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A pink peony blooms in Chris Urata’s garden on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

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Master Gardeners Tour showcases excellence in landscaping

Annual fundraising event features gardens on 11 properties

Brad Hogarth, one of four finalists to be the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, guides the ensemble through a rehearsal at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

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Juneau Symphony announces new music director

Brad Hogarth begins new role

Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, delivers his keynote address to approximately 40 people, most of whom are from out of state, at the end of the Bitcoin Alaska conference on Sunday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

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Begich and Bitcoin fly to Juneau after passage of ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

Protesters seek town hall with representative; he delivers keynote address at ticketed conference

Andy Engstrom (left) uses bitcoin to buy lemonade and cookies from business owner Denali Schijvens (right) on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

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Alaska’s 1st Bitcoin conference held in Juneau

State leaders discuss integrating Bitcoin in Alaska energy, investment and universities

Juneau Ati-Atihan marches towards downtown Juneau in the 2025 Fourth of July Parade. The group was named best of parade. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

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Independence Day parade soars through downtown

Candy took flight at this year’s downtown Juneau parade, ‘Juneau’s Winged Heroes’

Shannon Crossley, who helped build the Treadwell disc golf course, wears the Douglas grand marshal’s sash as she rides in the parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

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History of Douglas continues through Independence Day celebrations

Juneau Disc Golf Club honored as Douglas Fourth of July grand marshal

Seven- and 8-year-olds compete in the watermelon-eating contest at Savviko Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

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Douglas picnic marks the beginning of 4th of July celebrations

Community members enjoy barbecue, watermelon eating contest

People watch the fireworks after midnight on Friday, July 4<ins>, </ins><ins>2025</ins>. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

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Juneau blasts into Independence Day with annual firework display

A century old tradition, decades of expertise and a year of preparation culminates in a treasured show

Photographs of injured humpback whale #2583 on June 27, 2025. (National Park Service photos by Janet Neilson, taken under the authority of Scientific Research Permit #27027 issued by NOAA Fisheries.)

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Humpback whale injured by boat propeller in Glacier Bay

The national park is seeking information on the circumstances of the collision

Rachel Hightower holds her 2-year-old daughter Carmen’s decorated tricycle at the Bicycle Decorating & Sidewalk Chalk Decorating event in the Douglas Community Library parking garage on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

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Douglas kids gear up for 4th of July festivities

Riders decorate bikes, scooters for upcoming parade

Faith Rogers’ loved ones, from left to right, James Rogers (father), Michelle Rogers (sister), Harmony Wentz (daughter), Maria Rogers (mother) and Mindy Voigt (friend) sit with Faith’s three dogs in their family home. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

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Juneau court orders release of man accused of Faith Rogers’ murder

JPD stands by its investigation; public defender says it cut corners

Lisa Murkowski and Ben Mallott at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention on Oct. 19, 2024. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)

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Alaska Republican US Sen. Lisa Murkowski addresses her ‘Yes’ vote on the big federal budget bill

Murkowski defended her vote, pointing to provisions to extend 2017 tax cuts and develop resources in Alaska, while…

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John Barrasso of Wyoming, both Republicans, center, walk into the Senate chamber on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Murray / States Newsroom)

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Sullivan, Murkowski vote to pass Senate Republicans’ budget bill, with big health care cuts looming

U.S. House may vote as soon as Wednesday on a proposal that brings trillions of dollars in changes…

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

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Dunleavy calls special session for August

Lawmakers on Wednesday said they were surprised by the move.

Marites “Tess” Buenafe. (Screenshot) One of the two 60-passenger cars on the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway descends Mount Roberts. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

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Missing cruise ship passenger found dead on Mount Roberts

This story has been updated.

Juneau resident Benjamin Stepetin is seen in downtown Juneau. He is currently missing and was last seen by family on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of family)

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Juneau police and family seek assistance in finding Benjamin Stepetin

Stepetin has been missing since June 22

Skylar Taug, 6, holds up a snow globe following a crafts project Tuesday afternoon during RALLY. “We try for a ‘Wow!’ every day,” said Christina Ackmann, RALLY site manager for Sít Eetí Shaanáx-Glacier Valley Elementary School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Juneau School District decides to close the RALLY program

The summer RALLY program will continue through the district’s advertised end date of Aug. 8

Natalia Spengler performs as Beatrice during a tech rehearsal of “Much Ado About Nothing”. Anna Becknell as Hero sits in the window behind her. (Courtesy of Flordelino Lagundino)

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‘Some cupid kills with arrows, some with traps’

Theater Alaska brings deception and delight to Juneau venues with Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”

HESCO barriers wind through the forest near Thunder Mountain Middle School on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

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Neighbors come together in preparation for seasonal glacial lake outburst flood

Flood victims plan for worst-case scenario, seek update on long-term flood mitigation

Rosita Kaaháni Worl congratulates X̱’unei Lance Twitchell on his accomplishments in language preservation at his legislative citation ceremony at the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire) X̱’unei Lance Twitchell receives his legislative citation from Rep. Andi Story, (D-Juneau) at a ceremony at the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

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X̱’unei Lance Twitchell receives legislative citation

State award commends Lingít language revitalization