Wire Service

A ferry worker ties up the Hubbard on Sunday, April 21, 2024, as it docks in Haines, Alaska. (Rashah McChesney / Chilkat Valley News)

Weekend ferry cancellation complicates travel for bike relay, solstice

A ferry cancellation will affect travel plans for some participants of the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay. The annual bike relay sees hundreds of people… Continue reading

A ferry worker ties up the Hubbard on Sunday, April 21, 2024, as it docks in Haines, Alaska. (Rashah McChesney / Chilkat Valley News)
Noa Shkuri reacts after an Iranian missile struck her home in Rehovot, Israel, on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Israel and Iran exchanged more missile attacks on population centers on Sunday, brushing aside international calls to halt what has quickly become the fiercest clash in decades between the two sworn enemies. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv/The New York Times)

My Turn: The moral issue of our time

I’m an Alaskan citizen who’s resided in Juneau most of the last 50 years and through the course of a normal day, I find myself… Continue reading

Noa Shkuri reacts after an Iranian missile struck her home in Rehovot, Israel, on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Israel and Iran exchanged more missile attacks on population centers on Sunday, brushing aside international calls to halt what has quickly become the fiercest clash in decades between the two sworn enemies. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv/The New York Times)
A Palestinian flag at a rally in Chicago, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Voices at the demonstrations are often a mix that includes calls for more explicit support for racial justice, Palestinian freedom and socialist politics. (Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times)

My Turn: Today’s pro-Palestinian rhetoric masks deep-rooted antisemitism

People can peacefully protest to express dissatisfaction with policies or actions, to raise awareness about a cause, to connect with like-minded individuals, and to push… Continue reading

A Palestinian flag at a rally in Chicago, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Voices at the demonstrations are often a mix that includes calls for more explicit support for racial justice, Palestinian freedom and socialist politics. (Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times)
A Pelagic cormorant in flight. (Michael L. Baird / CC BY 2.0 photo)
A Pelagic cormorant in flight. (Michael L. Baird / CC BY 2.0 photo)
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ships in port for the week of June 15

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2025 schedule. Capacity figures in parenthesis were pulled from cruise lines’ websites. Sunday, June 15… Continue reading

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Volunteers look for trash on the Jordan Avenue sidewalk at JAMHI’s Community Litter Pickup event on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

JAMHI hosts community cleanup to kick off 40th anniversary celebration

Local addiction and mental health treatment organization plans summer of events and give-back days.

Volunteers look for trash on the Jordan Avenue sidewalk at JAMHI’s Community Litter Pickup event on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
The entrance to the Anchorage Correctional Complex is seen on Aug. 29, 2022. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House Judiciary Committee to hold a fact-finding hearing on ICE detention in state prisons

The Alaska House Judiciary Committee plans to hold a hearing June 20 on the use of Alaska Department of Corrections facilities to house and supervise… Continue reading

The entrance to the Anchorage Correctional Complex is seen on Aug. 29, 2022. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Then-Rep. Grier Hopkins, D-Fairbanks, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Hopkins is now the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Officials warn of possible lawsuit in wake of Alaska governor’s education funding veto

Among issues are if veto violates Alaska’s constitutional guarantee of adequately funded public schools.

Then-Rep. Grier Hopkins, D-Fairbanks, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Hopkins is now the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Another poison pill for American democracy

Among the “remedies” in the drug store known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” is Section 70302. It is a single sentence, but has the… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Youths compete in a choker setter race during last year’s Juneau Gold Rush Days at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

A not-entirely-precise schedule of this year’s Juneau Gold Rush Days

Timing of events for 33rd annual weekend “depends on the number of contestants and speed of competitors”

Youths compete in a choker setter race during last year’s Juneau Gold Rush Days at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the White House on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Opinion: The king of hubris

On Monday, President Donald Trump was asked if he planned to deploy members of the U.S. Marine Corps to quell the violence in Los Angeles.… Continue reading

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the White House on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Chicken tacos with mango salsa. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Chicken tacos with mango salsa

In celebration of Flag Day, a feast with chicken tacos is definitely apropos. This recipe is easy to make and can be doubled or tripled… Continue reading

Chicken tacos with mango salsa. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, speaks to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. At background are Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak (left) and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham (right). (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Begich joins US House Republicans in voting to claw back public broadcasting money

Clawback, formally known as a rescission, subject to approval by Senate in a simple majority vote.

Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, speaks to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. At background are Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak (left) and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham (right). (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, June 11, 2025

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 Tuesday, June 10, 2025

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, June 9, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Kristin Bartlett, chief of staff for the Juneau School District, discusses the new cellphone policy on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

School board OKs limits on student cellphone use

New regulation seeks to reduce distractions, sparks privacy concerns for some members.

Kristin Bartlett, chief of staff for the Juneau School District, discusses the new cellphone policy on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Don’t want to see Juneau turned into ‘Florida of the North’

I am beginning to notice that numerous very well-loved Juneau trails and beach access points are falling into disrepute. It appears to me that the… Continue reading

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

Letter: Motor bikes not allowed in Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area

Parents/guardians: Please inform your youth with motorcycles and small motor bikes that the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is off limits to these types of vehicles.… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Protesters gather outside the Anchorage Correctional Complex on June 11, 2025. It was the third consecutive day that protesters gathered at the jail site in response to Trump administration immigration actions. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaskans plan widespread pro-democracy protests, joining national movement

Events planned Saturday have gained new support after President Trump ordered National Guard into L.A.

Protesters gather outside the Anchorage Correctional Complex on June 11, 2025. It was the third consecutive day that protesters gathered at the jail site in response to Trump administration immigration actions. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)