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Alaska Federation of Natives Youths perform during the 2019 Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Fairbanks. The convention, which AFN says is the largest representative annual gathering in the United States of Native peoples, is meeting in-person for the first time in two years from Oct. 20-22 in Anchorage.

AFN Convention returns with in-person event

About 6,000 people expected at three-day gathering in Anchorge featuring performances and politics

Alaska Federation of Natives Youths perform during the 2019 Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Fairbanks. The convention, which AFN says is the largest representative annual gathering in the United States of Native peoples, is meeting in-person for the first time in two years from Oct. 20-22 in Anchorage.
A sign stands at the site of a proposed 444-unit subdivision along the 7400 block of Glacier Highway in Juneau. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire) Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire A sign stands at the site of a proposed 444-unit subdivision along the 7400 block of Glacier Highway in Juneau.

444-unit housing project raises hopes, concerns

Backers of proposed subdivision say it addresses shortage, neighbors worry about impacts.

A sign stands at the site of a proposed 444-unit subdivision along the 7400 block of Glacier Highway in Juneau. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire) Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire A sign stands at the site of a proposed 444-unit subdivision along the 7400 block of Glacier Highway in Juneau.
Courtesy Photo / Robin Lonas This photo shows ( from left to right) Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters Bill McGoey, Karl Wuoti, Peter Flynn, Wendy Wallers, Captain Noah Jenkins, John Adams & Fire Marshal Dan Jager.

It’s Fire Prevention Week, do you have a plan?

Firefighters and insurance company share safety advice.

Courtesy Photo / Robin Lonas This photo shows ( from left to right) Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters Bill McGoey, Karl Wuoti, Peter Flynn, Wendy Wallers, Captain Noah Jenkins, John Adams & Fire Marshal Dan Jager.
This provided by Pfizer in October 2022 shows manufacturing of the company’s COVID-19 bivalent vaccine for ages 5-11. The U.S. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, authorized updated COVID-19 boosters for children as young as 5, seeking to expand protection ahead of an expected winter wave.(Pfizer)

U.S. clears updated COVID boosters for kids as young as 5

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends how vaccines are used, also signed off.

This provided by Pfizer in October 2022 shows manufacturing of the company’s COVID-19 bivalent vaccine for ages 5-11. The U.S. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, authorized updated COVID-19 boosters for children as young as 5, seeking to expand protection ahead of an expected winter wave.(Pfizer)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference at the state Capitol on April 28, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Nearly every single Alaskan got a financial windfall amounting to more than $3,000 on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, the day the state began distributing payments from Alaska's investment fund that has been seeded with money from the state's oil riches. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Dunleavy says he’ll vote for constitutional convention

The question will be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference at the state Capitol on April 28, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Nearly every single Alaskan got a financial windfall amounting to more than $3,000 on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, the day the state began distributing payments from Alaska's investment fund that has been seeded with money from the state's oil riches. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Forms to run for state office are displayed at the Alaska Division of Elections’ offices in Juneau in June. Candidates and organizations in statewide contests were required to file campaign finance reports on Monday, detailing their spending, expenses and cash on hand one month before the Nov 8 election. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)

Big bucks back constitutional convention opponents

D.C. group spends on ballot measure, Dunleavy has big cash advantage in governor’s race.

Forms to run for state office are displayed at the Alaska Division of Elections’ offices in Juneau in June. Candidates and organizations in statewide contests were required to file campaign finance reports on Monday, detailing their spending, expenses and cash on hand one month before the Nov 8 election. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
This early September photo shows a rain soaked Mill Campground which is set to close Saturday afternoon after its third season, the City and Borough of Juneau announced. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Mill Campground set to close this weekend

An estimated 20 people will need to relocate.

This early September photo shows a rain soaked Mill Campground which is set to close Saturday afternoon after its third season, the City and Borough of Juneau announced. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Eight tennis players from the Juneau-Douglas High School tennis team represented Southeast Alaska at this year’s state championship and earned a tie for third place as a team with senior Katie Pikul earning the bulk of the team’s points after winning the girls’ singles championship, a feat which hasn’t been done by a Juneau player in over a decade. (Courtesy / Mona Mametsuka)

Juneau tennis player wins girls singles championship at state

The team earned a tie for third place.

Eight tennis players from the Juneau-Douglas High School tennis team represented Southeast Alaska at this year’s state championship and earned a tie for third place as a team with senior Katie Pikul earning the bulk of the team’s points after winning the girls’ singles championship, a feat which hasn’t been done by a Juneau player in over a decade. (Courtesy / Mona Mametsuka)
Courtesy Photo / Gregory Chaney A 60-foot fishing vessel was grounded in Favorite Reef on Thursday evening into Friday morning when three passengers were safely rescued off the boat by JPD Chief Ed Mercer. The Coast Guard continues to monitor the ship while crews work to safely defuel it.

Police chief rescues crew from grounded ship

Coast Guard continues to monitor ship.

