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Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, sits in the House on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Eastman, accused of violating the state constitution's disloyalty clause over his lifetime membership in Oath Keepers, has not condemned the organization in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S Capitol. "No, I generally don't condemn groups," Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, said during his bench hearing on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, his second day on the witness stand. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer, File)

News

Judge rules Eastman eligible to hold office

The judge’s order is on hold pending a possible appeal.

Both JDHS boys and girls basketball teams finished up games in Las Vegas on Thursday as part of the Tarkanian Classic tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Sports

JDHS boys and girls basketball teams return home from Vegas

Princess Cruises Capital City Classic starts Dec. 26.

Courtesy / U.S. Coast Guard Funding to purchase the Aiviq icebreaker, seen here towing a mobile drilling rig about 100 miles southwest of Kodiak, was cut from $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package passed by Congress. According both of Alaska’s Republican senators, it is a disappointing cut.

News

Icebreaker plan hits snag after funding cut

$150M allocation pulled late, Murkowski says; multiple Juneau-based projects still receive funding.

An architect’s depiction shows the first crisis stabilization center for youth and adults in Southeast Alaska, now under construction at Bartlett Region Hospital and scheduled for completion in March of 2023. Among the goals for the center is reducing the number of youths experiencing a behavioral health crisis who must leave the community and receive treatment away from their families. (City and Borough of Juneau)

News

DOJ: Alaska illegally institutionalizing troubled kids

State locks up youths far from home instead of offering adequate treatment, investigation finds.

The Senate side of the Capitol is seen in Washington, early Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, as lawmakers rush to complete passage of a bill to fund the government before a midnight Friday deadline, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

News

Senate reaches deal on $1.7T package, pushing toward passage

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that the Senate had an agreement…

Thomas Baxter, a junior, leads the Thunder Mountain High School Falcons through a banner to start the second half of a home win against Petersburg. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Falcons rule the roost in season opener

Thunder Mountain bests Petersburg at home.

The JDHS boys basketball team won its second game of the season Wednesday. The Crimson Bears have more tournament games in their future — both in Las Vegas and at home. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Sports

JDHS boys notch another win in Vegas tournament

A “very good win” for the Crimson Bears against a “talented and competitive team.”

This is a photo of players who participated in the annual JDHS alumni game in 2021. (Courtesy / Suzanne Sauerteig)

Sports

Out of hibernation, Crimson Bear hockey alums set to head back on the ice

Former coach says upcoming game a chance to reconnect with old faces

Gifts donated to St. Vincent de Paul for its annual Adopt-A-Family holiday program await pickup by Juneau residents on Thursday at the facility’s Teal Street complex. The organization, which got more than 300 requests for gifts from families, initially had to stop accepting them earlier this week due to demand exceeding donations. But during the past two days an infusion of gifts and donations have been made to the campaign, according to St. Vincent’s Executive Director Dave Ringle. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Outpouring of support makes fulfilling family wish lists possible for local charity

More than 150 donations for needy families arrive in two days after Adopt-A-Family comes up short

Christmas tree. (unsplash)

Opinion

Opinion: Juneau Christmas, past and present

Realizing the gifts you already have and sharing with others.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire State Rep. Andi Story chats with Tawnya Kreft at her office in the Alaska State Capitol during the Juneau legislative delegation’s holiday open house Thursday afternoon.

News

Holiday cheer as the legislative session nears

Residents chat and snack with Juneau’s delegation during open house at Capitol.

(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

News

Judge hears case challenging Alaska House candidate win

An Anchorage Democrat faces a legal challenge to her state House win.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A volunteer selects donated toys for a recipient during The Salvation Army’s food and gift giveaway Saturday at its church and administrative office downtown. St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau is hosting its Adopt-A-Family gift giveaway this week, but had to stop accepting wish lists from families early due to higher-than-usual demand, according to Director Dave Ringle. People interested in helping a family can contact the organization by Thursday,

News

Santa’s helpers for the needy can use some holiday help

Annual gifts and meals for Juneau’s struggling continue their traditions, but limited by high demand

What the author means when he says, “we’re building a house” he means “people who know what they are doing are building a house for them.” (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

Sports

I Went to the Woods: Appreciating masters of their craft

Mariah Carey can sing. But did you see my guy laying D-1 before starting on the foundation?

Staff Picks is a recurring round-up of what the Juneau Empire and Capital City Weekly staff are reading, watching, lighting to and playing. This month's edition focuses on our holiday-themed favorites.

News

Holiday season staff picks

‘Tis the season to make some recommendations.

Helena Fagan speaks during the event, Family Stories — Juneau and the Holocaust, at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library Tuesday evening. Fagan shared two excerpts of a memoir she is writing about her mother’s story of her narrow survival from the terrors of the Holocaust and Auschwitz concentration camp. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

‘We tell our story as an urgent plea to stay ever vigilant’: Juneau residents share family stories of the survival and loss during the Holocaust

It coincided with the final day to visit an exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

JDHS boys basketball team poses for a group photo on Monday in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic tournament. (Courtesy Photo / Robert Casperson)

Sports

Both JDHS basketball teams compete in Las Vegas tournament

What happens in Vegas, gets reported from Vegas.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)

News

Suit challenges review underlying Alaska oil lease sale

The lawsuit asks that a judge strike down the environmental review underlying the lease sale.

Snow blankets a statue in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

News

A white Christmas is in Juneau’s forecast

Winter storm warning issued through the holiday.

Leona Santiago smiles while holding a beaded key chain made with devil’s club during a celebration of the winter solstice on Wednesday afternoon at Generations Southeast. According to David Abad, a volunteer at the event who supplied the plant, Devil’s club often represents protection in Alaska Native cultures. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Event finds inner light during winter solstice

‘It’s about us nurturing the light that’s within us’