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Kake’s Keontay Jackson (33) attempts a dunk during the Thunderbirds 61-41 win over the King Cove T-Jacks in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A/2A State Basketball Championships on Wednesday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Southeast teams open 1A state tournament play

Kake boys, Hoonah girls win; Skagway boys, Klawock girls fall.

School buses arrive at the Dzantik’i Heeni campus on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Classroom fire at Dzantik’i Heeni Campus forces evacuation due to electrical wiring risk

Students transported to Dimond Park Field House for pickup or to catch buses home

A mother and baby sperm whale swim together in a photo taken in 2013. (Photo by Gabriel Barathieu, under a Creative Commons license)

News

Southeast fisherman sentenced to six months in prison for falsifying records and attempting to kill sperm whale

The case is a “first of its kind” and sends a message to the larger fishing community.

Students arrive at Thunder Mountain Middle School on Aug. 15, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

New firings gut nearly half of U.S. Education Department, 25% of NOAA; Forest Service staff get 45-day reprieve

Trump administration moves quickly on additional mass firings, despite some being declared illegal.

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in front of snow-covered Mount Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

News

As Alaska Legislature tackles education funding, a bigger budget debate looms

State faces short-term and long-term fiscal problems this year, with many options being considered.

Daaljíni Mary Cruise, left, offers encouragement to participants in a Unity for the Queer Community rally at the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday afternoon. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Hundreds participate in Juneau LGBTQ+ rally as Trump administration seeks to erase letters and rights

President’s actions to stop “woke” are putting people’s safety and health at risk, participants say.

Lebanon Valley College sophomore forward Anna Dale (7) slaps a shot past a Stevenson University defender during Middle Atlantic Conference hockey action this year. (Photo courtesy Lebanon Valley College)

Sports

JDHS grad Anna Dale nets Offensive Player of the Year as sophomore at Lebanon Valley College

2023 graduate helps NCAA DIII Dutchmen reach Middle Atlantic Conference semifinals.

Multiple vehicles are engulfed by fire Monday night at 30 Mile Glacier Highway. (Capital City Fire/Rescue photo)

News

Multiple vehicles consumed by fire at Mile 30 Glacier Highway

Fire department says no injuries reported; no further action planned since site is outside fire district.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Reps. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), left, and Andi Story (D-Juneau), who co-chair the House Education Committee, confer during a break in a floor session Monday focusing on an omnibus education bill.

News

Republicans get chance to take a whack at omnibus state education bill as it reaches the House floor

Dozens of amendments ranging from more homeschool funds to discipline policies fall short.

Trucks haul shipping containers and other cargo through the terminal at the Port of Los Angeles, in San Pedro, Calif., Feb. 14, 2025. President Donald Trump said that Americans would be better off in the long run from his tariffs, which he said would prevent the country from being “ripped off.” (Mark Abramson/The New York Times)

News

Trump declines to rule out recession as tariffs begin to bite

President says Americans will be better off in the long run, policies will keep country from being “ripped…

Jonas Nordwall performs a noontime concert on the 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ at the State Office Building on Friday. Weekly concerts featuring various performers at the instrument draw between 20 to 50 people, according to an official at the Alaska State Museum, which owns the organ. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Century-old theater organ in State Office Building at ‘tipping point’ for decision on long-term repairs

Officials say up to $300K needed for rebuilding to keep it playable for decades; otherwise “it’ll die.”

Sabrina Donnellan and her family attend a community luncheon for federal employees at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

News

Fired and current federal employees find solidarity as community offers support

Trump administration seeks to make government more efficient; fired employees say opposite will happen.

The 4A Girls All Conference players Juneau-Douglas’ Layla Tokuoka, Kerra Baxter, Caiylnn Baxter, Kayhi’s Aspen Bauer, Juneau-Douglas’ Gwen Nizich and Cambry Lockhart stand for a photo at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

Sports

JDHS players earn all-conference honors at regions

Good Sport, academic, cheer and dance honors given.

David Witthohn, senior portfolio specialist for Insight Investment, offers an overview of the City and Borough of Juneau’s investment portfolio during a Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Economic slowdown expected due to Trump’s policies, CBJ leaders told by investment advisor

Surprisingly strong economic performance last fall now halted due to firings, cuts, tariff threats.

A Whitehorse resident wears a Canadian flag in her hair during the annual Canada Day parade on July 1, 2023, in Whitehorse, Yukon. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

News

After Trump threat, British Columbia leader says province will impose tolls on Alaska-bound commerce

Legislation is expected in the coming weeks at the provincial assembly in Victoria; many questions about cost and…

A snowmaker operates at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Feb. 10, 2025. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

News

Eaglecrest Ski Area board OKs 40% hike in employee compensation, hoping to fix hiring woes

Increase in requested budget comes amidst Assembly warnings about money being tight.

A list of words being flagged by federal agencies since President Donald Trump returned to office. (Compiled by The New York Times)

News

‘Tribal,’ ‘climate,’ ‘discrimination,’ ‘hate speech’ among words disappearing in new Trump administration

Agencies flag hundreds of words to limit or avoid, according to compilation of government documents.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé drama, debate and forensics state championship team are shown on stage at the 2025 ASAA state championships at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School on Saturday. (Photo courtesy JDHS)

News

JDHS drama, debate and forensics team are state champions

Crimson Bears’ DDF team hosting a dinner and showcase at school Saturday evening.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé players celebrate their 65-43 victory over Kayhi, winning the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Friday. Juneau-Douglas eliminated Kayhi and will advance to play at state. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

Sports

Crimson Bears overthrow Lady Kings for region championship

JDHS clinches undefeated Southeast season with 65-43 win over Kayhi.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Brandon Casperson runs past defenders during Ketchikan’s 74-54 victory over Juneau-Douglas, winning the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Friday. Ketchikan eliminated Juneau-Douglas and will advance to play at state. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

Sports

Crimson Bears boys fall 74-54 to region champion Kings

JDHS season ends, Ketchikan advances to the state tournament.