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Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Pedrin Saceda-Hurt signed an NCAA Division III student-athlete form on Wednesday in the JDHS commons to attend Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and play for the Norse basketball team. At left is mother Nickie Saceda-Hurt and at right is father Frank Hurt. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)

Saceda-Hurt signs to play basketball at Iowa’s Luther College

JDHS senior exchanging mountains for rolling hills and cornfields.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Pedrin Saceda-Hurt signed an NCAA Division III student-athlete form on Wednesday in the JDHS commons to attend Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and play for the Norse basketball team. At left is mother Nickie Saceda-Hurt and at right is father Frank Hurt. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)
Adak’s airport is on the right of this photo, which was taken in 1986, 11 years before the Naval Air Facility Adak closed. Adak is served by the Essential Air Service, targeted by President Donald Trump’s administration for cuts. (Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Division of Community and Regional Affairs’ Community Photo Library)

Trump-proposed cut to federal Essential Air Service would fall on rural Alaska

White House budget office cites the program’s rising costs in recent years.

Adak’s airport is on the right of this photo, which was taken in 1986, 11 years before the Naval Air Facility Adak closed. Adak is served by the Essential Air Service, targeted by President Donald Trump’s administration for cuts. (Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Division of Community and Regional Affairs’ Community Photo Library)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen in partial morning sun on May 10, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen in partial morning sun on May 10, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Members of the Alaska Senate watch the tally board for the vote on the state’s draft operating budget, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate approves pared-down budget draft while warning of ‘coming storm’ in state finances

Proposal now goes to the House; if lawmakers reject it there, further negotiations are in store.

Members of the Alaska Senate watch the tally board for the vote on the state’s draft operating budget, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Wayne Price (center), carver of the healing totem pole Kaasei Satú at Twin Lakes, dances on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Wayne Price (center), carver of the healing totem pole Kaasei Satú at Twin Lakes, dances on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A marker for the U.S.-Canadian border sits between Skagway, Alaska, and Stikine Region, British Columbia. (Philip Yabut/Getty Images)

Alaska Legislature rejects call for Canada as 51st state, opposes ‘restrictive trade measures’

The state’s House and Senate have approved a resolution supporting Canadian independence, a “slap” to Trump.

A marker for the U.S.-Canadian border sits between Skagway, Alaska, and Stikine Region, British Columbia. (Philip Yabut/Getty Images)
A few clouds disrupt the sunlight in downtown Juneau on an otherwise bright day. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Alaska ranks 49th, ahead of only Louisiana, in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best States survey

State drops from 45th a year ago, led by large drops in opportunity and fiscal stability.

A few clouds disrupt the sunlight in downtown Juneau on an otherwise bright day. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, delivers his State of the Tribe speech to delegates during the opening of the 89th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Tlingit and Haida rejoins Alaska Federation of Natives after two-year absence, citing current challenges

“In uncertain times, unity is our greatest strength,” Tlingit and Haida’s president says.

Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, delivers his State of the Tribe speech to delegates during the opening of the 89th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Siluk / UCG / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Trump’s first 100 days shredded millions in funding for Indigenous peoples

This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grist’s weekly newsletter here. When Native Hawaiian combat veteran Joseph Guzman-Simpliciano got back home to… Continue reading

(Michael Siluk / UCG / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A walrus mother and calf rest on an ice floe in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea in 2010. Other resting walruses are in the background. Sea ice extent is tracked by the National Snow and Ice Data Center, a Colorado-based facility that uses data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Sarah Sonsthagen/U.S. Geological Survey)

Trump administration stopping NOAA data service used to monitor sea ice off Alaska

Scientists worry as services for historic data on sea ice, glaciers, other Arctic conditions discontinued.

A walrus mother and calf rest on an ice floe in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea in 2010. Other resting walruses are in the background. Sea ice extent is tracked by the National Snow and Ice Data Center, a Colorado-based facility that uses data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Sarah Sonsthagen/U.S. Geological Survey)
The Alaska and American flags fly in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska governor’s staff warns executive branch away from state Capitol in session’s last days

Legislators say Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration isn’t answering questions about a key revenue bill.

