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Firearms and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl seized by law enforcement agents in Alaska are shown in this undated photo. The volume of drugs seized this year at Anchorage's airport was nearly twice that seized last year. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Troopers)

News

Alaska agencies seized 317 pounds of drugs at Anchorage airport this year, nearly doubling 2023

State’s fatal overdose numbers continued to climb, a contrast with decreases nationally.

An American bald eagle perched in a tree on Buttons Creek, which is part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, June 14, 2022. The bald eagle became the national bird of the United States on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Once an endangered species in the U.S., the bald eagle represents “independence, strength, and freedom,” according to the bipartisan bill signed by President Biden. (Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)

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The bald eagle is (finally) the national bird of the United States

The bald eagle received a title this week that many may have assumed it already had: the national…

Chugiak freshman Kaitlyn Farr (3) checks Kenai freshman Bryleigh Williams (22) during the Mustangs 43-34 win over the Cardinals in the opening game of the George Houston Capital City Classic Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Chugiak girls run past Kenai to win opening game of Capital City Classic

Tournament featuring seven high schools continues through Sunday at JDHS.

Federal Way senior Brayden McVey (4) passes around Soldotna senior defender Izaiah Gilbert (21) during the Eagles 63-40 win over the Stars in the opening game of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Capital City Classic, Day 1: Federal Way gets past Soldotna 63-40

Eagles from Washington use second half against Stars.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears sophomore Layla Tokuoka takes the ball from Klawock senior Lea Armour during the Crimson Bears 71-21 win over the Chieftains on the opening day of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

4A Crimson Bears girls topple 1A Chieftains

JDHS too strong in Capital City Classic opener

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Brandon Casperson hits a three-point shot over Cordova senior Noah Pearson (14) during the Crimson Bears 62-39 win over the Wolverines in the nightcap game of the opening day of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Capital City Classic Day 1: JDHS boys beat Cordova in nightcap

Crimson Bears topple Wolverines in Juneau tournament that continues through Sunday

The Columbia state ferry is the first to provide Wi-Fi service to passengers. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)

News

AMHS debuts passenger Wi-Fi aboard Columbia, releases schedule for next summer

No cross-Gulf sailings planned until at least 2027 due to ongoing maintenance issues, officials say.

Voters at Anchorage City Hall wait in line to cast their ballots on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. City Hall, in downtown Anchorage, was one of the designated early voting sites in the state’s largest city. The director of the Alaska Division of Election answered some pointed questions at a legislative hearing last week. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

News

Alaska legislators, citing some citizen complaints, probe management of 2024 election

State elections director defends process as secure, trustworthy and fair, despite some glitches.

Officials prepare to move Ashley Rae Johnston from the street where she was fatally shot by police on Wednesday near the Mendenhall Valley Breeze In. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Woman with hatchet shot by police on Christmas Day has long been in ‘a very dark place,’ mother says

Ashley Rae Johnston, 30, suffered early family hardship, first lived on the streets at the age of 12.

Juneau Police Department officers close off an area around the intersection of Glacier Highway and Trout Street on Wednesday morning following an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a woman believed to be experiencing homelessness. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Update: Woman wielding hammer, hatchet dies in officer-involved shooting near valley Breeze In

Woman threatened person at convenience store with hammer, officers with hatchet, according to JPD

Clockwise from top left, Hoonah senior wrestler Krista Howland, Juneau senior football player Jayden Johnson, Juneau sophomore swimmer Amy Liddle, and the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears and Thunder Mountain Falcons cheer teams achieved some of the most notable moments in Southeast Alaska sports during 2024. (Klas Stople / Juneau Empire file photos)

Sports

Juneau’s 2024 sports in review

State tennis and cheer titles, TMHS’ final triumphs, Olympic trials swimmer among top achievements

An aerial view of L’áan Yík (Channel inside or Port Camden) with cars and people gathered on the bridge over Yéil Héeni (Raven’s Creek) during a May 2024 convening on Kuiu Island. Partners that comprise the Ḵéex̱’ Ḵwáan Community Forest Partnership and staff from the Tongass National Forest met to discuss priorities for land use, stream restoration, and existing infrastructure on the north Kuiu road system. (Photo by Lee House)

News

Woven Peoples and Place: U.S. Forest Service’s Tongass collaboration a ‘promise to the future’

Multitude of partners reflect on year of land management and rural economic development efforts.

Maria Laura Guollo Martins, 22, an Eaglecrest Ski Area employee from Urussanga, Brazil, working via a J-1 student visa, helps Juneau kids make holiday decorations during the resort’s annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade gathering on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Foreign students working at Eaglecrest trade Christmas Eve traditions for neon lights and lasagna

26 employees from Central and South America are far from family, yet among many at Torchlight Parade.

The newly named Ka-PLOW is seen with other Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities equipment in Juneau in a video announcing the names of three local snowplows in a contest featuring more than 400 entries. (Screenshot from Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities video)

News

Newly named DOT snowplows probably won’t visit Juneau neighborhoods until after Christmas

Berminator, Salt-O-Saurus Rex, Ka-PLOW selected as winners in contest with more than 400 entries.

Sunset hues color the sky and the snow at the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on Feb. 26, 2024. The University of Alaska system and the union representing nearly 1,100 faculty members and postdoctoral fellows are headed into federal mediation in January. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

News

University of Alaska-faculty contract negotiations head for federal mediation

Parties say they’re hopeful; outcome will depend on funding being included in the next state budget.

Participants in the 2024 Solstice Sweater Shuffle pose for a photo at Lena Beach campground. (Photo courtesy race directors)

Sports

Solstice Sweater Shuffle brings style to shortest day of the year

A festive group of runners participated in the Solstice Sweater Shuffle on Saturday at the King Salmon Shelter…

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears varsity girls and boys basketball teams pose with alumni players during alumni games Monday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

JDHS boys and girls show up to show out against peers

Crimson Bears finish Vegas, use alumni game for GHCCC warmup.

A bear family sculpture decorated for the holidays awaits visitors at the entrance of the DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

DIPAC sounds alarm about proposal reducing Southeast hatchery pink and chum production by 25%

Backer says limits needed due to threat to wild chinook statewide; numerous similar proposals have failed.

Denali as seen in a picture distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 when the nation’s tallest mountain was renamed from Mount McKinley. (National Park Service photo)

News

Trump vows name of highest mountain in U.S. will be changed from Denali back to Mt. McKinley

Similar declaration by Trump in 2016 abandoned after Alaska’s U.S. senators expressed opposition.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Justus Darbonne pins Soldotna’s Ryatt Weed in the 152-pound fifth-place match during the 2024 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Wrestling State Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Wrestlers represent Southeast well at state

Mt. Edgecumbe wins DII team title, JDHS puts three on DI podium