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Bulk food in Food Bank of Alaska’s Anchorage warehouse on April 21. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

State roughly halves the number of Alaskans waiting on food aid, but more than 8,000 remain

By Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon Mary Wood has been waiting for food stamps since she filed a renewal application in August. She takes care of… Continue reading

Bulk food in Food Bank of Alaska’s Anchorage warehouse on April 21. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Photo Courtesy JDHS Softball JDHS freshman Gwen Nizich slides into home plate against Kodiak during the Crimson Bears 9-1 win over the Bears on Thursday in the ASAA Division II State Softball Tournament at Anchorage’s Cartee Fields.

JDHS splits first steps of state softball marathon

Crimson Bears girls open tournament with win over Kodiak, loss to North Pole

Photo Courtesy JDHS Softball JDHS freshman Gwen Nizich slides into home plate against Kodiak during the Crimson Bears 9-1 win over the Bears on Thursday in the ASAA Division II State Softball Tournament at Anchorage’s Cartee Fields.
Photos by Lee House / Sitka Conservation Society Aliyah Merculief focuses on her run while snowboarding at Snow Camp.

Resilient Peoples & Place: Bringing up a new generation of Indigenous snow shredders

“Yak’éi i yaada xwalgeiní” (“it is good to see your face”) reads one of the first lines of a Lingít phrase sheet given to youth… Continue reading

  • Jun 2, 2023
  • By Lee House
Photos by Lee House / Sitka Conservation Society Aliyah Merculief focuses on her run while snowboarding at Snow Camp.
Michael Ruppert inspects percussion instrumentation that’s part of the setup for the 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building. Ruppert, co-owner of Rose City Organ Builders in Oregon, spent two days this with with fellow co-owner Christopher Nordwall tuning and restoring the organ to playable condition. The instrument has not been played since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but local officials and musicians are hoping to schedule a lunchtime concert during the next couple of weeks. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Clearing the old pipes in the Kimball organ at the State Office Building

Tuners revive 1928 organ that’s been idle for three years; lunchtime concerts may resume next week

Michael Ruppert inspects percussion instrumentation that’s part of the setup for the 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building. Ruppert, co-owner of Rose City Organ Builders in Oregon, spent two days this with with fellow co-owner Christopher Nordwall tuning and restoring the organ to playable condition. The instrument has not been played since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but local officials and musicians are hoping to schedule a lunchtime concert during the next couple of weeks. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
JDHS senior third baseman Kaleb Campbell tags out Colony freshman Kaesen Buzby on a steal attempt during the Crimson Bears 9-1 loss to the Knights on Thursday in the opening round of the ASAA Division I State Baseball Championships at Sitka’s Moller Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS baseball boys open state with loss

Crimson Bears jousted by Colony Knights 9-1

JDHS senior third baseman Kaleb Campbell tags out Colony freshman Kaesen Buzby on a steal attempt during the Crimson Bears 9-1 loss to the Knights on Thursday in the opening round of the ASAA Division I State Baseball Championships at Sitka’s Moller Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Jane Hale (Courtesy Photo)

Coming Out: Partial Reflections

Let your verses be an adventure Scattering on the morning wind the fragrance of sweet thyme and mint… All the rest is mere literature. –Paul… Continue reading

Jane Hale (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Questionable property assessments by CBJ deserve a grand jury investigation

Imagine if the price of unleaded gasoline increased 20% tomorrow to $4.80 per gallon. Most of us would want to know the cause and expected… Continue reading

Writer Jane Hale smiles for a photo as the wind blows a newly raised LGBTQ+ flag at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building downtown. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Features

Faces of Pride: Jane Hale

This is the first story in a four-part series spotlighting Pride Month in Juneau.

Writer Jane Hale smiles for a photo as the wind blows a newly raised LGBTQ+ flag at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building downtown. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Michele Elfers, deputy director of CBJ Parks and Recreation, speaks to about 15 residents who attended a public meeting discussing the final version of the Montana Creek master plan at the Trail Mix Inc. shop Wednesday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The Montana Creek master plan is finalized — now what?

