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Gimme a Smile: Math is weird.

Sometimes math doesn’t make sense conceptually.

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Kristen Rozell skis past grizzly bear tracks pressed into a snowmachine trail near Fairbanks on April 23, 2023. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Bear tracks on snow a sign of the season

Melt season is a sad time for people who enjoy the magic of snow crystals bonding so well to one another, resulting in a web… Continue reading

Kristen Rozell skis past grizzly bear tracks pressed into a snowmachine trail near Fairbanks on April 23, 2023. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Brig. Gen. John Lubas address the press in regards to the Black Hawk helicopter crash, Thursday, March 30, 2023, outside of Fort Campbell in Christian County, Ky. There have been three U.S. military helicopter crashes and a rollover recorded so far this year, in Alabama, Kentucky, and Alaska. Two of the crashes involved Black Hawk helicopters; the third crash and the rollover involved Apache helicopters. (Liam Kennedy /The Tennessean)

Recent U.S. military helicopter crashes in training missions

There have been three U.S. military helicopter crashes and a rollover recorded so far this year.

Brig. Gen. John Lubas address the press in regards to the Black Hawk helicopter crash, Thursday, March 30, 2023, outside of Fort Campbell in Christian County, Ky. There have been three U.S. military helicopter crashes and a rollover recorded so far this year, in Alabama, Kentucky, and Alaska. Two of the crashes involved Black Hawk helicopters; the third crash and the rollover involved Apache helicopters. (Liam Kennedy /The Tennessean)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Friday, April 28, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Activist Alyssa Milano, left, is greeted by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., center, as they arrive to tell reporters they want to remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 27, 2023. Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic measure to revive the Equal Rights Amendment. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Latest push to revive Equal Rights Amendment fails in Senate

The 51-47 vote included support from two Republicans, Murkowski and Collins.

  • Apr 27, 2023
  • By Mary Clare Jalonick Associated Press
  • Nation-World
Activist Alyssa Milano, left, is greeted by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., center, as they arrive to tell reporters they want to remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 27, 2023. Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic measure to revive the Equal Rights Amendment. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in which options for a long-range fiscal plan were discussed. Dunleavy said in the coming days, he expects a sales tax proposal to be drafted and that a special session to create long-term plan is possible. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Show we the money: Governor, legislators stage news conference vowing again to work together on long-range fiscal plan

Sales tax and special session loom as possibilities.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in which options for a long-range fiscal plan were discussed. Dunleavy said in the coming days, he expects a sales tax proposal to be drafted and that a special session to create long-term plan is possible. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Authorities respond Wednesday evening to a fatal two-vehicle crash at Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police seek more info on fatal crash

Investigation continues into two-vehicle collision at Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive.

Authorities respond Wednesday evening to a fatal two-vehicle crash at Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Michelle Bonnet Hale, Greg Smith and Christine Woll listen to discussion Wednesday night from other Assembly members about the community funding requests for the 2023 fiscal year budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Several community asks are on the outs following Wednesday night city meeting

Assembly members makes some tough calls as it works through the budget process.

From left to right, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Michelle Bonnet Hale, Greg Smith and Christine Woll listen to discussion Wednesday night from other Assembly members about the community funding requests for the 2023 fiscal year budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Admiral Richard J. Knapp, RIP

Admiral Knapp packed more into his life than most of us could ever hope to in several lifetimes.

  • Apr 27, 2023
  • By Win Gruening
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2Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, of the House Judiciary Committee listen to Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Executive Director Robert Corbisier explain why his agency is seeking changes to its name and duties, including exempting religious and other nonprofit organizations from anti-discrimination workplace rules. A bill making those changes got its first hearing by the committee Wednesday about an hour after it was introduced on the House floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bill seeks to allow workplace discrimination by religious, nonprofit organizations

State human rights commission seeking change after eliminating LGBTQ+ protections

2Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, of the House Judiciary Committee listen to Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Executive Director Robert Corbisier explain why his agency is seeking changes to its name and duties, including exempting religious and other nonprofit organizations from anti-discrimination workplace rules. A bill making those changes got its first hearing by the committee Wednesday about an hour after it was introduced on the House floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A moose walks into the lobby of the Kenai Cinemas in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Photo courtesy Kenai Cinemas)

Video of movie theater moose encounter goes viral

As of Tuesday evening, the video had amassed more than 2.3 million views on TikTok

A moose walks into the lobby of the Kenai Cinemas in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Photo courtesy Kenai Cinemas)
A line of vehicles responds to the scene of a fatal wreck at Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road. The two-vehicle crash involved a car and a truck. Three people in critical condition were taken to the hospital after the wreck, and one person died at the scene, according to Juneau Police Department. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police investigate wreck after one dead, three injured

Authorities say avoid Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive.

