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Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Gov. Dunleavy vetoes five bills passed late by state House

All five pieces of legislation were passed by the House after midnight on Legislature’s 121st day.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Children attend the Sheldon Jackson School in Sitka, in a photo dated between 1900 and 1930. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.)

Alaska officials echo federal push to promote healing after boarding schools report

Murkowski, state lawmakers have pushed for a Native-led documentation effort.

Children attend the Sheldon Jackson School in Sitka, in a photo dated between 1900 and 1930. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.)
Volunteers operate an in-person polling place for the special U.S. House primary election on Friday, May 27, 2022 in the atrium of the State Office Building. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

What Alaskans need to know ahead of the Aug. 20 primary

By-mail voting has already begun, while early in-person voting starts on Aug. 5

Volunteers operate an in-person polling place for the special U.S. House primary election on Friday, May 27, 2022 in the atrium of the State Office Building. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Deven Mitchell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., gives a tour of the corporation’s investment floor to Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and other attendees of an open house on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

New Alaska Permanent Fund reports show fiscal crisis growing closer

More money is being spent from the fund than is being deposited or earned through investments.

Deven Mitchell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., gives a tour of the corporation’s investment floor to Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and other attendees of an open house on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on July 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on July 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ed Quinto retired as assistant chief at Capital City Fire/Rescue on Wednesday after 45 years with the department. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

CCFR Assistant Chief Ed Quinto, Juneau’s longest-serving firefighter, retires after 45 years

“When I was a kid I always wanted to help people, so I guess I felt like I found the perfect job for me.”

Ed Quinto retired as assistant chief at Capital City Fire/Rescue on Wednesday after 45 years with the department. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Juneau resident Cathy Muse sold her oil tank after installing an air source heat pump, transitioning her house entirely off fossil fuels. (Photo by Cathy Muse distributed by the U.S. Department of Energy)

Federal grant will help 6,100 coastal Alaska homes get heat pumps

$38.6M allocation will provide rebates up to $8,500 per household for purchase and installation

  • Jul 31, 2024
  • By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel
Juneau resident Cathy Muse sold her oil tank after installing an air source heat pump, transitioning her house entirely off fossil fuels. (Photo by Cathy Muse distributed by the U.S. Department of Energy)
In 2024, the work of the Lynn Canal Food Web expanded into an additional community garden located in Deishú Haines using plants and seeds from the Victory Garden at Xunt’i Áa Mosquito Lake. Pictured, Erika Merklin and Liz Landes tend to the Henderson field property. Landes is funded to manage site development for the year through an additional USDA Southeast Alaska Sustainability mini-grant made available by Southeast Conference demonstrating how USDA funding continues to develop new leadership in local communities. (Photo by Shaelene Grace Moler)

Woven Peoples and Place: Upper Lynn Canal food systems boosted by regional sustainability initiatives

Network of grassroots efforts, volunteers and community gardens helping ensure access to local food.

In 2024, the work of the Lynn Canal Food Web expanded into an additional community garden located in Deishú Haines using plants and seeds from the Victory Garden at Xunt’i Áa Mosquito Lake. Pictured, Erika Merklin and Liz Landes tend to the Henderson field property. Landes is funded to manage site development for the year through an additional USDA Southeast Alaska Sustainability mini-grant made available by Southeast Conference demonstrating how USDA funding continues to develop new leadership in local communities. (Photo by Shaelene Grace Moler)
Trawlers are seen in Unalaska on Sept. 24, 2013. Trawlers use nets to harvest pollock and other groundfish species in the Bering Sea; the ships’ incidental catch of river-bound salmon puts the pollock industry in conflict with commercial and subsistence fishermen in Western Alaska. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Biden administration rejects top Inslee choice for Alaska fish commission, reappoints trawl ally

The Biden administration has rejected a nominee for a key Alaska fisheries management post who could have tipped decisions toward the interests of tribes and… Continue reading

Trawlers are seen in Unalaska on Sept. 24, 2013. Trawlers use nets to harvest pollock and other groundfish species in the Bering Sea; the ships’ incidental catch of river-bound salmon puts the pollock industry in conflict with commercial and subsistence fishermen in Western Alaska. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Leeann Thomas, the owner of the Triangle Club for the last 25 years, stands behind the bar with her employee Dita Sharpley on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

The Triangle Club, Juneau’s historic three-generation bar, is for sale

Owner of 25 years says she’d love bar to stay local with “fresh ideas.”

