Wire Service

This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. The Biden administration is weighing approval of a major oil project on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope that supporters say represents an economic lifeline for Indigenous communities in the region but environmentalists say is counter to Biden’s climate goals. A decision on ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Willow project, in a federal oil reserve roughly the size of Indiana, could come by early March 2023. (ConocoPhillips via AP)

Opinion: It is time to draw the line on oil projects like Willow

We need support projects that build on renewable infrastructure.

This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. The Biden administration is weighing approval of a major oil project on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope that supporters say represents an economic lifeline for Indigenous communities in the region but environmentalists say is counter to Biden’s climate goals. A decision on ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Willow project, in a federal oil reserve roughly the size of Indiana, could come by early March 2023. (ConocoPhillips via AP)
FILE - Jeff King takes his sled dog team through a snowstorm in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, March 4, 2022, during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Only 33 mushers will participate in the ceremonial start of the Iditarod on Saturady, March 4, the smallest field ever. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

‘A little scary’: Iditarod begins with smallest field ever

Only 33 mushers will participate in the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

FILE - Jeff King takes his sled dog team through a snowstorm in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, March 4, 2022, during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Only 33 mushers will participate in the ceremonial start of the Iditarod on Saturady, March 4, the smallest field ever. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Being honest and telling a real story is much more appealing than a sponsor-laden, narcissistic production, but follow the author's advice about good filmmaking at your own peril. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Keys behind story time

A good visual product is about good storytelling

Being honest and telling a real story is much more appealing than a sponsor-laden, narcissistic production, but follow the author's advice about good filmmaking at your own peril. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, March 1, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. The Biden administration is weighing approval of a major oil project on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope that supporters say represents an economic lifeline for Indigenous communities in the region but environmentalists say is counter to Biden’s climate goals. A decision on ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Willow project, in a federal oil reserve roughly the size of Indiana, could come by early March 2023. (ConocoPhillips)

Biden faces dilemma in fight over Willow project

A decision could come by early March.

This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. The Biden administration is weighing approval of a major oil project on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope that supporters say represents an economic lifeline for Indigenous communities in the region but environmentalists say is counter to Biden’s climate goals. A decision on ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Willow project, in a federal oil reserve roughly the size of Indiana, could come by early March 2023. (ConocoPhillips)
Five Bohemian waxwings rest on a snowy branch between bouts of feeding. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Five Bohemian waxwings rest on a snowy branch between bouts of feeding. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau's City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Limit entry for Juneau tours

I hope the Assembly takes this opportunity to do something for those of us they represent.

This March 2020 photo shows Juneau's City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A picture showing the Juneau road system ending at Cascade Point in Berners Bay in May 2006.  (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Cost effective for whom?

It is interesting that current and former employees of the Department of Transportation and Public facilities are promoting the idea of building a new ferry… Continue reading

A picture showing the Juneau road system ending at Cascade Point in Berners Bay in May 2006.  (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
FILE - New graduates walk into the High Point Solutions Stadium before the start of the Rutgers University graduation ceremony in Piscataway Township, N.J., on May 13, 2018. The Supreme Court is about to hear arguments over President Joe Biden’s student debt relief plan. It’s a plan that impacts millions of borrowers who could see their loans wiped away or reduced. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)

Explaining the arguments in the Supreme Court student loan case

Where things stand ahead of the hearing as well as what to expect:

FILE - New graduates walk into the High Point Solutions Stadium before the start of the Rutgers University graduation ceremony in Piscataway Township, N.J., on May 13, 2018. The Supreme Court is about to hear arguments over President Joe Biden’s student debt relief plan. It’s a plan that impacts millions of borrowers who could see their loans wiped away or reduced. (AP Photo / Seth Wenig)
A Capital Transit bus approaches a stop near the SEARHC Ethel Lund Medical Center on a snowy day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Take a community journey on the bus

Having lived in Juneau a year or two, I have had many opportunities to use our public transit system. Yes, the bus can be inconvenient… Continue reading

A Capital Transit bus approaches a stop near the SEARHC Ethel Lund Medical Center on a snowy day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014.

Aurora Forecast

Forecasts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute for the week of Feb. 26

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014.
State Sen. Scott Kawasaki, in a hallway in the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 16 holds up the strip showing he has tested negative for COVID-19. Kawasaki said he opted to take a test that day. (Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)

COVID-19 creeps back into Alaska’s Capitol

Voluntary testing, other precautionary measures enacted due to multitude of cases

State Sen. Scott Kawasaki, in a hallway in the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 16 holds up the strip showing he has tested negative for COVID-19. Kawasaki said he opted to take a test that day. (Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Sen. Sullivan’s misguided defense of Fox News

Sullivan was certainly combative in the hearing. But don’t mistake that for courage or strength.

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell 
A tiny bird tooth — 73 million years old — found in bluffs of the Colville River. Lauren Keller carried this sample to her presentation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell 
A tiny bird tooth — 73 million years old — found in bluffs of the Colville River. Lauren Keller carried this sample to her presentation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Near the spot where Héloïse and Peter Abelard fell in love, concise graffiti offers a testament of more recent lovers, four red hearts flitting like butterflies around two simple words in English: “in love.” (Courtesy Photo)

Coming Out: Hints from Héloïse

OK, kids, gather ‘round. Auntie Jane has a story.

Near the spot where Héloïse and Peter Abelard fell in love, concise graffiti offers a testament of more recent lovers, four red hearts flitting like butterflies around two simple words in English: “in love.” (Courtesy Photo)
spelling bee

Slack Tide: Bee-ing and nothingness

It’s hip to bee square.

spelling bee
Teaser

Gimme a Smile: Don’t miss that deadline

I have a deadline today.

Teaser
Racers from the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay head south on the Haines Highway during the first leg of the race the last time it was held on June 15, 2019. Organizers have announced the 2023 race is planned to go ahead on June 17, with registration opening March 15. (Yukon News file)

Haines Junction to Haines, Alaska bike relay returns June 17

Registration opens March 15 with spots for 1,200 cyclists

Racers from the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay head south on the Haines Highway during the first leg of the race the last time it was held on June 15, 2019. Organizers have announced the 2023 race is planned to go ahead on June 17, with registration opening March 15. (Yukon News file)