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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)
An Arctic “fogbow” is seen from the deck of the Coast Guard cutter Healy during the 2016 Hidden Ocean mission to the High Arctic area known as the Chukchi Borderland. The Healy cruise was part of a project carried out over several years to map the extended continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean beyond the nation’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. That extended area includes the Chukchi Borderland. (Photo provided by Caitlin Bailey/Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration)

Trump administration plans for oil deep in Arctic Ocean, where US claim has yet to be recognized

President seeks to designate High Arctic offshore area beyond the 200-mile limit.

An Arctic “fogbow” is seen from the deck of the Coast Guard cutter Healy during the 2016 Hidden Ocean mission to the High Arctic area known as the Chukchi Borderland. The Healy cruise was part of a project carried out over several years to map the extended continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean beyond the nation’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. That extended area includes the Chukchi Borderland. (Photo provided by Caitlin Bailey/Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration)
Noatak, just after midnight. (Ash Adams / The New York Times)

Congress’ fight over Trump’s agenda runs through Alaska

Clashes inclue repealing Biden-era clean energy tax credits that are a lifeline for some constituents.

  • May 5, 2025
  • By Catie Edmondson ©2025 The New York Times Company
  • Donald Trump
Noatak, just after midnight. (Ash Adams / The New York Times)
Laa.éi Kathleen John leads the Yées Ḵu.oo dance group through the Haida entrance song at the Juneau Maritime Festival on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Laa.éi Kathleen John leads the Yées Ḵu.oo dance group through the Haida entrance song at the Juneau Maritime Festival on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kai Ciambor (14) puts a shot past West Anchorage senior Porter Youngman (19) and sophomore Nathan Conlon (12) during the Crimson Bears’ 7-1 loss to the Eagles on Saturday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys pitched 7-1 by West Anchorage

Crimson Bears outplayed, but not overmatched against Eagles.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kai Ciambor (14) puts a shot past West Anchorage senior Porter Youngman (19) and sophomore Nathan Conlon (12) during the Crimson Bears’ 7-1 loss to the Eagles on Saturday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
West Anchorage and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé players react to the Eagles’ game-winning goal by senior Hattie Luckasson (5) during the Crimson Bears’ 2-1 loss to the Eagles on Saturday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls soccer team falls 2-1 to West Anchorage

Crimson Bears score first, Eagles win second half.

West Anchorage and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé players react to the Eagles’ game-winning goal by senior Hattie Luckasson (5) during the Crimson Bears’ 2-1 loss to the Eagles on Saturday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as seen on March 14, 2025. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center: Preserving the past, greeting the future

Generations of architects and naturalists have navigated through mass evolution of visitors and ice.

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as seen on March 14, 2025. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
The State Office Building in downtown Juneau on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

State, employees’ union reach tentative agreement on 11% pay hike over three years

Deal will also significantly boost state’s health insurance contribution if OK’d by workers, lawmakers.

The State Office Building in downtown Juneau on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A path leading from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in 1962. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

The original road to the glacier

Despite the flurry of activity and development proposals in the 1960s, the first road to the glacier was not constructed for scenic access. It was… Continue reading

A path leading from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in 1962. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore June Troxel catches a pop-up during the Crimson Bears’ 10-5 loss to Ketchikan at Dudley Field on Friday. (Christopher Mullen/Ketchikan Daily News)

Rain dampens JDHS softball play at Ketchikan

Crimson Bears lose rain delayed doubleheader to Kings.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore June Troxel catches a pop-up during the Crimson Bears’ 10-5 loss to Ketchikan at Dudley Field on Friday. (Christopher Mullen/Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Riley Fick throws a pitch during the Crimson Bears’ 10-0 victory over Ketchikan at Norman Walker Field on Friday. (Christopher Mullen/Ketchikan Daily News)

JDHS baseball plays triple-header at Ketchikan

Crimson Bears sweep Kings as rain forced game consolidation

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Riley Fick throws a pitch during the Crimson Bears’ 10-0 victory over Ketchikan at Norman Walker Field on Friday. (Christopher Mullen/Ketchikan Daily News)
The Alaska Senate Finance Committee meets on Friday, May 2, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate committee’s draft budget has a surplus — and that’s a sign of trouble

Committee leaders say they’ve created a “buffer” against a huge expected deficit in 2026.

The Alaska Senate Finance Committee meets on Friday, May 2, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior defender Reed Maier (19) marks an attack by West Anchorage senior Noah Robinson during the Crimson Bears’ 1-1 tie with the Eagles on Friday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys defense keeps pitch even against West Anchorage

Crimson Bears played state-ranked Eagles through rain and wind.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior defender Reed Maier (19) marks an attack by West Anchorage senior Noah Robinson during the Crimson Bears’ 1-1 tie with the Eagles on Friday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore forward Clairee Overson (18) moves a ball past West Anchorage freshman Kiana Isenberg (28) during the Crimson Bears 0-0 tie with the Eagles on Friday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. Overson earned the Crimson Bears’ Hard Hat Award in the game. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS soccer girls play even with West Anchorage

Crimson Bears and Eagles go scoreless on the pitch.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore forward Clairee Overson (18) moves a ball past West Anchorage freshman Kiana Isenberg (28) during the Crimson Bears 0-0 tie with the Eagles on Friday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. Overson earned the Crimson Bears’ Hard Hat Award in the game. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The JACK Quartet, a modern experimental string ensemble, is scheduled to perform the world premier of a composition by John Luther Adams on May 14 at the National Shrine of St. Thérèse as part of Juneau Jazz and Classics’ 38th annual Spring Festival. (Photo courtesy of the JACK Quartet)

Pulitzer and Grammy winners put spring into Juneau Jazz and Classics starting Saturday

Husband-wife folk team arrives straight from Carnegie; experimental quartet to perform world premiere.

The JACK Quartet, a modern experimental string ensemble, is scheduled to perform the world premier of a composition by John Luther Adams on May 14 at the National Shrine of St. Thérèse as part of Juneau Jazz and Classics’ 38th annual Spring Festival. (Photo courtesy of the JACK Quartet)
People in Juneau gather in the rain at the Alaska State Capitol for a global May Day protest on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

‘Mayday, Mayday’: Protesters and Liz Cheney urge wake-up call for defending democracy

Unity and solidarity expressed in rainfall on International Workers’ Day.

People in Juneau gather in the rain at the Alaska State Capitol for a global May Day protest on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 1, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 1, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighter Jenna Habig transports a hospital gurney in an undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Inman)
Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighter Jenna Habig transports a hospital gurney in an undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Inman)
The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)

Election to incorporate new Xunaa Borough, and select its Assembly and school board, set for July 15

Approval would form Alaska’s 20th borough; result in dissolution of Hoonah’s municipal government.

The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)
Glacier Swim Club’s Valerie Peimann and Emma Fellman tied for first place for the 15-19 girls high-point award at the Alaska Swimming State Championships last weekend in Anchorage. At right is third-placer Lelaina Trembath of Chugiak Aquatics Club (Photo courtesy GSC).

GSC places second in Alaska Swimming State Championships

Glacier Swim Club wins honors as seniors swim final meet.

Glacier Swim Club’s Valerie Peimann and Emma Fellman tied for first place for the 15-19 girls high-point award at the Alaska Swimming State Championships last weekend in Anchorage. At right is third-placer Lelaina Trembath of Chugiak Aquatics Club (Photo courtesy GSC).