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A sign on a city bus urges the use of face coverings. Masks are again required in city facilities because of an uptick in cases locally and throughout the state. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Update: Masks required in city facilities, encouraged in other indoor spaces

Juneau is seeing highest rates of new infections since December.

A sign on a city bus urges the use of face coverings. Masks are again required in city facilities because of an uptick in cases locally and throughout the state. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Das Kapitol

With deadline looming, lawmakers skeptical of work group schedule

More meetings and public testimony.

Das Kapitol
This photo shows the view from Montana Creek Trail on June 17, 2021. This week, state officials said that a plan by the Juneau Off-Road Association to build a hardened trail and campground in Montana Creek to make it easier for people to operate all-terrain vehicles has been shelved. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Off-Road Association pulls request to build hardened trail in Montana Creek

CBJ announces survey as first step for master plan of the area

This photo shows the view from Montana Creek Trail on June 17, 2021. This week, state officials said that a plan by the Juneau Off-Road Association to build a hardened trail and campground in Montana Creek to make it easier for people to operate all-terrain vehicles has been shelved. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau City Manager Rorie Watt holds up a chart showing the increase in the size of cruise ships during a meeting of the Tourism Industry Task Force in the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. At Monday’s meeting, members of the City Assembly’s Committee of the Whole discussed three of the committee’s recommendations-a discussion that was sidelined by COVID-19. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)

City turns to tourism management ahead of short cruise season

Community survey coming, new tourism job being considered

City and Borough of Juneau City Manager Rorie Watt holds up a chart showing the increase in the size of cruise ships during a meeting of the Tourism Industry Task Force in the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. At Monday’s meeting, members of the City Assembly’s Committee of the Whole discussed three of the committee’s recommendations-a discussion that was sidelined by COVID-19. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)
justice

Coalition sues to fund power subsidies for rural Alaskans

Villages, cities among plaintiffs.

justice
A surplus warehouse at 1325 Eastaugh Way, off Thane Road, seen here on Monday, July 19, 2021, is being considered by the City and Borough of Juneau as a possible location for a ballot-counting center should the city decide to increase its use of voting by mail in future municipal elections. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City eyes warehouse for possible ballot-counting center

Not a cheap endeavor.

A surplus warehouse at 1325 Eastaugh Way, off Thane Road, seen here on Monday, July 19, 2021, is being considered by the City and Borough of Juneau as a possible location for a ballot-counting center should the city decide to increase its use of voting by mail in future municipal elections. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Eaglecrest Ski Area is working to improve its lower Nordic trails, hardening them to provide a better base for grooming equipment during the winter season, among other improvements this summer. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)

Eaglecrest uses summer to make widespread improvements

The ski area is making improvements for both summer and winter activities.

Eaglecrest Ski Area is working to improve its lower Nordic trails, hardening them to provide a better base for grooming equipment during the winter season, among other improvements this summer. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)
Beth McEwen, municipal clerk for the City and Borough of Juneau, holds a packet of forms in her office on Monday. The forms are ones candidates must complete to be added to the ballot for October’s municipal election. Candidates for the election must complete all filing steps by Monday, July 26 at 4:30 p.m. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Local election filing period now open

Candidates can file until July 26

Beth McEwen, municipal clerk for the City and Borough of Juneau, holds a packet of forms in her office on Monday. The forms are ones candidates must complete to be added to the ballot for October’s municipal election. Candidates for the election must complete all filing steps by Monday, July 26 at 4:30 p.m. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
Vehicles enter the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel in Detroit to travel to Canada. The Canada Border Services Agency has rejected a creative plan by Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens to have Ontario residents line up inside the tunnel to get COVID-19 vaccinations. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya)

Canada to soon let vaccinated US citizens enter country

Rules change for rest of world on Sept. 7.

  • Jul 19, 2021
  • By Rob Gillies Associated Press
Vehicles enter the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel in Detroit to travel to Canada. The Canada Border Services Agency has rejected a creative plan by Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens to have Ontario residents line up inside the tunnel to get COVID-19 vaccinations. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya)
Junier Basulto Lorenzo, right, speaks at a rally to support protesters in Cuba on July 17 at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park. Janett Hampton, left, and Stacey Lacey, center, also attended the rally along with about 25 people. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Residents gather to support protests in Cuba

Many supporters share close ties with the island nation

Junier Basulto Lorenzo, right, speaks at a rally to support protesters in Cuba on July 17 at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park. Janett Hampton, left, and Stacey Lacey, center, also attended the rally along with about 25 people. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Courtesy photo / Norwegian Cruise Line Large cruises ships like Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, seen here near Ketchikan in this undated photo, are returning to Alaska after being shut down due to COVID-19. Trade group Cruise Lines International Association says the industry is ready to get back to business safely.

Cruises are coming back to Alaska prepared, industry exec says

Post-pandemic passengers.