The Alaska and American flags fly in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The Juneau Youth Wrestling Club pose with other clubs at the Alaska USA Wrestling 2025 Folkstyle, Greco-Roman & Freestyle State Championships on May 1-3 at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla. (Photo courtesy JYWC)

Juneau Youth Wrestling Club grapplers takedown state in style(s)

Team competes at Alaska USA Wrestling 2025 Folkstyle, Greco-Roman & Freestyle championships.

The Juneau Youth Wrestling Club pose with other clubs at the Alaska USA Wrestling 2025 Folkstyle, Greco-Roman & Freestyle State Championships on May 1-3 at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla. (Photo courtesy JYWC)
Selah Judge, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences, gives the student speech at the University of Alaska Southeast commencement on Sunday, May 4, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Selah Judge, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences, gives the student speech at the University of Alaska Southeast commencement on Sunday, May 4, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Telephone Hill on Monday evening (top) and in an architect’s rendering under a development plan advanced by the Juneau Assembly. (Top photo Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire; bottom illustration by First Forty Feet / City and Borough of Juneau)

Telephone Hill residents will need to vacate homes Oct. 1 under demolition plan advanced by Assembly

Proposal calls for city to demolish neighborhood this fall, prepare site for development next summer.

Telephone Hill on Monday evening (top) and in an architect’s rendering under a development plan advanced by the Juneau Assembly. (Top photo Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire; bottom illustration by First Forty Feet / City and Borough of Juneau)
About 81% of travelers passing through T.S.A. checkpoints already have identification that complies with the Real ID law, which was enacted in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, said. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Travelers without a Real ID will still be allowed to fly, Noem says

People without a federally recognized document will face additional screening.

  • May 6, 2025
  • By Michael Levenson ©2025 The New York Times Company
  • Air Travel
About 81% of travelers passing through T.S.A. checkpoints already have identification that complies with the Real ID law, which was enacted in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, said. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Phil Huebschen is departing as executive director of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council on May 14. (Juneau Arts and Humanities Council photo)

Phil Huebschen stepping down after two years as head of Juneau Arts and Humanities Council

No reason stated for departure, which comes after JAHC faces DEI and funding pressure from Trump.

Phil Huebschen is departing as executive director of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council on May 14. (Juneau Arts and Humanities Council photo)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Milina Mazon signs a Northwest Athletic Conference Letter of Intent on Monday in the JDHS commons to attend Edmonds College in Lynnwood, Washington, and play soccer for the Tritons. Shown from left are mother Heidi, sister Asianna, Milina, brother Sam and father Sonny. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Milina Mazon signs to play college soccer

JDHS senior commits to Edmonds College Tritons.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Milina Mazon signs a Northwest Athletic Conference Letter of Intent on Monday in the JDHS commons to attend Edmonds College in Lynnwood, Washington, and play soccer for the Tritons. Shown from left are mother Heidi, sister Asianna, Milina, brother Sam and father Sonny. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, at left, and former state Sen. Click Bishop, at right, have each filed letters of intent signaling they will run for governor in 2026. (Alaska Beacon file photos)

Republicans Nancy Dahlstrom and Click Bishop are first to file for 2026 Alaska governor’s race

Bishop says he plans listening sessions with voters across the state before campaigning in earnest.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, at left, and former state Sen. Click Bishop, at right, have each filed letters of intent signaling they will run for governor in 2026. (Alaska Beacon file photos)
Tessa Hulls, an author who moved to Juneau during the winter, at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday after her graphic novel “Feeding Ghosts” won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in the Memoir or Autobiography category. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau author Tessa Hulls wins Pulitzer Prize for graphic memoir ‘Feeding Ghosts’

Book entwines grandmother, mother and author on journey of politics and identity from China to points worldwide.

Tessa Hulls, an author who moved to Juneau during the winter, at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday after her graphic novel “Feeding Ghosts” won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in the Memoir or Autobiography category. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Zuill Bailey, artistic director for the Juneau Jazz and Classics festival, performs on cello during the Juneau Maritime Festival on Saturday. JJAC is among the organizations receiving a termination notice Friday of funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Local arts and culture programs in crosshairs of latest cuts by Trump administration

Perseverance Theatre, music programs, public library’s statewide remote services hit by fund cancellations.

Zuill Bailey, artistic director for the Juneau Jazz and Classics festival, performs on cello during the Juneau Maritime Festival on Saturday. JJAC is among the organizations receiving a termination notice Friday of funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)