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A hiring sign is displayed at a home improvement store in Northbrook, Ill., Thursday, May 5, 2022. America’s employers added 428,000 jobs in April, extending a streak of solid hiring that has defied punishing inflation, chronic supply shortages, the Russian war against Ukraine and much higher borrowing costs. (AP Photo / Nam Y. Huh)

U.S. added 428,000 jobs in April despite surging inflation

The economy’s hiring gains have been strikingly consistent in the face of inflation.

A hiring sign is displayed at a home improvement store in Northbrook, Ill., Thursday, May 5, 2022. America’s employers added 428,000 jobs in April, extending a streak of solid hiring that has defied punishing inflation, chronic supply shortages, the Russian war against Ukraine and much higher borrowing costs. (AP Photo / Nam Y. Huh)
Zuill Bailey, who is a Grammy Award-winning cellist and artistic director for the Juneau Jazz & Classics festival, will be among artists to perform in the six-day event. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Jazz & Classics)

Sweet sound of freedom: Juneau Jazz & Classics’ 1st post-pandemic festival features 27 visiting musicians

Event includes two military ensembles and first music cruises in four years.

Zuill Bailey, who is a Grammy Award-winning cellist and artistic director for the Juneau Jazz & Classics festival, will be among artists to perform in the six-day event. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Jazz & Classics)
State Sen. Josh Revak, R-Anchorage, sat down with the Empire in Juneau on Friday, May 6, 2022, to discuss his bid for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Revak was personally close with the late Don Young, and has earned the endorsement of Young's widow. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Revak runs to replace Rep. Young

All of Alaska.

State Sen. Josh Revak, R-Anchorage, sat down with the Empire in Juneau on Friday, May 6, 2022, to discuss his bid for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Revak was personally close with the late Don Young, and has earned the endorsement of Young's widow. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Anne Sears, the new lead investigator for the federally-funded Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Initiative, speaks during the annual rally at the Alaska State Capitol on May 5, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Hundreds gather for missing and murdered Indigenous people

More and more attention is being paid nationwide to the staggering violence rates.

Anne Sears, the new lead investigator for the federally-funded Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Initiative, speaks during the annual rally at the Alaska State Capitol on May 5, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Alaskan Brewing Co. recently won a platinum Crushie from the Craft Beer Marketing Association for the design of its Island Ale, the second year in a row the brewery has won an award. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Crushin’ it: Alaskan Brewing Co. wins awards for can art for second year in row

Second year in a row, two awards.

Alaskan Brewing Co. recently won a platinum Crushie from the Craft Beer Marketing Association for the design of its Island Ale, the second year in a row the brewery has won an award. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The frozen Yukon River at Eagle, Alaska, in February 2020. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Awaiting river breakup on the Yukon

By Ned Rozell Andy Bassich lives on the south bank of the Yukon River, about 12 miles downstream from Eagle, Alaska, the first community in… Continue reading

The frozen Yukon River at Eagle, Alaska, in February 2020. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
A Carnival Cruise Lines vessel similar to one due in Juneau Saturday following a COVID-19 outbreak aboard steams past Douglas in 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

Formerly infected cruise ship to dock as usual

Most passengers were let off in Seattle, and the city is satisfied with measures in place.

A Carnival Cruise Lines vessel similar to one due in Juneau Saturday following a COVID-19 outbreak aboard steams past Douglas in 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)
Dasha Pearson, second from right, with her sister Natalia Dontsova, center, and father Alexander Dontsov, second from right, in Seattle on March 8, 2022. Pearson's family fled Ukraine when the war started, and now they and other displaced Ukrainians are trying to find a home in Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Dasha Pearson)

Fleeing war, Ukrainians are finding a home in Alaska

Willing to work.

Dasha Pearson, second from right, with her sister Natalia Dontsova, center, and father Alexander Dontsov, second from right, in Seattle on March 8, 2022. Pearson's family fled Ukraine when the war started, and now they and other displaced Ukrainians are trying to find a home in Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Dasha Pearson)
Blue Shibler, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children (center), Emily Thompson, Parents As Teachers coordinator for the organization (left) and Nikki Love, Community Engagement and ROCK Juneau Coordinator for AEYC (right) address the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee on Wednesday in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Community respite funds get serious scrutiny

Glory Hall funds put on hold, heating assistance and park improvements get the OK.

