Wire Service

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is warning Alaskans that a security breach may have affected more than 500 people who used public assistance in the Interior and northern Alaska. (Luca Bravo | Unsplash)

Security breach: Hackers access Alaskans’ information from state computer

A security breach may have exposed the personal information of at least 500 northern Alaskans to unknown hackers, possibly in Russia.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is warning Alaskans that a security breach may have affected more than 500 people who used public assistance in the Interior and northern Alaska. (Luca Bravo | Unsplash)
Legion baseball: Juneau takes down South

Legion baseball: Juneau takes down South

With one game still to play, Juneau Post 25 is a perfect 5-0 on its road trip to Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. Akin to… Continue reading

Legion baseball: Juneau takes down South
A humpback whale, not the one that is entangled. (Juneau Empire File)

Whale tangled in fishing gear in Lynn Canal

Marine mammal experts are asking mariners to keep an eye out for a humpback whale caught in a fishing net in Lynn Canal on Monday.… Continue reading

A humpback whale, not the one that is entangled. (Juneau Empire File)
Mary Lou Spartz talks about her interest in the SS Princess Sophia on Friday, June 22, 2018. The Sophia sank in 1918 with 343 or more people dying in the incident. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Haunting story’: Mary Lou Spartz talks about her fascination with Princess Sophia

Spartz, who is one of the founders of the committee committed to keeping the memory of the Sophia alive, is excited about what has been done and what is planned for this year’s 100th anniversary of the disaster.

Mary Lou Spartz talks about her interest in the SS Princess Sophia on Friday, June 22, 2018. The Sophia sank in 1918 with 343 or more people dying in the incident. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
This composite image, provided by Alaska Fur Gallery and taken by Guy Olson, shows the walrus-tusk plaque stolen from the Franklin Street gallery sometime last month. (Courtesy photo)

Juneau Crime Line seeks tips in case of missing walrus tusks

The Juneau Crime Line is seeking the public’s help finding two walrus tusks stolen from Alaska Fur Gallery on Franklin Street.

This composite image, provided by Alaska Fur Gallery and taken by Guy Olson, shows the walrus-tusk plaque stolen from the Franklin Street gallery sometime last month. (Courtesy photo)
Saralyn Tabachnick has announced she is running for mayor of Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

AWARE executive director announces run for mayor

The executive director of the Juneau domestic violence shelter, Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE), is running for mayor. Saralyn Tabachnick made the… Continue reading

Saralyn Tabachnick has announced she is running for mayor of Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks at the Alaska Capitol in February. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Tribes, environmental groups happy with Murkowski water quality money

Environmental and tribal groups worried about mining development in British Columbia are celebrating a recent move by Sen. Lisa Murkowski to spend $1.5 million on studying water quality on Southeast Alaska’s border-crossing rivers.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks at the Alaska Capitol in February. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Fireworks set off on shore along with a cruise ship illuminate Juneau’s waterfront prior to the city-funded fireworks show in Juneau’s downtown Harbor on Tuesday, July 3, 2017. (Juneau Empire File)

Where to go for fireworks for Juneau’s Independence Day celebration

It is time to start searching out the best spot to watch the fireworks show over Gastineau Channel Tuesday. With warm and dry weather predicted… Continue reading

Fireworks set off on shore along with a cruise ship illuminate Juneau’s waterfront prior to the city-funded fireworks show in Juneau’s downtown Harbor on Tuesday, July 3, 2017. (Juneau Empire File)
Nolan Harvey trains at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center on Tuesday. Harvey is just one of two swimmers on Team Alaska competing in the Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle next week. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau swimmer headed to Seattle to compete in US Special Olympics

One of Nolan Harvey’s favorite parts of the Special Olympics doesn’t actually take place at the Special Olympics itself. It’s what comes afterward, when he… Continue reading

Nolan Harvey trains at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center on Tuesday. Harvey is just one of two swimmers on Team Alaska competing in the Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle next week. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Empire file.