Courtesy Photo / Gregory Chaney A 60-foot fishing vessel was grounded in Favorite Reef on Thursday evening into Friday morning when three passengers were safely rescued off the boat by JPD Chief Ed Mercer. The Coast Guard continues to monitor the ship while crews work to safely defuel it.
An eagle has captured an egg-laden female coho in Steep Creek and is about to gulp down a cluster of eggs. (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)

On the Trails: October observations of fall foraging

Where is everybody?

An eagle has captured an egg-laden female coho in Steep Creek and is about to gulp down a cluster of eggs. (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)
Screenshot / Clarise Larson More than 60 people joined in on a Zoom meeting Monday afternoon to participate in an Indigenous Language revitalization class and panel that addressed the future of Lingít, X<strong>̱</strong>aad Kíl, and Sm<strong>ʼ</strong>algya<strong>̱</strong>x.

Celebrating learning on Indigenous Peoples Day

Community leaders talk future of Indigenous Southeast Alaska languages

Screenshot / Clarise Larson More than 60 people joined in on a Zoom meeting Monday afternoon to participate in an Indigenous Language revitalization class and panel that addressed the future of Lingít, X<strong>̱</strong>aad Kíl, and Sm<strong>ʼ</strong>algya<strong>̱</strong>x.
Rep. Mary Peltola is interviewed on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Sept. 12, a day before being sworn in after winning the Aug. 16 special election to fill the rest of the late Don Young’s term. The Democrat from Bethel is seeking reelection to a full two-year term in the general election against the same two Republicans she defeated in the special election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

Peltola seeks full House term in a political storm

Alaska Native Democrat, facing likely GOP majority, says she’s ready to follow Young’s path to success

Rep. Mary Peltola is interviewed on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Sept. 12, a day before being sworn in after winning the Aug. 16 special election to fill the rest of the late Don Young’s term. The Democrat from Bethel is seeking reelection to a full two-year term in the general election against the same two Republicans she defeated in the special election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)
Senior Talita Toutailepo waves to the crowd during introductions before the team’s first match up against the Ketchikan Lady Kings back in early Sept. Over the weekend Toutailepo came up big in THMS’ second face off against the Lady Kings. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Thunder Mountain nets two wins in Ketchikan

Conference record extends to perfect 6-0

Senior Talita Toutailepo waves to the crowd during introductions before the team’s first match up against the Ketchikan Lady Kings back in early Sept. Over the weekend Toutailepo came up big in THMS’ second face off against the Lady Kings. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity girls cross-country team attempts a jumping photo after winning the second place title at state meet over the weekend, hosted in Anchorage by Bartlett High School. (Courtesy / Christy Newell)

Local cross-country teams bring the heat despite the cold at state meet

JDHS girls end the season with a second-place team finish

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity girls cross-country team attempts a jumping photo after winning the second place title at state meet over the weekend, hosted in Anchorage by Bartlett High School. (Courtesy / Christy Newell)
Dick and Candy Behrends, married couple and co-owners of Behrends Mechanical Inc., accept a surprise Citizens of the Year award. They were thanked by board members for their contribution to the Juneau community both charitably and through their volunteer work over many years. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Chamber gives Lifetime Achievement Award, names Citizens of the Year

This article has been updated to correctly identify John Blasco as CEO of Anchorage Distillery, not business project manager at Alaskan Brewing Co. More than… Continue reading

Dick and Candy Behrends, married couple and co-owners of Behrends Mechanical Inc., accept a surprise Citizens of the Year award. They were thanked by board members for their contribution to the Juneau community both charitably and through their volunteer work over many years. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Payton Grant makes his way to the end zone for his —and the Huskies’— first touchdown of the game as his teammates signal the score. Grant, a senior, had a big day for Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies set playoff points record against South Anchorage

Juneau on cloud 9-0.

Payton Grant makes his way to the end zone for his —and the Huskies’— first touchdown of the game as his teammates signal the score. Grant, a senior, had a big day for Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A ballot is placed in a ballot drop box on Tuesday, Oct. 4. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Latest local election results show tight finish for two props

City Hall prop facing narrow defeat, disclosure repeal poised to pass.

A ballot is placed in a ballot drop box on Tuesday, Oct. 4. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire Harmony Wentz, Faith Rogers’ daughter, holds out her phone to show a photo of the pair sharing a hammock. According to Juneau Police Department spokesperson Erann Kalwara, authorities are working to identify a suspect responsible for Rogers’ death.

Authorities work to identify suspect in Juneau woman’s death

JPD is working with the State Crime Lab and the Medical Examiner.

Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire Harmony Wentz, Faith Rogers’ daughter, holds out her phone to show a photo of the pair sharing a hammock. According to Juneau Police Department spokesperson Erann Kalwara, authorities are working to identify a suspect responsible for Rogers’ death.
Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Walker hopes voters willing to accept hard truths

Former independent governor seeking office again after “I threw myself on the Permanent Fund grenade. ”

Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Les Gara smiles outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Gara sticks to steady message on rocky campaign trail

Former Anchorage lawmaker seeking to become first Democrat elected governor since 1998.

Les Gara smiles outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)