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Thunder Mountain High School’s Jenna Dobson (4) knocks the ball past a Mt. Edgecumbe High School player on Saturday night at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Four-four time: TMHS volleyball defeats Mt. Edgecumbe by 3-1 set scores on consecutive nights

Falcons remain among state’s best teams with pair of physical back-and-forth victories.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Jenna Dobson (4) knocks the ball past a Mt. Edgecumbe High School player on Saturday night at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Boxes of envelopes and secrecy sleeves that have had their ballots are removed are stored at the City and Borough of Juneau’s ballot processing center on Tuesday, Oct. 3, the date of this year’s municipal election. Because it was a by-mail election, ballots postmarked by that date are still being tallied, with the official results scheduled to be certified Oct. 17. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Local candidates retain early leads, rejection of City Hall bond grows in updated results Friday

Third-place Nano Brooks edges closer to second-place Ella Adkison in Areawide Assembly race.

Boxes of envelopes and secrecy sleeves that have had their ballots are removed are stored at the City and Borough of Juneau’s ballot processing center on Tuesday, Oct. 3, the date of this year’s municipal election. Because it was a by-mail election, ballots postmarked by that date are still being tallied, with the official results scheduled to be certified Oct. 17. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A children’s playground sits empty in Anchorage. (Photo by Sophia Carlisle/Alaska Beacon)

A ‘playbook’ to help Alaska schools hire and keep teachers

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development has developed an online tool to help schools, districts, communities and elected officials address the state’s high… Continue reading

A children’s playground sits empty in Anchorage. (Photo by Sophia Carlisle/Alaska Beacon)
Resurrection Lutheran Church, which has hosted a winter warming shelter in recent years, voted 25-24 during a congregation meeting on Sunday to enter into negotiations with the city to again host the shelter for the coming, following two previous votes where the question failed to pass. An intention by church leaders to ask the city for more money to host the shelter and the presence of new congregation members since the most recent vote last month were key differences at Sunday’s meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Church votes 25-24 on third try to host winter warming shelter — but Mount Jumbo Gym may be used instead

St. Vincent de Paul in talks with city about Douglas gym as Resurrection Lutheran remains divided.

Resurrection Lutheran Church, which has hosted a winter warming shelter in recent years, voted 25-24 during a congregation meeting on Sunday to enter into negotiations with the city to again host the shelter for the coming, following two previous votes where the question failed to pass. An intention by church leaders to ask the city for more money to host the shelter and the presence of new congregation members since the most recent vote last month were key differences at Sunday’s meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Josie Ferrer addresses the audience with announcements during the Filipino Community Celebration on Saturday. Hundreds of people attended the event on Saturday, with more activities planned starting at noon Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Filipino Community Hall hosts hundreds at celebration

Event is part of larger project after state’s recognizes October as Filipino American History Month.

Josie Ferrer addresses the audience with announcements during the Filipino Community Celebration on Saturday. Hundreds of people attended the event on Saturday, with more activities planned starting at noon Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Seaplanes aircraft sit on the flight line during an event celebrating the company’s debut of service to Wrangell on May 26. 2022. The company announced this week it is cancelling service to Wrangell and Petersburg as of Nov. 1. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Seaplanes halts Wrangell, Petersburg service as of Nov. 1

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t financially sustainable with the ridership,” company’s general manager says.

Alaska Seaplanes aircraft sit on the flight line during an event celebrating the company’s debut of service to Wrangell on May 26. 2022. The company announced this week it is cancelling service to Wrangell and Petersburg as of Nov. 1. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Jayden Johnson (4) and Hayden Aube (2), seen here against Dimond High School on Aug. 19, were the biggest offensive playmakers for the Juneau Huskies this season and were used according during the team’s opening playoff game at Anchorage West High School on Friday night. The Huskies, seeded last in the eight-team conference, took an early lead and battled on even terms with top-ranked Anchorage for most of the first half before losing 48-7. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Huskies get into first-half dogfight with top-ranked Anchorage West before losing 48-7 to end season

Juneau takes an early lead, then loses it on a few critical plays resulting in Anchorage touchdowns.

Jayden Johnson (4) and Hayden Aube (2), seen here against Dimond High School on Aug. 19, were the biggest offensive playmakers for the Juneau Huskies this season and were used according during the team’s opening playoff game at Anchorage West High School on Friday night. The Huskies, seeded last in the eight-team conference, took an early lead and battled on even terms with top-ranked Anchorage for most of the first half before losing 48-7. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A home hangs over the edge of an eroded riverbank after part of the neighboring house fell into the Mendenhall River during the record flooding of Suicide Basin on Aug. 5. The rest of the second home was later demolished. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Federal SBA loans available for people, businesses affected by Suicide Basin flooding

Agency responds favorably to state request after FEMA rejects disater aid.

A home hangs over the edge of an eroded riverbank after part of the neighboring house fell into the Mendenhall River during the record flooding of Suicide Basin on Aug. 5. The rest of the second home was later demolished. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Black bear sow with cub on the Mendenhall Wetlands, just off Egan Expressway on Sept. 5. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

Black bear sow with cub on the Mendenhall Wetlands, just off Egan Expressway on Sept. 5. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
A person walks across the dock at St. Paul Harbor, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Kodiak. Alaska fishermen will be able to harvest red king crab, the largest and most lucrative of all the Bering Sea crab species, for the first time in two years, offering a slight reprieve to the beleaguered fishery beset by low numbers likely exacerbated by climate change. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel, File)

Alaska fishermen will be allowed to harvest lucrative red king crab in the Bering Sea

Catch allowed after two canceled seasons; snow crab fishery to remain closed for second year.