Blue Shibler, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children (center), Emily Thompson, Parents As Teachers coordinator for the organization (left) and Nikki Love, Community Engagement and ROCK Juneau Coordinator for AEYC (right) address the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee on Wednesday in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska state Senate President Peter Micciche, center, looks on as lawmakers gather in front of him on the Senate floor on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. A bill dealing with the annual dividend paid to residents was bumped from the Senate floor on Wednesday. Micciche said it did not have the votes to pass. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska lawmakers struggle with dividend debate

Legislative leaders have said they see resolving the divisive debate as critical.

Alaska state Senate President Peter Micciche, center, looks on as lawmakers gather in front of him on the Senate floor on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. A bill dealing with the annual dividend paid to residents was bumped from the Senate floor on Wednesday. Micciche said it did not have the votes to pass. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
This City and Borough of Juneau chart shows the history of the city's restricted and unrestricted general funds. (Courtesy Image / City and Borough of Juneau)

A big unexpected loss, but a bigger unexpected gain

City’s investments return $4M less than predicted, but an extra $16M is coming from the state.

This City and Borough of Juneau chart shows the history of the city's restricted and unrestricted general funds. (Courtesy Image / City and Borough of Juneau)
JDHS basketball player Trinity Jackson signs her letter of intent to play basketball for Skagit Valley College on May 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS player signs to play Skagit Valley basketball

New college, same colors.

JDHS basketball player Trinity Jackson signs her letter of intent to play basketball for Skagit Valley College on May 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers held a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, to vote to confirm Gov. Mike Dunleavy's appointments to state boards and commissions. All nominees were confirmed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers confirm Dunleavy appointees, work on PFD

Senate attempts to rework dividend formula.

Lawmakers held a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, to vote to confirm Gov. Mike Dunleavy's appointments to state boards and commissions. All nominees were confirmed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo Pride flags. A bipartisan, interfaith group of Alaskans are advocating for federal protections for LGBTQ people. The group, which includes over 40 organizations, says the time is right for the U.S. Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would bar discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity when it comes to public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit and the jury system. (Cecilie Johnson / Unsplash)

Alaskans throw support behind federal LGBTQ protections

Over 40 organizations and congregations stump for equality legislation.

This photo Pride flags. A bipartisan, interfaith group of Alaskans are advocating for federal protections for LGBTQ people. The group, which includes over 40 organizations, says the time is right for the U.S. Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would bar discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity when it comes to public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit and the jury system. (Cecilie Johnson / Unsplash)
A Carnival Cruise Lines vessel similar to one due in Juneau following a COVID outbreak aboard steams past Douglas in 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

City contacting ship on way to town following COVID outbreak

The ship, due to arrive here Saturday, experienced an outbreak enroute from Miami to Seattle.

A Carnival Cruise Lines vessel similar to one due in Juneau following a COVID outbreak aboard steams past Douglas in 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)
The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team on Sunday held its annual year-end banquet. At the banquet, players on both the junior varsity and varsity teams received individual awards. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

TMHS announces end-of-season awards

MVP, most improved and more.

The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team on Sunday held its annual year-end banquet. At the banquet, players on both the junior varsity and varsity teams received individual awards. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Lisa Kron, who wrote the lyrics and book for the musical "Fun Home," sits in Perseverance Theatre's take on the Bechdel's house on Maple Avenue. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

‘This is exactly the size of a story of a lesbian’: A QA with ‘Fun Home’ lyricist and playwright Lisa Kron

The transformative power of theater and a difficult adaptation.

Lisa Kron, who wrote the lyrics and book for the musical "Fun Home," sits in Perseverance Theatre's take on the Bechdel's house on Maple Avenue. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum, speaks at a news conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy about the state's efforts to combat the increase in drug overdoses driven by the synthetic opioid fentanyl, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy announces efforts to combat fentanyl crisis

More avenues to get help.

Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum, speaks at a news conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy about the state's efforts to combat the increase in drug overdoses driven by the synthetic opioid fentanyl, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (Screenshot)
This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. Courtesy Photo / Lenco)

Police and fire dept leaders address armored vehicle concerns

“A really tough, heavy-duty ambulance.”

This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. Courtesy Photo / Lenco)
Lisa Denny wears "Handmaid's Tale"-inspired garb while holding a sign stating "I stand with Planned Parenthood" during a protest held near the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, May 3, following a leaked draft of a Supreme Court decision that would overturn the landmark case Roe v. Wade. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

What does the leaked Supreme Court draft mean for Juneau and Alaska?

Abortion access would remain, but elections and appointments would be heated.

Lisa Denny wears "Handmaid's Tale"-inspired garb while holding a sign stating "I stand with Planned Parenthood" during a protest held near the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, May 3, following a leaked draft of a Supreme Court decision that would overturn the landmark case Roe v. Wade. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)