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Mr and Mrs. Claus wave to residents from above as they sit in in the basket of a Capital City Fire/Rescue ladder truck for the Santa parade Saturday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Mr. and Mrs. Claus bring high spirits to downtown

Not even an Arctic front could stop residents from celebrating the parade.

Mr and Mrs. Claus wave to residents from above as they sit in in the basket of a Capital City Fire/Rescue ladder truck for the Santa parade Saturday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire From left to right, JDHS players seniors Joey Aline, Orion Dybdahl and freshman Brandon Casperson work on free throws during a Wednesday night practice.

JDHS boys basketball has high expectations for season

Alumni Scrimmage Dec. 17

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire From left to right, JDHS players seniors Joey Aline, Orion Dybdahl and freshman Brandon Casperson work on free throws during a Wednesday night practice.
FILE - House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, of Calif., speaks at an annual leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Nov. 19, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo / John Locher)

McCarthy’s race for speaker risks upending House on Day One

It’s all in jeopardy,” McCarthy said Friday…

  • Dec 17, 2022
  • By Lisa Mascaro AP Congressional Correspondent
  • Nation-World
FILE - House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, of Calif., speaks at an annual leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Nov. 19, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo / John Locher)
Steve Waddle places golden king crab into a tote in the hold of the F/V Angjenl while unloading at Petersburg, Alaska on March 1, 2007. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s disaster declaration for salmon and crab fisheries in Washington and Alaska opens the door for financial relief as part of an omnibus spending bill being negotiated by U.S. lawmakers. The declaration Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, covers Bristol Bay king crab harvests suspended for two years, and the snow crab harvest that will be canceled for the first time in 2023. (AP Photo / Klas Stolpe)

Crabbers, fishermen seek US aid after disaster declaration

It opens the door for financial relief as part of a spending bill being negotiated by lawmakers.

Steve Waddle places golden king crab into a tote in the hold of the F/V Angjenl while unloading at Petersburg, Alaska on March 1, 2007. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s disaster declaration for salmon and crab fisheries in Washington and Alaska opens the door for financial relief as part of an omnibus spending bill being negotiated by U.S. lawmakers. The declaration Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, covers Bristol Bay king crab harvests suspended for two years, and the snow crab harvest that will be canceled for the first time in 2023. (AP Photo / Klas Stolpe)
JDHS freshman Gwen Nizich squares off against senior Skylar Tuckwood at a practice Wednesday night with senior Kiyara Miller and Nadia Wilson nearby. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls basketball back for new season with new coach

“I am very excited to be the head coach here at JDHS.”

JDHS freshman Gwen Nizich squares off against senior Skylar Tuckwood at a practice Wednesday night with senior Kiyara Miller and Nadia Wilson nearby. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Kiara Kookesh (right) gets a hand on an attempted pass from Ashlyn Gates during a practice drill at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

The tough get going: TMHS girls season to start with early challenges

“We have great athleticism, we have size, we have speed.”

Kiara Kookesh (right) gets a hand on an attempted pass from Ashlyn Gates during a practice drill at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire JDHS junior Mila Hargrave winds up to spike the ball while TMHS junior Ashlyn Gates attempts to deflect it.

Volleyball wraps up regular season

Region tournament set for Nov. 4 and Nov. 5

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire JDHS junior Mila Hargrave winds up to spike the ball while TMHS junior Ashlyn Gates attempts to deflect it.
Courtesy Photo / Julie Herman The 2022-23 Thunder Mountain girls varsity volleyball team poses for a group photo during 2022 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships in Anchorage on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 10 and 11.

TMHS volleyball wraps up stellar season

Falcons fall short of finals at State tournament

Courtesy Photo / Julie Herman The 2022-23 Thunder Mountain girls varsity volleyball team poses for a group photo during 2022 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships in Anchorage on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 10 and 11.
This photo shows the Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. Juneau Police Department Employees Association Board on Thursday made public its concerns with the city's ability to recruit and retain sworn officers. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Police union urges city action amid dwindling number of officers

City leaders acknowledge challenges, seek solutions.

This photo shows the Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. Juneau Police Department Employees Association Board on Thursday made public its concerns with the city's ability to recruit and retain sworn officers. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Santa steps off of a helicopter at Juneau International Airport for Christmas Light Flights. This year marked a triumphant return for the event which offers people an aerial view of Juneau during the holiday season. Flying time and staffing are donated by Coastal Helicopters and fuel from Petro Marine Services for the event.

Santa has landed

Usually it’s the reindeer who soar the sky during the holiday, but this time, it was a helicopter.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Santa steps off of a helicopter at Juneau International Airport for Christmas Light Flights. This year marked a triumphant return for the event which offers people an aerial view of Juneau during the holiday season. Flying time and staffing are donated by Coastal Helicopters and fuel from Petro Marine Services for the event.
Courtesy / Delores Gonzalez More than 75 people joined together at St. Paul Catholic Church to celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe this past Sunday evening.

