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Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

It’s Memorial Day for many, but just one of many memorial days for some who were in battle

Tributes at annual ceremonies in Juneau note major historic achievement and unseen individual sufferings.

Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Jason Williams, a Juneau resident experiencing homelessness and suffering from multiple medical ailments, lies on a cot in a tent on the edge of a ditch on Teal Street on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s homeless camping crisis: ‘They don’t feel safe around us? We don’t feel safe around them’

Business, home dwellers agree with unhoused that city’s “dispersed camping” remains dangerously unhealthy.

Jason Williams, a Juneau resident experiencing homelessness and suffering from multiple medical ailments, lies on a cot in a tent on the edge of a ditch on Teal Street on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hayden Aube is the first student to receive his diploma from Principal Paula Casperson during Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. Aube, a multisport star athlete for the Crimson Bears, was in a wheelchair after sustaining an injury Saturday competing in the Region V Track and Field Championships. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Class of 2025: Expanding by consolidating

Former TMHS students get tributes as nearly 300 seniors walk the stage in first post-merger commencement.

Hayden Aube is the first student to receive his diploma from Principal Paula Casperson during Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. Aube, a multisport star athlete for the Crimson Bears, was in a wheelchair after sustaining an injury Saturday competing in the Region V Track and Field Championships. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ella Orsborn (9) wins a ball against Wasilla as senior teammate Adelyn Buss (3) moves in during the Crimson Bears senior appreciation game Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS soccer girls play for pride and for the seniors

Crimson Bears girls’ season ends at home against Wasilla.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ella Orsborn (9) wins a ball against Wasilla as senior teammate Adelyn Buss (3) moves in during the Crimson Bears senior appreciation game Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kai Ciambor hits a penalty kick to break the Crimson Bears’ career scoring record during Saturday’s Crimson Bears senior appreciation game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS seniors honored in sweep over Wasilla

Crimson Bears boys “sock-er” it to visiting Warriors.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kai Ciambor hits a penalty kick to break the Crimson Bears’ career scoring record during Saturday’s Crimson Bears senior appreciation game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School’s seniors enter the Dzantik’i Heeni gymnasium during the school’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School celebrates Class of 2025

38 seniors get individual tributes from their advisors before walk across stage at Dzantik’i Heeni.

Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School’s seniors enter the Dzantik’i Heeni gymnasium during the school’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé softball senior Tatum Billings connects at the plate against Sitka on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park during the Crimson Bears’ senior appreciation game. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears softball team gives seniors special win

JDHS defeats Sitka Saturday during weekend celebration matchups.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé softball senior Tatum Billings connects at the plate against Sitka on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park during the Crimson Bears’ senior appreciation game. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Nick Iverson receives the 4x400 baton from classmate Finn Lamb during the Crimson Bears’ win in the final event of the Region V Championships on Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys win Region V track title over Ketchikan

Crimson Bears boys top DI events, Sitka Wolves top DII.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Nick Iverson receives the 4x400 baton from classmate Finn Lamb during the Crimson Bears’ win in the final event of the Region V Championships on Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The retreat of the Bear Glacier, near Stewart, British Columbia, transformed a stream below it into a haven for salmon. (Max Graham/Grist)

Who will benefit from melting glaciers?

In a remote corner of North America, salmon and mining companies are vying for new territory.

The retreat of the Bear Glacier, near Stewart, British Columbia, transformed a stream below it into a haven for salmon. (Max Graham/Grist)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Ida Meyer (1) and Sitka’s Marina Dill (2) and Clare Mullin (1) lead the start of the combined DI and DII 3200 during the Region V Track & Field Championships Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS leads Region V track and field championships after day one

Crimson Bears boys and girls hold slight advantage over Ketchikan.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Ida Meyer (1) and Sitka’s Marina Dill (2) and Clare Mullin (1) lead the start of the combined DI and DII 3200 during the Region V Track & Field Championships Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
At a farm market in St. Petersburg, Florida, SNAP recipients were able to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for food. (Lance Cheung/USDA).

More than 3 million people would lose SNAP benefits under GOP bill, nonpartisan report says

The massive tax and spending bill passed by U.S. House Republicans would likely result in 3.2 million people losing food assistance benefits, and saddle states… Continue reading

At a farm market in St. Petersburg, Florida, SNAP recipients were able to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for food. (Lance Cheung/USDA).
Juneau high school seniors Peyton Edmunds of IDEA Homeschool (left), Ryan Song of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé (center) and Maxie Lehauli of Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School. (Photos of Edmunds and Song by Juneau Empire staff, photo of Lehauli provided by her family)

Senior Spotlight 2025: Adapting to where the ‘real world’ might take you

Homeschool grad honored Friday; ceremonies for Juneau’s two public high schools are Sunday.

