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At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members agreed to take a closer look at the city’s arrangement with Travel Juneau, the private marketing organization for the Juneau area. This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

City to consider relationship with Travel Juneau

Committee to explore a competitive bid process

At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members agreed to take a closer look at the city’s arrangement with Travel Juneau, the private marketing organization for the Juneau area. This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
In this photo taken Wednesday, May 30, 2018, a sail boat maneuvers near a large cruise ship near Juneau, Alaska. On Monday night, members of the City and Borough of Juneau’s Committee of the Whole considered whether to authorize city manager Rorie Watt to enter into port agreements that allow unvaccinated minors to visit Juneau with their families as long as certain conditions are met. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, file)

City to consider allowing unvaccinated kids onboard Juneau-bound cruise ships

The assembly is set to make a final decision later this month.

In this photo taken Wednesday, May 30, 2018, a sail boat maneuvers near a large cruise ship near Juneau, Alaska. On Monday night, members of the City and Borough of Juneau’s Committee of the Whole considered whether to authorize city manager Rorie Watt to enter into port agreements that allow unvaccinated minors to visit Juneau with their families as long as certain conditions are met. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, file)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives an interview in the state Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The governor urged legislative action on his proposal for the dividend paid to residents from the Permanent Fund. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy urges lawmakers to act on PFD plan

Governor urged lawmakers to act on his proposal to put a new PFD formula in the state constitution.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives an interview in the state Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The governor urged legislative action on his proposal for the dividend paid to residents from the Permanent Fund. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
Encounters with bears like this one near the Shrine of St. Therese are on track for a normal year right now, but the berry and salmon seasons are too early to call right now, say biologists. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Bear encounters running par for course so far in 2021

It’s too early to call the berry or salmon seasons, which play a large part.

Encounters with bears like this one near the Shrine of St. Therese are on track for a normal year right now, but the berry and salmon seasons are too early to call right now, say biologists. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
This image shows Page A1 of the Sunday, June 6, 2021, edition of the Juneau Empire. The paper was not printed as usual due to printing challenges.

Update: Sunday edition to be delivered with Tuesday’s paper

This notice has been updated to reflect a later delivery date. The Sunday, June 6, 2021, edition of the Juneau Empire was not printed at… Continue reading

  • Jun 7, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
This image shows Page A1 of the Sunday, June 6, 2021, edition of the Juneau Empire. The paper was not printed as usual due to printing challenges.
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé softball team were crowned state champions on Jun 5, 2021, winning the championship for the first time in approximately eight years, said coach Lexie Razor. (Courtesy photo / Shaley Hunt)

JDHS softball takes home state championship

High temps didn’t stop the softball team from bringing the heat.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé softball team were crowned state champions on Jun 5, 2021, winning the championship for the first time in approximately eight years, said coach Lexie Razor. (Courtesy photo / Shaley Hunt)
Without a budget to vote on, many lawmakers were absent from the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, as negotiations continue in committee. But even the conference committee isn’t scheduled until later in the week as deep divisions among lawmakers remain. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Divisions slow budget work as deadline looms

Two weeks left in special session.

Without a budget to vote on, many lawmakers were absent from the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, as negotiations continue in committee. But even the conference committee isn’t scheduled until later in the week as deep divisions among lawmakers remain. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
David Timothy dons a state championship ring he won as a student manager with the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa. at Kalé basketball team and a recently acquired coach name tag. Timothy, who has Down syndrome, was recently named an assistant basketball coach at JDHS after he passed a coaching certification exam administered by the National Federation of High Schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Coaching from the heart

He’s been a manager, adviser and assistant. Now, he has a new role.

David Timothy dons a state championship ring he won as a student manager with the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa. at Kalé basketball team and a recently acquired coach name tag. Timothy, who has Down syndrome, was recently named an assistant basketball coach at JDHS after he passed a coaching certification exam administered by the National Federation of High Schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Vendors and shoppers met under misty skies on Saturday, June 5, at the Fresh Air Market, sponsored by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. The event marked one of the first community events of the summer season after COVID-19 forced the cancelation of many events in 2020. Vendor Kelsey Hoke Martin said that about 20 people had stopped by her booth in the first half-hour of business. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Community events begin to return

Outdoor market, community garage sale, herald return of summer events

Vendors and shoppers met under misty skies on Saturday, June 5, at the Fresh Air Market, sponsored by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. The event marked one of the first community events of the summer season after COVID-19 forced the cancelation of many events in 2020. Vendor Kelsey Hoke Martin said that about 20 people had stopped by her booth in the first half-hour of business. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
The parking lots at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center were packed on Feb. 13, 2021, and plans to improve the facilities include expanding the parking lot. Those plans were criticized by residents for the impacts to the environment and a draft environmental impact statement is expected later this summer. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Federal funds go toward more analysis for visitor center area plan

Still in development.

The parking lots at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center were packed on Feb. 13, 2021, and plans to improve the facilities include expanding the parking lot. Those plans were criticized by residents for the impacts to the environment and a draft environmental impact statement is expected later this summer. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire With a shortened cruise season rapidly approaching, companies are working to get ready and staff seasonal positions.

