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While a lot about the year-to-come is sure to be a surprise some things, including housing, an impending legislative session and budget-making at all levels of government, among many others are certain to impact Juneau and its residents. (Moritz Knöringer / Unsplash)

News

Stories likely to break big in 2023

New housing, federally-funded projects, school leadership changes among items affecting Juneau

Dozens of people run into the cold ocean water on a cloudy Sunday afternoon for the annual Polar Dip at the Auke Recreation Area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Dipping into 2023: Juneau residents brave the cold ocean water to start the new year

“It was very cold and fun”

Juneau’s biggest news stories of 2022 ranged from historic victories (and Celebrations) to severe struggles due to shortages of workers and housing. Virtually all were connected by overlapping factors to other top stories. (Juneau Empire staff)

News

The stories that shaped our 2022

Unprecedented elections, record rain and much more.

The Thunder Mountain High School girls basketball team poses for a photo after winning the Ocean View Invitational. (Courtesy Photo)

Sports

Lady Falcons fly high in California tournament

TMHS girls now 7-0.

FILE - A pedestrian carries an umbrella while crossing a street in San Francisco, Thursday, April 14, 2022. A variety of new laws take effect Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 that could have an impact on people's finances and, in some cases, their personal liberties. (AP Photo / Jeff Chiu)

News

Taxes fall, wages rise and jaywalking OK’d by new state laws

Taxes will fall and minimum wages rise for residents in numerous states…

Revelers watch a sound and light show projected on the Arc de Triomphe as they celebrate the New Year on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

News

Time zone by time zone, another new year sweeps into view

NEW YORK — New Year’s celebrations are sweeping across the globe, ushering in 2023 with countdowns and fireworks…

JDHS junior guard Sean Oliver scores a layup against West Valley High School on Friday during the conclusion of the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic tournament. The Crimson Bears girls team also played against Anchorage Christian School. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Capital City Classic finales offer chance for growth, coaches say

JDHS teams fall short of tournament titles.

James Snookes plays with his son Harry in the pool at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center as part of the SAFE Child Advocacy Center’s free sponsored event Family Day at the Pool. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

News

A resilient ripple: Pool day held to promote positive childhood experiences

SAFE Child Advocacy Center hosts family day at the pool.

Junior guard Sean Oliver pushes through a crowd of players for a layup during the third period during Thursday night’s game against South Anchorage High School during the first night of the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Crimson Bears teams secure victories at 2nd night of tournament

JDHS girls and boys keep the momentum at Princess Cruises Capital City Classic

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News

Ketchikan police chief charged with assaulting man

A police chief in Ketchikan pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he assaulted an intoxicated man while…

William Dall’s sketch of the mouth of what is now called the Melozitna River, which enters the Yukon River near the village of Ruby, from “Alaska and its Resources.”

News

Alaska Science Forum: A scientist’s view of Alaska, 150 years ago

One year before Alaska became part of America, 21-year old William Dall ascended the Yukon River on a…

This map from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management shows the sale area for a recently concluded oil and gas lease sale.

News

U..S. gets 1 bid for oil and gas lease in Alaska’s Cook Inlet

Hilcorp Alaska LLC submitted the sole bid — $63,983 for an area covering 5,693 acres.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The privately owned 107-foot tugboat named Tagish sits partially below the water next to the National Guard dock south of the downtown cruise ship docks Thursday morning. Recovery plans by the owner are now underway, but are expected to come at a steep price.

News

Planning for removal of sunken tugboat underway

The owner said the effort could cost between $150,000 to $500,000

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The privately owned 107-foot tugboat named Tagish sits partially below the water next to the National Guard dock south of the downtown cruise ship docks Thursday morning. Officials were at the at the scene to assist cleanup mitigation and recovery efforts.

News

Tugboat sinks near cruise ship docks

Owner says he is unsure of next steps for recovery efforts

President Joe Biden arrives at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, late Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. Biden on Thursday signed a $1.7 trillion spending bill that will keep the federal government operating through the end of the federal budget year in September 2023, and provide tens of billions of dollars in new aid to Ukraine for its fight against the Russian military. (AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta)

News

Biden signs $1.7 trillion bill funding government operations

It includes $15.3B lawmakers sought for their home states and districts.

Juneau’s Telephone Hill neighborhood is seen at center right, beneath the State Office Building, on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. The neighborhood, owned by the state of Alaska, is being transferred to the City and Borough of Juneau. (James Brooks / Alaska Beacon)

News

Historic neighborhood, once envisioned for new Alaska Capitol, is given away by the state

Order signed transferring Telephone Hill to the capital city.

Free At-home test kits are available in Juneau at City Hall and all Juneau public libraries, masks and kits are available to patients experiencing symptoms at Bartlett Regional Hospital and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

News

COVID-19 tests still available amid New Year’s celebrations

Respiratory viruses remain at high levels, officials say.

Many hands help to get the work done. Participants of the Alaska Youth Stewards program in Kake install a Lingít/English road sign, a project in partnership with community elders and the U.S. Forest Service.

News

Resilient Peoples & Place: A year of building and reconnection

Investing in Southeast Alaska by continuing to place relationships first.

A school bus sits in the parking lot of the University of Southeast Alaska Tech Center downtown. In the fall of 2024, a new commercial driver’s license education training program is expected to be offered at the campus. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

UAS to establish Juneau-based CDL program amid driver shortage

New program could put driver shortage in the rear-view mirror.

Capital City Fire/Rescue (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

News

CCFR fights fire and propane leak off Glacier Highway

No injuries reported.