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The State Office Building in Juneau is seen on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Salary board recommends automatic pay changes for Alaska governor, legislators, top officials

Switch to inflation-adjusted salaries will automatically take effect unless lawmakers reject it.

The State Office Building in Juneau is seen on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears seniors pose for a photo during Senior Night last weekend at Treadwell Ice Arena.They play final home games this weekend. On Friday facing Tri-Valley at 1:45 p.m. and Wasilla at 7 p.m. and on Saturday playing Wasilla at 3 p.m. and Tri-Valley at 8 p.m. JV play Thursday at 3:30 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS hockey marathon includes Warriors doubleheader

Crimson Bears will play Tri-Valley and Wasilla to end the regular season.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears seniors pose for a photo during Senior Night last weekend at Treadwell Ice Arena.They play final home games this weekend. On Friday facing Tri-Valley at 1:45 p.m. and Wasilla at 7 p.m. and on Saturday playing Wasilla at 3 p.m. and Tri-Valley at 8 p.m. JV play Thursday at 3:30 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The renovated Edward K. Thomas Building, used by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, has been frequented in recent days by residents seeking tribal IDs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Natives in Juneau rushing to get tribal IDs amidst fears of immigration detentions

115 IDs issued Tuesday is “incredibly not normal,” tribal president says; no local detentions confirmed.

The renovated Edward K. Thomas Building, used by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, has been frequented in recent days by residents seeking tribal IDs. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The White House rescinded its order to freeze federal grants on Wednesday. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Trump administration rescinds freeze on federal grants and loans

Freeze is rescinded but a review to eliminate spending on ‘woke’ ideologies will proceed.

  • Jan 29, 2025
  • By Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Maggie Haberman and Annie Karni ©2025 The New York Times Company
  • Donald Trump
The White House rescinded its order to freeze federal grants on Wednesday. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
A dog in musher Paige Drobny’s team, lined up for the March 5, 2022, ceremonial start, wears a jacket urging vaccination. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Serum Run that used sled dog teams to deliver life-saving diphtheria medicine to Nome. The Iditarod race course includes part of the route used by the serum teams, and the Iditarod has frequently called attention to that historic event and the value of childhood vaccinations. Still, fewer than two-thirds of young Alaska children have received their full suite of combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines, state health officials say. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaskans failing to make progress toward most health improvements sought by 2030

Report shows little improvement in most categories, includng care for pregnant women and young children.

A dog in musher Paige Drobny’s team, lined up for the March 5, 2022, ceremonial start, wears a jacket urging vaccination. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Serum Run that used sled dog teams to deliver life-saving diphtheria medicine to Nome. The Iditarod race course includes part of the route used by the serum teams, and the Iditarod has frequently called attention to that historic event and the value of childhood vaccinations. Still, fewer than two-thirds of young Alaska children have received their full suite of combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines, state health officials say. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State speech at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, with Senate President Gary Stevens, at left, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, at right, in the background. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)

Gov. Dunleavy takes victory lap with selective portrayal of Alaska in second-to-last State of the State

Some legislators criticize “mixed messages” about cooperation, omission of problems needing work.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State speech at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, with Senate President Gary Stevens, at left, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, at right, in the background. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Löki Tobin (right), D-Anchorage, discusses possible impacts of a freeze on federal grants and loans during a press conference with other members of the Senate majority including Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Judge blocks Trump’s freeze on federal grants and loans until Monday

Alaska lawmaker says disruption “could be catastrophic” for education, homeless, other programs.

State Sen. Löki Tobin (right), D-Anchorage, discusses possible impacts of a freeze on federal grants and loans during a press conference with other members of the Senate majority including Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Guests ride the Porcupine chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest to open Ptarmigan lift to top of ski area on Wednesday

Hooter lift providing access to lower part of eastside terrain scheduled to open on Saturday.

Guests ride the Porcupine chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Mike Satre (left), chair of Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors, talks about the resort’s plans with Mayor Beth Weldon and Juneau Assembly Member Neil Steininger following an Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly members say they’re willing to loan Eaglecrest money until gondola is ready

Report criticizing ski area’s finances and maintenance also contains enough promise for city leaders.

Mike Satre (left), chair of Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors, talks about the resort’s plans with Mayor Beth Weldon and Juneau Assembly Member Neil Steininger following an Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington on Thursday, Jan., 23, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

White House freezes all federal grants and loans

Juneau leaders say city should be able to cope, but express concern about smaller towns and uncertainty.

