Wire Service

Ally Karpel is the student rabbi of Congregation Sukkat Shalom in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: Embracing the messiness of transformation — lessons from spring’s break up

Spring has sprung — officially at least. With the arrival of the spring equinox on Tuesday, people around the northern hemisphere began to expect leaves… Continue reading

Ally Karpel is the student rabbi of Congregation Sukkat Shalom in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
The Tongass National Forest is the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest, containing nearly 17 million acres of old-growth trees, towering mountains, lush coastlines, and healthy populations of fish and wildlife. These lands and waters support the ways of life of Southeast Alaska’s diverse communities, including its 19 federally-recognized Lingít, Haida, and Tsimshian Alaska Native Tribes. (Bethany Goodrich / Sustainable Southeast Partnership)

Resilient Peoples and Place: Revising the Tongass Forest Plan

A conversation with U.S. Forest Service Deputy Supervisor Barbara Miranda

The Tongass National Forest is the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest, containing nearly 17 million acres of old-growth trees, towering mountains, lush coastlines, and healthy populations of fish and wildlife. These lands and waters support the ways of life of Southeast Alaska’s diverse communities, including its 19 federally-recognized Lingít, Haida, and Tsimshian Alaska Native Tribes. (Bethany Goodrich / Sustainable Southeast Partnership)
Nikiski Republican Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, right, speaks against the Alaska Legislature’s failure Monday to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a comprehensive education bill during a press conference on Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

‘The ball is now very clearly in their court’

Senate looks to House on next steps for education funding

Nikiski Republican Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, right, speaks against the Alaska Legislature’s failure Monday to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a comprehensive education bill during a press conference on Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears and Thunder Mountain Falcons cheer teams pose with their champion and runner-up trophies on Tuesday at the 2024 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Cheer State Championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe, For the Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas wins fourth state cheer title in a row

Thunder Mountain Falcons earn highest finish with second

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears and Thunder Mountain Falcons cheer teams pose with their champion and runner-up trophies on Tuesday at the 2024 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Cheer State Championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe, For the Juneau Empire)
An empty classroom at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in Juneau, Alaska, on July 20, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)

Time is running out for legislators to increase internet speeds for Alaska’s rural schools

One week remains until the deadline for federal grants that would make equitable speeds affordable.

An empty classroom at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in Juneau, Alaska, on July 20, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)
The Anchorage headquarters of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, shares space with a sister agency, the Alaska Energy Authority. (Photo by Nathaniel Herz)

Alaska development authority signs contracts with ex-Dunleavy aides, paying up to $295/hour

Alaska’s state-owned economic development agency has retained four consultants aimed at boosting its standing in the rural regions where it’s proposed controversial projects — and… Continue reading

The Anchorage headquarters of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, shares space with a sister agency, the Alaska Energy Authority. (Photo by Nathaniel Herz)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Sunday, March 17, 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, March 16, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A palm cockatoo, which among males is known for its loud drumming behavior. (JJ Harrison/CC BY-SA 3.0)

On the Trails: Drummers on land and in water

In an orchestra, drums are a central feature of the percussion section, in which sounds are made by an object striking another one, creating aerial… Continue reading

A palm cockatoo, which among males is known for its loud drumming behavior. (JJ Harrison/CC BY-SA 3.0)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Black-and-white view of Gaza goes too far

Alexander Dolitsky’s letter rebuffing Dixie Belcher’s attempt to humanize the tragedy unfolding in Gaza goes too far. Frankly, I question whether the groundless accusations that… Continue reading

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

Letter: Murkowski and Sullivan should oppose Trump

The New York Times reported Saturday that Mr. Trump said, “some migrants are ‘not people’ and predicts a ‘bloodbath’ if he loses. He primed the… Continue reading

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

Letter: If you see roadside rubbish, please pick it up

I met a young Tlingit lady and her friend this weekend, picking up rubbish that had been tossed over the bank and down into the… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Outer Coast students learn through individualized education and experiences. (Photo provided by Bryden Sweeney-Taylor)

Opinion: Seeking a new model of higher education, Sitka school draws from Alaska and national inspirations

In 1986, two linguists, Ron and Suzie Scollon, drafted a proposal for the Sealaska Heritage Foundation to inaugurate a new kind of education, which they… Continue reading

Outer Coast students learn through individualized education and experiences. (Photo provided by Bryden Sweeney-Taylor)
Looking up at the 1882 Edward Webster House on Telephone Hill from Second Street and Main Street in January 2024. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Opinion: Juneau Assembly holds firm on Telephone Hill development

In a rare moment of near unanimity during a special Assembly meeting last month, members voted to move forward to develop Telephone Hill. Several Assembly… Continue reading

Looking up at the 1882 Edward Webster House on Telephone Hill from Second Street and Main Street in January 2024. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
With COVID-19 aid, more schools gave students and families experiencing homelessness prepaid cards to buy necessities like groceries and gas. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

Grocery cards and car repairs: How COVID aid changed the way schools can help homeless kids

Juneau student services specialist among those finding creative ways to provide assistance.

With COVID-19 aid, more schools gave students and families experiencing homelessness prepaid cards to buy necessities like groceries and gas. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Aurora forecast for the week of March 18

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)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, March 15, 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, March 14, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Thunder Mountain High School Falcons Region V champion girls basketball team pose for a photo during practice at the Thunderdome on Friday. The Falcons begin state tournament play Wednesday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain girls basketball team ready for back-to-back state tournament play

No. 4 Falcons begin school’s final chase for a title against No. 5 Dimond High School on Wednesday.

The Thunder Mountain High School Falcons Region V champion girls basketball team pose for a photo during practice at the Thunderdome on Friday. The Falcons begin state tournament play Wednesday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
The Thunder Mountain High School Falcons Region V champion boys basketball team pose for a photo during practice at the Thunderdome on Friday. The Falcons begin state tournament play Wednesday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain boys basketball team begins final state tournament play

No. 6 Falcons (19-9) open Wednesday against No. 3 West Valley High School from Fairbanks.

The Thunder Mountain High School Falcons Region V champion boys basketball team pose for a photo during practice at the Thunderdome on Friday. The Falcons begin state tournament play Wednesday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)