Courtesy photo / Norwegian Cruise Line Large cruises ships like Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, seen here near Ketchikan in this undated photo, are returning to Alaska after being shut down due to COVID-19. Trade group Cruise Lines International Association says the industry is ready to get back to business safely.
A Juneau resident holds up a Recall Dunleavy signature collection page when the campaign first began in August, 2019, but the Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday the campaign’s application for recall was legally sufficient. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

State Supreme Court sides with recall campaign, draws Dunleavy’s ire

High court affirms superior court decision.

A Juneau resident holds up a Recall Dunleavy signature collection page when the campaign first began in August, 2019, but the Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday the campaign’s application for recall was legally sufficient. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
Michelle Bonnet Hale on July 14 at the office of the Juneau Empire. Hale is seeking a second, three-year term on the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly. So far, she is the only candidate to announce a run for the District 2 seat in the valley. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Assembly member to seek reelection

She’s currently unopposed in District 2

Michelle Bonnet Hale on July 14 at the office of the Juneau Empire. Hale is seeking a second, three-year term on the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly. So far, she is the only candidate to announce a run for the District 2 seat in the valley. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
Kenneth Manzanares, 42, appears in U.S. District Court in Juneau for a change of plea hearing in this February 2020 photo. A barrier put in place in the public courtroom hallway blocked Manzanares from public view, per the judge’s orders. Photography is not allowed in the courtroom. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Man sentenced in wife’s beating death on Alaska cruise dies

He was found unresponsive in his cell Wednesday morning.

Kenneth Manzanares, 42, appears in U.S. District Court in Juneau for a change of plea hearing in this February 2020 photo. A barrier put in place in the public courtroom hallway blocked Manzanares from public view, per the judge’s orders. Photography is not allowed in the courtroom. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Aukeman Triathlon supporters and volunteers cheer on a swimmer as they leave Auke Lake on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Juneau is being considered to host a three-year series of Ironman triathlons, the first of which would be held next August. (Nolin Ainsworth/Juneau Empire File)

Juneau is in the running to host an Ironman triathlon

Running, biking and swimming to the finish line

Aukeman Triathlon supporters and volunteers cheer on a swimmer as they leave Auke Lake on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Juneau is being considered to host a three-year series of Ironman triathlons, the first of which would be held next August. (Nolin Ainsworth/Juneau Empire File)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Glory Hall executive director Mariya Lovishchuk points out some of the new features of the new Glory Hall, located near the airport and set to open on Thursday, July 22, 2021.

New Glory Hall readies for opening next week

The new structure, with twice the space of the old one, has far better accomodations.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Glory Hall executive director Mariya Lovishchuk points out some of the new features of the new Glory Hall, located near the airport and set to open on Thursday, July 22, 2021.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire A sign lets visitors know they’re in the Tongass National Forest on Thursday, July 15, 2021, the same day the Biden administration announced yet another reversal of policy over the largest national forest. Debates about the 2001 Roadless Rule are familiar in Southeast Alaska, and Thursday’s announcement prompted familiar reactions in the state.

Conservation or constraint? Roadless Rule reversal divides Alaskans

New administration, new rules

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire A sign lets visitors know they’re in the Tongass National Forest on Thursday, July 15, 2021, the same day the Biden administration announced yet another reversal of policy over the largest national forest. Debates about the 2001 Roadless Rule are familiar in Southeast Alaska, and Thursday’s announcement prompted familiar reactions in the state.
A bystander intervened in an attack near Nugget Mall Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the arrest of a 32-year-old man for multiple charges. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Man arrested for assault after bystander intervenes

The victim was seriously injured and taken to the hospital.

A bystander intervened in an attack near Nugget Mall Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the arrest of a 32-year-old man for multiple charges. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This September 2020 photo shows a view near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center within the Tongass National Forest. The Biden administration announced Thursday it’s ending old-growth timber sales on the Tongass. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Biden ends large-scale logging on Tongass

The Biden administration said it’s ending large-scale, old-growth timber sales on the Tongass.

This September 2020 photo shows a view near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center within the Tongass National Forest. The Biden administration announced Thursday it’s ending old-growth timber sales on the Tongass. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Jonathan Kriess-Tomkins, D-Sitka, facilitates a meeting of the newly-formed Fiscal Plan Working Group at legislative offices in Anchorage on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The working group is meant to draft recommendations to resolve the state’s budget deficit, but some members said they wanted to see a faster pace from the group. (Courtesy photo / Joe Plesha, Alaska House Majority Coalition)

Lawmakers say group working to solve budget woes must pick up the pace

Many more meetings.

Rep. Jonathan Kriess-Tomkins, D-Sitka, facilitates a meeting of the newly-formed Fiscal Plan Working Group at legislative offices in Anchorage on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The working group is meant to draft recommendations to resolve the state’s budget deficit, but some members said they wanted to see a faster pace from the group. (Courtesy photo / Joe Plesha, Alaska House Majority Coalition)