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Multiple vehicles line up at the entrance of Waste Management’s Capitol Disposal Landfill in Lemon Creek on Jan. 30, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Landfill fees rising 9% for residential trash, nearly tripling for metal, starting March 1

Increase follows near-tripling of rates last year that’s blamed for widespread illegal dumping.

Multiple vehicles line up at the entrance of Waste Management’s Capitol Disposal Landfill in Lemon Creek on Jan. 30, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Red Devil Mine, which produced mercury on and off from the 1930s to 1971, is seen from the air in 1960 in this archival photo from the University of Alaska Anchorage’s collection. The Bureau of Land Management has approved a plan to clean up what is considered the last remaining source of contamination: tailings spread over the property. (Photo by Don Grybeck/University of Alaska Anchorage Consortium Library archives and special collections)

Federal regulators approve long-term plan for cleaning site of Alaska mercury mine

Nearly a century after a Western Alaska mine began producing mercury, cleanup of the site is entering a final but long-term phase. The U.S. Bureau… Continue reading

The Red Devil Mine, which produced mercury on and off from the 1930s to 1971, is seen from the air in 1960 in this archival photo from the University of Alaska Anchorage’s collection. The Bureau of Land Management has approved a plan to clean up what is considered the last remaining source of contamination: tailings spread over the property. (Photo by Don Grybeck/University of Alaska Anchorage Consortium Library archives and special collections)
Capital Transit buses will operate on revised schedules starting Monday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Changes to Capital Transit routes including Riverside Drive, Vintage Business Park start Monday

New schedule includes rerouting bus near school on Back Loop Road where safety upgrades occurring.

Capital Transit buses will operate on revised schedules starting Monday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Thunder Mountain High School senior Thomas Baxter (30) shown in action against Kodiak on Thursday, scored 30 points to lead the Falcons over the Ketchikan Kings at Kayhi on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain boys split series at Ketchikan

Baxter raises Falcons from 54-45 Friday fall to 61-43 win Saturday

Thunder Mountain High School senior Thomas Baxter (30) shown in action against Kodiak on Thursday, scored 30 points to lead the Falcons over the Ketchikan Kings at Kayhi on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School senior Kara Strong, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Nadia Wilson (12), TMHS junior Kerra Baxter (22) and JDHS freshman Layla Tokuoka (14) battle for a rebound during the Falcons 42-28 win over the Crimson Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas, Thunder Mountain girls split local road games

Crimson Bears win 42-40 at Falcons’ Thunderdome, Falcons win 42-28 at George Houston Gymnasium.

Thunder Mountain High School senior Kara Strong, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Nadia Wilson (12), TMHS junior Kerra Baxter (22) and JDHS freshman Layla Tokuoka (14) battle for a rebound during the Falcons 42-28 win over the Crimson Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gavin Gerrin (1) scores from past the arc over Kodiak junior Mac Abellera (00) during the Crimson Bears 75-50 win over the Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas boys sweep visiting Kodiak

Crimson Bears defend home den against northern island Bears

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gavin Gerrin (1) scores from past the arc over Kodiak junior Mac Abellera (00) during the Crimson Bears 75-50 win over the Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
An extended advisory forecasting up to eight more inches of snow by 9 a.m. Sunday, in addition to about four inches of snow that fell between Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, is issued by the National Weather Service Juneau at 12:50 p.m. Saturday. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Advisory for latest weekend storm extended, with more than a foot of snow possible by 9 a.m. Sunday

Storm that began Friday night continues pattern that led to record snowfall in January.

An extended advisory forecasting up to eight more inches of snow by 9 a.m. Sunday, in addition to about four inches of snow that fell between Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, is issued by the National Weather Service Juneau at 12:50 p.m. Saturday. (National Weather Service Juneau)
Students swing on a playground at Meadow Lakes Head Start in Wasilla. (Image by Lela Seiler, courtesy of CCS Early Learning)

Stagnant funding results in Alaska pre-K school closure, instability for vulnerable children

Head Start programs scramble as COVID-19 relief and a one-time state funding boost peter out.

Students swing on a playground at Meadow Lakes Head Start in Wasilla. (Image by Lela Seiler, courtesy of CCS Early Learning)
Wade Bryson answers a call during the final live episode of the KINY-AM show “Problem Corner” on Friday morning. The show that began about 70 years ago, making it the longest-running radio program in Alaska’s history, is being replaced on weekdays with music programming after new owners purchased all of Juneau’s commercial radio stations last year. A weekly podcast version of “Problem Corner” that is broadcast on Saturdays and available on-demand is scheduled to debut Feb. 17. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Final ‘Problem Corner’ live broadcast features tributes, tirades, tires for sale and news of a new podcast

Host: Alaska’s longest-running radio show at about 70 years old to offer a weekly non-live program.

