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Seadrone photo showing stone fish trap found in Shakan Bay on the west side of Prince of Wales could potentially be oldest ever found in the world. The structure was first discovered in 2010 and officially confirmed as a stone weir earlier this year. (Courtesy Photo / Sealaska Heritage)
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Ancient weir sheds new light on Alaska Native history

Stone fish trap dates to at least 11,100 years ago, according to scientists.

Seadrone photo showing stone fish trap found in Shakan Bay on the west side of Prince of Wales could potentially be oldest ever found in the world. The structure was first discovered in 2010 and officially confirmed as a stone weir earlier this year. (Courtesy Photo / Sealaska Heritage)
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Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, is followed by her staff and members of the media at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before she was sworn in after winning Alaska’s special election in August. As as result of her win she has since far outraised the two Republican challengers she will again face in the November general election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

Peltola nets huge financial catch

Filings show $1.5M raised for most recent period , Palin $250K, Begich $118K

Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, is followed by her staff and members of the media at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before she was sworn in after winning Alaska’s special election in August. As as result of her win she has since far outraised the two Republican challengers she will again face in the November general election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)
June Bunch, a co-host of the event, sings during the open mic event Thursday night as part of the Crystal Saloon BABEFEST series. Bunch also shared her singing chops during the Wednesday night “Tribute to Joni Mitchell.” (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

BABEFEST comes to Juneau

The four-night series features local artists and celebrates the many “babes” here in capital city

June Bunch, a co-host of the event, sings during the open mic event Thursday night as part of the Crystal Saloon BABEFEST series. Bunch also shared her singing chops during the Wednesday night “Tribute to Joni Mitchell.” (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Passengers lounge on the dock of an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry as it departs Juneau in this photo posted Sept. 1 at the AMHS Facebook page. (Alaska State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Ferry schedule shows long service gaps for 4 Southeast communities —for now

Kake, Pelican, Angoon and Tenakee Springs omitted from schedule, but additions are pending

Passengers lounge on the dock of an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry as it departs Juneau in this photo posted Sept. 1 at the AMHS Facebook page. (Alaska State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
This photo shows an aerial view of the Pederson Hill subdivision area. (Courtesy Photo / City and Borough of Juneau)

City OKs negotiation for potential affordable housing projects

City manager says it’s a “first step” toward addressing lack of housing.

This photo shows an aerial view of the Pederson Hill subdivision area. (Courtesy Photo / City and Borough of Juneau)
Mila Cosgrove shakes hands with Sen. Jesse Kiehl after receiving a plaque from the members of the Thirty-Second Alaska State Legislature that honored her for her state service. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Cosgrove honored for ‘diligent and dedicated’ public service

Retiring in 2021, she spent more than two decades of public service work in the state and in Juneau.

Mila Cosgrove shakes hands with Sen. Jesse Kiehl after receiving a plaque from the members of the Thirty-Second Alaska State Legislature that honored her for her state service. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Duff Mitchell, managing director of Juneau Hydropower announced Juneau Hydropower’s joint development agreement to construct Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Plant with the Tokyo-based developer JPOWER during a Thursday afternoon Zoom news conference, which included an appearance by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, and other officials as a part of the project. (Screenshot)

Juneau Hydropower announces Sweetheart deal

After more than a decade of planning, project is expected to break ground sometime next year

Duff Mitchell, managing director of Juneau Hydropower announced Juneau Hydropower’s joint development agreement to construct Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Plant with the Tokyo-based developer JPOWER during a Thursday afternoon Zoom news conference, which included an appearance by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, and other officials as a part of the project. (Screenshot)
Republican Nick Begich, left, responds to a question at Thursday’s candidate forum for Alaska’s U.S. House candidates, hosted by Southeast Conference in Ketchikan. Republican Sarah Palin participated in the forum by teleconference. Southeast Conference Executive Director Robert Venables, right, acted as the moderator of the forum. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was unable to participate in the forum but briefly provided an update to conference attendees remotely later in the day. (Sam Stockbridge / Ketchikan Daily News)

U.S. House candidates positive — to a point

Begich and Palin both clashed and found common ground in Ketchikan.

