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Sitka Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson, left, looks over paperwork from precinct 1 with Holley Bayne, Precinct 1 chair Alix Snelling and deputy Clerk Jess Earnshaw. durinng Wednesday night’s tally of votes at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Unofficial results have 773 in favor and 2,071 against the proposition which would have limited cruise visitors ashore to 300,000 annually, and 4,500 daily; required at least one quiet day a week with no large ships; and implemented a permit system for cruise ships. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)

Sitka voters reject cruise ship limits

By a more than 2-to-1 margin, voters in Wednesday’s special election turned down a ballot proposition to limit cruise ship visitation in Sitka. The vote… Continue reading

Sitka Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson, left, looks over paperwork from precinct 1 with Holley Bayne, Precinct 1 chair Alix Snelling and deputy Clerk Jess Earnshaw. durinng Wednesday night’s tally of votes at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Unofficial results have 773 in favor and 2,071 against the proposition which would have limited cruise visitors ashore to 300,000 annually, and 4,500 daily; required at least one quiet day a week with no large ships; and implemented a permit system for cruise ships. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)
Long time Juneau official Bob Sims, shown during action last week at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park, has been named the 2024-25 Alaska Sports Official of the Year by a committee sponsored through the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Juneau whistle blower receives state honor

Robert Sims named Alaska Sports Official of the Year.

Long time Juneau official Bob Sims, shown during action last week at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park, has been named the 2024-25 Alaska Sports Official of the Year by a committee sponsored through the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 26, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 26, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A hemp crop waits to be harvested in Lincolnshire for British CBD oil producer Crop England on Aug. 27, 2021, in Grantham, England. The farm supplies Crop England, a British CBD oil producer founded in 2019 by Mike and Jackie Lamyman. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Judge: Alaska limits on intoxicating hemp products do not violate the U.S. Constitution

Ruling may end 2023 legal challenge and mean such products are restricted to marijuana retailers here.

A hemp crop waits to be harvested in Lincolnshire for British CBD oil producer Crop England on Aug. 27, 2021, in Grantham, England. The farm supplies Crop England, a British CBD oil producer founded in 2019 by Mike and Jackie Lamyman. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Butch Laiti is president of the Douglas Indian Association, a tribal government in Juneau. The association has purchased a fishing boat and wants to buy a commercial fishing permit for its members to share, but a state law bars it from doing so. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

Coastal Alaskans see commercial fishing limits as a ‘crisis.’ Lawmakers don’t.

Legislature adjourned without addressing expanding access to commercial fishing careers.

Butch Laiti is president of the Douglas Indian Association, a tribal government in Juneau. The association has purchased a fishing boat and wants to buy a commercial fishing permit for its members to share, but a state law bars it from doing so. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)
Juneau ranked eighth out of 12 communities in an annual study asking business leaders how they feel about the business climate in Southeast Alaska. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Uncertainty dragging down mood of Southeast business leaders in annual survey

Tariffs, layoffs, other Trump policies result in “second-lowest levels of positivity” since 2010.

Juneau ranked eighth out of 12 communities in an annual study asking business leaders how they feel about the business climate in Southeast Alaska. (City and Borough of Juneau)
A group of fourth-grade Harborview Elementary School students share the digging and planting task at Juneau’s newest accredited arboretum on Arbor Day, celebrated Monday, May 19, 2025. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)

Planting of new trees at Evergreen Cemetery celebrate its new status as an arboretum

More than 100 donated trees of 42 varieties planted during past decades.

A group of fourth-grade Harborview Elementary School students share the digging and planting task at Juneau’s newest accredited arboretum on Arbor Day, celebrated Monday, May 19, 2025. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)
Olga Lijo Serans, owner of Hearthside Books, discusses its inclusion in USA Today’s voting competition to determine the “10 Best Independent Bookstores” in the U.S. at her Nugget Mall branch on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hearthside Books and Toys among 20 contenders in online vote for 10 best independent bookstores in US

USA Today contest that ends June 2 also includes famous stores such as Strand Book Store in NYC.

Olga Lijo Serans, owner of Hearthside Books, discusses its inclusion in USA Today’s voting competition to determine the “10 Best Independent Bookstores” in the U.S. at her Nugget Mall branch on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
KINY’s “prize patrol” vehicle is parked outside the Local First Media Group Inc.’s building on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

KINY’s parent company enters Chapter 15 bankruptcy proceedings; local co-owner says operations unaffected

Company that owns 11 Southeast Alaska radio stations placed in receivership over defaulted $8.2M loan.

KINY’s “prize patrol” vehicle is parked outside the Local First Media Group Inc.’s building on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman sprinter Bella Connally (4) wins the girls 100-meters in a Crimson Bears sweep as classmates Lydia Goins (7), Addie Hartman (5) and Shandiin Frommherz (3) trail her across the finish during the Region V Track & Field Championships at Juneau’s Thunder Mountain Middle School on Friday.

