Wire Service

Barbecued baby back ribs finishing up on the grill. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Barbecued baby back ribs

This time of year, my barbecue grill starts calling to me. So despite the temperatures in the mid-40s with drizzling rain, I decided I was… Continue reading

Barbecued baby back ribs finishing up on the grill. (Photo by Patty Schied)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, May 28, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
With graduation looming, life as a trail is a popular analogy, though the author prefers a menu metaphor. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Ordering off life’s menu

My favorite restaurant in Tucson served the best chips and salsa I have ever had. Granted, I was in college when I first had them,… Continue reading

With graduation looming, life as a trail is a popular analogy, though the author prefers a menu metaphor. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
President Donald Trump during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office in Washington, Feb, 28, 2025. Trump’s preference for praising and excusing Vladimir Putin’s actions has yielded no progress toward peace in Ukraine. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Opinion: Slaves to Trump’s whims

The TACO trade isn’t a new restaurant. It stands for “Trump Always Chickens Out.” The acronym is Wall Street’s response to his on-again-off-again tariffs. John… Continue reading

President Donald Trump during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office in Washington, Feb, 28, 2025. Trump’s preference for praising and excusing Vladimir Putin’s actions has yielded no progress toward peace in Ukraine. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
A hemp crop waits to be harvested in Lincolnshire for British CBD oil producer Crop England on Aug. 27, 2021, in Grantham, England. The farm supplies Crop England, a British CBD oil producer founded in 2019 by Mike and Jackie Lamyman. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Judge: Alaska limits on intoxicating hemp products do not violate the U.S. Constitution

Ruling may end 2023 legal challenge and mean such products are restricted to marijuana retailers here.

A hemp crop waits to be harvested in Lincolnshire for British CBD oil producer Crop England on Aug. 27, 2021, in Grantham, England. The farm supplies Crop England, a British CBD oil producer founded in 2019 by Mike and Jackie Lamyman. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Butch Laiti is president of the Douglas Indian Association, a tribal government in Juneau. The association has purchased a fishing boat and wants to buy a commercial fishing permit for its members to share, but a state law bars it from doing so. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

Coastal Alaskans see commercial fishing limits as a ‘crisis.’ Lawmakers don’t.

Legislature adjourned without addressing expanding access to commercial fishing careers.

Butch Laiti is president of the Douglas Indian Association, a tribal government in Juneau. The association has purchased a fishing boat and wants to buy a commercial fishing permit for its members to share, but a state law bars it from doing so. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)
(Photo provided by Laura Rorem)

Living and Growing: Hypernormalization

Let us practice true patience and love, trusting God is at work while we wait in the not knowing and become “instruments of God’s peace.”… Continue reading

(Photo provided by Laura Rorem)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Tuesday, May 27, 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, May 26, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A group of fourth-grade Harborview Elementary School students share the digging and planting task at Juneau’s newest accredited arboretum on Arbor Day, celebrated Monday, May 19, 2025. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)

Planting of new trees at Evergreen Cemetery celebrate its new status as an arboretum

More than 100 donated trees of 42 varieties planted during past decades.

A group of fourth-grade Harborview Elementary School students share the digging and planting task at Juneau’s newest accredited arboretum on Arbor Day, celebrated Monday, May 19, 2025. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: City spending relies on cruise visitor spending

The recent failure of activists to gain sufficient signatures to put yet another anti-cruise initiative on the ballot in October is evidence that Juneau residents… Continue reading

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A payday advance neon sign is seen in this undated photo. (EHStock/Getty Images)

Alaska Legislature votes to limit high interest rates and fees for payday loan lenders

On the 120th and last day of Alaska’s annual legislative session, the state House passed a bill that would curb high interest rates and fees… Continue reading

A payday advance neon sign is seen in this undated photo. (EHStock/Getty Images)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Sunday, May 25, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The F/V Liberty, captained by Trenton Clark, fishes the Pacific near Metlakatla on Aug. 20, 2024. Over the last few years, the $6 billion Alaskan wild seafood market has been ensnared in a mix of geopolitics, macroeconomics, changing ocean temperatures and post-Covid whiplash that piled on top of long-building vulnerabilities in the business model. (Ash Adams/The New York Times)

My Turn: Funding sustainable fisheries

Spring is always a busy season for Alaska’s fishermen and fishing communities. The air is full of anticipation as we prepare for the inevitable surprises… Continue reading

The F/V Liberty, captained by Trenton Clark, fishes the Pacific near Metlakatla on Aug. 20, 2024. Over the last few years, the $6 billion Alaskan wild seafood market has been ensnared in a mix of geopolitics, macroeconomics, changing ocean temperatures and post-Covid whiplash that piled on top of long-building vulnerabilities in the business model. (Ash Adams/The New York Times)
Angela Rodell is a member of the Affordable Juneau Coalition. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: It’s time for a government that works for working people

The Juneau Assembly voted to raise your property taxes — again. They did this while the cost of living continues to climb, while residents struggle… Continue reading

Angela Rodell is a member of the Affordable Juneau Coalition. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Courtesy photo)

My Turn: Fight fascism — have dinner

I try to get to as many political rallies as I can to voice my resistance to the Trump administration’s criminal attempts to destroy the… Continue reading

(Courtesy photo)
Athletes with a chance for state titles include 1,600-meter runners: Sitka senior Connor Hitchcock, Wrangell junior Boomchain Loucks and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Ferguson Wheeler, Nick Iverson, Owen Woodruff and Sage Janes, shown in the combined 1,600-meters during the Region V Track & Field Championships at Juneau's Thunder Mountain Middle School on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS track and field athletes set for state field in Anchorage

Crimson Bears have multiple chances for championships this weekend

Athletes with a chance for state titles include 1,600-meter runners: Sitka senior Connor Hitchcock, Wrangell junior Boomchain Loucks and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Ferguson Wheeler, Nick Iverson, Owen Woodruff and Sage Janes, shown in the combined 1,600-meters during the Region V Track & Field Championships at Juneau's Thunder Mountain Middle School on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

It’s Memorial Day for many, but just one of many memorial days for some who were in battle

Tributes at annual ceremonies in Juneau note major historic achievement and unseen individual sufferings.

Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
A violet-green swallow in flight. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Violet-green swallows; shoveler ducks

In early May, one of my great pleasures was watching violet-green swallows in their fast, circular flights over water (e.g., the river, Kingfisher Pond). They’d… Continue reading

A violet-green swallow in flight. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, May 24, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)