Home

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen in a screenshot of a news conference on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in Anchorage. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy backs Texas decision to ignore U.S. Supreme Court’s border ruling

Gov. Mike Dunleavy joined 24 other Republican governors Thursday in support of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to ignore a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen in a screenshot of a news conference on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in Anchorage. (Screenshot)
A city worker clears streets in downtown Juneau following this week’s snowstorm. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Arrival of heavy rain means risk for structures, boats and avalanches even higher after record snow

Up to two inches of precipitation a day forecast through Monday; Thane Road closing at 6 p.m. Friday

A city worker clears streets in downtown Juneau following this week’s snowstorm. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
The Juneau Symphony rehearses for a concert in October of 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Capital City Weekly

Juneau Symphony cancels concerts for first time in known memory due to weather

Snow storm made rehearsing, access to instruments, arrival of guest artists doubtful, director says.

The Juneau Symphony rehearses for a concert in October of 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Jared Yancy checks off games on an inventory list in preparation Thursday for the Platypus-Con Board and Card Game Extravaganza, scheduled Friday through Sunday at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Snowpocalypse no match for giant Platypus determined to spend long weekend gaming

Annual Platypus-Con digs 2,300+ games out of storage for event Friday-Sunday at Centennial Hall.

Jared Yancy checks off games on an inventory list in preparation Thursday for the Platypus-Con Board and Card Game Extravaganza, scheduled Friday through Sunday at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A tiny tree bears a great weight along the Montana Creek Trail on Jan. 21. (Photo by Deana Barajas)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

A tiny tree bears a great weight along the Montana Creek Trail on Jan. 21. (Photo by Deana Barajas)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Juneau and Alaska chambers of commerce on Thursday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy: Package solution needed for education in Alaska

Governor says he will veto a standalone education funding increase unless other items are included.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Juneau and Alaska chambers of commerce on Thursday. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Jamiann Hasselquist drums for participants in an autumn HTL-coordinated cold water dip. The process of submerging in cold water is a cultural tradition that dates back thousands of years within Southeast Alaska– promoting strength in body and mind. (Photo by Ḵaa Yahaayí Shkalneegi Muriel Reid)
Capital City Weekly

Resilient Peoples and Place: Catalyzing Healing — A Q&A with S’eiltin Jamiann Hasselquist

For this story, Reid spends time with Jamiann Hasselquist to understand the new Healing Catalyst position within the Sustainable Southeast Partnership. Jamiann Hasselquist, Lingít name… Continue reading

Jamiann Hasselquist drums for participants in an autumn HTL-coordinated cold water dip. The process of submerging in cold water is a cultural tradition that dates back thousands of years within Southeast Alaska– promoting strength in body and mind. (Photo by Ḵaa Yahaayí Shkalneegi Muriel Reid)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 25, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Jan. 28

Three decades of capital city coverage.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 25, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, vows a bill boosting state employees pensions will pass “the 33rd Alaska Legislature” during a rally by about 70 union supporters on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on May 2, 2023. A bill restoring pensions advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and is likely to get a floor vote during the next couple of weeks, according to Kiehl. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bill reviving public employees pension system advances to Senate floor

Long-debated proposal would replace 401(k)-style system; House leaders raise questions about cost.

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, vows a bill boosting state employees pensions will pass “the 33rd Alaska Legislature” during a rally by about 70 union supporters on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on May 2, 2023. A bill restoring pensions advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and is likely to get a floor vote during the next couple of weeks, according to Kiehl. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Juneau School District is facing a current and future financial crisis, including deficit spending that has resulted in a projected $8 million shortfall for the current fiscal year, with leaders considering school consolidation among many other remedies. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Juneau School District’s deficit is ‘only’ $8M instead of $9.5M after further review and initial cuts

Leaders still looking at specific options for school consolidation, asking city to cover some costs.

The Juneau School District is facing a current and future financial crisis, including deficit spending that has resulted in a projected $8 million shortfall for the current fiscal year, with leaders considering school consolidation among many other remedies. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
State Rep. Craig Johnson (center), an Anchorage Republican, consults with a staff member while chairing a House Rules Committee meeting at the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday to hear Senate Bill 140, which as modified by the committee makes sweeping changes to Alaska’s education system. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Battle lines in massive education bill set by House and Senate majorities

Senate says bill rushed and reckless; House calls it balanced solution to struggling school system.