Management officials emphasize openness to future ideas not included in plan.

Michele Elfers, deputy director of CBJ Parks and Recreation, speaks to about 15 residents who attended a public meeting discussing the final version of the Montana Creek master plan at the Trail Mix Inc. shop Wednesday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A troller fishes in Sitka Sound on Feb. 2, 2021. A charter fishing vessel sank in the area Sunday, resulting in the deaths of the five people aboard, who officials identified on Wednesday. The cause of the sinking remains unknown. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)

Authorities recover bodies of 2 sisters after vessel found submerged in Sitka

Two passengers remain missing.

  • Jun 1, 2023
  • By Becky Bohrer and Stefanie Dazio, Associated Press
  • Accidents
A troller fishes in Sitka Sound on Feb. 2, 2021. A charter fishing vessel sank in the area Sunday, resulting in the deaths of the five people aboard, who officials identified on Wednesday. The cause of the sinking remains unknown. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)
Tuckerman Babcock hosts a rally in Soldotna during his campaign for state Senate in October of 2022. On Wednesday he was appointed to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Babcock has a long and controversial political history in Alaska, including illegally demanding hundreds of state employees sign loyalty oaths to Dunleavy or be fired. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Tuckerman Babcock gets recess appointment to UA board by Dunleavy

Selection of controversial political strategist comes after Legislature’s rejection of Bethany Marcum.

Tuckerman Babcock hosts a rally in Soldotna during his campaign for state Senate in October of 2022. On Wednesday he was appointed to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Babcock has a long and controversial political history in Alaska, including illegally demanding hundreds of state employees sign loyalty oaths to Dunleavy or be fired. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Christopher Koch, music director of the Juneau Symphony, conducts a rehearsal of the theme from the 1989 “Batman” movie in the auditorium at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in preparation for two concerts this weekend at the school featuring familiar soundtrack compositions from films with “showdown” plot lines. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A final ‘Showdown’ for Juneau Symphony’s 60th season

Songs from epic confrontation films and an original by Taylor Vidic scheduled this weekend at JDHS.

Christopher Koch, music director of the Juneau Symphony, conducts a rehearsal of the theme from the 1989 “Batman” movie in the auditorium at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in preparation for two concerts this weekend at the school featuring familiar soundtrack compositions from films with “showdown” plot lines. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This image shows the cover of Kate Troll’s new book “All In Due Time: A Memoir of Siblings, Genealogy, Secrets and Love.” Troll will be hosting a book signing at Hearthside Books on Friday evening. Her event is one of the many First Friday events scheduled for June. (Cirque Press)
Capital City Weekly

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday

New artistic exhibitions, LGBTQ+ events and more.

This image shows the cover of Kate Troll’s new book “All In Due Time: A Memoir of Siblings, Genealogy, Secrets and Love.” Troll will be hosting a book signing at Hearthside Books on Friday evening. Her event is one of the many First Friday events scheduled for June. (Cirque Press)
Lavina McKinley, left, and Mary Grant hold photos of their brother Saunders McKinley at the Juneau Courthouse on Wednesday morning. A readiness hearing was held for Tommy Floyd Bowers who has been accused of fatally pushing McKinley out an open second-story window at the Glory Hall in late February 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Hearing held for man accused of fatally pushing person out second-story window in 2022

The next hearing is set for early August.

Lavina McKinley, left, and Mary Grant hold photos of their brother Saunders McKinley at the Juneau Courthouse on Wednesday morning. A readiness hearing was held for Tommy Floyd Bowers who has been accused of fatally pushing McKinley out an open second-story window at the Glory Hall in late February 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Faith Rogers’ younger sister Michelle Rogers holds a photo collage of Faith that hung on the wall in their family home in September 2022. A readiness hearing was held Wednesday for Anthony Michael Migliaccio, who was indicted in late November 2022 on two counts of second-degree murder and a charge of manslaughter. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Readiness hearing extended for suspect in killing of Faith Rogers

The next hearing is set for late June.

