Wire Service

Controversial political website Alaska Landmine faces defamation suit from Alaska state official

By James Brooks Alaska Beacon The chair of Alaska’s human rights commission has sued a political writer for defamation over his description of her work… Continue reading

Winter dining has always carried more weight than the menu might suggest. In the off-season, eating out isn’t just about comfort food or convenience; it’s a way of supporting local businesses as they hold steady through the slower months. Photo credit: Canva.

Savoring local in Juneau: How a simple meal helps the whole community

Independent cafés and neighborhood restaurants keep Juneau strong through the slow season

Winter dining has always carried more weight than the menu might suggest. In the off-season, eating out isn’t just about comfort food or convenience; it’s a way of supporting local businesses as they hold steady through the slower months. Photo credit: Canva.
Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. The Kvichak watershed would be damaged by the Pebble mine project, the Environmental Protection Agency has determined. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency)

Pebble Mine, halted by EPA order, gets support from national development groups

In 2023, the EPA invoked a rarely used “veto” clause of the Clean Water Act to say that there was no way that the proposed Pebble Mine could be developed without significant harm to the environment.

Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. The Kvichak watershed would be damaged by the Pebble mine project, the Environmental Protection Agency has determined. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency)
Win Gruening (courtesy)

Gratitude for our libraries, museums and historians

The thanksgiving weekend is a chance to recognize those who preserve local history

Win Gruening (courtesy)
Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, talks to fellow lawmakers about rules for debate on House Bill 183 on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy appoints Rauscher and Tilton to Alaska Senate, opening two House vacancies

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has appointed state Reps. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, and Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, to two vacancies in the Alaska Senate. Each nomination will become… Continue reading

Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, talks to fellow lawmakers about rules for debate on House Bill 183 on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Google Maps screenshot 
The star shows the approximate location of the proposed Cascade Point Ferry terminal by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities in partnership with Goldbelt, Inc.

My Turn: Cascade Point terminal would not be efficient

I have enjoyed traveling on the Alaska State Ferries over the years and hope we can continue them in an efficient and reliable manner. The… Continue reading

Google Maps screenshot 
The star shows the approximate location of the proposed Cascade Point Ferry terminal by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities in partnership with Goldbelt, Inc.
Typewriter

Letter: State solicitor general position: Wasteful, frivolous, outrageous

On Oct. 27, the newly installed Attorney General spawned an astonishing sweetheart scheme: importing an Indiana lawyer, with no Alaska ties or experience, presently working… Continue reading

Typewriter
photo by Peter W. Stevenson / The Washington Post 
President Donald Trump on Oct. 24.

Opinion: ‘Hang them,’ Trump said

A president’s threat against Congress and the duty of Alaska’s delegation.

photo by Peter W. Stevenson / The Washington Post 
President Donald Trump on Oct. 24.
Ned Rozell/Submitted 
A map showing some of Alaska’s more unique place names.

Alaska Science Forum: What’s in an Alaska name?

I once asked a snowmachiner heading out on a trail from Nome where he was going. “Boston,” he said before speeding off. Not knowing of… Continue reading

Ned Rozell/Submitted 
A map showing some of Alaska’s more unique place names.
The Juneau offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy makes new pick for Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board of directors

By James Brooks Alaska Beacon Craig Richards, a longtime member of the board in charge of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, has been replaced. On… Continue reading

The Juneau offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Salmon returning from the ocean attempt to jump Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve’s Brooks River on July 12, 2018. Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest this year was nearly twice as big as last year’s small harvest. (Photo by Russ Taylor/National Park Service)

Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest rebounds after ultra-low harvest last year

The catch was more plentiful but money remains modest for Alaska fishers

Salmon returning from the ocean attempt to jump Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve’s Brooks River on July 12, 2018. Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest this year was nearly twice as big as last year’s small harvest. (Photo by Russ Taylor/National Park Service)
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis uses dynamic positioning to maintain its position near the Johns Hopkins Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashly Murphy)

As the Arctic heats up, the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaker fleet is preparing for boom times

The Trump administration and Congress, seeking to improve security, have approved funding for eight icebreakers and are planning even more

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis uses dynamic positioning to maintain its position near the Johns Hopkins Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashly Murphy)
Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo
Reverend Gordon Blue from the Church of the Holy Trinity gives an invocation at the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Living and Growing: Psalm 30, Ouroboros, the dragon of fear and love.

Psalm 30:6 Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning. Holy Trinity Church is downtown. In a downtown parish, it doesn’t take… Continue reading

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo
Reverend Gordon Blue from the Church of the Holy Trinity gives an invocation at the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Shoppers and vendors mingle along rows of booths in the mall ballroom at Centennial Hall during the Juneau Public Market last year, which returns this year starting Friday, Nov. 28. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Shoppers and vendors mingle along rows of booths in the mall ballroom at Centennial Hall during the Juneau Public Market last year, which returns this year starting Friday, Nov. 28. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Cold water dipping is a centuries old stress reduction technique still practiced today. (Photo by Raven Hotch)

Recipes for stress reduction rooted in Indigenous knowledge

We must choose to live intentionally and learn to commit to our wellbeing.

Cold water dipping is a centuries old stress reduction technique still practiced today. (Photo by Raven Hotch)
Telephone Hill as seen from above. (photo courtesy of City and Borough of Juneau)

My Turn: Telephone Hill Concept C vs Concept D – could we see Pro Forma?

It is standard that before a municipality undertakes a construction project for housing that a pro forma is done for the project that shows the… Continue reading

Telephone Hill as seen from above. (photo courtesy of City and Borough of Juneau)
photo courtesy Tim Harrison
Rev. Tim Harrison is senior pastor at Chapel by the Lake.
photo courtesy Tim Harrison
Rev. Tim Harrison is senior pastor at Chapel by the Lake.
Donlin mine camp, June 23, 2025. (photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Supreme Court upholds early permits for Donlin gold mine, loosens reins on development

The decision has implications for mining and drilling projects on private and federal lands, experts say

Donlin mine camp, June 23, 2025. (photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Fresh produce is seen at the Alaska Commercial Company grocery store in Bethel on Oct 15, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska didn’t use $5M set aside to fund SNAP during the shutdown, even though benefits were late

By Claire Stremple Alaska Beacon Alaskans who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program received half of their benefits nearly a week late as a… Continue reading

Fresh produce is seen at the Alaska Commercial Company grocery store in Bethel on Oct 15, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
The trans-Alaska pipeline, seen on Oct. 8, 2008, threads over snow-covered terrain in the Brook Range foothills. This year’s Alaska Division of Oil and Gas North Slope areawide lease sale drew brisk bidding and netted about $17 million, according to results released on Wednesday. (Photo by Craig McCaa/U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

Alaska onshore North Slope oil auction sets new mark for tract leases sold

Mostly small independent companies submitted nearly $17 million in high bids, the highest total since 2014 for an annual North Slope areawide oil and gas lease sale

The trans-Alaska pipeline, seen on Oct. 8, 2008, threads over snow-covered terrain in the Brook Range foothills. This year’s Alaska Division of Oil and Gas North Slope areawide lease sale drew brisk bidding and netted about $17 million, according to results released on Wednesday. (Photo by Craig McCaa/U.S. Bureau of Land Management)