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This screenshot shows an organizational chart for a proposed Department of Family and Community Services. The department would be created through bifurcating the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is expected to again issue an executive order splitting the state’s largest department. (Screenshot)

Take 2: Gov to introduce order splitting state’s largest department

And then there were two?

This screenshot shows an organizational chart for a proposed Department of Family and Community Services. The department would be created through bifurcating the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is expected to again issue an executive order splitting the state’s largest department. (Screenshot)
The Juneau School District headquarters on March 17, 2021. On Thursday, school officials sent an email to parents warning of a TikTok-based nationwide threat against schools for Dec. 17. Local officials said parents may notice an increased police presence but said they did not believe the threat was credible. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Local school officials respond to TikTok threat

Schools across country cite same post

The Juneau School District headquarters on March 17, 2021. On Thursday, school officials sent an email to parents warning of a TikTok-based nationwide threat against schools for Dec. 17. Local officials said parents may notice an increased police presence but said they did not believe the threat was credible. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Erlyn Penalosa of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls varsity basketball team advances downcourt during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls basketball team starting season swinging

A junior- and senior-heavy roster make for a formidable team.

Erlyn Penalosa of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls varsity basketball team advances downcourt during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils the People First Initiative, a sweeping effort to target domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous people, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness, in a Tuesday news conference in Anchorage. The plan is a part of Dunleavy’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year. (Courtesy Photo / Office of the Governor)

Governor unveils budget

Priorities include public safety, infrastructure and substantial PFDs.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils the People First Initiative, a sweeping effort to target domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous people, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness, in a Tuesday news conference in Anchorage. The plan is a part of Dunleavy’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year. (Courtesy Photo / Office of the Governor)
Police responded to a comment made by a student about shooting up the school at a local school on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. No charges were filed and the issue was sorted in-house after a brief investigation. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Police called after student made shooting comment

No charges were filed.

Police responded to a comment made by a student about shooting up the school at a local school on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. No charges were filed and the issue was sorted in-house after a brief investigation. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé varsity boys basketball players Orion Dybdahl, left and Jake Sleppy, right contest a jump ball from Coach Robert Caspersons during a practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys basketball gets ready to hit the road

Their first games this year will be away —way, way away.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé varsity boys basketball players Orion Dybdahl, left and Jake Sleppy, right contest a jump ball from Coach Robert Caspersons during a practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer received the President’s Award for Public Service at the 2021 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, recognizing his contributions to the community. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Juneau police chief recognized at Alaska Federation of Natives convention

The award was for an Alaska Native person who made outstanding contributions to their community.

Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer received the President’s Award for Public Service at the 2021 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, recognizing his contributions to the community. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced his People First Initiative - a package of programs and reforms aimed at increasing public safety - at a press conference in Anchorage on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. The package of reforms is meant to address five major intersecting topics, the governor said: domestic violence and sexual assault; Missing and Murdered Indigenous People; human/sex trafficking; foster care and homelessness. (screenshot)

Dunleavy announces package of public safety measures

Programs, laws and reforms.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced his People First Initiative - a package of programs and reforms aimed at increasing public safety - at a press conference in Anchorage on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. The package of reforms is meant to address five major intersecting topics, the governor said: domestic violence and sexual assault; Missing and Murdered Indigenous People; human/sex trafficking; foster care and homelessness. (screenshot)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell was fired as CEO on Dec. 10 by APFC's board, a decision which has lawmakers and others asking 'why?' (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Lawmakers want answers on CEO firing at permanent fund corp

Record earnings reported.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell was fired as CEO on Dec. 10 by APFC's board, a decision which has lawmakers and others asking 'why?' (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Technicians at the Alaska State Crime Lab recently identified the human remains found in a shoe that washed up near the Seawalk in 2020. (Courtesy photo / Department of Public Safety)

How it works: crime lab specialist talks ID’ing human remains

Deep muscle tissue is best for identifying workable DNA.

Technicians at the Alaska State Crime Lab recently identified the human remains found in a shoe that washed up near the Seawalk in 2020. (Courtesy photo / Department of Public Safety)
The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team is heading into the season with a team that’s primarily a blend of sophomores and seniors. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS readies for season tipoff

The Falcons’ basketball season is ready to take flight.

The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team is heading into the season with a team that’s primarily a blend of sophomores and seniors. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ice on Mendenhall Lake is never completely safe to walk on, said a Capital City Fire/Rescue officer. That’s because of widely varying and hard-to-discern conditions under the surface., but common sense can mitigate some risk. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Easy on the ice: CCFR recommends caution around icy lakes

The safest way to not fall through thin ice is to not go out onto it in the first place.

Ice on Mendenhall Lake is never completely safe to walk on, said a Capital City Fire/Rescue officer. That’s because of widely varying and hard-to-discern conditions under the surface., but common sense can mitigate some risk. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, but if voters choose to have a constitutional convention next year, the state’s foundational document could be re-written entirely. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Group warns of costs, time and changes from constitutional convention

You say you’ll change the constitution.

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, but if voters choose to have a constitutional convention next year, the state’s foundational document could be re-written entirely. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The city eased requirements for masks for vaccinated individuals indoors on Dec. 13, 2021. Masks will still be requireed in all City and Borough of Juneau facilities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

City lowers community risk level

Very little will change, save that the vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks indoors.

The city eased requirements for masks for vaccinated individuals indoors on Dec. 13, 2021. Masks will still be requireed in all City and Borough of Juneau facilities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A float plane takes off over Gastineau Channel in Juneau, Alaska., on May 30, 2018. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, that he will propose a $5 million grant in his upcoming budget to support tourism marketing efforts amid the ongoing pandemic. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy proposes grant for Alaska tourism effort

Proposal part of upcoming budget.

A float plane takes off over Gastineau Channel in Juneau, Alaska., on May 30, 2018. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, that he will propose a $5 million grant in his upcoming budget to support tourism marketing efforts amid the ongoing pandemic. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
The Juneau headquarters of Alaska Light & Power on Dec. 9. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Grant process leaves city high and dry, but electrification plans still on deck

When will their ship come in?

The Juneau headquarters of Alaska Light & Power on Dec. 9. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Ginger Buck and her daughter, Miranda (11), select a name from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree at Mendenhall Mall on Dec. 11. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

‘Juneau is always very generous’: Toy drives underway

Opportunities to share holiday cheer abound.

Ginger Buck and her daughter, Miranda (11), select a name from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree at Mendenhall Mall on Dec. 11. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Holly Johnson, left, and Laura Martinson were named Juneau’s Citizens of the year on Thursday night. Martinson, who owns Caribou Crossings, and Johnson, president of Wings Airways, received the award in recognition of their leadership of the Protect Juneau’s Future committee. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Chamber names Citizens of the Year

Martinson, Johnson share honor

Holly Johnson, left, and Laura Martinson were named Juneau’s Citizens of the year on Thursday night. Martinson, who owns Caribou Crossings, and Johnson, president of Wings Airways, received the award in recognition of their leadership of the Protect Juneau’s Future committee. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Cities hope to see full state budget, bolstered by federal funds

School bond debt.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows vehicles at the city impound lot in Lemon Creek on Dec. 9, 2021. Space is perpetually at a premium in the impound lot, which holds vehicles for all sorts of reasons.

Junk car disposals are on the rise, city seeks to do more

Clearing abandoned vehicles from city property can be admistratively tricky.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows vehicles at the city impound lot in Lemon Creek on Dec. 9, 2021. Space is perpetually at a premium in the impound lot, which holds vehicles for all sorts of reasons.