President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington on Thursday, Jan., 23, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
A sign at Thunder Mountain Middle School was changed in January 2025 from Thunder Mountain High School to reflect the Juneau School District consolidation that officially took effect July 1, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska House bill raising education funding more than 40% over three years gets first hearing Monday

Juneau school leaders say they’ve done their part, Legislature now needs to uphold state constitution.

A sign at Thunder Mountain Middle School was changed in January 2025 from Thunder Mountain High School to reflect the Juneau School District consolidation that officially took effect July 1, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

66% drop in reported drug crimes first half of ‘24, staffing woes continue, JPD states in annual report

Decline in drugs cases reflects shift to larger cases that take more time to investigate, chief says.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys junior varsity team pose for a photo at Hoonah last week. (Photo courtesy JDHS)

JDHS JV and C teams earn road wins

JV play at Hoonah, C team travels to Petersburg.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys junior varsity team pose for a photo at Hoonah last week. (Photo courtesy JDHS)
Juneau’s flooded Mendenhall Valley is seen on Aug. 6, 2024. The waters pouring from an outburst flood at Mendenhall Glacier reached record levels, surpassing the record set by a similar glacial outburst flood the previous year. Hundreds of homes were damaged, and some were destroyed. (Photo provided by the City and Borough of Juneau)

Researchers embark on five-year study of flood risks at Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier

After two consecutive years when meltwaters burst out of a basin on Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier and devastated neighborhoods in that part of the capital city,… Continue reading

Juneau’s flooded Mendenhall Valley is seen on Aug. 6, 2024. The waters pouring from an outburst flood at Mendenhall Glacier reached record levels, surpassing the record set by a similar glacial outburst flood the previous year. Hundreds of homes were damaged, and some were destroyed. (Photo provided by the City and Borough of Juneau)
Thunder Mountain Middle School grappler Momar Diouf wrestles an opponent from Thorne Bay during the Stikine Wrestling Championships last weekend in Wrangell. (Photo courtesy TMMS)

Thunder Mountain Middle School pins Stikine title

Falcons grapplers dominate wrestling tournament in Wrangell.

Thunder Mountain Middle School grappler Momar Diouf wrestles an opponent from Thorne Bay during the Stikine Wrestling Championships last weekend in Wrangell. (Photo courtesy TMMS)
State Rep. Maxine Dibert (right), a Fairbanks Democrat, confers with Rep. Calvin Schrage (I-Anchorage) about a resolution opposing the change of Denali back to Mount McKinley during the House floor session at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Alaska House majority rejects GOP effort to turn protest of Denali name change into Trump tribute

Resolution opposing restoration of Mt. McKinley name is first legislation to pass House this session.

State Rep. Maxine Dibert (right), a Fairbanks Democrat, confers with Rep. Calvin Schrage (I-Anchorage) about a resolution opposing the change of Denali back to Mount McKinley during the House floor session at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hosts and guests mingle at a fundraising brunch on behalf of the Alaska Cultural Trust at the Rie Muñoz Gallery on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Practicing the art of of seeking funds from lawmakers during a lean year at the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska Cultural Trust seeks $733,000 — $1 per resident — for grants it hopes to start awarding this fall.

Hosts and guests mingle at a fundraising brunch on behalf of the Alaska Cultural Trust at the Rie Muñoz Gallery on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Kerra and Cailynn Baxter work for a loose ball Saturday during the Lynx’ 53-43 win over the Crimson Bears in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls fall in fast-paced game to visiting Dimond squad

Crimson Bears’ old family basketball ties now extend to Lynx.

Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Kerra and Cailynn Baxter work for a loose ball Saturday during the Lynx’ 53-43 win over the Crimson Bears in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Luke Bovitz (4) and Kenai’s Evyn Witt (31) and Cole Langham (28) go for a puck during the Crimson Bears’ 5-1 loss to the Kardinals on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS hockey sets record, but falls twice to visiting Kenai

Friday senior night one to remember, Saturday morning one to forget.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Luke Bovitz (4) and Kenai’s Evyn Witt (31) and Cole Langham (28) go for a puck during the Crimson Bears’ 5-1 loss to the Kardinals on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Layla Tokuoka battle for a ball during Friday’s Crimson Bears 62-48 win over the Lynx inside the George Houston Gymnasium. The teams play Saturday at 7 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls steal Dimond’s shine

Crimson Bears defense leads to offense and stymies Lynx.

Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Layla Tokuoka battle for a ball during Friday’s Crimson Bears 62-48 win over the Lynx inside the George Houston Gymnasium. The teams play Saturday at 7 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)