Republican Nick Begich, left, responds to a question at Thursday’s candidate forum for Alaska’s U.S. House candidates, hosted by Southeast Conference in Ketchikan. Republican Sarah Palin participated in the forum by teleconference. Southeast Conference Executive Director Robert Venables, right, acted as the moderator of the forum. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was unable to participate in the forum but briefly provided an update to conference attendees remotely later in the day. (Sam Stockbridge / Ketchikan Daily News)
This image provided by the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows a satellite view over Alaska, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. A vast swath of western Alaska could see flooding and high winds as the remnants of Typhoon Merbok move toward the Bering Sea region. The National Weather Service had in place coastal flood warnings, beginning Friday, spanning from parts of the Yukon Delta in southwest Alaska up to St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea and to the Bering Strait coast. (NOAA via AP)

Western Alaska braces for strong storm, possible floods

JUNEAU — A vast swath of western Alaska could see flooding and high winds as the remnants of Typhoon Merbok move toward the Bering Sea… Continue reading

This image provided by the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows a satellite view over Alaska, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. A vast swath of western Alaska could see flooding and high winds as the remnants of Typhoon Merbok move toward the Bering Sea region. The National Weather Service had in place coastal flood warnings, beginning Friday, spanning from parts of the Yukon Delta in southwest Alaska up to St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea and to the Bering Strait coast. (NOAA via AP)
Jennifer Pemberton of KTOO and Clarise Larson of the Juneau Empire, at upper left and right respectively, moderate an online candidate forum Wednesday that featured unopposed Juneau Assembly candidates Carole Triem, Greg Smith and Wade Bryson. Juneau Board of Education candidates Emil Mackey and Deedie Sorensen, also unopposed in their races, participated in the second half of the hour-long event. (Screenshot)

Local candidates face off virtually unopposed

Three Assembly and two school board incumbents discuss priorities for upcoming terms

Jennifer Pemberton of KTOO and Clarise Larson of the Juneau Empire, at upper left and right respectively, moderate an online candidate forum Wednesday that featured unopposed Juneau Assembly candidates Carole Triem, Greg Smith and Wade Bryson. Juneau Board of Education candidates Emil Mackey and Deedie Sorensen, also unopposed in their races, participated in the second half of the hour-long event. (Screenshot)
Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., speaks during the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, May 3, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Democrats are punting a vote to protect same-sex and interracial marriages until after the November midterm elections. The request for a delay by senators who have been pushing for the legislation comes after Baldwin, the lead senator on the legislation, had predicted that they would be able to get the 10 Republican votes they need to break a filibuster. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades / The Washington Post via AP)

Senate Dems punt same-sex marriage vote until after election

The delay was requested by key senators who have been negotiating changes to the legislation.

  • Sep 15, 2022
  • By Mary Clare Jalonick Associated Press
  • Nation-World
Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., speaks during the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, May 3, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Democrats are punting a vote to protect same-sex and interracial marriages until after the November midterm elections. The request for a delay by senators who have been pushing for the legislation comes after Baldwin, the lead senator on the legislation, had predicted that they would be able to get the 10 Republican votes they need to break a filibuster. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades / The Washington Post via AP)
This combination image shows gubernatorial candidates Les Gara and Bill Walker. Gara, a former Democratic state lawmaker, and Walker, former independent governor of Alaska, took questions during a forum held as part of the annual Southeast Conference meeting. Both candidates noted the absence of incumbent Gov, Mike Dunleavy, who has been a no-show at several recent forums. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Walker, Gara largely agree on Southeast issues — and governor’s absence

Dunleavy again absent at candidate forum as two other contenders talk ferries, fish and finances

This combination image shows gubernatorial candidates Les Gara and Bill Walker. Gara, a former Democratic state lawmaker, and Walker, former independent governor of Alaska, took questions during a forum held as part of the annual Southeast Conference meeting. Both candidates noted the absence of incumbent Gov, Mike Dunleavy, who has been a no-show at several recent forums. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows the Nelson Homestead in Haines and is a 128.5-acre property conserved in 2013 by the Southeast Alaska Land Trust. (Courtesy / Southeast Alaska Land Trust)

Crowdsourcing for conservation: Southeast Alaska residents can now donate to a nonprofit’s efforts to conserve land

Residents across Southeast Alaska are now able to donate to a nonprofit’s efforts to conserve land