Shaping up, shipping in: Tour companies eagerly readying for shortened season

Even if it’s a short season, it’ll set them up for success in 2022, companies say.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire With a shortened cruise season rapidly approaching, companies are working to get ready and staff seasonal positions.
An Alaska Earthquake Center map of all the earthquakes that happened in the year 2020, including the epicenter of a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that happened May 30, 2021. (Courtesy Image / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Alaska earthquake stirs many

The beat goes on.

An Alaska Earthquake Center map of all the earthquakes that happened in the year 2020, including the epicenter of a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that happened May 30, 2021. (Courtesy Image / Ned Rozell)
Visitors depart from the Baranoff Hotel in downtown Juneau on Thursday, June 3, 2021, just days after the typically year-round hotel reopened its doors after closing for the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers are returning, hoteliers say, but many of their rooms remain empty. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Visitor numbers rebound, but hotel vacancies remain high

Hotels, motels, nobody’s in.

Visitors depart from the Baranoff Hotel in downtown Juneau on Thursday, June 3, 2021, just days after the typically year-round hotel reopened its doors after closing for the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers are returning, hoteliers say, but many of their rooms remain empty. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department is investigating the death of a 48-year-old man found floating dead in Don D. Statter Harbor on June 3, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Man found dead in water at Statter Harbor

The death is not considered suspicious, but police are investigating how he ended up in the water.

The Juneau Police Department is investigating the death of a 48-year-old man found floating dead in Don D. Statter Harbor on June 3, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The Cunard cruise ship Queen Elizabeth sails through Cook Inlet Thursday, May 16, 2019, for a port call in Anchorage. Federal officials say a lawsuit in Florida could block cruise ships from visiting Alaska in summer 2021. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

CDC: Florida lawsuit imperils summer cruises to Alaska

CDC lawyers say injunction win would “end cruising in Alaska for the season.”

The Cunard cruise ship Queen Elizabeth sails through Cook Inlet Thursday, May 16, 2019, for a port call in Anchorage. Federal officials say a lawsuit in Florida could block cruise ships from visiting Alaska in summer 2021. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
The New Squids on the Dock, the National Ocean Sciences Bowl team from Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé is celebrating a top 10 finish at the national competition. Here, team members show off the hardware they brought home in the regional competition called the Tsunami Bowl. Team members include Elin Antaya, Jack Marx, team captain Tias Carney, Adrian Whitney and Addy Mallot. (Courtesy photo/Shannon Easterly)

JDHS students secure a top 10 spot in national ocean science competition

New Squids on the Dock hung tough through an unusual season

The New Squids on the Dock, the National Ocean Sciences Bowl team from Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé is celebrating a top 10 finish at the national competition. Here, team members show off the hardware they brought home in the regional competition called the Tsunami Bowl. Team members include Elin Antaya, Jack Marx, team captain Tias Carney, Adrian Whitney and Addy Mallot. (Courtesy photo/Shannon Easterly)
This July 26, 2017 file photo shows the Emerald Princess cruise ship docked in Juneau, Alaska. Kenneth Manzanares, charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife Kristy while aboard the ship on a cruise to Alaska, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Juneau Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Kristy Manzanares was found dead in a cabin last month on the ship while it was in U.S. waters off Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Man sentenced to 30 years for cruise ship murder

The brutality of the crime was cited as reason for the stiff sentence.

This July 26, 2017 file photo shows the Emerald Princess cruise ship docked in Juneau, Alaska. Kenneth Manzanares, charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife Kristy while aboard the ship on a cruise to Alaska, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Juneau Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Kristy Manzanares was found dead in a cabin last month on the ship while it was in U.S. waters off Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
The Alaska State Capitol was quiet on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, with several lawmakers excused even as negotiations over the state's budget continue. Lawmakers said they couldn't say when the budget might be put to a vote, but talks were moving to the more contentious items in the budget.

With nothing to vote on, many lawmakers head home

Session ends June 19.

The Alaska State Capitol was quiet on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, with several lawmakers excused even as negotiations over the state's budget continue. Lawmakers said they couldn't say when the budget might be put to a vote, but talks were moving to the more contentious items in the budget.
A Utah man who pleaded guilty to killing his wife is being sentenced in United States District Court at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building, seen here on June 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Man charged for cruise ship killing to be sentenced soon

Suspect pleaded guilty to killing his wife aboard ship in 2017.

A Utah man who pleaded guilty to killing his wife is being sentenced in United States District Court at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building, seen here on June 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Karla Hart, who led the efforts to add a trio of initiatives to limit cruise ships in Juneau, talks about the failed effort at a press conference on June 2, shortly after announcing that the group did not collect enough signatures to move the questions to the October ballot. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Cruise-curbing initiatives won’t be on the ballot

Supporters failed to reach the signature threshold but vow to fight on

Karla Hart, who led the efforts to add a trio of initiatives to limit cruise ships in Juneau, talks about the failed effort at a press conference on June 2, shortly after announcing that the group did not collect enough signatures to move the questions to the October ballot. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)