The Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) has published a new book about three totem poles that the Forest Service employed Tlingit and Haida men to create between 1938 and 1942. (Brendan Sainsbury)

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Sealaska Heritage Institute tells story of 3 Juneau totem poles in new book

The book looks into the relationship between the Forest Service and the Native carvers it employed

A Juneau Police Department vehicle. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire file photo)

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Juneau police arrest man indicted on sexual abuse of a minor charges

Travis William Carlile was taken into custody on July 2

Part of the Anchorage skyline is reflected in the south-facing windows of downtown’s Robert B. Atwood Building on June 17, 2026. Anchorage, Alaska’s biggest city, had a cost of living that was 25.5% above the national urban average in 2025, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Worforce Development. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

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Urban Alaska’s high costs of living driven by health care and groceries

Juneau is the costliest of the state’s three major cities, followed by Anchorage and Fairbanks, according to the…

Mendenhall Glacier barely touches Mendenhall Lake near Juneau in this photo Eran Hood took from a helicopter on Aug. 13, 2025. (Eran Hood photo)

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Alaska ranked No. 1 in nation for mold risk in homes

The state has the highest Mold Risk Score due to its lakes and average annual humidity

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, speaks Friday, April 26, 2024, on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

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Alaska ethics committee finds ‘probable cause’ in Rep. Vance’s letter to Homer News

One committee members files dissenting opinion to majority decision

Capital City Fire Rescue had a demanding Fourth of July weekend, responding to a total of 60 calls on July 3 and 4. (Capital City Fire Rescue)

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Capital City Fire Rescue sees uptick in service call over 4th of July weekend

The department responded to a total of 60 calls on July 3 and 4

Courtesy of Capital City Fire Rescue
Capital City Fire Rescue will conduct a mass casualty incident exercise at Juneau International Airport on Saturday, July 11.

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Volunteers wanted for mass-casualty exercise at Juneau airport

Exercise will help Capital City Fire Rescue evaluate and improve its internal response plans

Photo by Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center
An injured harbour seal pup is treated at the Alaska SeaLife Center.

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Seward pilot helps rescue harbour seal pups from remote Alaska location

One pup was likely less than 24 hours old while the second was suffering from dehydration and malnourishment

People camping in a makeshift shelter and a vehicle parked at the Glory Hall are seen next door to the Teal Street Center during the multi-agency building’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

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The Glory Hall sees increased demand for shelter, soup kitchen in Juneau

All 52 bed in the emergency shelter were full every night this past fiscal year

Photo courtesy of NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory, U.S. Department of Commerce
NOAA ship Henry B. Bigelow will undergo modernization at the JAG Ketchikan Shipyard.

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Contract brings $100M boost to Ketchikan Shipyard

JAG Ketchikan Secures $99.6 Million NOAA contract, builds momentum at Ketchikan Shipyard

Juneau as pictured from the Downtown Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)

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CNN ranks Juneau No. 7 among America’s best towns to visit in 2026

Juneau received praise for its wilderness, wildlife, seafood, and unique Alaskan culture

Eaglecrest, located on Juneau’s Douglas Island, rises above the Inside Passage. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

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Juneau’s cherished ski area is losing money. Will the city keep paying?

The future of Eaglecrest — and Juneau’s identity as a ski town — has never been so fraught.

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 file photo)

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Parade, picnic, midnight fireworks highlight Juneau Fourth of July festivities

There will be a parade in Downtown Juneau and in Douglas

Mentors and volunteers gather at the Zach Gordon Youth Center to take part in the “Weaving Our Pride” project workshop. The center was one of the local organizations to receive a grant from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

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Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority approves $9.8M in grants

Five Juneau-based organizations were awarded grant funding

The National Forest Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska gathered on June 24 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the new Sítʼ Yá Hítʼ Cabin at Mendenhall Campground. (Tongass National Forest)

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New Indigenous-named cabin opens at Mendenhall Campground

New Sítʼ Yá Hítʼ Cabin with road-based access and stunning views aims to expand access to outdoor recreation

The NOAA Fisheries response team uses poles with specialized knives to cut entangling lines. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game/Jamie Musbach)

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Humpback whale freed from entanglement in Endicott Arm

A response team worked five hours to remove crab pot lines from the whale

531 5th Street was named the Judge’s Choice. Over 225 U.S. flags and Alaska Sate flags were flown in Douglas on Flag Day, in additional to numerous decorations celebrating the country. (Douglas Fourth of July Committee)

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Douglas draped in red, white, and blue for Flag Day

The annual tradition kicks off the leadup to the Fourth of July

A Juneau Police Department vehicle. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

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Man arrested after girls chased through Juneau

Darian Walter Bliss, 36, charged with child enticement and two counts of assault

Janice Mason and Ian Graeme are once again on the starting line of one of North America’s most unusual and demanding adventure races as Race to Alaska launches June 17 in Victoria. (Courtesy Team Oaracle)

Sports

Crews ride the waves and battle the elements in epic Race to Alaska

Northbound Nutters make 750-mile trip from Victoria to Ketchikan in 5 days, 8 hours, 4 minutes

TJ Young’s 360-degree totem pole in front of Sealaska Heritage Institute in Juneau, Alaska. (Courtesy of the Sealaska Heritage Institute/photo by Brendan Sainsbury)

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Alaska Native communites condemn social media trend ‘mocking’ totem poles

Native communites say cultural symbols are not tourist attractions created for public amusement