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In this Sept. 27 2021, photo Bridget Weiss, superintendent of Juneau Public Schools, stands outside the classroom of former math teacher and basketball coach Bill Szepanski, who inspired her to pursue a degree in education and a teaching and coaching career. Weiss recently informed district staff she will be stepping away from her position at the end of June. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

Weiss departing as Juneau School District superintendent

Announcement comes after intense few years, and she is stepping away at the end of June.

In this Sept. 27 2021, photo Bridget Weiss, superintendent of Juneau Public Schools, stands outside the classroom of former math teacher and basketball coach Bill Szepanski, who inspired her to pursue a degree in education and a teaching and coaching career. Weiss recently informed district staff she will be stepping away from her position at the end of June. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)
Dan Earl stands in front of his home which temporarily is transformed into Earl’s Haunted Garage around the time of Halloween in Juneau for nearly the last 20 years. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Haunted garage seeks to scare up donations

He’s putting the caring in scaring.

Dan Earl stands in front of his home which temporarily is transformed into Earl’s Haunted Garage around the time of Halloween in Juneau for nearly the last 20 years. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Darrell Harmon, left, is challenging state Rep. Sara Hannan for the newly drawn House District 4 seat in Juneau. The other two Juneau candidates, District 3 Rep. Andi Story and state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, are unopposed.

Many differences in lone competitive local legislative race

Two-term Democratic state Rep. Sara Hannan faces low-profile challenger Darrell Harmon

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Darrell Harmon, left, is challenging state Rep. Sara Hannan for the newly drawn House District 4 seat in Juneau. The other two Juneau candidates, District 3 Rep. Andi Story and state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, are unopposed.
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Candidate questionnaires

Candidates for statewide office fielded questions from the Empire.

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City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members unanimously agreed on a city ordinance which appropriates $700,000 — pulled from the Affordable Housing Fund — to fund a predevelopment loan for the proposed Gastineau Lodges project which, if developed, would create a 72-unit apartment building in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Downtown housing project takes step forward

Assembly agrees to predevelopment loan for 72-unit Gastineau Lodges project.

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members unanimously agreed on a city ordinance which appropriates $700,000 — pulled from the Affordable Housing Fund — to fund a predevelopment loan for the proposed Gastineau Lodges project which, if developed, would create a 72-unit apartment building in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Bill Egan, president of the original Alaska constitutional convention and a future governor, signs the proposed Alaska Constitution in the gymnasium, now Signers’ Hall, on Feb. 5, 1956. (Photo courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Constitution convention has great potential — for better or worse

Some on both sides of ballot measure express dire fears, others say reasonable solutions possible

Bill Egan, president of the original Alaska constitutional convention and a future governor, signs the proposed Alaska Constitution in the gymnasium, now Signers’ Hall, on Feb. 5, 1956. (Photo courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks)
People walk past City Hall in downtown Juneau on a sunny evening in early September. On Monday, CBJ Assembly members OK’d an ordinance to offer a property tax break to new eligible housing developments of four or more units on one lot that will be in effect boroughwide. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City OKs tax break for housing development

Boroughwide abatement ordinance gets the OK after whirlwind debate

People walk past City Hall in downtown Juneau on a sunny evening in early September. On Monday, CBJ Assembly members OK’d an ordinance to offer a property tax break to new eligible housing developments of four or more units on one lot that will be in effect boroughwide. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican seeking re-election, answers a question during a candidate forum, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. She faces Republican Kelly Tshibaka and Democrat Pat Chesbro in the Nov. 8, 2022, election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Alaska asylum seekers are Indigenous Siberians from Russia

The two, identified as males by a resident, landed earlier this month near Gambell.

  • Oct 24, 2022
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican seeking re-election, answers a question during a candidate forum, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. She faces Republican Kelly Tshibaka and Democrat Pat Chesbro in the Nov. 8, 2022, election. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Two residents stand in voter booths Monday morning which marked the start for early and absentee in-person voting across the state for the Nov. 8 general election. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Early voting opens for statewide election

Check out the where and when here

Two residents stand in voter booths Monday morning which marked the start for early and absentee in-person voting across the state for the Nov. 8 general election. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School wrestler Brandon Day pins down his competition Saturday afternoon during the Brandon Pilot Invitational Wrestling Tournament at THMS. The Falcons had seven of its wrestlers make it into the finals and five took first in their weight divisions. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Falcons hit the mats

Juneau high school wrestlers take top spots at weekend tournaments

Thunder Mountain High School wrestler Brandon Day pins down his competition Saturday afternoon during the Brandon Pilot Invitational Wrestling Tournament at THMS. The Falcons had seven of its wrestlers make it into the finals and five took first in their weight divisions. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Jarrell Williams carries the ball during the state title game. (Bryan Boyett / <a href="https://alaskasportsreport.com/2022/10/state-football-notebook-nash-lives-up-to-hype-hamilton-makes-the-call-underwood-unsung-hero-johnson-joins-1k-club/" target="_blank">Alaska Sports </a><a href="https://alaskasportsreport.com/2022/10/state-football-notebook-nash-lives-up-to-hype-hamilton-makes-the-call-underwood-unsung-hero-johnson-joins-1k-club/" target="_blank">Report</a>)

Juneau’s title chase falls short in nail-biter against Colony

14-7, Colony

Juneau’s Jarrell Williams carries the ball during the state title game. (Bryan Boyett / <a href="https://alaskasportsreport.com/2022/10/state-football-notebook-nash-lives-up-to-hype-hamilton-makes-the-call-underwood-unsung-hero-johnson-joins-1k-club/" target="_blank">Alaska Sports </a><a href="https://alaskasportsreport.com/2022/10/state-football-notebook-nash-lives-up-to-hype-hamilton-makes-the-call-underwood-unsung-hero-johnson-joins-1k-club/" target="_blank">Report</a>)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, left, Republican challenger Kelly Tshibaka, center, and Democratic challenger Pat Chesbro discuss Arctic security, climate change and other issues during a debate Saturday at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. (AP Photos/Mark Thiessen)