A person walks across the dock at St. Paul Harbor, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Kodiak. Alaska fishermen will be able to harvest red king crab, the largest and most lucrative of all the Bering Sea crab species, for the first time in two years, offering a slight reprieve to the beleaguered fishery beset by low numbers likely exacerbated by climate change. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel, File)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire The Fiddlehead Restaurant & Bakery, which used to be in this building now occupied by the Sandpiper Cafe, is the inspiration for a pop-up restaurant fundraiser scheduled Oct. 21 on behalf of the Southeast Alaska Land Trust.
Capital City Weekly

Fiddlehead Restaurant & Bakery to return as pop-up for SEALT anniversary

All money raised will go to the land trust’s Acquisition Fund.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire The Fiddlehead Restaurant & Bakery, which used to be in this building now occupied by the Sandpiper Cafe, is the inspiration for a pop-up restaurant fundraiser scheduled Oct. 21 on behalf of the Southeast Alaska Land Trust.
Denny Corson (left), Edgar Higgins (center) and Patrick Jimmerson perform as the jazz fusion trio 247 at The Alaskan Hotel and Bar this summer. The trio released its fourth recording, the EP ““Seal of Approval,”on Friday. (Photo courtesy of 247)
Capital City Weekly

Jazz fusion trio of TMHS grads releases fourth recording

Band co-founder calls EP, which can be heard free online, “a gigantic step up” from previous albums.

Denny Corson (left), Edgar Higgins (center) and Patrick Jimmerson perform as the jazz fusion trio 247 at The Alaskan Hotel and Bar this summer. The trio released its fourth recording, the EP ““Seal of Approval,”on Friday. (Photo courtesy of 247)
Heidi Drygas, executive director of the 8,000-member Alaska State Employees Association, addresses a rally outside the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Union for state employees files class action grievance over payroll delays

State has fewer than half the payroll employees needed “to run smoothly,” complaint alleges.

Heidi Drygas, executive director of the 8,000-member Alaska State Employees Association, addresses a rally outside the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Nikki King (16), a senior, attempts to block a shot for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during the team’s game against Mt. Edgecumbe High School on Thursday night at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS volleyball, missing two key players to illness, loses to Mt. Edgecumbe

“We have to start focusing on the small wins,” coach Jody Levernier says.

Nikki King (16), a senior, attempts to block a shot for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during the team’s game against Mt. Edgecumbe High School on Thursday night at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jayden Johnson (4), a junior for the Juneau Huskies, looks for room to run against Anchorage South during their game Sept. 30 at Adair-Kennedy Field. The Alaska Sports Report calls Johnson “most explosive player in the state” as the state playoffs begin Friday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Huskies begin playoffs Friday night; here’s how the eight teams stack up

#8 Juneau faces #1 West Anchorage, but “Jayden Johnson is the most explosive player in the state.”

Jayden Johnson (4), a junior for the Juneau Huskies, looks for room to run against Anchorage South during their game Sept. 30 at Adair-Kennedy Field. The Alaska Sports Report calls Johnson “most explosive player in the state” as the state playoffs begin Friday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Evan Wood (left), Yvette Fountain (middle) and Nasir Spears wait outside the Alaska Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building on Thursday morning to discuss issues related to their Permanent Fund dividends. A majority of state residents got $1,312 dividends electronically deposited Thursday — or a day or two earlier — a considerably lower dividend than the $3,284 payout last year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A majority of Alaskans are $1,312 richer as of Thursday — some wish it were more

This year’s PFD is much lower than last year’s — the price of a balanced state budget.

Evan Wood (left), Yvette Fountain (middle) and Nasir Spears wait outside the Alaska Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building on Thursday morning to discuss issues related to their Permanent Fund dividends. A majority of state residents got $1,312 dividends electronically deposited Thursday — or a day or two earlier — a considerably lower dividend than the $3,284 payout last year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of the fluke of “Tango,” a humpback whale calf that was found dead on an island near Juneau in late August. (Courtesy / Bri Pettie)

Vessel strike cause of death of humpback whale calf in late August

“Deep and large” lacerations found on body, officials say.

This is a photo of the fluke of “Tango,” a humpback whale calf that was found dead on an island near Juneau in late August. (Courtesy / Bri Pettie)
Two queer space cadets cruising the galaxy crash land on a strange planet in the film “Anathema,” which is scheduled to be screened during the HUMP! Film Fest scheduled at the Gold Town Theater Oct. 21-22. (Photo courtesy of HUMP! Film Fest)
Capital City Weekly

Organized amateur porn festival makes its theatrical debut in Juneau

HUMP! Film Fest at Gold Town Theater Oct. 21-22.

Two queer space cadets cruising the galaxy crash land on a strange planet in the film “Anathema,” which is scheduled to be screened during the HUMP! Film Fest scheduled at the Gold Town Theater Oct. 21-22. (Photo courtesy of HUMP! Film Fest)
This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire on Thursday, Sept. 28, 1995. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Oct. 8

Three decades of capital city coverage.

This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire on Thursday, Sept. 28, 1995. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Brick Engstrom (right) connects his harness to a rope on a crane-like device Thursday morning that allows him, co-worker Colton Baucom and two other people to rappel down the 11-story State Office Building as they clean it with pressure washers. The first such cleaning in at least a decade, which began a week ago, is expected to take about another month. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Rappelling the dirt and slime from the State Office Building

11-story bastion of bureaucracy getting first thorough exterior cleaning in at least a decade.

Brick Engstrom (right) connects his harness to a rope on a crane-like device Thursday morning that allows him, co-worker Colton Baucom and two other people to rappel down the 11-story State Office Building as they clean it with pressure washers. The first such cleaning in at least a decade, which began a week ago, is expected to take about another month. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)