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Jill Lawhorne, community development director for the City and Borough of Juneau, and building inspector Jeff Hedges examine a section of armored riverbank that had minimal damage despite a fast-flowing drainage of water from the Meander Way neighborhood during record flooding Monday and Tuesday. A nearby homeowner reported the only damage to her home was a gash in the garage where a large spruce tree rammed into the exterior and poked a sizable hole that allowed water to get into the garage. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

News

City says more than 100 homes damaged by record flood; Gov. Dunleavy issues state disaster declaration

Congressional delegation, organizations and businesses also discussing assistance possibilities.

The U.S. Capitol is seen on a cloudy day in an undated photo. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

News

As early voting opens in Alaska’s U.S. House race, current and former candidates talk about what’s at stake

State has only one seat in the House, but in closely divided Congress is one of few swing…

Vehicles try to navigate through rapidly rising flood waters in a neighborhood along the Mendenhall River at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

News

Suicide Basin flood tracker: Mendenhall River crests at 15.99 feet, expected to retreat rapidly

New record water level more than a foot higher than last year, causes unexpected damage to some homes.

Juno, a 7-year-old Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute mix, is officially up for adoption through Juneau Animal Rescue as of Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

News

‘Special street dog’ Juno searches for her forever home

“We just want to make sure she goes to a good, loving home.”

The former Breakwater Inn on Egan Drive, near where a hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian occurred early Sunday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Pedestrian on Egan Drive critically injured in early morning hit-and-run collision with vehicle

Relative says victim, 38, has broken neck; man ‘involved’ in accident leads police to damaged vehicle.

Mayor Beth Weldon cuts a ribbon for Capitol Park’s opening Saturday with John Pugh, Juneau Park Foundation vice chair and Juneau Community Foundation board president. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

News

Newly remodeled Capitol Park welcomes community at ribbon-cutting ceremony

“I’m just looking forward to my great-grandchildren using this park.”

A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service Juneau after Suicide Basin’s ice dam broke Sunday morning. (National Weather Service Juneau)

News

Suicide Basin breaks, Mendenhall River expected to crest Tuesday morning with “worst case” similar to 2023

Forecast for river level of nearly 15 feet will flood numerous homes, according to weather service.

Residents on Meander Way gather around a stand selling drinks, cookies and handmade trinkets early Sunday afternoon, a few hours after a flood warning was issued for the neighborhood due to a glacier outburst flood from Suicide Basin. Residents along the street, whose homes and yards were infiltrated by water from record flooding last year, said they are making contingency plans as they keep an eye on the water, but not fleeing their homes yet. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Residents in Mendenhall River flood zone preparing, not panicking after Suicide Basin breaks

“Go” bags, alternate places to stay, other safeguards set as people watch waters expected to peak Tuesday.

Isabella Lang gets an enthusiastic greeting as she finishes first overall in the Olympic distance in Aukeman Triathlon on Sunday. (Photo by Bob Eastaugh)

Sports

Record number of racers feel heat of new challenges, including first-ever long course, at Aukeman Triathlon

Isabella Lang, in a “for-fun” effort, gets dominant overall win in Olympic-length course.

Retired Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief Ed Quinto takes a photo with his family at the Hagevig Regional Fire Training Center on Saturday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

News

CCFR celebrates the retirement of Ed Quinto, Juneau’s longest-serving firefighter

Looking back at 45 years, retired assistant chief says it’s the journey that matters

Children attend the Sheldon Jackson School in Sitka, in a photo dated between 1900 and 1930. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.)

News

Alaska officials echo federal push to promote healing after boarding schools report

Murkowski, state lawmakers have pushed for a Native-led documentation effort.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

News

Gov. Dunleavy vetoes five bills passed late by state House

All five pieces of legislation were passed by the House after midnight on Legislature’s 121st day.

The Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

News

JPD: Callers pretending to be police, court officials are scamming locals out of thousands of dollars

People often told to pay a fine online to avoid arrest for missing jury duty, officials say.

Deven Mitchell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., gives a tour of the corporation’s investment floor to Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and other attendees of an open house on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

News

New Alaska Permanent Fund reports show fiscal crisis growing closer

More money is being spent from the fund than is being deposited or earned through investments.

Jonathan Tuttle, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, installs monitoring equipment at the Mendenhall River bridge on Back Loop Road Thursday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

News

Weather Service: Suicide Basin overflowing from top, but ‘no indication of a release at this time’

“Now is the time to start preparing for potential flooding impacts along the Mendenhall lake and river.”

Volunteers operate an in-person polling place for the special U.S. House primary election on Friday, May 27, 2022 in the atrium of the State Office Building. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

News

What Alaskans need to know ahead of the Aug. 20 primary

By-mail voting has already begun, while early in-person voting starts on Aug. 5

From left to right: Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne, formerly of The Supremes with Joyce Vincent. (Former Ladies of The Supremes collection)

News

‘Supreme Sisters’: Former Ladies of The Supremes will perform in Juneau

Legendary trio will perform classic R&B show Aug. 10 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall.

Trawlers are seen in Unalaska on Sept. 24, 2013. Trawlers use nets to harvest pollock and other groundfish species in the Bering Sea; the ships’ incidental catch of river-bound salmon puts the pollock industry in conflict with commercial and subsistence fishermen in Western Alaska. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

News

Biden administration rejects top Inslee choice for Alaska fish commission, reappoints trawl ally

The Biden administration has rejected a nominee for a key Alaska fisheries management post who could have tipped…

In 2024, the work of the Lynn Canal Food Web expanded into an additional community garden located in Deishú Haines using plants and seeds from the Victory Garden at Xunt’i Áa Mosquito Lake. Pictured, Erika Merklin and Liz Landes tend to the Henderson field property. Landes is funded to manage site development for the year through an additional USDA Southeast Alaska Sustainability mini-grant made available by Southeast Conference demonstrating how USDA funding continues to develop new leadership in local communities. (Photo by Shaelene Grace Moler)

News

Woven Peoples and Place: Upper Lynn Canal food systems boosted by regional sustainability initiatives

Network of grassroots efforts, volunteers and community gardens helping ensure access to local food.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on July 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week ending Aug. 3

Three decades of capital city coverage.