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This November 2021 photo shows a poster promoting Narcan, a drug that can reverse opioid overdoses, inside the Juneau Public Health Center. According to statistics shared recently by the state, overdose deaths have been on the rise recently. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska by the somber and strange numbers

Annual stats report shows life expectancy dropping, COVID, drug deaths up.

This November 2021 photo shows a poster promoting Narcan, a drug that can reverse opioid overdoses, inside the Juneau Public Health Center. According to statistics shared recently by the state, overdose deaths have been on the rise recently. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
From left to right, Duff Mitchell, Army National Guard veteran; Bill Clutton, Army veteran; and Tom Dawson, Navy veteran, stand in a line holding wreaths during a laying of wreaths ceremony for National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday afternoon.

Juneau residents and veterans commemorate Wreaths Across America Day

The annual ceremony is observed in thousands of locations across the country.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
From left to right, Duff Mitchell, Army National Guard veteran; Bill Clutton, Army veteran; and Tom Dawson, Navy veteran, stand in a line holding wreaths during a laying of wreaths ceremony for National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday afternoon.
Aaron Prussian, a natural resource specialist for the Sitka Ranger District, goes skiing in Tongass National Forest. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is proposing to leave large portions of the state’s forests intact from timber harvesting and other industrial activity in exchange for carbon credits to help balance the state’s budget. Such restrictions would not make forests off-limits to recreational use. (Will Sirokman / U.S. Forest Service)

What is ‘monetizing carbon credits’? And how would it work?

How the governor is making a “$900 million a year or bust” bet on Alaska’s financial future

Aaron Prussian, a natural resource specialist for the Sitka Ranger District, goes skiing in Tongass National Forest. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is proposing to leave large portions of the state’s forests intact from timber harvesting and other industrial activity in exchange for carbon credits to help balance the state’s budget. Such restrictions would not make forests off-limits to recreational use. (Will Sirokman / U.S. Forest Service)
Alfred Torres stands in the lobby on Friday after hearing the judges decision to uphold Ronald Smith’s 70-year prison sentence. Smith was charged for the murder of Kenneth Thomas and assault on Torres in 2001, but due to appeals the case has been retried twice. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Sentencing latest in complicated killing case

“What I’ve always wanted was for him to apologize to my family, and he did that.”

Alfred Torres stands in the lobby on Friday after hearing the judges decision to uphold Ronald Smith’s 70-year prison sentence. Smith was charged for the murder of Kenneth Thomas and assault on Torres in 2001, but due to appeals the case has been retried twice. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
A seal pokes its head above the icy and waters at Don D. Statter Harbor on Sunday. National Weather Service Juneau sent out a special weather statement Sunday afternoon warning residents of Arctic air heading through the panhandle. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Cold temps and high winds expected to last throughout the week

Officials say check water pipes, boats throughout week

A seal pokes its head above the icy and waters at Don D. Statter Harbor on Sunday. National Weather Service Juneau sent out a special weather statement Sunday afternoon warning residents of Arctic air heading through the panhandle. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19 and flu vaccines files are seen at the L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans’ Community Resource Center. There is no shortage of vaccines in Juneau, according to health officials, but cases of respiratory illnesses are up and supplies of certain medication is limited. (AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill)

With flu season in swing, medicine supply strained in Juneau

Tamiflu shortages felt nationwide.

COVID-19 and flu vaccines files are seen at the L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans’ Community Resource Center. There is no shortage of vaccines in Juneau, according to health officials, but cases of respiratory illnesses are up and supplies of certain medication is limited. (AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill)
A video of former President Donald Trump is shown on a screen, as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds its final meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Jan. 6 panel urges Trump prosecution with criminal referral

WASHINGTON — The House Jan. 6 committee urged the Justice Department on Monday to bring criminal charges against former President Donald Trump, delivering what it… Continue reading

  • Dec 19, 2022
  • By Mary Clare Jalonick, Eric Tucker and Farnoush Amiri Associated Press
  • Nation-World
A video of former President Donald Trump is shown on a screen, as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds its final meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
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TMHS girls win tournament in Sitka

They rebounded from a tough first quarter to get the win.

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Mr and Mrs. Claus wave to residents from above as they sit in in the basket of a Capital City Fire/Rescue ladder truck for the Santa parade Saturday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Mr. and Mrs. Claus bring high spirits to downtown

Not even an Arctic front could stop residents from celebrating the parade.

