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A street in Nome, Alaska on Dec. 2, 2025. Nome, population 3,700, is accessible only by plane outside a few months when boats can pass through. But it will be the home of the nation’s only deepwater Arctic port. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)

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Port expansion in Alaskan town key to Trump’s global ambitions

Development of Nome’s deepwater port can help open untapped natural resources and shipping corridors.

Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon
Demonstrators rally at the Alaska State Capitol to protest U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan ahead of his annual address to the Legislature on Feb. 18, 2026.

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‘We do not consent!’ Demonstrators protest US Sen. Dan Sullivan ahead of legislative speech

Dozens demonstrated at the Alaska State Capitol prior to senator’s annual address.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, leaves the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, after his annual address to state legislators. (James Brooks photo/Alaska Beacon)

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In legislative speech, Dan Sullivan reiterates support for Trump administration, denounces Democrats

Alaska’s junior U.S. Senator said he was unaware of ICE agents arresting an Alaska family, including a five-year-old,…

Mt. Edgecumbe High School student housing in Sitka is seen on Oct. 6, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

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Alaska legislators press Mt. Edgecumbe officials after over 100 students disenroll

‘I could say that if I were a parent, I wouldn’t let my child go to school there’:…

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Wearable Art Extravaganza returns to Juneau

The 24th annual Juneau Arts & Humanities Council event drew a crowd of nearly 1,000.

The City and Borough of Juneau is at 5600 Tonsgard Ct. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

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Juneau recycling center to reopen this weekend with limited services

The facility closed in January due to damage to the baler.

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3.79 acres of land across from Costco and The Home Depot may soon become an apartment complex with up to 120 units.

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Juneau Assembly moves forward with housing proposals

Assembly members voted to advance six housing proposals, including four affordable housing projects.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs a memorandum of understanding March 9, 2023 between the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Goldbelt Inc. to pursue engineering and design services to determine whether it’s feasible to build a new ferry terminal facility in Juneau at Cascade Point.

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Cascade Point ferry terminal unpopular among committee members, public

The construction of the new ferry terminal has received $28.5M in funds while the ferry system itself remains…

Early in the morning at 4 a.m. cruise ship coming in to Pond Inlet, Nunavut. (Carpenter Media Group file)

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Alaskan Dream Cruises announces shutdown after 15 years

Allen Marine Tours shuts down subsidiary small ship cruise line Alaska Dream Cruises.

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Reporter joins Empire staff

Atticus Hempel is a new reporter at the Juneau Empire.

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Weaver Selected For SHI’s Historic Mountain Goat Chilkat Robe Project

Sydney Akagi will weave the first purely mountain goat robe in more than 150 years.

Seven storytellers will each share seven minute-long stories, at the Kunéix Hidi Northern Light United Church at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, benefitting the Southeast Alaska Food Bank. (Photo by Bogomil Mihaylov on Unsplash)

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Mudrooms returns to Juneau’s Kunéix Hidi Northern Light United Church

Seven storytellers will present at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10.

Weekly events guide: Juneau community calendar for Feb. 9 – 15

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Juneau Community Calendar

Weekly events guide: Feb. 9 – 15

The Alaska State Capitol building stands on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)

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Rep. Story introduces bill aiming to stabilize education funding

House Bill 261 would change how schools rely on student counts.

A female brown bear and her cub are pictured near Pack Creek on Admiralty Island on July 19, 2024. (Chloe Anderson for the Juneau Empire)

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Pack Creek permits for bear viewing area available now

Visitors are welcome from April 1 to Sept. 30.

Cars pass down Egan Drive near the Fred Meyer intersection Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

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Safety changes planned for Fred Meyer intersection

DOTPF meeting set for Feb. 18 changes to Egan Drive and Yandukin intersection.

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Juneau activists ask Murkowski to take action against ICE

A small group of protesters attended a rally and discussion on Wednesday.

Herbert River and Herbert Glacier are pictured on Nov. 16, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

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Forest Service drops Herbert Glacier cabin plans, proposes trail reroute and scenic overlook instead

The Tongass National Forest has proposed shelving long-discussed plans to build a public use cabin near Herbert Glacier.…

A tsunami is not expected after a 4.4-magnitude earthquake northwest of Anchorage Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (U.S. Geological Survey)

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No tsunami expected after 4.4-magnitude earthquake in Alaska

U.S. Geological Survey says 179 people reported feeling the earthquake.

ORCA Adaptive Snowsports Program staff member Izzy Barnwell shows a man how to use the bi-ski. (SAIL courtesy photo)

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Adaptive snow sports demo slides to Eaglecrest

Southeast Alaska Independent Living will be hosting Learn to Adapt Day on Feb. 21.