wife grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts where she had more classmates go to Harvard than the author had classmates total. But that doesn’t mean her upbringing was better. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Reindeer Rangers player Maddie Dale and Tinsel Toes player El Lasinski play a ball during the Holiday Cup middle school semifinals Monday at Dimond Park Field House. Finals for all divisions are on Tuesday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Holiday Cup finals on Tuesday

The 32nd annual Holiday Cup soccer tournament will feature their six divisional championship matches Tuesday at the Dimond Park Field House. The annual gathering of… Continue reading

Reindeer Rangers player Maddie Dale and Tinsel Toes player El Lasinski play a ball during the Holiday Cup middle school semifinals Monday at Dimond Park Field House. Finals for all divisions are on Tuesday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Horned grebes in winter plumage float on the tide. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Sea lions, horned grebes, and brown creepers

I often walk out to Pt. Louisa for the great vistas and a good chance of seeing some wildlife. Sometimes, of course, there are no… Continue reading

Horned grebes in winter plumage float on the tide. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
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Mitolyn Capsules: Safe, Effective, and Designed for Energy and Fat Loss?

In the quest for effective weight loss aids, many individuals find themselves overwhelmed with choices, each promising miraculous results. Among these, Mitolyn stands out, capturing… Continue reading

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(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, Dec. 27, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Former President Jimmy Carter and wife Roselynn Carter talk with Debbie Miller during a 1990 camping trip in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Miller, an Alaska teacher and author, helped found the Alaska Wilderness League. The organization this week gave a special lifetime award to the former president for his advocacy on behalf of Alaska public lands, including the Arctic refuge. (Photo provided by the Alaska Wilderness League)

Former President Jimmy Carter, honored for ANILCA and other Alaska environmental work, dies at 100

39th U.S. president died Sunday at his home in Plains, Ga.

Former President Jimmy Carter and wife Roselynn Carter talk with Debbie Miller during a 1990 camping trip in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Miller, an Alaska teacher and author, helped found the Alaska Wilderness League. The organization this week gave a special lifetime award to the former president for his advocacy on behalf of Alaska public lands, including the Arctic refuge. (Photo provided by the Alaska Wilderness League)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Aurora forecast through the week of Dec. 29

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute and available online, along with more data, at www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast. The listings below will… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
An American bald eagle perched in a tree on Buttons Creek, which is part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, June 14, 2022. The bald eagle became the national bird of the United States on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Once an endangered species in the U.S., the bald eagle represents “independence, strength, and freedom,” according to the bipartisan bill signed by President Biden. (Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)

The bald eagle is (finally) the national bird of the United States

The bald eagle received a title this week that many may have assumed it already had: the national bird of the United States. For centuries,… Continue reading

An American bald eagle perched in a tree on Buttons Creek, which is part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, June 14, 2022. The bald eagle became the national bird of the United States on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Once an endangered species in the U.S., the bald eagle represents “independence, strength, and freedom,” according to the bipartisan bill signed by President Biden. (Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)
Firearms and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl seized by law enforcement agents in Alaska are shown in this undated photo. The volume of drugs seized this year at Anchorage's airport was nearly twice that seized last year. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Troopers)

Alaska agencies seized 317 pounds of drugs at Anchorage airport this year, nearly doubling 2023

State’s fatal overdose numbers continued to climb, a contrast with decreases nationally.

Firearms and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl seized by law enforcement agents in Alaska are shown in this undated photo. The volume of drugs seized this year at Anchorage's airport was nearly twice that seized last year. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Troopers)
Voters at Anchorage City Hall wait in line to cast their ballots on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. City Hall, in downtown Anchorage, was one of the designated early voting sites in the state’s largest city. The director of the Alaska Division of Election answered some pointed questions at a legislative hearing last week. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska legislators, citing some citizen complaints, probe management of 2024 election

State elections director defends process as secure, trustworthy and fair, despite some glitches.

Voters at Anchorage City Hall wait in line to cast their ballots on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. City Hall, in downtown Anchorage, was one of the designated early voting sites in the state’s largest city. The director of the Alaska Division of Election answered some pointed questions at a legislative hearing last week. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Monday, Dec. 23, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Solomon Dunlap cleans and makes up beds in the day surgery department as part of his internship at Bartlett Regional Hospital on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Scores of Alaskans face another eye-watering spike in their health care costs next year

Late last year, when I went to sign up for my 2024 health insurance on the federal Obamacare marketplace, the options all seemed expensive —… Continue reading

Solomon Dunlap cleans and makes up beds in the day surgery department as part of his internship at Bartlett Regional Hospital on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Members of the Juneau Ski Team offer cookies and other treats to people in the Senate Mall during this year’s Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 6. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Gimme A Smile: Gifts through the ages

Why is it that once the gift-giving holidays are over and the New Year’s resolutions list comes out, the first thing on the list is… Continue reading

Members of the Juneau Ski Team offer cookies and other treats to people in the Senate Mall during this year’s Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 6. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Fred LaPlante is the pastor at Juneau Church of the Nazarene. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: Reflections from Advent

Do you feel pulled in so many directions this Christmas season? I know I sure have. It is hard to accomplish so many events and… Continue reading

Fred LaPlante is the pastor at Juneau Church of the Nazarene. (Courtesy photo)