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(Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service)

Neighbors

Neighbors: Local rescuers kick off annual Fireside Lecture Series at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

Presentations about research, expeditions and other topics continue until March 29.

The Driftwood Lodge, used for decades by state lawmakers and others during legislative sessions, is not on this year’s official housing list provided by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Historic Assembly Building to open as legislative housing next week, Driftwood off official list

Lodge hit by complaints last year after Tlingit and Haida purchase; officials say that’s not a factor

Sylvia Geraghty helps a customer during the weekly food pantry at Resurrection Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Dec. 6. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Online SNAP benefit forms go live as state hopes to catch up on 8,000-applicant backlog by March

State: 260 online forms in first 10 days take average of 20 minutes, compared to an hour for…

Sun on the peaks from the Boy Scout Beach Trail on New Year’s Day. (Photo by Deborah Rudis)

News

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of…

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 6, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Jan. 7

Three decades of capital city coverage.

Lori Anne Razpotnik, one of at least 49 victims of Gary L. Ridgway, known as the Green River Killer, is pictured in a Facebook post by the Kings County Sheriff’s Office last year confirming her remains were identified after her mother last saw her more than 40 years ago. (Kings County Sheriff’s Office)

News

How DNA and an obituary helped ID a victim of the Green River killer

Juneau woman finally learns what happened to daughter missing since 1982.

A complaint filed July 3, 2023, with the Alaska Public Offices Commission accuses advocates of repealing the state’s open primary elections and ranked choice voting of violating numerous campaign disclosure laws. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Backers of an effort to repeal Alaska’s ranked voting system fined more than $94,000 by APOC

Supporters of an effort to repeal Alaska’s ranked choice voting system have been fined more than $94,000 after…

The Tlingit Culture, Language and Literacy Dance Group performs for attendees at Goldbelt Inc.’s 50th-anniversary celebration on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Goldbelt celebrates 50th anniversary with tributes, prayer, dancing and hopes for future

Leaders of local Alaska Native Regional Corporation looking ahead generations rather than years.

(Getty Images)

News

State compiles first comprehensive account of Alaska children’s stress and trauma

Bulletin details adverse childhood experiences that are known to lead to poor health outcomes.

An employee leaves the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The building was among numerous state capitals targeted by bomb threats that federal law enforcement officials are calling a hoax. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Alaska’s Capitol among those in multiple states targeted by emailed bomb threats FBI calls a hoax

Church in downtown Juneau, other buildings across state and U.S. also receive threats.

A worker uses machinery while working on the construction site of Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s revived Haven House on July 31, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

State: ‘Modest’ job growth likely in Southeast in ‘24, but shrinking workforce a long-term concern

Report predicts 1.4% regional growth, with wide variances by industry, compared to 1.7% statewide.

Smokestack emissions are seen along the Fairbanks skyline on March 1, 2023. At left is the coal-fired heat and power plant on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

News

Could a new Alaska coal power plant be climate friendly? An $11 million study aims to find out.

UA researchers plan to explore viability of injecting plant’s carbon emissions underground.

Mary Snook, a Ketchikan resident of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian ancestry, takes a photo of her fellow Alaska Natives passing by during the Celebration parade in downtown Juneau on Saturday, June 11, 2022. In the background is one of the large cruise ships docked in town for the day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Here are the headlines likely to loom large in 2024

Fiscal and social education matters, tourism impacts, Suicide Basin and elections among top issues.

The Patsy Ann statue at twilight on the downtown cruise ship dock. (Photo courtesy of Tricia Brown)

News

‘Patsy Ann of Alaska’ finds a new home after being left astray

Children’s book from 2011 about famous Juneau dog gets new publisher after being discontinued.

The former Glory Hall shelter on South Franklin Street is sealed off from the public on Tuesday as workers inside convert the building to low-income apartments in the upper section and commercial space on the ground floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Glory Hall seeking commercial tenant as conversion of former downtown shelter continues on schedule

Low-income housing in upper section expected by May, commercial space downstairs includes kitchen.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé guard Alwen Carrillo (#3) looks to drive inside against Albuquerque High School during the final game of the Capital City Classic at JDHS on Saturday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Albuquerque holds off rallies by JDHS girls’ and boys’ teams to win Capital City Classic

Crimson Bears boys lose double-OT thriller, girls come up short in final minutes.

Brett Weideman, wearing a banana costume, and his son Bodhi, 7, dressed as a Pikachu, celebrate the New Year by emerging from Auke Bay during the 33rd annual Juneau Polar Bear Dip at the Auke Village Recreation Area on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Hundreds wave goodbye to last year, plunge into 2024 during 33rd annual Juneau Polar Bear Dip

Participants embrace cold waters of Auke Bay, prospects for 2024 with equal enthusiasm.

The boys’ all-tournament team at last week’s Clarke Cochrane Christmas Classic in Ketchikan includes Thunder Mountain High School guards Thomas Baxter and Samuel Lockhart. TMHS finished third among the eight boys’ teams in the tournament. (Photo courtesy TMHS basketball)

Sports

TMHS boys finish third in Clarke Cochrane Christmas Classic in Ketchikan

Falcons open with OT victory, fall short in comeback against champs before win in consolation game.

An image from Ashley Lohr’s “Layered Scapes” exhibit debuting Friday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Photo courtesy Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

News

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

Revisiting Juneau as the first Alaska city with an established telephone system and more.

The parking lot of the Juneau Costco on Sunday afternoon, a day after a car hit a pedestrian and six vehicles. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Six vehicles damaged, pedestrian hospitalized with injuries, by car in Costco parking lot

Man cited for reckless driving and insurance violation, released at scene, according to JPD.