Wire Service

Participants perform in the 2023 Juneau’s Got Talent competition. (Juneau Dance Theater photo)

Neighbors briefs

11 acts scheduled to perform Saturday in 7th annual Juneau’s Got Talent Eleven acts will show off their talent and compete for cash prizes at… Continue reading

Participants perform in the 2023 Juneau’s Got Talent competition. (Juneau Dance Theater photo)
Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 88 on Wednesday on the floor of the Alaska Senate. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate passes new pension program for state employees, but final approval is in question

The Alaska House of Representatives has shown little interest in considering pension bills

Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 88 on Wednesday on the floor of the Alaska Senate. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
(Photo courtesy of the Sealaska Heritage Institute)

Neighbors: SHI, stakeholders to develop first-ever Alaska Native language reading standards

Two virtual meetings scheduled next week to consult with Alaskans statewide.

(Photo courtesy of the Sealaska Heritage Institute)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Be a part of humankind, not human mean

When I was a teenager I met a man who greeted me with “It’s a good day for the race.” When I asked what race… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau School District administrators and board members listen to a remote presentation Jan. 9 by Lisa Pearce, hired as a budget expert in December, about how her analysis during the previous few weeks revealed a $9.5 million deficit facing the district this fiscal year. The amount has since been revised to $8 million. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Juneau School District financial challenges require deliberate, thoughtful response

As the extent of the financial difficulties facing the Juneau School District (JSD) unfolds, it’s clear that their situation did not develop overnight. For years,… Continue reading

Juneau School District administrators and board members listen to a remote presentation Jan. 9 by Lisa Pearce, hired as a budget expert in December, about how her analysis during the previous few weeks revealed a $9.5 million deficit facing the district this fiscal year. The amount has since been revised to $8 million. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Pass Your Test Review (Updated) What are PassYourTest.com Customers Saying?

Many companies and authorities require you to pass drug tests set up by them to secure admission. You may have to go through a urine… Continue reading

People carry signs at a Juneau rally in favor of an increase to the amount the government pays schools per student on Monday. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

As lawmakers consider student funding, Juneau families and educators rally for larger increase

It rained and blew Monday on the Capitol steps in Juneau, but dozens of education supporters turned out to rally for a permanent increase to… Continue reading

People carry signs at a Juneau rally in favor of an increase to the amount the government pays schools per student on Monday. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Isil Mico takes a photo of her sister-in-law Oznur Mico in front of Snowzilla, a snowman measuring more than 20 feet tall, in Anchorage, Alaska on Jan. 10, 2024. A recent storm dropped nearly 16 inches of snow on Anchorage, bringing the seasonal total to over 103 inches. It’s the earliest Alaska’s largest city has reached the 100-inch mark. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

‘Pandemic of snow’ in Anchorage sets a record for the earliest arrival of 100 inches of snow

Even by Alaska standards, there is a lot of snow this winter. So much snow has fallen — so far, more than 8.7 feet (2.65… Continue reading

Isil Mico takes a photo of her sister-in-law Oznur Mico in front of Snowzilla, a snowman measuring more than 20 feet tall, in Anchorage, Alaska on Jan. 10, 2024. A recent storm dropped nearly 16 inches of snow on Anchorage, bringing the seasonal total to over 103 inches. It’s the earliest Alaska’s largest city has reached the 100-inch mark. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
The Alaska State Office Building is seen on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

High job vacancies in Alaska state agencies can reduce services and lead to burnout

An average of about 14% of Alaska state jobs are unfilled

The Alaska State Office Building is seen on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

School district schedules three public comment meetings during next week to discuss budget deficit

First meeting is Wednesday at TMHS; meeting at JDHS next Tuesday and virtual meeting next Monday.

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses state lawmakers and guests attending his State of the State speech on Jan. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Gov. Dunleavy’s State of the State speech delayed until Tuesday due to weather

Flights carrying commissioners, guests for speech unable to arrive in Juneau in time

Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses state lawmakers and guests attending his State of the State speech on Jan. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A mallard feeding on rockweed in North Tee Harbor. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Mallards eating rockweed (and how plants hear)

Mallards are omnivores, eating seeds, little invertebrates, an occasional tiny fish, and whatnot. Recent midwinter observations at North Tee Harbor documented them grazing on rockweed,… Continue reading

A mallard feeding on rockweed in North Tee Harbor. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
A landscape interpretation by Hollis Kitchin, whose work will be featured Friday at the Barnaby Brewing Company. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in February

A multitude of options for people looking to make or buy creative items for Valentine’s Day is among the other usual assortment of art exhibitions,… Continue reading

A landscape interpretation by Hollis Kitchin, whose work will be featured Friday at the Barnaby Brewing Company. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024

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

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

Aurora forecast for the week of Jan. 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)
Cars drive aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Hubbard on June 25, 2023, in Haines. (Photo by James Brooks)

Proposal to put slot machines aboard Alaska ferries gets rough first reception

A Republican legislator from Wasilla has proposed legalizing some types of gambling aboard Alaska Marine Highway System ships as a way to raise operating revenue… Continue reading

Cars drive aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Hubbard on June 25, 2023, in Haines. (Photo by James Brooks)
Educational materials about human trafficking filled a table outside of a Capitol room where human rights advocates spoke to lawmakers about how human trafficking affects Alaska on Jan. 24. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Advocates say human trafficking is a growing problem in Alaska, as lawmakers push for solutions

Human trafficking, which affects an estimated 27.6 million people forced into labor or sex around the world, is happening in Alaska. Nearly 30% of homeless… Continue reading

Educational materials about human trafficking filled a table outside of a Capitol room where human rights advocates spoke to lawmakers about how human trafficking affects Alaska on Jan. 24. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Snowstorms a teachable moment for helping each other out

The recent snow created an amazing opportunity for neighbors to help neighbors. Last week our Juneau AARP Community Action Team (CAT) members identified neighbors in… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Dunleavy should respect majority of Alaskans, take down ‘pro-life’ flag from governor’s mansion

When Gov. Dunleavy hung a so-called “pro-life” flag at the governor’s house — the people’s house in Alaska’s capital city — he thumbed his nose… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)