Police and fire for Wednesday, June 28, 2018

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Juneau Empire file.
Humane Society reminds pet owners about safety during fireworks, hot days

Humane Society reminds pet owners about safety during fireworks, hot days

Fourth of July is Gastineau Humane Society’s busiest day of the year. That is not a good thing. Karen Wood, Animal Control Officer and Director… Continue reading

Humane Society reminds pet owners about safety during fireworks, hot days
In this Sept. 17, 2017 photo, Capital City Fire/Rescue cleans up after fighting a fire at 526 Seward Street, next to the Terry Miller Legislative Building. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

New future for burned-down B&B? Legislature may buy downtown building to expand Capitol complex

The Juneau Community Foundation and Alaska Legislature are considering a move to add more space to the Capitol complex downtown. According to a June 15… Continue reading

In this Sept. 17, 2017 photo, Capital City Fire/Rescue cleans up after fighting a fire at 526 Seward Street, next to the Terry Miller Legislative Building. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Nick Vonda brings up a king salmon he caught at the Wayside Park on Channel Drive on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, July 1st, sport fishing for king salmon and snagging will be prohibited from the shoreline to 200 yards offshore between the end of Channel Drive and a point near the Samson Tug and Barge property to ensure that enough king salmon make it up the fish ladder to meet egg-take goals needed for future production. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fishing at Macaulay to close Sunday

King salmon fishing near Macaulay Hatchery will close Sunday.

Nick Vonda brings up a king salmon he caught at the Wayside Park on Channel Drive on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, July 1st, sport fishing for king salmon and snagging will be prohibited from the shoreline to 200 yards offshore between the end of Channel Drive and a point near the Samson Tug and Barge property to ensure that enough king salmon make it up the fish ladder to meet egg-take goals needed for future production. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court, Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. (AP Photo | Andrew Harnik)

Alaska unions clobbered by Supreme Court decision

Alaska’s public-sector unions warned Wednesday that a new ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court will have significant effects across the state. The 5-4 ruling in… Continue reading

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court, Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. (AP Photo | Andrew Harnik)
A screenshot from one of the two videos submitted by John David.

Police, neighbors help free stuck bear

These bear videos have happy endings.

A screenshot from one of the two videos submitted by John David.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, June 1, 2017.

Alaska cities, boroughs see more cash from Department of the Interior

The Department of the Interior will send more than $32.3 million to local governments across Alaska as part of this year’s Payment in Lieu of… Continue reading

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, June 1, 2017.
Writers’ Weir: Silence and secret-keeping in a small Alaska town

Writers’ Weir: Silence and secret-keeping in a small Alaska town

This is a reader submitted work of nonfiction. The Capital City Weekly accepts submissions of poetry, fiction and nonfiction for Writers’ Weir. To submit a… Continue reading

Writers’ Weir: Silence and secret-keeping in a small Alaska town
Alaska Glacial Ice harvests floating icebergs with the use of the eighty foot long landing craft Itswoot along with a forty foot long barge. Photo courtesy of Scott Lindquist.

Historic and modern-day Alaskans ‘break the ice’ on niche frozen economy

Mike Ward of Taku Lodge has harvested icebergs from Twin Glacier Lake since childhood. His technique involves three tools: a flat-bottom river skiff, a metal… Continue reading

Alaska Glacial Ice harvests floating icebergs with the use of the eighty foot long landing craft Itswoot along with a forty foot long barge. Photo courtesy of Scott Lindquist.
Juneau Post 25’s Donavin McCurley pitches against East Post 34 earlier this month. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire File)

Legion baseball: Juneau sweeps doubleheader against Wasilla

The Juneau Post 25 baseball team’s win total reached double digits Tuesday. A trio of road wins over Bartlett Post 29 and Wasilla Post 35… Continue reading

Juneau Post 25’s Donavin McCurley pitches against East Post 34 earlier this month. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire File)
Kafue is the calf in front, and Tafika is the calf behind. Photo courtesy of Kelly Bakos.

Petersburg filmmaker wins awards for documentary on baby elephants

For four months in Zambia, Petersburg resident Kelly Bakos would wake up before sunrise, gather her gear, and then film baby elephants until sunset. That… Continue reading

Kafue is the calf in front, and Tafika is the calf behind. Photo courtesy of Kelly Bakos.