Senate trio tackles trio of tough issues

Candidates discuss Arctic security, climate change and public safety at AFN debate

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, left, Republican challenger Kelly Tshibaka, center, and Democratic challenger Pat Chesbro discuss Arctic security, climate change and other issues during a debate Saturday at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. (AP Photos/Mark Thiessen)
This combination image consisting of screenshots from the AFN convention livestream shows the four gubernatorial candidates who will appear on statewide ballots, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Democratic former state Rep. Les Gara, Republican former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and independent former Gov. Bill Walker. (Screenshots)

Gubernatorial candidates take widely varying stances in AFN forum

Four contenders at AFN debate see different fixes for public safety, prison deaths and housing

This combination image consisting of screenshots from the AFN convention livestream shows the four gubernatorial candidates who will appear on statewide ballots, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Democratic former state Rep. Les Gara, Republican former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and independent former Gov. Bill Walker. (Screenshots)
Charlie Pierce, a Republican candidate for Alaska governor, answers a question during a debate, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. A lawsuit filed a day earlier by an employee when he was mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough accuses Pierce of "constant unwanted physical touching, sexual remarks and sexual advances." Pierce declined comment on the lawsuit to The Associated Press, and said he didn't plan to suspend his gubernatorial campaign. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Pierce faces sexual harassment lawsuit

ANCHORAGE — A Republican gubernatorial candidate in Alaska faces accusations he sexually harassed a former assistant while he was a borough mayor. The lawsuit filed… Continue reading

Charlie Pierce, a Republican candidate for Alaska governor, answers a question during a debate, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. A lawsuit filed a day earlier by an employee when he was mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough accuses Pierce of "constant unwanted physical touching, sexual remarks and sexual advances." Pierce declined comment on the lawsuit to The Associated Press, and said he didn't plan to suspend his gubernatorial campaign. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Residents made their way through the more than 30 local vendor booths included at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center for the first-ever Pumpkin Spice Market, a fall-themed festival hosted by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council which celebrated local artists, businesses and organizations here in the capital city. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘Pumpkin Spice’ and everything nice: Vendors and residents join up at the JACC for a fall festival

Art and apple cider

Residents made their way through the more than 30 local vendor booths included at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center for the first-ever Pumpkin Spice Market, a fall-themed festival hosted by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council which celebrated local artists, businesses and organizations here in the capital city. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The bolo tied owned and often worn by the late U.S. Rep. Don Young is shown around the neck of U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola during the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage this week. Peltola, who won a special election to fill the rest of Young’s term, and three challengers participated in an AFN debate Saturday as they seek a full two-year term in the election a little more than two weeks from now. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

U.S. House candidates debate in ’Mary’s house’

Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola takes on three conservative challengers at friendly AFN convention

The bolo tied owned and often worn by the late U.S. Rep. Don Young is shown around the neck of U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola during the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage this week. Peltola, who won a special election to fill the rest of Young’s term, and three challengers participated in an AFN debate Saturday as they seek a full two-year term in the election a little more than two weeks from now. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Andrii Pomynalnyi, left, his wife Olena, son Yehor and daughter Irynka visit Nugget Falls on Sept. 28, the same day the Ukrainian family arrived in Juneau after a journey that began Feb. 24 with Russian attacks near their home in Kyiv. The father said he is hoping the family can remain in Juneau for at least two years and possible beyond due to the destruction and future uncertainty in his homeland. (Courtesy of Kate Troll)

Ukrainian family sees strong prospects in Juneau

Kyiv family sees past life disappear at start of Russian invasion, reaches Alaska seven months later

Andrii Pomynalnyi, left, his wife Olena, son Yehor and daughter Irynka visit Nugget Falls on Sept. 28, the same day the Ukrainian family arrived in Juneau after a journey that began Feb. 24 with Russian attacks near their home in Kyiv. The father said he is hoping the family can remain in Juneau for at least two years and possible beyond due to the destruction and future uncertainty in his homeland. (Courtesy of Kate Troll)
The Juneau Huskies offense prepares to kneel to end the half against the Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Thunderbirds. Winning that game sent the unite Juneau high school football team to the

Live coverage from Division I title game: Huskies vs Knights

ASAA Division I First National Bowl championship

The Juneau Huskies offense prepares to kneel to end the half against the Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Thunderbirds. Winning that game sent the unite Juneau high school football team to the
Sen. Lisa Murkowski delivers a speech on Friday during the second day of the Alaska Federation of Native’s 2022 convention. Murkowski, a Republican running for reelection, got a standing ovation and several rounds of applause during her speech. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)

Murkowski, facing spirited election challenge, gets warm embrace at AFN convention

AFN audience greeted U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski with a standing ovation.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski delivers a speech on Friday during the second day of the Alaska Federation of Native’s 2022 convention. Murkowski, a Republican running for reelection, got a standing ovation and several rounds of applause during her speech. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)
Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire Harmony Wentz, Faith Rogers’ daughter, holds a framed picture showing a young Faith and her two sisters. According to Juneau Police Department spokesperson Lt. Krag Campbell, authorities are working to identify a suspect in Rogers’ death.

Homicide investigation continues a month after suspicious death

Police say autopsy results could take six to eight months to receive

Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire Harmony Wentz, Faith Rogers’ daughter, holds a framed picture showing a young Faith and her two sisters. According to Juneau Police Department spokesperson Lt. Krag Campbell, authorities are working to identify a suspect in Rogers’ death.