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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.

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Feb. 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Reinstatement of fired USDA employees ordered; local glacier center worker says no word yet from employer

Federal review board orders 45-day stay affecting nearly 6,000 workers while legal challenge is heard.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Kerra Baxter makes a layup during JDHS’ 64-36 victory over Ketchikan on the first day of the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Thursday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

Sports

Crimson Bears girls defeat Kayhi 64-36 to start region tourney

JDHS’ Kerra Baxter scores 21 points, Gwen Nizich 16 in win

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Elias Dybdahl catches a rebound during JDHS’ 56-43 loss to Ketchikan on the first day of the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Thursday. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)

Sports

Crimson Bears boys fall 56-43 to Kayhi

Region tourney opening loss puts JDHS in a hole to reach state.

Wrangell’s Hailey Cook dribbles up the court against Petersburg on Feb. 22, 2025. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)

Sports

Petersburg boys, Haines girls and both Wrangell teams win opening games of 2A tournament

JDHS begins 4A play on Thursday against Ketchikan on Kings’ home court.

State Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka) explains changes to House Bill 69 during a House Rules Committee meeting on Wednesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

House education bill sent to floor with smaller $1,000 BSA hike, new policy changes

HB 69 also now includes additional charter school support, open enrollment within districts.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 4, 1985. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week ending March 8

Three decades of capital city coverage.

Trucks coming from Mexico at a border crossing in Laredo, Texas, in February. (Gabriel V. Cárdenas for The New York Times)

News

From groceries to cars, here’s how Trump’s tariffs may raise prices for US consumers

New tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China took effect Tuesday.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hockey coach Matt Boline presents JDHS junior Nolan Cruz with the #LiveLikeMatthewC Award during the Crimson Bears hockey banquet Sunday in the JDHS commons. Matthew’s mother Judy Campbell, at left, spoke to the attendees. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

JDHS hockey banquet celebrates Crimson Bears values

Individuals honored for their roles in the team dynamics.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
A 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the atrium of the State Office Building is played by Christopher Nordwall on May 30, 2023, as he and Michael Ruppert work on restoring it to a condition suitable for public performances. The two tuners were only able to work on the organ during hours when the building was officially closed.

News

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

Performance and presentation on historic SOB organ, community exhibit at city museum among events.

Water spills into homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley following record flooding from the Mendenhall River on the morning of Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)

News

Site assessments begin in neighborhoods where flood barriers will be installed

HESCO barriers are on their way to Juneau. Funding to study a long-term solution is not guaranteed.