JDHS girls win Region V track championship over Kayhi

Crimson Bears top DI school, Sitka Wolves top DII competitions.

Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman sprinter Bella Connally (4) wins the girls 100-meters in a Crimson Bears sweep as classmates Lydia Goins (7), Addie Hartman (5) and Shandiin Frommherz (3) trail her across the finish during the Region V Track & Field Championships at Juneau’s Thunder Mountain Middle School on Friday.
A payday advance neon sign is seen in this undated photo. (EHStock/Getty Images)

Alaska Legislature votes to limit high interest rates and fees for payday loan lenders

On the 120th and last day of Alaska’s annual legislative session, the state House passed a bill that would curb high interest rates and fees… Continue reading

A payday advance neon sign is seen in this undated photo. (EHStock/Getty Images)
Athletes with a chance for state titles include 1,600-meter runners: Sitka senior Connor Hitchcock, Wrangell junior Boomchain Loucks and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Ferguson Wheeler, Nick Iverson, Owen Woodruff and Sage Janes, shown in the combined 1,600-meters during the Region V Track & Field Championships at Juneau's Thunder Mountain Middle School on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS track and field athletes set for state field in Anchorage

Crimson Bears have multiple chances for championships this weekend

Athletes with a chance for state titles include 1,600-meter runners: Sitka senior Connor Hitchcock, Wrangell junior Boomchain Loucks and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Ferguson Wheeler, Nick Iverson, Owen Woodruff and Sage Janes, shown in the combined 1,600-meters during the Region V Track & Field Championships at Juneau's Thunder Mountain Middle School on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

It’s Memorial Day for many, but just one of many memorial days for some who were in battle

Tributes at annual ceremonies in Juneau note major historic achievement and unseen individual sufferings.

Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Jason Williams, a Juneau resident experiencing homelessness and suffering from multiple medical ailments, lies on a cot in a tent on the edge of a ditch on Teal Street on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s homeless camping crisis: ‘They don’t feel safe around us? We don’t feel safe around them’

Business, home dwellers agree with unhoused that city’s “dispersed camping” remains dangerously unhealthy.

Jason Williams, a Juneau resident experiencing homelessness and suffering from multiple medical ailments, lies on a cot in a tent on the edge of a ditch on Teal Street on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hayden Aube is the first student to receive his diploma from Principal Paula Casperson during Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. Aube, a multisport star athlete for the Crimson Bears, was in a wheelchair after sustaining an injury Saturday competing in the Region V Track and Field Championships. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Class of 2025: Expanding by consolidating

Former TMHS students get tributes as nearly 300 seniors walk the stage in first post-merger commencement.

Hayden Aube is the first student to receive his diploma from Principal Paula Casperson during Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. Aube, a multisport star athlete for the Crimson Bears, was in a wheelchair after sustaining an injury Saturday competing in the Region V Track and Field Championships. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ella Orsborn (9) wins a ball against Wasilla as senior teammate Adelyn Buss (3) moves in during the Crimson Bears senior appreciation game Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS soccer girls play for pride and for the seniors

Crimson Bears girls’ season ends at home against Wasilla.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ella Orsborn (9) wins a ball against Wasilla as senior teammate Adelyn Buss (3) moves in during the Crimson Bears senior appreciation game Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kai Ciambor hits a penalty kick to break the Crimson Bears’ career scoring record during Saturday’s Crimson Bears senior appreciation game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS seniors honored in sweep over Wasilla

Crimson Bears boys “sock-er” it to visiting Warriors.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kai Ciambor hits a penalty kick to break the Crimson Bears’ career scoring record during Saturday’s Crimson Bears senior appreciation game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School’s seniors enter the Dzantik’i Heeni gymnasium during the school’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School celebrates Class of 2025

38 seniors get individual tributes from their advisors before walk across stage at Dzantik’i Heeni.

Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School’s seniors enter the Dzantik’i Heeni gymnasium during the school’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé softball senior Tatum Billings connects at the plate against Sitka on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park during the Crimson Bears’ senior appreciation game. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears softball team gives seniors special win

JDHS defeats Sitka Saturday during weekend celebration matchups.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé softball senior Tatum Billings connects at the plate against Sitka on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park during the Crimson Bears’ senior appreciation game. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Nick Iverson receives the 4x400 baton from classmate Finn Lamb during the Crimson Bears’ win in the final event of the Region V Championships on Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys win Region V track title over Ketchikan

Crimson Bears boys top DI events, Sitka Wolves top DII.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Nick Iverson receives the 4x400 baton from classmate Finn Lamb during the Crimson Bears’ win in the final event of the Region V Championships on Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)