Faith Rogers’ younger sister Michelle Rogers holds a photo collage of Faith that hung on the wall in their family home in September 2022. A readiness hearing was held Wednesday for Anthony Michael Migliaccio, who was indicted in late November 2022 on two counts of second-degree murder and a charge of manslaughter. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Region V champion Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears softball team are the top Southeast seed for the state tournament this weekend in Anchorage. Front row: Milina Mazon. Second row: Mariah Schauwecker, Chloe Casperson, Zoey Billings, Carlynn Casperson and Gloria Bixby. Third row: Bailey Hansen, Mila Hargrave, Taiya Bentz, Kiah Yadao and Gwen Nizich. Fourth row: Amira Andrews, Tristan Oliva, Anna Dale and Tatum Billings. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS softball champs ready for state

Top seed Crimson Bears, second seed Sitka heading north

The Region V champion Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears softball team are the top Southeast seed for the state tournament this weekend in Anchorage. Front row: Milina Mazon. Second row: Mariah Schauwecker, Chloe Casperson, Zoey Billings, Carlynn Casperson and Gloria Bixby. Third row: Bailey Hansen, Mila Hargrave, Taiya Bentz, Kiah Yadao and Gwen Nizich. Fourth row: Amira Andrews, Tristan Oliva, Anna Dale and Tatum Billings. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears are the Southeast second seed for the state baseball tournament starting Thursday in Sitka. Front row left to right: Lamar Blatnick, Brandon Casperson, Jacob Katasse, Finn Kesey, Nate Fick, Tyler Frisby, Riley Fick and Eli Crupi. Back row left to right: Marcus Underwood, Landon Simonson, Kaleb Campbell, Luke Dean, Joe Aline, Reed Meier and Bodhi Nelson. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS baseball boys heading to the show

Top seed Sitka will host sandlot teams from around the state

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears are the Southeast second seed for the state baseball tournament starting Thursday in Sitka. Front row left to right: Lamar Blatnick, Brandon Casperson, Jacob Katasse, Finn Kesey, Nate Fick, Tyler Frisby, Riley Fick and Eli Crupi. Back row left to right: Marcus Underwood, Landon Simonson, Kaleb Campbell, Luke Dean, Joe Aline, Reed Meier and Bodhi Nelson. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Retiring Juneau Police Department Officers Don Ward (left) and Jim Esbenshade (right) smile for a picture at their joint retirement ceremony on Tuesday afternoon at the Juneau Police Station. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘It was the people who kept us’: Retiring JPD officers reminisce on years serving in Juneau.

Juneau Police Department Officers Don Ward and Jim Esbenshade retire after years of services.

Retiring Juneau Police Department Officers Don Ward (left) and Jim Esbenshade (right) smile for a picture at their joint retirement ceremony on Tuesday afternoon at the Juneau Police Station. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Longtime Juneau resident Joe Emerson, co-owner of the F/V Tommy L II berthed in Aurora Harbor, smiles for a photo next to his boat in late May. Emerson is one of the hundreds of trollers in Southeast Alaska that will be directly impacted by a federal court order that may force the closure of the region’s king salmon troll fishery set to begin July 1. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Southeast trollers remain hooked in web of Washington lawsuit that could halt summer season

Juneau fisherman says he’s concerned about his livelihood and future of the fishery.

Longtime Juneau resident Joe Emerson, co-owner of the F/V Tommy L II berthed in Aurora Harbor, smiles for a photo next to his boat in late May. Emerson is one of the hundreds of trollers in Southeast Alaska that will be directly impacted by a federal court order that may force the closure of the region’s king salmon troll fishery set to begin July 1. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The wildlife shelter at the top of Mount Roberts sits empty Friday morning. The building future remains in limbo as it is owned by the Juneau Raptor Center, which this fall announced it would be suspending its operations by the end of 2023.

Fate of Lady Baltimore’s shelter atop Mount Roberts in limbo

The $170,000 building remains unoccupied after Juneau Raptor Center announced dissolution this fall.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The wildlife shelter at the top of Mount Roberts sits empty Friday morning. The building future remains in limbo as it is owned by the Juneau Raptor Center, which this fall announced it would be suspending its operations by the end of 2023.