Leeann Thomas, the owner of the Triangle Club for the last 25 years, stands behind the bar with her employee Dita Sharpley on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
People fill the Assembly Chambers at City Hall during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. A majority of people who testified during the meeting expressed thoughts about the shooting death of Steven Kissack during a confrontation with police two weeks ago. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Shooting death of Steven Kissack results in pleas to Assembly for transparency, restoration of trust

Residents commenting at Monday meeting mixed about if police response during standoff was proper.

People fill the Assembly Chambers at City Hall during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. A majority of people who testified during the meeting expressed thoughts about the shooting death of Steven Kissack during a confrontation with police two weeks ago. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church following the service on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bishop says Resurrection Lutheran Church’s pastor and president were legally removed; they disagree

Karen Perkins and Karen Lawfer say they will stay at positions, matter should be resolved in court.

People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church following the service on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A painting by Juneau artist Timi Johnson’s that’s part of his “Fugitive” exhibit that will be on display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center during First Friday in August. (Image courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in August

A wide range of artists from traditional Tlingit to self-taught modern, featuring creations ranging from ballpoint pen images to ceramics, along with a book talk… Continue reading

A painting by Juneau artist Timi Johnson’s that’s part of his “Fugitive” exhibit that will be on display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center during First Friday in August. (Image courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new cruise ship dock downtown. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Proposed Huna Totem dock clears hurdle about legality, now Assembly will decide if it’s wanted

Karla Hart says she won’t further appeal dock’s use permit, will focus on debate of project’s merits.

This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new cruise ship dock downtown. (City and Borough of Juneau)
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jude Pate, right, asks a question during oral arguments in a case concerning correspondence education allotments, on June 27, 2024, in the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

After state judge keeps ranked choice repeal ballot measure, Alaska Supreme Court will weigh in

Supporters of Alaska’s ranked choice election system are asking the Alaska Supreme Court to rule on one final attempt to keep a repeal measure from… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jude Pate, right, asks a question during oral arguments in a case concerning correspondence education allotments, on June 27, 2024, in the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Henderson is seen on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Juneau. Alaska’s Supreme Court will likely soon have three female and two male justices, making it majority-women for the first time. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Supreme Court positioned to be majority-women for first time

Seven attorneys have thrown their name in the ring for a judicial position in Alaska’s Supreme Court. All seven candidates are women, meaning that –… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Henderson is seen on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Juneau. Alaska’s Supreme Court will likely soon have three female and two male justices, making it majority-women for the first time. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
“Dreaming the Future” written by Mike Tobin and directed by Donnie Gott, and performed as part of the Climate Fair for a Cool Planet at Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, ends with actors in an electric bus driving toward the future. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Climate Fair for a Cool Planet cultivates a culture of change with songs and theater

Record rain in Juneau and record-high global temps are both worrisome signs, organizers say.

“Dreaming the Future” written by Mike Tobin and directed by Donnie Gott, and performed as part of the Climate Fair for a Cool Planet at Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, ends with actors in an electric bus driving toward the future. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Left: Michael Orelove points out to his grandniece, Violet, items inside the 1994 Juneau Time Capsule at the Hurff Ackerman Saunders Federal Building on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. Right: Five years later, Jonathon Turlove, Michael’s son, does the same with Violet. (Credits: Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo; Jasz Garrett/Juneau Empire)

Family of Michael Orelove reunites to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Juneau Time Capsule

“It’s not just a gift to the future, but to everybody now.”

Left: Michael Orelove points out to his grandniece, Violet, items inside the 1994 Juneau Time Capsule at the Hurff Ackerman Saunders Federal Building on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. Right: Five years later, Jonathon Turlove, Michael’s son, does the same with Violet. (Credits: Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo; Jasz Garrett/Juneau Empire)
Runners begin the 26.2-mile Juneau Marathon at Savikko Park on Saturday morning. More than 85 people registered for the full-length race, a record for the annual event that originated in 1992, but about 20 of them failed to show up for what turned out to be a rainy run. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Participants go to great lengths to run in the rain at the Juneau Marathon and Half Marathon

Dashing over from cruise ship, long trip around road-blocking landslide among paths to starting line.

Runners begin the 26.2-mile Juneau Marathon at Savikko Park on Saturday morning. More than 85 people registered for the full-length race, a record for the annual event that originated in 1992, but about 20 of them failed to show up for what turned out to be a rainy run. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A young girl plays on the Sheep Creek delta near suction dredges while a cruise ship passes the Gastineau Channel on July 20. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau was built on mining. Can recreational mining at Sheep Creek continue?

Neighborhood concerns about shoreline damage, vegetation regrowth and marine life spur investigation.

A young girl plays on the Sheep Creek delta near suction dredges while a cruise ship passes the Gastineau Channel on July 20. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)