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Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai shows the ranked choice tabulation for the U.S. House race Wednesday afternoon in Juneau. Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola prevailed over Republican former Gov. Sarah Palin by a final tally of 54.9% to 45.1% after lower-finishing candidates Republican Nick Begich III amd Libertarian Chris Bye were eliminated during the first two rounds of instant choice runoffs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Update: Incumbents secure reelection in statewide races

Ranked choice results mean legislative leadership future is unclear.

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai shows the ranked choice tabulation for the U.S. House race Wednesday afternoon in Juneau. Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola prevailed over Republican former Gov. Sarah Palin by a final tally of 54.9% to 45.1% after lower-finishing candidates Republican Nick Begich III amd Libertarian Chris Bye were eliminated during the first two rounds of instant choice runoffs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire 
Barbara Bechtold and John Tomaro deliver a Thanksgiving meal package to a Mendenhall Valley home on Saturday. The couple, both of whom have lived in Juneau since the 1970s, have made the deliveries and taken part in other volunteer efforts for many years. The estimated 300 to 400 packages being delivered this year are a collaborative effort by St. Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army, The Glory Hall and other local entities.

Fowl weather friends deliver feasts

Thanksgiving food baskets and communal gathering provide traditional meal for thousands

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire 
Barbara Bechtold and John Tomaro deliver a Thanksgiving meal package to a Mendenhall Valley home on Saturday. The couple, both of whom have lived in Juneau since the 1970s, have made the deliveries and taken part in other volunteer efforts for many years. The estimated 300 to 400 packages being delivered this year are a collaborative effort by St. Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army, The Glory Hall and other local entities.
A cellphone screen displays spam text messages. During busy shopping season, scammers pretending to be other people, businesses or agencies frequently attempt to gain personal information via “spoofed” text messages, emails or phone calls. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘Criminals do not take the holidays off’

FBI shares tips to avoid being scammed during busy shopping season.

A cellphone screen displays spam text messages. During busy shopping season, scammers pretending to be other people, businesses or agencies frequently attempt to gain personal information via “spoofed” text messages, emails or phone calls. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Centennial Hall, seen here, will host the 40th annual Juneau Public Market along with the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Nov. 25-27. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Public Market returns for 40th year

Indigenous Artists & Vendors Holiday Market runs same weekend.

Centennial Hall, seen here, will host the 40th annual Juneau Public Market along with the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Nov. 25-27. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The final election results, including ranked choice votes, will be tallied starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Alaska Division of Election’s director’s office. The tally will be covered live by the Juneau Empire, as well as broadcast live by other media including KTOO. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Ranked choice winners to be revealed Wednesday

Little drama expected in U.S. House and Senate races, but state legislative leadership a toss-up

The final election results, including ranked choice votes, will be tallied starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Alaska Division of Election’s director’s office. The tally will be covered live by the Juneau Empire, as well as broadcast live by other media including KTOO. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows boats moored at the Don. D Statter Harbor on a summer day. Multiple ordinances proposed by the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors Board were authorized at Monday night’s Assembly meeting including the OK for a daily fee for vessels at Statter Harbor that do not move every 10 days during the summer. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘Moor’ changes on deck for CBJ Docks Harbors

Changes include daily fee for vessels at Statter Harbor that do not move every 10 days amid summer

This photo shows boats moored at the Don. D Statter Harbor on a summer day. Multiple ordinances proposed by the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors Board were authorized at Monday night’s Assembly meeting including the OK for a daily fee for vessels at Statter Harbor that do not move every 10 days during the summer. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, University of Kansas students Hayley Harman, Kylie Kookesh and Delilah Begay smile for a photo inside the White House. Last week the trio participated in the annual White House Tribal Youth Forum hosted by the White House, United National Indian Tribal Youth and the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute. (Courtesy / Kylie Kookesh)

From Angoon to the White House: College student heads to Washington to discuss Alaska Native issues

“Coming from a small community in Alaska like Angoon, I never would have thought that would be there”

From left to right, University of Kansas students Hayley Harman, Kylie Kookesh and Delilah Begay smile for a photo inside the White House. Last week the trio participated in the annual White House Tribal Youth Forum hosted by the White House, United National Indian Tribal Youth and the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute. (Courtesy / Kylie Kookesh)
Juneau International Airport is expected to be busy during Thanksgiving holiday week amid lax COVID-restrictions. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Juneau International Airport is expected to be busy during Thanksgiving holiday week amid lax COVID-restrictions. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
People walk the docks during a busy cruise ship day as the sun sets in downtown Juneau on Aug. 29. Cruise tourism rebounded to near-normal levels this year, giving Southeast economists and businesses reason for future optimism after the region was by some measures the hardest hit economically in the U.S. during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Study: Alaska’s economic growth ‘at or near the bottom’ in U.S.

Low oil prices, slow pandemic recovery cited as causes, but some in Southeast see rosy prospects.