This photo shows the Nelson Homestead in Haines and is a 128.5-acre property conserved in 2013 by the Southeast Alaska Land Trust. (Courtesy / Southeast Alaska Land Trust)
A car sit parked on Dixon Street in the Telephone Hill area on Tuesday afternoon. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly passed an ordinance Monday night that appropriated $100,000 to initiate the process of redevelopment of the area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City takes step toward redeveloping Telephone Hill

Assembly OKs $100,000 for the planning process which could include new housing development

A car sit parked on Dixon Street in the Telephone Hill area on Tuesday afternoon. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly passed an ordinance Monday night that appropriated $100,000 to initiate the process of redevelopment of the area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The ballot drop box at Don D. Statter Harbor is one of a few places voters in Juneau can cast their ballots, which were mailed on Tuesday. There is also a drop box at the Douglas Public Library/ Fire Station. Additionally, there will be vote centers at City Hall and the Mendenhall Valley Public Library and voters can mail their ballots via the U.S. Postal Service. More information, including voting center hours, is available online at https://juneau.org/clerk/elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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WATCH: Candidates field questions ahead of local election

Learn more about the candidates seeking local office starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The ballot drop box at Don D. Statter Harbor is one of a few places voters in Juneau can cast their ballots, which were mailed on Tuesday. There is also a drop box at the Douglas Public Library/ Fire Station. Additionally, there will be vote centers at City Hall and the Mendenhall Valley Public Library and voters can mail their ballots via the U.S. Postal Service. More information, including voting center hours, is available online at https://juneau.org/clerk/elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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The University of Alaska Southeast annual fall lecture series Evening at Egan returned on Friday, Sept. 9 and runs until Nov. 18. All lectures start at 7 p.m. at the Egan Library on the Juneau campus and are free and open to the public. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Evening at Egan is back for the fall

In-person lectures return next month.

The University of Alaska Southeast annual fall lecture series Evening at Egan returned on Friday, Sept. 9 and runs until Nov. 18. All lectures start at 7 p.m. at the Egan Library on the Juneau campus and are free and open to the public. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Students in the Juneau Alaska Music Matters program perform earlier this month. Local youths in the tuition-free music program are scheduled to participate their first-ever Juneau Jazz Classics concert next week, appearing with the multi-genre string trio Simply Three at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Juneau Alaska Music Matters)

Less schooling, more students at fall fest

Jazz & Classics fall fest features fewer school visits, but more music including new student concert

Students in the Juneau Alaska Music Matters program perform earlier this month. Local youths in the tuition-free music program are scheduled to participate their first-ever Juneau Jazz Classics concert next week, appearing with the multi-genre string trio Simply Three at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Juneau Alaska Music Matters)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire
A cycle rickshaw passes the North State Office Building parking garage located on Willoughby Avenue in downtown Juneau. The City and Borough of Juneau’s Assembly passed an ordinance unopposed Monday night that gave the OK for the appropriation of $5 million to go toward partially funding the planning and construction of additional parking levels.

City OKs $5M for future downtown parking expansion project

An addition $5M could be added if the temp. 1% sale tax extension is approved in upcoming election

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire
A cycle rickshaw passes the North State Office Building parking garage located on Willoughby Avenue in downtown Juneau. The City and Borough of Juneau’s Assembly passed an ordinance unopposed Monday night that gave the OK for the appropriation of $5 million to go toward partially funding the planning and construction of additional parking levels.
Joann Hanson seen in this photo at home enjoying time with her family. There will be a celebration of her life held at Skater’s Cabin on Friday, Sept. 16 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for those who would like to pay their respects. (Courtesy Photo / Roxanne Thomas)

‘She really touched people’s hearts in very meaningful ways’

Longtime AWARE staff member remembered for generosity, acceptance.

Joann Hanson seen in this photo at home enjoying time with her family. There will be a celebration of her life held at Skater’s Cabin on Friday, Sept. 16 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for those who would like to pay their respects. (Courtesy Photo / Roxanne Thomas)
The cruise industry and it's impacts on the Southeast Alaska economy are both major topics during this week's Southeast Conference. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Sunny outlook among regional leaders in Ketchikan

Optimism about post-pandemic recovery and growth of industries expressed at Southeast Conference

The cruise industry and it's impacts on the Southeast Alaska economy are both major topics during this week's Southeast Conference. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)