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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)
A simulated photo shows the tailings stack and other features of Hecla Greens Creek Mine under the recommended decision for expanding the mine announced Thursday by the U.S Forest Service. The expansion would extend the life of the mine up to 18 years. The tailings stack is significantly larger in two other proposed alternatives that would expand the mine’s life up to 40 years. (U.S. Forest Service)

Draft USFS decision extends production of Hecla Greens Creek Mine for 12 to 18 years

Expansion of Admiralty Island mine includes heightened mitigation and monitoring, agency reports.

A simulated photo shows the tailings stack and other features of Hecla Greens Creek Mine under the recommended decision for expanding the mine announced Thursday by the U.S Forest Service. The expansion would extend the life of the mine up to 18 years. The tailings stack is significantly larger in two other proposed alternatives that would expand the mine’s life up to 40 years. (U.S. Forest Service)
The National Weather Service Juneau station has received more than 10 inches of snow as of 6 a.m Thursday from a storm that started Wednesday afternoon. (Screenshot from video by NWS Juneau)

Juneau appears to break January snowfall record; remote learning day for schools, city opens at 11 a.m.

Unofficial total of 76.8 inches of snow at the airport tops 75.2 inches that fell in 2009.

The National Weather Service Juneau station has received more than 10 inches of snow as of 6 a.m Thursday from a storm that started Wednesday afternoon. (Screenshot from video by NWS Juneau)
Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 88 on Wednesday on the floor of the Alaska Senate. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate passes new pension program for state employees, but final approval is in question

The Alaska House of Representatives has shown little interest in considering pension bills

Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 88 on Wednesday on the floor of the Alaska Senate. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Members of the Juneau Assembly and Juneau Board of Education, along with top administrators for the city and school district, meet jointly to discuss the district’s financial crisis on Tuesday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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City leaders say they’ll help school district solve financial crisis, but express anger at situation

Loan and taking over millions in service costs proposed — which could result in a mill rate increase.

Members of the Juneau Assembly and Juneau Board of Education, along with top administrators for the city and school district, meet jointly to discuss the district’s financial crisis on Tuesday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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People carry signs at a Juneau rally in favor of an increase to the amount the government pays schools per student on Monday. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

As lawmakers consider student funding, Juneau families and educators rally for larger increase

It rained and blew Monday on the Capitol steps in Juneau, but dozens of education supporters turned out to rally for a permanent increase to… Continue reading

People carry signs at a Juneau rally in favor of an increase to the amount the government pays schools per student on Monday. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
A winter storm warning for the Juneau area is forecasting up to 14 inches of snow between 3 p.m. Wednesday and 3 p.m. Thursday. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Sounds like a broken record (literally?): Up to 14” of snow forecast starting at 3 p.m. Wednesday

Juneau 5.2 inches shy of the snowfall record for January as of Monday.

A winter storm warning for the Juneau area is forecasting up to 14 inches of snow between 3 p.m. Wednesday and 3 p.m. Thursday. (National Weather Service Juneau)
Isil Mico takes a photo of her sister-in-law Oznur Mico in front of Snowzilla, a snowman measuring more than 20 feet tall, in Anchorage, Alaska on Jan. 10, 2024. A recent storm dropped nearly 16 inches of snow on Anchorage, bringing the seasonal total to over 103 inches. It’s the earliest Alaska’s largest city has reached the 100-inch mark. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

‘Pandemic of snow’ in Anchorage sets a record for the earliest arrival of 100 inches of snow

Even by Alaska standards, there is a lot of snow this winter. So much snow has fallen — so far, more than 8.7 feet (2.65… Continue reading

Isil Mico takes a photo of her sister-in-law Oznur Mico in front of Snowzilla, a snowman measuring more than 20 feet tall, in Anchorage, Alaska on Jan. 10, 2024. A recent storm dropped nearly 16 inches of snow on Anchorage, bringing the seasonal total to over 103 inches. It’s the earliest Alaska’s largest city has reached the 100-inch mark. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Members of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s hockey team look to get the puck out of their end of the rink during Saturday’s game against Houston High School at Treadwell Arena. (Photo courtesy of Bailey Hensen)

Crimson Bears get tough tuneup entering hockey playoffs

JDHS, ranked fourth, loses final two regular season games to top-ranked Houston High School.