Mr and Mrs. Claus wave to residents from above as they sit in in the basket of a Capital City Fire/Rescue ladder truck for the Santa parade Saturday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire 
From left to right, JDHS players seniors Joey Aline, Orion Dybdahl and freshman Brandon Casperson work on free throws during a Wednesday night practice.
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire 
From left to right, JDHS players seniors Joey Aline, Orion Dybdahl and freshman Brandon Casperson work on free throws during a Wednesday night practice.
FILE - House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, of Calif., speaks at an annual leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Nov. 19, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo / John Locher)

McCarthy’s race for speaker risks upending House on Day One

It’s all in jeopardy,” McCarthy said Friday…

  • Dec 17, 2022
  • By Lisa Mascaro AP Congressional Correspondent
  • Nation-World
FILE - House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, of Calif., speaks at an annual leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Nov. 19, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo / John Locher)
Steve Waddle places golden king crab into a tote in the hold of the F/V Angjenl while unloading at Petersburg, Alaska on March 1, 2007. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s disaster declaration for salmon and crab fisheries in Washington and Alaska opens the door for financial relief as part of an omnibus spending bill being negotiated by U.S. lawmakers. The declaration Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, covers Bristol Bay king crab harvests suspended for two years, and the snow crab harvest that will be canceled for the first time in 2023. (AP Photo / Klas Stolpe)

Crabbers, fishermen seek US aid after disaster declaration

It opens the door for financial relief as part of a spending bill being negotiated by lawmakers.

Steve Waddle places golden king crab into a tote in the hold of the F/V Angjenl while unloading at Petersburg, Alaska on March 1, 2007. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s disaster declaration for salmon and crab fisheries in Washington and Alaska opens the door for financial relief as part of an omnibus spending bill being negotiated by U.S. lawmakers. The declaration Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, covers Bristol Bay king crab harvests suspended for two years, and the snow crab harvest that will be canceled for the first time in 2023. (AP Photo / Klas Stolpe)
JDHS freshman Gwen Nizich squares off against senior Skylar Tuckwood at a practice Wednesday night with senior Kiyara Miller and Nadia Wilson nearby. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls basketball back for new season with new coach

“I am very excited to be the head coach here at JDHS.”

JDHS freshman Gwen Nizich squares off against senior Skylar Tuckwood at a practice Wednesday night with senior Kiyara Miller and Nadia Wilson nearby. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Kiara Kookesh (right) gets a hand on an attempted pass from Ashlyn Gates during a practice drill at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

The tough get going: TMHS girls season to start with early challenges

“We have great athleticism, we have size, we have speed.”

Kiara Kookesh (right) gets a hand on an attempted pass from Ashlyn Gates during a practice drill at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire 
JDHS junior Mila Hargrave winds up to spike the ball while TMHS junior Ashlyn Gates attempts to deflect it.

Volleyball wraps up regular season

Region tournament set for Nov. 4 and Nov. 5

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire 
JDHS junior Mila Hargrave winds up to spike the ball while TMHS junior Ashlyn Gates attempts to deflect it.
Courtesy Photo / Julie Herman 
The 2022-23 Thunder Mountain girls varsity volleyball team poses for a group photo during 2022 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships in Anchorage on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 10 and 11.

TMHS volleyball wraps up stellar season

Falcons fall short of finals at State tournament

Courtesy Photo / Julie Herman 
The 2022-23 Thunder Mountain girls varsity volleyball team poses for a group photo during 2022 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships in Anchorage on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 10 and 11.
This photo shows the Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. Juneau Police Department Employees Association Board on Thursday made public its concerns with the city's ability to recruit and retain sworn officers. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. Juneau Police Department Employees Association Board on Thursday made public its concerns with the city's ability to recruit and retain sworn officers. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Santa steps off of a helicopter at Juneau International Airport for Christmas Light Flights. This year marked a triumphant return for the event which offers people an aerial view of Juneau during the holiday season. Flying time and staffing are donated by Coastal Helicopters and fuel from Petro Marine Services for the event.

Santa has landed

Usually it’s the reindeer who soar the sky during the holiday, but this time, it was a helicopter.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Santa steps off of a helicopter at Juneau International Airport for Christmas Light Flights. This year marked a triumphant return for the event which offers people an aerial view of Juneau during the holiday season. Flying time and staffing are donated by Coastal Helicopters and fuel from Petro Marine Services for the event.
Courtesy / Delores Gonzalez 
More than 75 people joined together at St. Paul Catholic Church to celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe this past Sunday evening.

Juneau Hispanic community celebrates the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

It’s the group’s first time hosting the event in Juneau

Courtesy / Delores Gonzalez 
More than 75 people joined together at St. Paul Catholic Church to celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe this past Sunday evening.
While nearly $8 million for state disability access projects are proposed on paper for Juneau in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget for next year, in reality those funds are for statewide items administered through a local office. It is among a number of regional budget items where, to the naked eye, money isn’t necessarily going where it first appears. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Mixed feelings on local items in state budget

Flat funding of ferries, education not a big hit, but governor’s appaent willingness to negotiate is.

While nearly $8 million for state disability access projects are proposed on paper for Juneau in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget for next year, in reality those funds are for statewide items administered through a local office. It is among a number of regional budget items where, to the naked eye, money isn’t necessarily going where it first appears. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)