Home

A school bus drives past the entrance of The University of Alaska Southeast on Tuesday afternoon. Pat Pitney, president of the statewide university system, highlighted ongoing and new efforts to by campuses including UAS to lure students into the teaching programs and subsequently remain as public school teachers in the state. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Sky’s the limit for recovering UA, president says

“State of the University” highlights fiscal and enrollment stability, unique programs such as drones

A school bus drives past the entrance of The University of Alaska Southeast on Tuesday afternoon. Pat Pitney, president of the statewide university system, highlighted ongoing and new efforts to by campuses including UAS to lure students into the teaching programs and subsequently remain as public school teachers in the state. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau addresses a crowd during a recent rally outside the Alaska State Capitol. Hannan is the sponsor of a bill that would ban licensed practitioners from performing “conversion therapy” in the state.

Lawmaker says ban on conversion therapy can help address LGBTQ+ youth suicide

The bill, sponsored by Juneau Rep. Sara Hannan, awaits a House committee hearing.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau addresses a crowd during a recent rally outside the Alaska State Capitol. Hannan is the sponsor of a bill that would ban licensed practitioners from performing “conversion therapy” in the state.
TMHS junior Thomas Baxter rises for a layup on a fastbreak during a Saturday night game against Ketchikan. Baxter on Feb. 9 became the fastest Falcon to reach 1,000 points and is now the school's third leading scorer. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Baxter passes 1K points, now eyes Thunder Mountain’s scoring summit

He’s the fastest in school history to hit 1,000-point mark.

TMHS junior Thomas Baxter rises for a layup on a fastbreak during a Saturday night game against Ketchikan. Baxter on Feb. 9 became the fastest Falcon to reach 1,000 points and is now the school's third leading scorer. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as it sets Monday evening. Tuesday is the last day for the public to submit comments to the U.S. Forest Service on proposed changes to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Mendenhall Glacier area comment period closing soon

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public input on seven plans that vary in impact on the area.

The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as it sets Monday evening. Tuesday is the last day for the public to submit comments to the U.S. Forest Service on proposed changes to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A ConocoPhillips oil rig operating during winter on Alaska’s North Slope is featured on the cover of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s report recommending approval of the Willow oil project ConocoPhillips is seeking to develop. The Alaska State House on Monday approved a resolution asking the Biden administration to give final approval to a project allowing three drilling pads with the possibility of a fourth (compared to the five pads the oil company originally sought), as recommended by the BLM. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

Alaska House unanimously OKs Willow resolution

Supporters say North Slope oil project overwhelmingly favored by locals, addresses opponents’ worries.

A ConocoPhillips oil rig operating during winter on Alaska’s North Slope is featured on the cover of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s report recommending approval of the Willow oil project ConocoPhillips is seeking to develop. The Alaska State House on Monday approved a resolution asking the Biden administration to give final approval to a project allowing three drilling pads with the possibility of a fourth (compared to the five pads the oil company originally sought), as recommended by the BLM. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Three arrested, $1.1M in drugs seized

SEACAD was in charge of the investigation.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Caleb Scussel from Floyd Dryden Middle School and Luke Bell from Haines Glacier Bears square off against each other for the first of the final matches for this year’s Southeast Alaska Middle School Regional Wrestling Tournament on Saturday at Floyd Dryden Middle School. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Southeast Alaska Middle School Regional Wrestling Tournament comes to Floyd Dryden

Over 200 wrestlers from 13 different schools.

Caleb Scussel from Floyd Dryden Middle School and Luke Bell from Haines Glacier Bears square off against each other for the first of the final matches for this year’s Southeast Alaska Middle School Regional Wrestling Tournament on Saturday at Floyd Dryden Middle School. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
An excavator on a barge scoops floating debris near the shore of Gastineau Channel on Monday morning. The effort was a part of the recovery process of a 107-foot tugboat that sank at a dock south of the cruise ship docks in late December. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Tagish out of water: Sunken tugboat destroyed after more than a weeklong recovery effort

Recovery and pollution cleanup expected to be complete in coming days, Coast Guard official says

An excavator on a barge scoops floating debris near the shore of Gastineau Channel on Monday morning. The effort was a part of the recovery process of a 107-foot tugboat that sank at a dock south of the cruise ship docks in late December. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Family and friends of Daniel Sargent shoot flaming arrows into Auke Bay on Saturday during Sargent’s memorial at Raven Shelter. Sargent was one of the founding members of the Juneau Archery Club and was survived by his wife Lavena and daughter Tiffany Sargent Hallquist. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Keeping his flame alive: Family remembers archery club founding member with volley of fire

Family remembers archery club founding member with volley of fire

Family and friends of Daniel Sargent shoot flaming arrows into Auke Bay on Saturday during Sargent’s memorial at Raven Shelter. Sargent was one of the founding members of the Juneau Archery Club and was survived by his wife Lavena and daughter Tiffany Sargent Hallquist. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Point Louisa at Auke Recreational Area. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Superb reader-submitted photos of wildlife, scenery and/or plant life.

This photo shows Point Louisa at Auke Recreational Area. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
TMHS junior Thomas Baxter (30) rolls the ball off his fingertips and into the hoop while defended by Ketchikan junior Andrew Kleinschmidt-Guthrie in the first half of a home loss to Kayhi. Baxter scored 19 of his 21 total points in the first half.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS dealt a loss at home

Falcons win one, lose one with Ketchikan to split the regular season series.

