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Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people gather in Juneau for the opening of Celebration on June 5, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

News

New lawsuit seeks to limit Alaska Native tribes’ authority, stop Eklutna gambling hall

State challenges legal interpretation that allows tribes to exert authority over as much as 2.7M acres.

Tim Ackerman begins the process of removing a dead seal’s pelt on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, on the Letnikof Cove shoreline. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)

News

Five headless seals have washed up on Chilkat Valley beaches in the last few months; here’s possibly why

Local marine mammal hunter says the carcasses offer a glimpse into Alaska’s marine ecosystem.

Fireworks detonate just above a barge in Gastineau Channel during the show that began just after midnight on July 4, 2023. (Photo by Bob Gross)

News

City leaders consider alternatives to July 4 fireworks show after 2023 mishap raises safety concerns

Assembly members OKs same show this year if volunteer group willing, exploring other options for future.

Students arrive at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé for the first day of the 2024-25 school year on Aug. 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Students return unharmed to school after smoke detected at JDHS

CCFR gave the “all clear” for school to resume normal schedule.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey senior captain Luke Bovitz (4) was selected to the 2025 Northern Lights All-Conference Team this week at the ASAA state hockey tournament. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

News

Bovitz, Welch earn all-conference hockey honors

JDHS senior, junior honored before state tourney.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Dylan Sowa (35) beats Bartlett senior Wyatt Rust (13) in a faceoff earlier this season. Sowa scored four goals in Thursday’s 5-4 extra-time win over the Houston Hawks to open the 2025 ASAA Division II Hockey State Tournament at Soldotna. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Sports

Crimson Bears open postseason by devouring Hawks on extra-time ice

Sowa wears big hat for sixth-seed JDHS in win against third-seed Houston at state hockey tournament.

A free children’s dance concert produced by Sybil Davis featured story dances, rock n’ roll and jazz. This photo was published in the Juneau Empire on March 6, 1981. (Mark Kelley / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Glide into 50 years with Juneau Dance Theatre at a celebratory gala

“We’re big enough now where we can offer something for everyone.”

Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich and his supporters wave campaign signs at the corner of the Seward Highway and Northern Lights Boulevard on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

News

U.S. House passes two bills from Alaska Rep. Nick Begich

One month into his term, Alaska’s lone representative says he’s generally satisfied with how things have gone so…

A person is detained in Anchorage in recent days by officials from the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (FBI Anchorage Field Office photo)

News

Trump’s immigration raids arrive in Alaska, while Coast Guard in state help deportations at southern US border

Anchorage arrests touted by FBI, DEA; Coast Guard plane from Kodiak part of “alien expulsion flight operations.”

A sign at the former Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, June 24, 2024, commemorates the school being in operation from 1973 to 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

Assembly ponders Floyd Dryden for tribal youth programs, demolishing much of Marie Drake for parking

Tlingit and Haida wants to lease two-thirds of former middle school for childcare and tribal education.

Jamiann S’eiltin Hasselquist asks participants to kneel as a gesture to “stay grounded in the community” during a protest in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday focused on President Donald Trump’s actions since the beginning of his second term. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Trump protest rally at Alaska State Capitol targets Nazi-like salutes, challenges to Native rights

More than 120 people show up as part of nationwide protest to actions during onset of Trump’s second…

Glacier Swim Club athletes Valerie Peimann, Emma Fellman, Pacific Ricke, Lily Francis and Lucia Chapell dress for the cool pool weather at the 2025 Alaska Senior Championships in Soldotna last weekend. (Photo courtesy GSC)

Sports

Peimann, Fellman lead GSC at Alaska Senior Championships

Glacier Swim Club brings 11 swimmers to Soldotna meet, set club record.

Wasilla’s Layla Hays blocks a Colony shot in the Warriors win over the Knights in last season’s state title game. Hays, a senior, and her number-one ranked Warriors play JDHS inside the George Houston Gymnasium on Friday and Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Sports

Sports on tap for this week feature current and future state champs

Sports fans living in Juneau, or visiting, will be treated to a possible preview of this season’s girls…

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

News

Gov. Dunleavy proposes new limits on Alaskans’ ability to record conversations

A new proposal from Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy would require all sides of a conversation to consent before…

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Nordic Ski Team and community cross-country skiers start the Shaky Shakeout Invitational six-kilometer freestyle mass start race Saturday at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Crimson Bears cross-country skiers in sync

JDHS Nordic Ski Team tunes up for state with practice race

Frank Richards, president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., speaks at a Jan. 6, 2025, news conference held in Anchorage by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy and Randy Ruaro, executive director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, are standing behind RIchards. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

News

For fourth consecutive year, gas pipeline boss is Alaska’s top-paid public executive

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, had the highest compensation among state legislators after all got pay hike.

Students play trumpets at the first annual Jazz Fest in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sandy Fortier)

News

Join the second annual Juneau Jazz Fest to beat the winter blues

Four-day music festival brings education of students and Southeast community together.

Two flags with pro-life themes, including the lower one added this week to one that’s been up for more than a year, fly along with the U.S. and Alaska state flags at the Governor’s House on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Doublespeak: Dunleavy adds second flag proclaiming pro-life allegiance at Governor’s House

First flag that’s been up for more than a year joined by second, more declarative banner.

The roundabout at the intersection of Mendenhall Loop Road and Stephen Richards Memorial Drive on Monday morning after it was reopened following a shooting between two men in vehicles shortly after midnight. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

News

Motorist fatally shoots driver he says was threatening him with a gun at Mendenhall Valley roundabout

Shooter released after initial JPD investigation; 16-year-old victim had pellet/BB-style CO2 rifle

State Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (right), I-Sitka, answers a question from Rep. Jubilee Underwood (right), R-Wasilla, about a bill increasing per-pupil public school funding during a House Education Committee meeting on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Legislators and governor form working group seeking quick education funding and policy package

Small bipartisan group plans to spend up to two weeks on plan as related bills are put on…