Home

The Associated Press A map shows the location of the Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where more than 200 drills are scheduled to be drilled during a 30-year period if approved.

Willow approval expected next week, Bloomberg and CNN reports

The Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska will be officially approved by the Biden administration next week, according to reports from CNN… Continue reading

The Associated Press A map shows the location of the Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where more than 200 drills are scheduled to be drilled during a 30-year period if approved.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The Tazlina docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Thursday afternoon.

DOT: Staffing shortages mean fewer ferries this summer

Service may improve if more crew becomes available, officials say

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The Tazlina docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Thursday afternoon.
JDHS’ Joseph Aline takes the ball down court against Ketchikan’s JJ Parker on Thursday during the Region V Tournament at Thunder Mountain High School. Aline finished the game with a total of 16 points. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

JDHS stays on top after win against Ketchikan

Region V Championship game on Friday at 8:15 p.m.

JDHS’ Joseph Aline takes the ball down court against Ketchikan’s JJ Parker on Thursday during the Region V Tournament at Thunder Mountain High School. Aline finished the game with a total of 16 points. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
TMHS Ashlyn Gates takes the ball in for a layup against JDHS on Thursday during their second 4A game of the Region V tournament at TMHS. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

TMHS beats JDHS in close region match

JDHS plays Ketchikan Friday at 11:30 a.m.

TMHS Ashlyn Gates takes the ball in for a layup against JDHS on Thursday during their second 4A game of the Region V tournament at TMHS. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Petersburg junior Bryanna Ratliff is fouled by Haines sophomore Ari’el Godinez Long during the Region V basketball tournament on Thursday. Haines eliminated Petersburg from the tournament 38-16. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Haines girls eliminate Petersburg; Wrangell boys eliminate Craig from tournament

There will be two Wrangell-Haines games Friday morning.

Petersburg junior Bryanna Ratliff is fouled by Haines sophomore Ari’el Godinez Long during the Region V basketball tournament on Thursday. Haines eliminated Petersburg from the tournament 38-16. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Metlakatla junior Ryley Booth battles for a loose ball with Wrangell sophomore Aubrey Wynne, senior Kiara Harrison, freshman Christina Johnson (12) and sophomore Addy Andrews (21) in the Region V 2A/4A Basketball Tournament on Thursday at Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Metlakatla girls nip Wrangell to earn spot in championship game

MisChiefs against Lady Wolves

Metlakatla junior Ryley Booth battles for a loose ball with Wrangell sophomore Aubrey Wynne, senior Kiara Harrison, freshman Christina Johnson (12) and sophomore Addy Andrews (21) in the Region V 2A/4A Basketball Tournament on Thursday at Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Haines senior Eric Brouilette (40) blocks a shot by Metlakatla senior TJ Jackson (11) during the Region V 2A/4A Basketball Tournament on Thursday at Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Metlakatla boys beat Haines to earn title game berth

Chiefs too tall for pesky Glacier Bears

Haines senior Eric Brouilette (40) blocks a shot by Metlakatla senior TJ Jackson (11) during the Region V 2A/4A Basketball Tournament on Thursday at Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs a memorandum of understanding Thursday afternoon between the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Goldbelt Inc. to pursue engineering and design services to determine whether it’s feasible to build a new ferry terminal facility in Juneau at Cascade Point. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

State signs agreement with Goldbelt Inc. for Cascade Point ferry terminal feasibility study

A long-discussed project took a step forward…

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs a memorandum of understanding Thursday afternoon between the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Goldbelt Inc. to pursue engineering and design services to determine whether it’s feasible to build a new ferry terminal facility in Juneau at Cascade Point. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Emanual Canales Ortiz of the Juneau Youth Wrestling Club prepares for second period against Dawson Folcik of Palmer on March 3-4 in Fairbanks. (Courtesy Photo / Melinda Messmer)

Juneau Youth Wrestling Club returns from Fairbanks tournament

27 Juneau wrestlers go to 47th annual Tanana Middle School Invitational.

Emanual Canales Ortiz of the Juneau Youth Wrestling Club prepares for second period against Dawson Folcik of Palmer on March 3-4 in Fairbanks. (Courtesy Photo / Melinda Messmer)
A panel discussion about transboundary mining issues involving Alaska and British Columbia is hosted Tuesday by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, during the Juneau Mining Forum conference Tuesday at the Baranof Hotel. Participating in the discussion were Andrew Rollo, left, assistant deputy minister for Energy Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in B.C., Laurel Nash, assistant deputy minister for the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy in B.C., and Jason Brune, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Toxic mining talks linger between Alaska, Canada

Native and legislative leaders reinterate call for U.S. intervention after Canadian officials’ visit

A panel discussion about transboundary mining issues involving Alaska and British Columbia is hosted Tuesday by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, during the Juneau Mining Forum conference Tuesday at the Baranof Hotel. Participating in the discussion were Andrew Rollo, left, assistant deputy minister for Energy Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in B.C., Laurel Nash, assistant deputy minister for the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy in B.C., and Jason Brune, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows downtown Juneau in late October. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee OK’d the city to begin drafting an ordinance that would make it a requirement to register short-term rentals in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City considers short-term rental registration requirement

New survey shows difficulty in assessing accurate data on short-term rental stock.

This photo shows downtown Juneau in late October. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee OK’d the city to begin drafting an ordinance that would make it a requirement to register short-term rentals in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
TMHS junior Thomas Baxter plots his next move during the Falcons’ first game of the Region V 4A Tournament at Thunder Mountain High School. Kayhi prevailed in a close game. Next up for Kayhi, are the conference-leading Crimson Bears. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Ketchikan prevails against host team TMHS

The Kings will next play top-seeded JDHS.

