Wire Service

Former Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch in 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Three strikes and a home run on Oct. 1 municipal election ballot

As a former U.S. government teacher, Juneau Assembly member and mayor, I usually start getting phone calls for information about voting (ballot issues especially) a… Continue reading

Former Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch in 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Vote for fiscally responsible principles in this year’s municipal election

Last year, I led Save Juneau, the group that urged a “no” vote on a new City Hall. We knew from going door-to-door in the… Continue reading

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

Letter: Taxpayers need to make informed decisions about how Alaska Marine Highway funds are spent

Recently I read about a $177 million award to the Alaska Marine Highway and feel compelled to comment on the news because it’s imperative the… Continue reading

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

Letter: Ship-Free Saturday is a community-based initiative, opponents funded by cruise companies

Mushrooms and Ship-Free Saturday: what’s the connection? Mushrooms are an item that I have stopped buying because they are too expensive. Ship-Free Saturday is a… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Rainforest Recovery Center at Bartlett Regional Hospital is scheduled to close Tuesday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Loss of Rainforest Recovery Center leaves Juneau with critical gap in substance abuse care

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, the city of Juneau is set to lose a valuable resource for treating individuals in our community suffering from drug and… Continue reading

Rainforest Recovery Center at Bartlett Regional Hospital is scheduled to close Tuesday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, Sept. 21, 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 Friday, Sept. 20, 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, Sept. 19, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ships in port for the week of Sept. 21

Here’s what to expect this week.

Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Downtown Juneau and Douglas on Aug. 22, 2023. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau ranks 11th among 20 most expensive towns with populations between 10,000 and 50,000

Median home value of $404,600 in Alaska’s capital is 4.2 times the median income.

Downtown Juneau and Douglas on Aug. 22, 2023. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Senate Finance Committee takes public testimony on Senate Bill 114, on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Public hearings planned for Alaska’s minimum-wage and ranked choice repeal ballot measures

The state of Alaska will hold public hearings Monday and Tuesday on ballot measures that seek to raise the state’s minimum wage and repeal its… Continue reading

The Senate Finance Committee takes public testimony on Senate Bill 114, on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks to supporters during a campaign event at Louie’s Douglas Inn on Oct. 12, 2022.

Opinion: Murkowski must get off the ‘none of the above’ fence

Sen. Lisa Murkowski isn’t your typical undecided voter. She’s not only extremely well informed about the presidential candidates and their positions on important issues. She… Continue reading

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks to supporters during a campaign event at Louie’s Douglas Inn on Oct. 12, 2022.
A crowd of visitors tours the Mendenhall Glacier on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: I’m just trying to live here

Ship-Free Saturday (Proposition #2) on the Oct. 1 municipal ballot, is an attempt by a group of residents including me, who want to have one… Continue reading

A crowd of visitors tours the Mendenhall Glacier on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Micheal Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024

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

(Micheal Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Roger Wharton is former Episcopal priest in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: 10 things you can do to be happy

What is happiness? What makes you happy? Can you increase your happiness? These are very interesting and current questions, especially in times when loneliness is… Continue reading

Roger Wharton is former Episcopal priest in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Ship-Free Saturday will have harmful effect on tourism statewide

Proposition 2 will damage Alaska tourism statewide. Vote no to keep this sustainable industry healthy As the CEO of the Alaska Travel Industry Association, I’m… Continue reading

Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A wood frog pauses in the forest just off the Yukon River near the mouth of the Nation River. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Wood frogs — farthest north amphibian cannibals

Their staccato voices can make a muskeg bog as loud as a city street, though most are so small they could sit in a coffee… Continue reading

A wood frog pauses in the forest just off the Yukon River near the mouth of the Nation River. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman assistant coach and manager Jaasyah Crowley (72) directs varsity warmups before the Juneau Huskies’ game against West Anchorage High School last Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Jaasyah Crowley chasing gridiron dream as whistle-blowing manager for Juneau Huskies

JDHS freshman born with neurological disorder leads warmups for team as he works to get on the field.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman assistant coach and manager Jaasyah Crowley (72) directs varsity warmups before the Juneau Huskies’ game against West Anchorage High School last Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Monday, Sept. 16, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)