State Rep. Craig Johnson (center), an Anchorage Republican, consults with a staff member while chairing a House Rules Committee meeting at the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday to hear Senate Bill 140, which as modified by the committee makes sweeping changes to Alaska’s education system. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Looking east on Front Street from near Seward Street. The building in the right foreground painted “C.W. Young” is where Sealaska Heritage’s Walter Soboleff Center gift shop is located today. The Valentine Building is on the left. W.M. Case took the photo on Feb. 3, 1918. (Alaska State Library — Historical Collections P39-0545)

Digging into Juneau’s history of digging out from snow

1918 is particularly memorable, especially with no big snowplows for roads or canopies for roofs.

Looking east on Front Street from near Seward Street. The building in the right foreground painted “C.W. Young” is where Sealaska Heritage’s Walter Soboleff Center gift shop is located today. The Valentine Building is on the left. W.M. Case took the photo on Feb. 3, 1918. (Alaska State Library — Historical Collections P39-0545)
The roof of a building bears the weight of multiple feet of snow following two storms during the past two weeks that have dumped more than 60 inches of snow on some parts of Juneau. (Capital City Fire/Rescue photo)

Structures collapse under snow weight, avalanches triggered downtown as storm nears end

Warnings issued for avalanche zones, buildings under heavy weight loads and travel on icy roads.

The roof of a building bears the weight of multiple feet of snow following two storms during the past two weeks that have dumped more than 60 inches of snow on some parts of Juneau. (Capital City Fire/Rescue photo)
Fruit is displayed at an Anchorage grocery store. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

The number of Alaskans who use food aid has dropped as state works to reduce backlog

The state government has again made headway in reducing the number of Alaskans waiting for food aid. But national data show the number of Alaskans… Continue reading

Fruit is displayed at an Anchorage grocery store. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A state Department of Public Transportation and Public Facilities plow clears heavy snow from a road. The department has closed Thane Road overnight Monday and Tuesday due to the high risk of avalanches. (Alaska Department of Public Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

In-person city and school activities canceled Wednesday, but both offering remote services

Snow expected to end early Wednesday morning, but traffic and avalanche hazards remain high.

A state Department of Public Transportation and Public Facilities plow clears heavy snow from a road. The department has closed Thane Road overnight Monday and Tuesday due to the high risk of avalanches. (Alaska Department of Public Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
A pro-life flag, selected in a design contest, is being flown at some government buildings and other locations, sometimes as a counterstatement to Pride and other flags seen as politically oriented. A flag with the design is currently flying below the official Alaska State Flag at the Governor’s Residence after being hoisted there in recent days. (Photo by The Pro-Life Flag Project)

‘Pro-life’ flag hangs outside Governor’s Residence on anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Flag hoisted in recent days part of national movement, partly in response to Pride and other flags

A pro-life flag, selected in a design contest, is being flown at some government buildings and other locations, sometimes as a counterstatement to Pride and other flags seen as politically oriented. A flag with the design is currently flying below the official Alaska State Flag at the Governor’s Residence after being hoisted there in recent days. (Photo by The Pro-Life Flag Project)
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, dances with others during a campaign event Oct. 24, 2022, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. Peltola, who announced Monday she is seeking a second full term, is scheduled to make a campaign stop in Juneau on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Peltola announces reelection bid, plans campaign stop in Juneau on Saturday

Democratic congresswoman among top nationwide targets of Republicans as she seeks second full term.

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, dances with others during a campaign event Oct. 24, 2022, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. Peltola, who announced Monday she is seeking a second full term, is scheduled to make a campaign stop in Juneau on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The National Weather Service Juneau office near the Mendenhall Glacier has a snowpack depth of 33 inches as of about midnight Tuesday, following two heavy storms during the past 10 days, according to the station. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Avalanche warnings, closures continue as marathon storm leaves record snowfall

Juneau shatters snow record for Jan. 22; forecaster says avalanches “could begin to endanger homes.”

The National Weather Service Juneau office near the Mendenhall Glacier has a snowpack depth of 33 inches as of about midnight Tuesday, following two heavy storms during the past 10 days, according to the station. (National Weather Service Juneau)
Nadia Wilson, left, and Layla Tokuoka, right, of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé fight for possession of the ball with Skylar Morris of South Anchorage High School during Saturday’s game at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys, girls deliver matching pair of basketball wins for homecoming

Both Crimson Bears teams score on key plays in closing seconds of back-and-forth contests.

Nadia Wilson, left, and Layla Tokuoka, right, of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé fight for possession of the ball with Skylar Morris of South Anchorage High School during Saturday’s game at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Cars and a hillside street in downtown Juneau are buried under thick snow from a storm that began Sunday and is expected to continue until Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Lingering storm may dump more than two feet of snow; avalanche, other warnings issued

City closed, schools continue remote learning again on Tuesday; Thane Road closing at 8 p.m. Monday.

Cars and a hillside street in downtown Juneau are buried under thick snow from a storm that began Sunday and is expected to continue until Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)