A line of vehicles responds to the scene of a fatal wreck at Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road. The two-vehicle crash involved a car and a truck. Three people in critical condition were taken to the hospital after the wreck, and one person died at the scene, according to Juneau Police Department. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, April 27, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Apr 27, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, exchanges words with Rep. CJ McCormick, D-Bethel, before Wednesday’s House floor session. The two legislators were on opposite sides of a 4-3 House Education Committee vote earlier during the morning to advance a bill restricting references to sex and gender in public schools, with Allard supporting the bill and McCormick opposing.

‘Parental rights’ bill expanded to require parents’ OK for entire curriculum

Legislation restricting sex and gender references in schools advances out of first committee.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, exchanges words with Rep. CJ McCormick, D-Bethel, before Wednesday’s House floor session. The two legislators were on opposite sides of a 4-3 House Education Committee vote earlier during the morning to advance a bill restricting references to sex and gender in public schools, with Allard supporting the bill and McCormick opposing.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Senate Finance Committee co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, right, listens to Sealaska Corp. Board Chair Joe Nelson testify about the committee’s proposed budget during a hearing April 20.

Revised Senate budget contains smaller education increase, $1,300 PFD

Finance Committee proposing one-time $680 per-pupil boost in attempt to avoid deficit

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Senate Finance Committee co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, right, listens to Sealaska Corp. Board Chair Joe Nelson testify about the committee’s proposed budget during a hearing April 20.
Stripped sections of bark and hardened drops of tree sap are seen on May 24, 2018, on trees near Big Lake that are infested with bark beetles. That kind of damage kills infested spruce trees. (Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)

House-passed bill would trim the time needed for Alaska loggers to cut state-owned forests

Measure could reduce wildfire risks, but critics worry about overuse by the state agency in charge.

Stripped sections of bark and hardened drops of tree sap are seen on May 24, 2018, on trees near Big Lake that are infested with bark beetles. That kind of damage kills infested spruce trees. (Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)
JDHS’ Gloria Bixby slides safe into second base and under the tag of TMHS’ Jenna Dobson during the first inning of a drizzly Friday night game against Thunder Mountain High School in May 2021 that raised money for mental health. TMHS and JDHS both will be participating in the Paint it Pink Cancer Awareness games on Saturday, May 13 along with Ketchikan and Sitka high schools at Melvin Park and Dimond Park Field No. 4 (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Southeast high school softball teams go to bat for cancer awareness

Paint it Pink Cancer Awareness Games on May 13.

JDHS’ Gloria Bixby slides safe into second base and under the tag of TMHS’ Jenna Dobson during the first inning of a drizzly Friday night game against Thunder Mountain High School in May 2021 that raised money for mental health. TMHS and JDHS both will be participating in the Paint it Pink Cancer Awareness games on Saturday, May 13 along with Ketchikan and Sitka high schools at Melvin Park and Dimond Park Field No. 4 (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, talks with a guest page on the House floor Wednesday morning. Story, a member of the House Education Committee, was among the members in the minority who expressed concern a bill giving teachers end-of-year bonuses will be used by House leaders to avoid a larger and more general increase to public school funding this session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A step forward for teacher bonuses, a step back for a BSA increase

House committee advances year-end educator payments, but outlook for school funding boost dims

Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, talks with a guest page on the House floor Wednesday morning. Story, a member of the House Education Committee, was among the members in the minority who expressed concern a bill giving teachers end-of-year bonuses will be used by House leaders to avoid a larger and more general increase to public school funding this session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department is asking the community to assist in identifying a man who allegedly threw a large rock at a police patrol vehicle windshield at around 2:30 a.m. on April 16. This is a picture shared by police of the the man wearing an orange cap and gray hoody as seen in surveillance footage. (Juneau Police Department)

Police seek help identifying man who allegedly threw a rock at a patrol vehicle

JPD shared images of the man wearing an orange cap and gray hoody.

The Juneau Police Department is asking the community to assist in identifying a man who allegedly threw a large rock at a police patrol vehicle windshield at around 2:30 a.m. on April 16. This is a picture shared by police of the the man wearing an orange cap and gray hoody as seen in surveillance footage. (Juneau Police Department)
The author's steelhead was not in the mood for pictures. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: One good fish

Often it’s the thinking that supplies the proper amount of weight and gratitude.

The author's steelhead was not in the mood for pictures. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)