Home

Photos courtesy of Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association 
Volunteer work on the Eldred Rock Lighthouse.

Alaska’s oldest original lighthouse will celebrate 120 years next summer

Eldred Rock Lighthouse seeks more volunteers

Photos courtesy of Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association 
Volunteer work on the Eldred Rock Lighthouse.
Jensen-Olson Arboretum is seen in this undated photo. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Free art lessons for children to be hosted at arboretum July 26

Registration opens July 16 at noon and is limited to 20 students.

Jensen-Olson Arboretum is seen in this undated photo. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Seaplane pilot Vance Tilley stands in front of the Piatus PC-12 in Klawock on June 23 during the inaugural trip of the new service between Juneau, Ketchikan and Klawock. (Photos by Gemini Waltz Media/courtesy Alaska Seaplane)

New Juneau-Ketchikan nonstop flight service launches

The flight leaves Juneau at 3:45 p.m., and the trip lasts 1 hour 25 minutes

Alaska Seaplane pilot Vance Tilley stands in front of the Piatus PC-12 in Klawock on June 23 during the inaugural trip of the new service between Juneau, Ketchikan and Klawock. (Photos by Gemini Waltz Media/courtesy Alaska Seaplane)
Danial Roberts, an employee at Viking Lumber Company, looks out at lumber from a forklift in Klawock, Alaska. (Courtesy of Viking Lumber Company)

Threads of the Tongass: The future of pianos and the timber industry

Timber operators say they are in crisis and unique knowledge, products will be lost

Danial Roberts, an employee at Viking Lumber Company, looks out at lumber from a forklift in Klawock, Alaska. (Courtesy of Viking Lumber Company)
Suicide Basin as of 10:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, taken by a U.S. Geological Survey camera at the basin entrance facing northeast, into the basin. (Screenshot from National Weather Service Juneau page)

Glacial lake outburst swells Salmon River near Hyder

The isolation of Salmon River limits the impact of flooding

Suicide Basin as of 10:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, taken by a U.S. Geological Survey camera at the basin entrance facing northeast, into the basin. (Screenshot from National Weather Service Juneau page)
Kahyl Dybdahl, left, and Bronze Chevis eat an egg sandwich breakfast before school at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

School board allocates extra state funds

More state funds available, but funding issues and federal uncertainty abound

Kahyl Dybdahl, left, and Bronze Chevis eat an egg sandwich breakfast before school at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Wednesday, July 10, 1985. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week ending July 12

Three decades of capital city coverage

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Wednesday, July 10, 1985. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Max Webster stands with Lemon Creek Correctional Center staff in front of new control tower on Tuesday, July 9, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

A towering accomplishment for new Eagle Scout

Max Webster honored at Firearms Training Center Control Tower ribbon-cutting ceremony

Max Webster stands with Lemon Creek Correctional Center staff in front of new control tower on Tuesday, July 9, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
Andy Engstrom (left) uses bitcoin to buy lemonade and cookies from business owner Denali Schijvens (right) on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s 1st Bitcoin conference held in Juneau

State leaders discuss integrating Bitcoin in Alaska energy, investment and universities

Andy Engstrom (left) uses bitcoin to buy lemonade and cookies from business owner Denali Schijvens (right) on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, delivers his keynote address to approximately 40 people, most of whom are from out of state, at the end of the Bitcoin Alaska conference on Sunday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Begich and Bitcoin fly to Juneau after passage of ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

Protesters seek town hall with representative; he delivers keynote address at ticketed conference

Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, delivers his keynote address to approximately 40 people, most of whom are from out of state, at the end of the Bitcoin Alaska conference on Sunday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Ati-Atihan marches towards downtown Juneau in the 2025 Fourth of July Parade. The group was named best of parade. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

Independence Day parade soars through downtown

Candy took flight at this year’s downtown Juneau parade, ‘Juneau’s Winged Heroes’

Juneau Ati-Atihan marches towards downtown Juneau in the 2025 Fourth of July Parade. The group was named best of parade. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
Brad Hogarth, one of four finalists to be the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, guides the ensemble through a rehearsal at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau Symphony announces new music director

Brad Hogarth begins new role

Brad Hogarth, one of four finalists to be the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, guides the ensemble through a rehearsal at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A pink peony blooms in Chris Urata’s garden on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

Master Gardeners Tour showcases excellence in landscaping

Annual fundraising event features gardens on 11 properties

A pink peony blooms in Chris Urata’s garden on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Seven- and 8-year-olds compete in the watermelon-eating contest at Savviko Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

Douglas picnic marks the beginning of 4th of July celebrations

Community members enjoy barbecue, watermelon eating contest

Seven- and 8-year-olds compete in the watermelon-eating contest at Savviko Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Shannon Crossley, who helped build the Treadwell disc golf course, wears the Douglas grand marshal’s sash as she rides in the parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

History of Douglas continues through Independence Day celebrations

Juneau Disc Golf Club honored as Douglas Fourth of July grand marshal

Shannon Crossley, who helped build the Treadwell disc golf course, wears the Douglas grand marshal’s sash as she rides in the parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau resident Benjamin Stepetin is seen in downtown Juneau. He is currently missing and was last seen by family on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of family)
Juneau resident Benjamin Stepetin is seen in downtown Juneau. He is currently missing and was last seen by family on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of family)
People watch the fireworks after midnight on Friday, July 4<ins>, </ins><ins>2025</ins>. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau blasts into Independence Day with annual firework display

A century old tradition, decades of expertise and a year of preparation culminates in a treasured show

People watch the fireworks after midnight on Friday, July 4<ins>, </ins><ins>2025</ins>. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Rachel Hightower holds her 2-year-old daughter Carmen’s decorated tricycle at the Bicycle Decorating & Sidewalk Chalk Decorating event in the Douglas Community Library parking garage on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

Douglas kids gear up for 4th of July festivities

Riders decorate bikes, scooters for upcoming parade

Rachel Hightower holds her 2-year-old daughter Carmen’s decorated tricycle at the Bicycle Decorating & Sidewalk Chalk Decorating event in the Douglas Community Library parking garage on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Marites “Tess” Buenafe. (Screenshot)
One of the two 60-passenger cars on the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway descends Mount Roberts. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Missing cruise ship passenger found dead on Mount Roberts

This story has been updated. Kentucky resident, Marites “Tess” Buenafe, 62, was found dead on Thursday afternoon below the ridge line of Gold Ridge, according… Continue reading

Marites “Tess” Buenafe. (Screenshot)
One of the two 60-passenger cars on the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway descends Mount Roberts. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Faith Rogers’ loved ones, from left to right, James Rogers (father), Michelle Rogers (sister), Harmony Wentz (daughter), Maria Rogers (mother) and Mindy Voigt (friend) sit with Faith’s three dogs in their family home. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau court orders release of man accused of Faith Rogers’ murder

JPD stands by its investigation; public defender says it cut corners

Faith Rogers’ loved ones, from left to right, James Rogers (father), Michelle Rogers (sister), Harmony Wentz (daughter), Maria Rogers (mother) and Mindy Voigt (friend) sit with Faith’s three dogs in their family home. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)