Juneau Hispanic community celebrates the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

It’s the group’s first time hosting the event in Juneau

Courtesy / Delores Gonzalez More than 75 people joined together at St. Paul Catholic Church to celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe this past Sunday evening.
While nearly $8 million for state disability access projects are proposed on paper for Juneau in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget for next year, in reality those funds are for statewide items administered through a local office. It is among a number of regional budget items where, to the naked eye, money isn’t necessarily going where it first appears. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Mixed feelings on local items in state budget

Flat funding of ferries, education not a big hit, but governor’s appaent willingness to negotiate is.

While nearly $8 million for state disability access projects are proposed on paper for Juneau in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget for next year, in reality those funds are for statewide items administered through a local office. It is among a number of regional budget items where, to the naked eye, money isn’t necessarily going where it first appears. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mr. and Mrs. Claus stop to visit families at Cedar Park during the annual Capital City Fire/Rescue Santa Parade in December 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Santa rides and chopper guides

Holiday happenings planned for Friday and Saturday.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus stop to visit families at Cedar Park during the annual Capital City Fire/Rescue Santa Parade in December 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Samuel Lockhart dribbles down the court while looking for a teammate cutting toward the hoop during a drill at Thunder Mountain High School. The 2022-23 iteration of the TMHS boys basketball returns last year's leading scorers.

Falcons ready to take off

Basketball season is almost underway.

Samuel Lockhart dribbles down the court while looking for a teammate cutting toward the hoop during a drill at Thunder Mountain High School. The 2022-23 iteration of the TMHS boys basketball returns last year's leading scorers.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol. He said it features no major increases or reductions compared to the current year’s budget, incurs about a $265 million deficit covered with reserve funds, and includes a “full PFD” projected to be about $3,800

Governor’s budget calls for no major cuts, no major adds and a big new revenue plan

Governor says no major increases or cuts, “full PFD”; bets long-term stability on carbon credits

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol. He said it features no major increases or reductions compared to the current year’s budget, incurs about a $265 million deficit covered with reserve funds, and includes a “full PFD” projected to be about $3,800
FILE - Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, sits in the House on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Eastman, accused of violating the state constitution's disloyalty clause over his lifetime membership in Oath Keepers, has not condemned the organization in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S Capitol. "No, I generally don't condemn groups," Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, said during his bench hearing on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, his second day on the witness stand. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Alaska lawmaker won’t condemn Oath Keepers in Capitol riot

“No, I generally don’t condemn groups.”

FILE - Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, sits in the House on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Eastman, accused of violating the state constitution's disloyalty clause over his lifetime membership in Oath Keepers, has not condemned the organization in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S Capitol. "No, I generally don't condemn groups," Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, said during his bench hearing on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, his second day on the witness stand. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
This photo shows the TikTok icon on a phone screen. University of Alaska and travel industry officials recently joined forces to attract potential students to employment and learning opportunities in Alaska through the popular app. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

New kids on the Tok

University uses popular app to reach new students as states move to ban it from government devices.

This photo shows the TikTok icon on a phone screen. University of Alaska and travel industry officials recently joined forces to attract potential students to employment and learning opportunities in Alaska through the popular app. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ashlyn Gates and Cailynn Baxter practice boxing out during practice at Thunder Mountain High School. Gates and the Baxter twins are among the athletic core that gives coach Andly Lee confidence that TMHS can compete with any team on its schedule. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘Dangerous’ TMHS girls basketball team readies to start season

Tough schedule, young roster, but optimism abounds.

Ashlyn Gates and Cailynn Baxter practice boxing out during practice at Thunder Mountain High School. Gates and the Baxter twins are among the athletic core that gives coach Andly Lee confidence that TMHS can compete with any team on its schedule. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy / Judy Campbell The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Varsity hockey team poses with Santa after sleighing the competition during the team’s weekend stint in Kodiak.

Juneau hockey team takes home the win in a battle of bears

The team headed to Kodiak for weekend games

Courtesy / Judy Campbell The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Varsity hockey team poses with Santa after sleighing the competition during the team’s weekend stint in Kodiak.
Courtesy Photo / JR Ancheta, UAF Matthew Wooller kneels in the mammoth tusk collection at the University of Alaska Museum of the North in 2021. Wooller is leading the museum’s Adopt a Mammoth program, which will date and identify specimens at the museum.

UAF partners with Alaska students for a mammoth of a project

“De-extinction” company adopts fossils for Alaska school districts.

Courtesy Photo / JR Ancheta, UAF Matthew Wooller kneels in the mammoth tusk collection at the University of Alaska Museum of the North in 2021. Wooller is leading the museum’s Adopt a Mammoth program, which will date and identify specimens at the museum.