TMHS junior Thomas Baxter (30) rolls the ball off his fingertips and into the hoop while defended by Ketchikan junior Andrew Kleinschmidt-Guthrie in the first half of a home loss to Kayhi. Baxter scored 19 of his 21 total points in the first half.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska Southeast students run out of the freezing water after jumping into the waters of Auke Bay on Saturday afternoon for the 25th UAS Polar Plunge. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Freezin’ for a reason: UAS students and Juneau residents take a plunge at Auke Bay

According to officials, the water temperature was 37 degrees during the time of the plunge.

University of Alaska Southeast students run out of the freezing water after jumping into the waters of Auke Bay on Saturday afternoon for the 25th UAS Polar Plunge. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
CCFR Captain Cheyenne Sanchez poses for a photo on Wednesday during his promotional ceremony where his badge was pinned by friends and family. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

CCFR celebrates captain’s induction

Cheyenne Sanchez recently promoted to captain.

CCFR Captain Cheyenne Sanchez poses for a photo on Wednesday during his promotional ceremony where his badge was pinned by friends and family. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Professor of Alaska Native languages at the University of Alaska Southeast, X’unei Lance Twitchell, analyses a ChatGPT story in Lingít while teaching his Intermediate Tlingit II class Thursday evening.

Does AI have a place in Tlingit language revitalization?

UAS professor weighs in.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Professor of Alaska Native languages at the University of Alaska Southeast, X’unei Lance Twitchell, analyses a ChatGPT story in Lingít while teaching his Intermediate Tlingit II class Thursday evening.
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. It was the first speech to the Legislature by Alaska’s lone U.S. House member since her predecessor Don Young did so in 1992, declaring in subsequent years it was an unproductive use of time until his death last year. Peltola, who served in the Legislature from 1999 to 2009, noted Young did make regular visits to the state capitol to meet individually and with groups of lawmakers, which she did as well during her visit this week. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A Mary Friday at the Alaska State Capitol

Kuspuks abound as Peltola invokes “Alaska model” of cooperation in congressional speech to Legislature

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. It was the first speech to the Legislature by Alaska’s lone U.S. House member since her predecessor Don Young did so in 1992, declaring in subsequent years it was an unproductive use of time until his death last year. Peltola, who served in the Legislature from 1999 to 2009, noted Young did make regular visits to the state capitol to meet individually and with groups of lawmakers, which she did as well during her visit this week. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This image shows a schematic design of the exterior the Municipal Way Building downtown that was recently purchased by the Sealaska Heritage Institute. (Sealaska Heritage Institute)

SHI purchases downtown building for Indigenous teaching program expansion

The building is adjacent to its downtown Walter Soboleff Building.

This image shows a schematic design of the exterior the Municipal Way Building downtown that was recently purchased by the Sealaska Heritage Institute. (Sealaska Heritage Institute)
The three generations of Wileys who have operated the Ben Franklin Store are shown inside the shop. Seated are Fred and Sally Wiley, holding a painting of the 1930s Blomgren Building. Standing are Meagan Wiley Bishop and her father Mike Wiley who currently run the popular downtown Front Street business. (Michael Penn / Downtown Business Association)

Rooted in Community: The Wiley family celebrates 50 years in Front Street’s Blomgren Building

A downtown historic district fire 100 years ago made way for one of Juneau’s most enduring downtown businesses: the Ben Franklin store. After the Heidelberg… Continue reading

  • Feb 17, 2023
  • By Laurie Craig For the Downtown Business Association
  • Local News
The three generations of Wileys who have operated the Ben Franklin Store are shown inside the shop. Seated are Fred and Sally Wiley, holding a painting of the 1930s Blomgren Building. Standing are Meagan Wiley Bishop and her father Mike Wiley who currently run the popular downtown Front Street business. (Michael Penn / Downtown Business Association)
Klukwan’s Michael Ganey, center, shoots against Hydaburg’s Ben Young in the C final at the 2019 Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. The tournament returns this March after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

After a 3-year break, Gold Medal basketball is almost here

“This tournament is a generational thing.”

Klukwan’s Michael Ganey, center, shoots against Hydaburg’s Ben Young in the C final at the 2019 Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. The tournament returns this March after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
TMHS junior Lance Nierra (3) races toward the hoop while defended by Palmer senior Chad Landon (22). Nierra finished the game with 6 points. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS wins handily against Palmer

Falcons never looked back after a 26-point first quarter.

TMHS junior Lance Nierra (3) races toward the hoop while defended by Palmer senior Chad Landon (22). Nierra finished the game with 6 points. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A map shows Juneau, Gustavus and Yakutat are the three municipalities in Southeast Alaska with sites contaminated by “forever chemicals” known by the abbreviation of PFAS. A bill by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, seeks to eliminate the use of such chemicals for most firefighting, which is one of the most common activities that uses such substances. (Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation)

Going through fire and water to fight PFAS

Ban on “forever chemicals” for most firefighting sought by Kiehl part of much bigger overhaul effort

A map shows Juneau, Gustavus and Yakutat are the three municipalities in Southeast Alaska with sites contaminated by “forever chemicals” known by the abbreviation of PFAS. A bill by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, seeks to eliminate the use of such chemicals for most firefighting, which is one of the most common activities that uses such substances. (Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation)