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West Anchorage and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé players react to the Eagles’ game-winning goal by senior Hattie Luckasson (5) during the Crimson Bears’ 2-1 loss to the Eagles on Saturday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls soccer team falls 2-1 to West Anchorage

Crimson Bears score first, Eagles win second half.

West Anchorage and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé players react to the Eagles’ game-winning goal by senior Hattie Luckasson (5) during the Crimson Bears’ 2-1 loss to the Eagles on Saturday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as seen on March 14, 2025. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center: Preserving the past, greeting the future

Generations of architects and naturalists have navigated through mass evolution of visitors and ice.

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as seen on March 14, 2025. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
The State Office Building in downtown Juneau on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

State, employees’ union reach tentative agreement on 11% pay hike over three years

Deal will also significantly boost state’s health insurance contribution if OK’d by workers, lawmakers.

The State Office Building in downtown Juneau on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A path leading from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in 1962. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

The original road to the glacier

Despite the flurry of activity and development proposals in the 1960s, the first road to the glacier was not constructed for scenic access. It was… Continue reading

A path leading from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in 1962. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore June Troxel catches a pop-up during the Crimson Bears’ 10-5 loss to Ketchikan at Dudley Field on Friday. (Christopher Mullen/Ketchikan Daily News)

Rain dampens JDHS softball play at Ketchikan

Crimson Bears lose rain delayed doubleheader to Kings.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore June Troxel catches a pop-up during the Crimson Bears’ 10-5 loss to Ketchikan at Dudley Field on Friday. (Christopher Mullen/Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Riley Fick throws a pitch during the Crimson Bears’ 10-0 victory over Ketchikan at Norman Walker Field on Friday. (Christopher Mullen/Ketchikan Daily News)

JDHS baseball plays triple-header at Ketchikan

Crimson Bears sweep Kings as rain forced game consolidation

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Riley Fick throws a pitch during the Crimson Bears’ 10-0 victory over Ketchikan at Norman Walker Field on Friday. (Christopher Mullen/Ketchikan Daily News)
The Alaska Senate Finance Committee meets on Friday, May 2, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate committee’s draft budget has a surplus — and that’s a sign of trouble

Committee leaders say they’ve created a “buffer” against a huge expected deficit in 2026.

The Alaska Senate Finance Committee meets on Friday, May 2, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior defender Reed Maier (19) marks an attack by West Anchorage senior Noah Robinson during the Crimson Bears’ 1-1 tie with the Eagles on Friday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys defense keeps pitch even against West Anchorage

Crimson Bears played state-ranked Eagles through rain and wind.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior defender Reed Maier (19) marks an attack by West Anchorage senior Noah Robinson during the Crimson Bears’ 1-1 tie with the Eagles on Friday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore forward Clairee Overson (18) moves a ball past West Anchorage freshman Kiana Isenberg (28) during the Crimson Bears 0-0 tie with the Eagles on Friday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. Overson earned the Crimson Bears’ Hard Hat Award in the game. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS soccer girls play even with West Anchorage

Crimson Bears and Eagles go scoreless on the pitch.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore forward Clairee Overson (18) moves a ball past West Anchorage freshman Kiana Isenberg (28) during the Crimson Bears 0-0 tie with the Eagles on Friday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. Overson earned the Crimson Bears’ Hard Hat Award in the game. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The JACK Quartet, a modern experimental string ensemble, is scheduled to perform the world premier of a composition by John Luther Adams on May 14 at the National Shrine of St. Thérèse as part of Juneau Jazz and Classics’ 38th annual Spring Festival. (Photo courtesy of the JACK Quartet)

Pulitzer and Grammy winners put spring into Juneau Jazz and Classics starting Saturday

Husband-wife folk team arrives straight from Carnegie; experimental quartet to perform world premiere.

The JACK Quartet, a modern experimental string ensemble, is scheduled to perform the world premier of a composition by John Luther Adams on May 14 at the National Shrine of St. Thérèse as part of Juneau Jazz and Classics’ 38th annual Spring Festival. (Photo courtesy of the JACK Quartet)
People in Juneau gather in the rain at the Alaska State Capitol for a global May Day protest on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

‘Mayday, Mayday’: Protesters and Liz Cheney urge wake-up call for defending democracy

Unity and solidarity expressed in rainfall on International Workers’ Day.

People in Juneau gather in the rain at the Alaska State Capitol for a global May Day protest on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 1, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 1, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighter Jenna Habig transports a hospital gurney in an undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Inman)
Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighter Jenna Habig transports a hospital gurney in an undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Inman)
The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)

Election to incorporate new Xunaa Borough, and select its Assembly and school board, set for July 15

Approval would form Alaska’s 20th borough; result in dissolution of Hoonah’s municipal government.

The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)
Glacier Swim Club’s Valerie Peimann and Emma Fellman tied for first place for the 15-19 girls high-point award at the Alaska Swimming State Championships last weekend in Anchorage. At right is third-placer Lelaina Trembath of Chugiak Aquatics Club (Photo courtesy GSC).

GSC places second in Alaska Swimming State Championships

Glacier Swim Club wins honors as seniors swim final meet.

Glacier Swim Club’s Valerie Peimann and Emma Fellman tied for first place for the 15-19 girls high-point award at the Alaska Swimming State Championships last weekend in Anchorage. At right is third-placer Lelaina Trembath of Chugiak Aquatics Club (Photo courtesy GSC).
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears first baseman Taylor Williams puts out Sitka Wolves runner Vada West during softball action Wednesday at Moller Field in Sitka. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)

Crimson Bears devour Wolves 18-9, get nipped 10-9

Nizich home run highlights JDHS “rap sheet” in two game series.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears first baseman Taylor Williams puts out Sitka Wolves runner Vada West during softball action Wednesday at Moller Field in Sitka. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)
Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Deputy Mayor Greg Smith discuss the city’s proposed budget for next year during a pair of meetings by Assembly members Wednesday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly moves forward on mill rate and utility fee hikes, $10M school projects bond

Juneau leaders opt against utility projects bond, put seasonal sales tax on hold for further study.

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Deputy Mayor Greg Smith discuss the city’s proposed budget for next year during a pair of meetings by Assembly members Wednesday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The chairs of the Senate Finance Committee huddle for a discussion after introducing their draft operating budget, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate committee drops proposed 2025 PFD to $1,000 per recipient, an inflation-adjusted low

Amid a severe state budget deficit, the Alaska Senate Finance Committee is proposing the lowest Permanent Fund dividend in five years and — if adjusted… Continue reading

The chairs of the Senate Finance Committee huddle for a discussion after introducing their draft operating budget, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Tribal elder lder Ilskyaalas Delores Churchill picks up black cod during a traditional foods distribution by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in Hydaburg earlier this year. (CCTHITA photo)

Tlingit and Haida halts traditional foods distribution due to cancellation of federal funding

Providing of salmon, other foods to communities among multiple tribal cuts by Trump administration.

Tribal elder lder Ilskyaalas Delores Churchill picks up black cod during a traditional foods distribution by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in Hydaburg earlier this year. (CCTHITA photo)
Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower (R-Wasilla), right, explains why he is changing his vote on a compromise education bill during Wednesday’s floor session at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Compromise education bill passes Legislature by veto-proof margin despite Dunleavy administration threats

Education commissioner tells school districts to support governor’s policy goals or risk losing funds.

Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower (R-Wasilla), right, explains why he is changing his vote on a compromise education bill during Wednesday’s floor session at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)