Wade Bryson answers a call during the final live episode of the KINY-AM show “Problem Corner” on Friday morning. The show that began about 70 years ago, making it the longest-running radio program in Alaska’s history, is being replaced on weekdays with music programming after new owners purchased all of Juneau’s commercial radio stations last year. A weekly podcast version of “Problem Corner” that is broadcast on Saturdays and available on-demand is scheduled to debut Feb. 17. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Unuk River is one of the transboundary watersheds of Southeast Alaska. (U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center photo)

Southeast Alaska tribes seek Canadian recognition due to transboundary issues

A group of Southeast Alaska tribes is asking Canada to recognize their right to have a voice in how transboundary lands and waters are treated.… Continue reading

The Unuk River is one of the transboundary watersheds of Southeast Alaska. (U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center photo)
Adjutant General Torrence Saxe, head of the Alaska National Guard, speaks at a Sept. 23, 2022, news conference in Anchorage. Behind him are Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Rep. Mary Peltola. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska plans to send National Guard members to Mexico border in support of the federal government

The state of Alaska is planning to send members of its National Guard south to the Mexican border, responding to an order from the federal… Continue reading

Adjutant General Torrence Saxe, head of the Alaska National Guard, speaks at a Sept. 23, 2022, news conference in Anchorage. Behind him are Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Rep. Mary Peltola. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Smoke emits from a fire at Mike Hatch Sales And Service on North Douglas Highway on Thursday night. (Capital City Fire/Rescue photo) Smoke emits from a fire at Mike Hatch Sales And Service on North Douglas Highway on Thursday night. (Capital City Fire/Rescue photo)

‘Heavy fire’ damages Mike Hatch Sales And Service on North Douglas Highway

Road blocked as fire department sends large-scale response; fire “knocked down” at about 7:20 p.m.

Smoke emits from a fire at Mike Hatch Sales And Service on North Douglas Highway on Thursday night. (Capital City Fire/Rescue photo) Smoke emits from a fire at Mike Hatch Sales And Service on North Douglas Highway on Thursday night. (Capital City Fire/Rescue photo)
Thunder Mountain senior Thomas Baxter (30) defends Kodiak junior Kelly Ticman during the Falcons 71-49 home win over the Bears, Thursday at the Thunderdome. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain boys basketball team too fast for Kodiak

Falcons show depth of bench in 71-49 win at home.

Thunder Mountain senior Thomas Baxter (30) defends Kodiak junior Kelly Ticman during the Falcons 71-49 home win over the Bears, Thursday at the Thunderdome. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Attendees of the 2024 Alaska State of the State address applaud Rose Dunleavy, Alaska’s first lady, on Tuesday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

At annual legislative speech, Gov. Dunleavy calls for more Alaska development projects

In his sixth annual State of the State address, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy promoted development projects, called on state lawmakers to advance his legislative priorities… Continue reading

Attendees of the 2024 Alaska State of the State address applaud Rose Dunleavy, Alaska’s first lady, on Tuesday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Kenai Central’s Avery Martin tries to split Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale’s Dylan Sowa and Camden Kovach on Thursday at the Division II state hockey tournament at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

JDHS loses 4-2 to Kenai in DII state hockey tournament opener

No. 4 seed Crimson Bears lose chance for title as No. 5 Kardinals get first-ever opening game win.

Kenai Central’s Avery Martin tries to split Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale’s Dylan Sowa and Camden Kovach on Thursday at the Division II state hockey tournament at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Felix Toner, a Juneau resident who was active in fighting efforts to move the capital, was named Citizen of the Year award at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet on Jan. 30, 1984. (Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire file photo)
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Feb. 4

Three decades of capital city coverage.

Felix Toner, a Juneau resident who was active in fighting efforts to move the capital, was named Citizen of the Year award at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet on Jan. 30, 1984. (Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire file photo)
Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, speaks to Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

New bill would require Alaska schools to pay for armed volunteer guards

A new proposal from Palmer Republican Sen. Shelley Hughes would require Alaska school districts to train a volunteer able to carry a concealed handgun on… Continue reading

Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, speaks to Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Bulk food purchased with the $1.68 million Gov. Mike Dunleavy put towards supporting food banks is staged for delivery in Food Bank of Alaska’s Anchorage warehouse on April 21, 2023. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska’s federal food stamp funding at risk, USDA letter warns

The state may lose funding if it continues to break federal rules

Bulk food purchased with the $1.68 million Gov. Mike Dunleavy put towards supporting food banks is staged for delivery in Food Bank of Alaska’s Anchorage warehouse on April 21, 2023. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
View of Telephone Hill looking south on a chilly December 2023 day. Without leaves on the trees houses can be seen more easily. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
Capital City Weekly

Telephone Hill: Dialing up the past, ringing in the future

Mining camp, military outpost, courthouses, a Capitol battle and now a modern development debate.

View of Telephone Hill looking south on a chilly December 2023 day. Without leaves on the trees houses can be seen more easily. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
Juneau School District leaders hold up signs for subgroups they are leading during a Community Budget Input Session at Thunder Mountain High School on Wednesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cost-cutting school consolidation options concerning to teachers, parents and students

Participants in first community budget meeting worry big changes will have wide-ranging impacts.

Juneau School District leaders hold up signs for subgroups they are leading during a Community Budget Input Session at Thunder Mountain High School on Wednesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)