Members of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s hockey team look to get the puck out of their end of the rink during Saturday’s game against Houston High School at Treadwell Arena. (Photo courtesy of Bailey Hensen)
The Alaska State Office Building is seen on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

High job vacancies in Alaska state agencies can reduce services and lead to burnout

An average of about 14% of Alaska state jobs are unfilled

The Alaska State Office Building is seen on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola addresses supporters during a campaign meet-and-greet Saturday night at the Crystal Saloon. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Peltola gets early exposure to pluses, perils of reelection campaign during week with stop in Juneau

Large crowds enthusiastic at first 2024 events, but people challenging her on Gaza cause disruptions

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola addresses supporters during a campaign meet-and-greet Saturday night at the Crystal Saloon. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Michael J. Burns Building, whose tenants include the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., is being evaluated as a relocation site for some or all of the City and Borough of Juneau’s downtown offices, including the Assembly Chambers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Moving city offices to ‘PFD building’ gets conceptual OK from Assembly members

Search for existing space to relocate follows failed ballot measures to fund new city hall.

The Michael J. Burns Building, whose tenants include the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., is being evaluated as a relocation site for some or all of the City and Borough of Juneau’s downtown offices, including the Assembly Chambers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

School district schedules three public comment meetings during next week to discuss budget deficit

First meeting is Wednesday at TMHS; meeting at JDHS next Tuesday and virtual meeting next Monday.

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser, left, provides an update about the district’s financial situation to Juneau Assembly members and administrative leaders on Monday night at City Hall. A joint meeting of the Assembly and Juneau Board of Education to discuss possible solutions to the district’s financial crisis is scheduled Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly gets first look at $8M school district deficit they are being asked to help solve

Follow-up meeting of Assembly and school board Tuesday to consider sharing costs, other options.

Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser, left, provides an update about the district’s financial situation to Juneau Assembly members and administrative leaders on Monday night at City Hall. A joint meeting of the Assembly and Juneau Board of Education to discuss possible solutions to the district’s financial crisis is scheduled Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses state lawmakers and guests attending his State of the State speech on Jan. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Gov. Dunleavy’s State of the State speech delayed until Tuesday due to weather

Flights carrying commissioners, guests for speech unable to arrive in Juneau in time

Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses state lawmakers and guests attending his State of the State speech on Jan. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Above, a downtown Juneau street on Wednesday, Jan. 24, following two large snowstorms during the previous 10 days. Below, the same street at midday Monday after record-high temperatures and heavy rain dissolved most of the accumulated snow in many parts of town. (Above photo by Becky Bohrer / Associated Press; below photo by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Heavy rain, record-high temperature causes snow from massive storms to virtually vanish

Juneau’s airport had 36 inches of snowpack last Wednesday, “down to a trace” on Monday morning.

Above, a downtown Juneau street on Wednesday, Jan. 24, following two large snowstorms during the previous 10 days. Below, the same street at midday Monday after record-high temperatures and heavy rain dissolved most of the accumulated snow in many parts of town. (Above photo by Becky Bohrer / Associated Press; below photo by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A landscape interpretation by Hollis Kitchin, whose work will be featured Friday at the Barnaby Brewing Company. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in February

A multitude of options for people looking to make or buy creative items for Valentine’s Day is among the other usual assortment of art exhibitions,… Continue reading

A landscape interpretation by Hollis Kitchin, whose work will be featured Friday at the Barnaby Brewing Company. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
Cars drive aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Hubbard on June 25, 2023, in Haines. (Photo by James Brooks)

Proposal to put slot machines aboard Alaska ferries gets rough first reception

A Republican legislator from Wasilla has proposed legalizing some types of gambling aboard Alaska Marine Highway System ships as a way to raise operating revenue… Continue reading

Cars drive aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Hubbard on June 25, 2023, in Haines. (Photo by James Brooks)
Educational materials about human trafficking filled a table outside of a Capitol room where human rights advocates spoke to lawmakers about how human trafficking affects Alaska on Jan. 24. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Advocates say human trafficking is a growing problem in Alaska, as lawmakers push for solutions

Human trafficking, which affects an estimated 27.6 million people forced into labor or sex around the world, is happening in Alaska. Nearly 30% of homeless… Continue reading

Educational materials about human trafficking filled a table outside of a Capitol room where human rights advocates spoke to lawmakers about how human trafficking affects Alaska on Jan. 24. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 awaits inspection at the airline’s hangar at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Jan. 10, 2024, in SeaTac, Wash. Alaska Airlines has begun flying Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners again for the first time Friday, Jan. 26, since they were grounded after a panel blew out of the side of one of the airline’s planes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Alaska Airlines has begun flying Boeing Max 9 jetliners again for the first time Friday

Alaska Airlines has begun flying Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners again for the first time since they were grounded after a panel blew out of… Continue reading

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 awaits inspection at the airline’s hangar at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Jan. 10, 2024, in SeaTac, Wash. Alaska Airlines has begun flying Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners again for the first time Friday, Jan. 26, since they were grounded after a panel blew out of the side of one of the airline’s planes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)