TMHS junior Thomas Baxter plots his next move during the Falcons’ first game of the Region V 4A Tournament at Thunder Mountain High School. Kayhi prevailed in a close game. Next up for Kayhi, are the conference-leading Crimson Bears. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Petersburg senior Kyle Biggers (23) draws a foul on his way to the hoop while defended by Wrangell sophomore Daniel Harrison (34) and Wrangell senior Ethan Blatchley (12). Late free-throws from Biggers, who suffered a knee injury during the game, helped secure the win for Petersburg in what ended up being a 1-point game. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Petersburg boys battle Wrangell in tournament’s 1st round

Vikings and Wolves go the distance in long-standing rivalry.

Petersburg senior Kyle Biggers (23) draws a foul on his way to the hoop while defended by Wrangell sophomore Daniel Harrison (34) and Wrangell senior Ethan Blatchley (12). Late free-throws from Biggers, who suffered a knee injury during the game, helped secure the win for Petersburg in what ended up being a 1-point game. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Craig senior Alissa Durgan (14) wills her way to the hoop while defended by Haines sophomore Ashlyn Ganey (32) and Haines senior Alison Benda (14) in the second half of a Craig win in the first round of the Region V 2A Tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Craig girls slow down Haines in region tournament

Lady Panthers earn 37-31 win

Craig senior Alissa Durgan (14) wills her way to the hoop while defended by Haines sophomore Ashlyn Ganey (32) and Haines senior Alison Benda (14) in the second half of a Craig win in the first round of the Region V 2A Tournament. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File The sun partially shines on the University of Alaska sign in late February. University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced Wednesday her selection of Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer as the new leader of the University of Alaska Southeast.

UA announces selection of new UAS chancellor

Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer is expected to begin the role in July

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File The sun partially shines on the University of Alaska sign in late February. University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced Wednesday her selection of Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer as the new leader of the University of Alaska Southeast.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, reads an announcement during the Senate floor session Wednesday. Tobin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, emerged as a potential road block to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “parental rights” bill by declaring it would not get a hearing if referred to her committee. The bill was subsequently referred to two other committees, with Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, stating it will get a public hearing.

Bill limiting sex, gender discussion in education will get public hearing, senate president says

However, lawmakers say it will not be a main focus.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, reads an announcement during the Senate floor session Wednesday. Tobin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, emerged as a potential road block to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “parental rights” bill by declaring it would not get a hearing if referred to her committee. The bill was subsequently referred to two other committees, with Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, stating it will get a public hearing.
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska's North Slope. Pressure is building on the social media platform TikTok to urge President Joe Biden to reject an oil development project on Alaska's North Slope from young voters concerned about climate change. That's blunted by Alaska Native leaders who support ConocoPhillips' development called Willow. (ConocoPhillips)

TikTok push targets Biden on Alaska’s huge Willow oil plan

However, in Alaska, there have been visible shows of support for the project.

  • Mar 8, 2023
  • By Mark Thiessen, Isabella O’Malley and Natalia Gutierrez Associated Press
  • State & Legislature
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska's North Slope. Pressure is building on the social media platform TikTok to urge President Joe Biden to reject an oil development project on Alaska's North Slope from young voters concerned about climate change. That's blunted by Alaska Native leaders who support ConocoPhillips' development called Willow. (ConocoPhillips)
In this photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey is the Tanaga Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on May 23, 2021. A swarm of earthquakes occurring over the past few weeks has intensified at a remote Alaska volcano dormant for over a century, a possible indication of an impending eruption. The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano late Tuesday, March 7, 2023, after the quakes became very vigorous. (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey)

Swarm of quakes at Alaska volcano could mean eruption coming

The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano.

In this photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey is the Tanaga Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on May 23, 2021. A swarm of earthquakes occurring over the past few weeks has intensified at a remote Alaska volcano dormant for over a century, a possible indication of an impending eruption. The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano late Tuesday, March 7, 2023, after the quakes became very vigorous. (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Matt Cook, new Dealer Principal of Juneau Auto Mall, formerly Mendenhall Auto Center, poses for a photo on Wednesday. Cook took over ownership officially on Wednesday, March 1.

Ownership transition drives change at dealership

Juneau Auto Mall, formerly known as Mendenhall Auto Center, officially opened its doors on March 1.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Matt Cook, new Dealer Principal of Juneau Auto Mall, formerly Mendenhall Auto Center, poses for a photo on Wednesday. Cook took over ownership officially on Wednesday, March 1.
Wrangell High School senior Kiara Harrison (11) rebounds over senior teammate Trinity Faulkner (2) and Petersburg High School sophomores Iris Case (10) and Kylie Mattingly (30) during the Lady Wolves’ 48-10 win over the Lady Vikings in the Region V 2A/4A Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Wrangell girls top Petersburg in Region V tournament opener

The Juneau Empire’s expanded coverage of the Region V tournament is made possible by Sealaska Corp. Thanks to this sponsorship, this article —and all 2023… Continue reading

Wrangell High School senior Kiara Harrison (11) rebounds over senior teammate Trinity Faulkner (2) and Petersburg High School sophomores Iris Case (10) and Kylie Mattingly (30) during the Lady Wolves’ 48-10 win over the Lady Vikings in the Region V 2A/4A Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at Thunder Mountain High School in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)