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Abortion-rights advocates start a march along several downtown blocks to protest the U.S. Supreme Court ruling’s June 24, 2022, ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. An Alaska judge has ruled that a longstanding provision in state law specifying that licensed physicians are the only medical professionals allowed to provide abortion services violates the Alaska constitution’s equal-protection and privacy guarantees. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

News

Alaska judge strikes down requirement that only licensed physicians provide abortions

Ruling says barring clinicians from providing services violates equal-protection, privacy rights

A painting by Marty Sharp, whose works will be exhibited at the Juneau Artists Gallery as part of First Friday in September. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

News

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in September

Art exhibits, artists’ market, singer from Iceland and opening of new Perseverance play scheduled.

The halls are lined with lockers and portraits of elders at the Anna Tobeluk Memorial School in Nunapitchuk on Oct. 12, 2023. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

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Homeless students in Alaska, nationally could lose access to added aid

Congress asked to give states more time to spend designated money, advocates say it may be too late.

A summary sheet is seen during ballot review on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, at the headquarters of the Alaska Division of Elections in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

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A meeting at an Eagle River brewery helped put a convicted felon on Alaska’s U.S. House ballot

When Nick Begich arranged to meet Matt Salisbury at Matanuska Brewing in Eagle River last Thursday, he intended…

A maintenance worker cleans the front of the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau on April 2, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

News

Expanded access to food stamps, health care becomes law in Alaska

The law takes advantage of waivers to allow more Alaskans to access federal aid programs.

Abby Dolan (wearing green) tries to take down Sofia Contreras during a Juneau Youth Wrestling Club camp Sept. 1 at the Juneau Wrestling Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Youths try to get a leg up — and opponents down — with help from pros at wrestling camps

With participation by girls rising and school teams getting bigger, every tip helps

Sitkans sit in the lobby of city hall on Saturday as they use the city’s satellite connection to the internet with their cell phones. (Sitka Sentinel photo)

News

Sitka loses internet service, GCI says repair could take two weeks

Help expected with loan of Starlink satellite equipment by Tlingit and Haida.

The F/V Liberty, captained by Trenton Clark, fishes the Pacific near Metlakatla on Aug. 20, 2024. Over the last few years, the $6 billion Alaskan wild seafood market has been ensnared in a mix of geopolitics, macroeconomics, changing ocean temperatures and post-Covid whiplash that piled on top of long-building vulnerabilities in the business model. (Ash Adams/The New York Times)

News

For generations of Alaskans, a livelihood is under threat

Something is broken in the economics of state’s fishing industry. Can Washington come to the rescue?

Caleb Ziegenfuss (left) looks to pass for the Juneau Huskies during Saturday’s road game against South Anchorage High School. (Screenshot from Juneau Huskies Football livestream)

Sports

Juneau fumbles away opportunities in 42-0 loss to Anchorage South

Three first-half Huskies turnovers allow hometown Wolverines to break open close game.

A drone image shows widespread flooding in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)

News

FEMA visits hundreds of Juneau homes damaged by flood; decision on federal disaster aid awaits

Presence of agency “a lot larger” than last year’s flood when aid was denied, visiting official says.

Results of the Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) assessments and the Alaska Science Assessment from the past year are shown for Juneau’s schools. (Juneau Empire graph using data from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development)

News

Standardized test scores at some Juneau schools far higher than others

Math, science proficiency at Auke Bay elementary roughly twice Kax̱dig̱oowu Héen’s, for example.

Republican challenger Nick Begich III and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are on the stage at the beginning of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s candidate forum on Aug. 28, 2024. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

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Peltola, Begich face off in first debate at Alaska oil and gas industry forum

U.S. House candidates focus on Biden administration’s policies, citing advances and setbacks.

Crew members with the Hoonah Native Forest Partnership map anadromous streams that have not previously been documented in an effort to further knowledge about salmon distribution and health in Southeast Alaska that is essential for addressing climate change. (Photo by Lee House)

News

Woven Peoples and Place: Climate adaptation and resilience in Southeast Alaska

A conversation with Annika Ord, climate adaptation catalyst for Sustainable Southeast Partnership.

A summary sheet is seen during ballot review on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, at the headquarters of the Alaska Division of Elections in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

News

Alaska’s primary election turnout is on pace to be third-lowest in 50 years

Historical trends indicate the cause may be a boring ballot and a growing voter roll

Jayden Johnson (4) eludes a Service High School tackler while running a fake punt in for a touchdown during the first quarter of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s first home game of the season Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Juneau’s Jayden Johnson named Alaska Sports Report’s Athlete of the Week

Senior for Huskies had 58 yards receiving, 58 rushing, 55 passing and two TDs in win against Service.

People explore downtown Juneau on July 26, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Free Starlink service, upgraded telecom network seek to resolve downtown internet and phone issues

Slow internet during busy cruise days “number one complaint from this summer,” Goldbelt CEO says.

Robert Sisson (left), former commissioner of the International Joint Commission, presides over a panel discussion Wednesday during the third annual Transboundary Mining Conference at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Transboundary mining conference sees fears after natural and man-made disasters, hope after pacts

U.S., Canadian and tribal leaders gather in Juneau to seek way forward on decades-old disputes.

Melanee Tiura (right), one of three finalists to be the new CEO at Bartlett Regional Hospital, talks with an employee during a meet-and-greet at the hospital on Aug. 26. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Three people with different backgrounds at struggling healthcare facilities hoping to be Bartlett’s new CEO

Stability of hospital’s leadership, programs emphasized by finalists; board vote may occur this week.

A gathering of friends rent Skater’s Cabin on Mendenhall Lake from the U.S. Forest Service on a sunny day in July of 2024. The cabin and the West Glacier Trail beyond it were Civilian Conservation Corps projects. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

News

Rock Solid: The 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps built many of Juneau’s recreational, cultural landmarks

Forest Service shelters, trails, totem poles, early ski area among Depression-era program’s fixtures.

A sign outside posted on July 20, 2024, outside of Kincaid Elementary School advertises job openings in the Anchorage School District. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

News

Teacher recruitment and retention bill becomes law in Alaska without Gov. Dunleavy’s signature

Lawmakers say “small tweaks” to policy can attract and keep more teachers in Alaska’s classrooms.