People walk the docks during a busy cruise ship day as the sun sets in downtown Juneau on Aug. 29. Cruise tourism rebounded to near-normal levels this year, giving Southeast economists and businesses reason for future optimism after the region was by some measures the hardest hit economically in the U.S. during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Rain runoff runs down a drain in the Mendenhall Valley. As of Sunday, Juneau had accumulated 82.48 inches of rain and/or melted snow, which means this year’s total would need just a touch more than 2.5 inches of rainfall to beat the current record set in 1991. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Rain runoff runs down a drain in the Mendenhall Valley. As of Sunday, Juneau had accumulated 82.48 inches of rain and/or melted snow, which means this year’s total would need just a touch more than 2.5 inches of rainfall to beat the current record set in 1991. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Smoked salmon and salmon spread, Mickey’s Fishcamp, Wrangell Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Faith Prescott)

Planet Alaska: Salmon gratitudes

What are we grateful for today? Is it our heritage, our homes, our art, elders, our food?

Smoked salmon and salmon spread, Mickey’s Fishcamp, Wrangell Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Faith Prescott)
A member of the Juneau Gun Club helps participants with shooting clay targets, one of many events featured at the club’s annual Thanksgiving turkey shoot. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Ready, aim, gobble: Juneau Gun Club hosts annual Turkey Shoot

No turkeys were harmed in the making of this article.

A member of the Juneau Gun Club helps participants with shooting clay targets, one of many events featured at the club’s annual Thanksgiving turkey shoot. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Bree Lee Lo, June Enele, Lemoe Eneliko and Moira Anemia pose for a photo taken by Alexandra and Barron Anemia. All were on hand to celebrate Samoa's Rugby League World Cup run. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Local rugby fans celebrate Samoa’s World Cup run

“Win our lose, we’re still proud.”

Bree Lee Lo, June Enele, Lemoe Eneliko and Moira Anemia pose for a photo taken by Alexandra and Barron Anemia. All were on hand to celebrate Samoa's Rugby League World Cup run. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks to supporters during a campaign event at Louie’s Douglas Inn on Oct. 12. The incumbent on Friday took the lead over fellow Republican Kelly Tshibaka following the Nov. 8 election, as absentee and questioned ballots from Southeast Alaska voters helped Murkowski overcome an initial deficit on Election Night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Murkowski pulls ahead of Tshibaka in latest election results

Southeast Alaska voters give U.S. Senate incumbent the lead; Peltola, Duneavy also solidify grasps

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks to supporters during a campaign event at Louie’s Douglas Inn on Oct. 12. The incumbent on Friday took the lead over fellow Republican Kelly Tshibaka following the Nov. 8 election, as absentee and questioned ballots from Southeast Alaska voters helped Murkowski overcome an initial deficit on Election Night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An independent third-party audit found Juneau School District spent at a deficit of over $620,000, in the past fiscal year and failed to adhere to district policies that could have lessened the total. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Audit shows ‘deeply concerning’ deficit for school district

Independent report says failure to follow policy contributed to negative balance.

An independent third-party audit found Juneau School District spent at a deficit of over $620,000, in the past fiscal year and failed to adhere to district policies that could have lessened the total. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium opened a new physical rehabilitation clinic at the old Armory Log Cabin on Crest Street in the Mendenhall Valley. The new location replaced the old facility previously located in the basement portion of the Ethel Lund Medical Center. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

SEARHC opens new physical rehabilitation clinic

The new location at the Armory Log Cabin replaces the old clinic at Ethel Lund Medical Center

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium opened a new physical rehabilitation clinic at the old Armory Log Cabin on Crest Street in the Mendenhall Valley. The new location replaced the old facility previously located in the basement portion of the Ethel Lund Medical Center. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A parking lot (shaded in yellow) in the historical and cultural area long known as the “Juneau Indian Village” is the first property owned by Central Council of the Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to be placed into federal trust status. The designation, which Tlingit and Haida is seeking for other properties it owns, will make the tribe eligible for assistance from more federal programs and services. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Tlingit and Haida gets landmark property win from feds

Transfer of small lot into federal trust has big implication’s for tribe’s economic authority.

A parking lot (shaded in yellow) in the historical and cultural area long known as the “Juneau Indian Village” is the first property owned by Central Council of the Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to be placed into federal trust status. The designation, which Tlingit and Haida is seeking for other properties it owns, will make the tribe eligible for assistance from more federal programs and services. (City and Borough of Juneau)
Two bear cubs walk in a Juneau field on a summer evening. Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced Friday that highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a bear cub in Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. It's just the second time the virus has been detected in a bear. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Glacier Bay bear cub diagnosed with bird flu in rare case

Health officials say risk to mammals, including people, remains low.

Two bear cubs walk in a Juneau field on a summer evening. Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced Friday that highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a bear cub in Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. It's just the second time the virus has been detected in a bear. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Matthew Wendel, Mike Kreis, Kasey Watts, Courtney Kreis, Tami Wahto and Todd Schur wore costumes during the 2021 Turkey Trot. Why’d they wear costumes? “Why not?” asked Schur. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Strut your speed at upcoming annual Turkey Trot

Stuff the starting line Thanksgiving morning

Matthew Wendel, Mike Kreis, Kasey Watts, Courtney Kreis, Tami Wahto and Todd Schur wore costumes during the 2021 Turkey Trot. Why’d they wear costumes? “Why not?” asked Schur. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
David Keith, chief executive officer at Bartlett Regional Hospital, talks about his first 100 days on the job during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday at the Juneau Moose Family Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

New Bartlett CEO talks first 100 days on the job

Retaining young residents as employees, restoring hospice services among early goals for David Keith.

David Keith, chief executive officer at Bartlett Regional Hospital, talks about his first 100 days on the job during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday at the Juneau Moose Family Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)