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Telephone Hill on the evening of Monday, May 5, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Demolition of Telephone Hill homes after occupants leave by Oct. 1 approved by Assembly

Years-long debate about redevelopment of historic downtown neighborhood culminates with 7-1 vote.

The Matanuska state ferry, seen here docked when it was scheduled to begin its annual winter overhaul in October of 2022, has been out of service ever since. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

News

Advisory board recommends ending Matanuska’s career with state ferry system

Full-body scan finds extensive rust and other faults officials say are too costly to fix.

Members of the California National Guard are deployed outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Protests over immigration raids were expected to continue for a third day. About 300 guard members have been positioned across Los Angeles so far, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said. (Gabriela Bhaskar/The New York Times)

News

National Guard troops deployed by Trump across LA clash with protesters

President sends 2,000 troops under a rarely used power; objectors say he is trying to provoke a crisis.

Cancer survivors and supporters make their way towards Overstreet Park during the Cancer Survivors Day walk on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

News

Annual Celebration of Life Walk honors cancer survivors

About 20 people brave rain, wind for National Cancer Survivors Day event.

High school tech students install solar panels at the Anan Wildlife Observatory viewing cabin. (Ander Edens / Wrangell Sentinel)

News

More cameras will provide expanded online viewing of Anan bears in Wrangell

One of Southeast Alaska’s most prolific pink salmon rivers, known for attracting copious numbers of bears, wildlife photographers…

Mendenhall Valley residents fill sandbags at the sandbag pickup/open house event on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

News

Residents pick up sandbags and flood safety tips

CBJ, Tlingit and Haida host flood preparation event.

Volunteers and Trail Mix staff spread gravel on the Auk Nu Trail on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

News

Trail Mix Inc. commemorates National Trails Day

Volunteers working on the Auk Nu Trail demonstrate continued support for local trails.

Attendees chat before the Juneau Flood Preparedness Workshop at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

News

Flood preparation event offers resources, community support

Locals express frustration and anxiety, explore resources at Lions Club workshop.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Police calls for Wednesday, June 4, 2025

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

The Juneau Assembly and city administrative leaders hear public testimony during a meeting Monday, May 19, 2025, at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Massive agenda awaits Assembly on Monday, including proposal to start meetings earlier

Late-night decisions by exhausted leaders, people avoiding participation cited as reasons to change.

Jim Duncan, a longtime local Juneau legislator and statewide executive leader, is now retired and living in Anchorage. (Photo courtesy of Jim Duncan)

News

Former longtime Juneau lawmaker Jim Duncan reenters the political ‘Sausage Factory’

Book revisits decades of history at Alaska’s Capitol and issues that remain much the same today.

Steve Henrikson (center) smiles with museum colleagues over the Alaska State Museum’s 125th birthday cake on Friday, June 6, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

News

Locals celebrate the legacy of museum curators

Remembering those who remember: 125 years of Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums.

Smoke from an extinguished fire at a homeless camp is seen at the Brotherhood Bridge on Friday evening. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Fire destroys homeless campsite under Brotherhood Bridge, no injuries reported

A fire that destroyed a homeless encampment under the Brotherhood Bridge cast a pall of smoke over rush-hour…

The Southeast Alaska village of Metlakatla is seen in an undated photo. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

News

Alaska state judge dismisses murder case, citing widespread misconduct by local police

State’s top prosecutor says she’s suspending most work with Metlakatla police Department until issues are addressed.

Paula Kerger, chief executive of PBS, arrives to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on Delivering Government Efficiency on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Anna Rose Layden/The New York Times)

News

Emergency alerts, Gavel Alaska under threat as Trump seeks to nix public broadcasting funds, officials say

“Alaska is going to be a very tough spot if the federal funding goes away,” PBS CEO Paula…

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Ships in port for the week of June 8

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2025 schedule. Capacity figures in parenthesis were pulled…

Tulio Fontanella, a first-year production technician with Gavel, controls the cameras at a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Feb. 13, 2025. (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

News

Behind the cameras: Gavel Alaska broadcasts the business of state government to Alaskans

KTOO’s public service program works closely with state offices to ensure real-time coverage.

Members of the Ohio National Guard participate in the Operation ORCA exercise in June of 2023 in Wasilla. (Dana Rosso / Alaska National Guard)

News

Emergency simulation uses Juneau’s landscape to prepare for national threats

Alaska National Guard ORCA Exercise may disrupt community, but increases response readiness.

Kayla Hunt, owner of Salon 2211, holds a recent hair donation from customer Terry Kramarz that will be sent to the nonprofit organization Wigs for Kids. The two ponytails measure 20 and 22 inches each. (Laurie Craig / for the Juneau Empire)

News

The kindest cut of all: A gift of hair

Salon owner donates locals’ locks to charity for children suffering hair loss.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on June 4, 1995. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

News

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week ending June 7

Three decades of capital city coverage.