Juneau high school seniors Peyton Edmunds of IDEA Homeschool (left), Ryan Song of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé (center) and Maxie Lehauli of Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School. (Photos of Edmunds and Song by Juneau Empire staff, photo of Lehauli provided by her family)
An Arctic tern sits at its nesting site at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Baluss)

Arctic terns return to their protected nests in Juneau

The birds began their journey to Alaska in March to find safe haven at the Mendenhall Glacier.

An Arctic tern sits at its nesting site at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Baluss)
On Friday, May 16, 2025, Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, gets a chit sheet signature from Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anchorage, for an upcoming bill. To bring a bill to a vote in the House, a lawmaker has to get a majority of lawmakers to sign a sheet signifying that there is enough support for the bill to pass the body. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska’s Legislature was in session for four months: Here’s what they did with their time.

A look at the 33 bills that both the House and Senate passed this year, and where they stand in the process.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, gets a chit sheet signature from Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anchorage, for an upcoming bill. To bring a bill to a vote in the House, a lawmaker has to get a majority of lawmakers to sign a sheet signifying that there is enough support for the bill to pass the body. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The Taku River as seen Monday, May 19, 2025, from an Alaska Wildlife Troopers helicopter carrying U.S. Border Patrol agents during a patrol flight. (U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector photo)

Border Patrol, state troopers take patrol flight over Taku River looking for drugs, other illegal activity

Troopers: “No enforcement action was taken”; Border Patrol: “We are just getting started.”

The Taku River as seen Monday, May 19, 2025, from an Alaska Wildlife Troopers helicopter carrying U.S. Border Patrol agents during a patrol flight. (U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector photo)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ahmir Parker, center, signed a letter of intent Thursday in the JDHS commons to attend Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa, and play soccer for the Viking Warriors. From left are Parker’s maternal grandmother Michelle Monts, mother Kelli Patterson, Ahmir Parker, grandmother Sherry Patterson and little sister Makaylah Patterson. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears’ Ahmir Parker signs to play college soccer

JDHS striker will attend Division III Waldorf University.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ahmir Parker, center, signed a letter of intent Thursday in the JDHS commons to attend Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa, and play soccer for the Viking Warriors. From left are Parker’s maternal grandmother Michelle Monts, mother Kelli Patterson, Ahmir Parker, grandmother Sherry Patterson and little sister Makaylah Patterson. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior distance runners Della Mearig and Lua Mangaccat and freshman Sunna Schane congratulate each other during an event at the Capital City Classic this year. The Region V Track & Field championships are Friday and Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Region’s best set to tear up track and field championships

Southeast athletes gather this weekend for final meet.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior distance runners Della Mearig and Lua Mangaccat and freshman Sunna Schane congratulate each other during an event at the Capital City Classic this year. The Region V Track & Field championships are Friday and Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 21, 1985. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 21, 1985. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls soccer team seniors will be honored at 5 p.m. Saturday on the Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park pitch with a game against Wasilla to follow. The seniors are, front row left-to-right, Lola Hines, Mary Canapary, Milina Mazon, Priscilla Lam and Adelyn Buss. Back row - Alison Tingey, Lena Field, Parker Boman, Ella Orsborn, Cerys Hudson, Natalie Travis and Daniela Lamas. Not pictured Dori Germain and Alyssa Lawhorne. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears soccer to honor senior girls Saturday

JDHS host Wasilla in final home, season stand at AKMP.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls soccer team seniors will be honored at 5 p.m. Saturday on the Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park pitch with a game against Wasilla to follow. The seniors are, front row left-to-right, Lola Hines, Mary Canapary, Milina Mazon, Priscilla Lam and Adelyn Buss. Back row - Alison Tingey, Lena Field, Parker Boman, Ella Orsborn, Cerys Hudson, Natalie Travis and Daniela Lamas. Not pictured Dori Germain and Alyssa Lawhorne. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., is pictured on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

US House Republicans push through massive tax and spending bill slashing Medicaid

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House early Thursday approved the “big, beautiful bill” that Republican leaders spent months negotiating with centrists and far-right members of the… Continue reading

The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., is pictured on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)