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Vehicles try to navigate through rapidly rising flood waters in a neighborhood along the Mendenhall River at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Suicide Basin flood tracker: Mendenhall River crests at 15.99 feet, expected to retreat rapidly

New record water level more than a foot higher than last year, causes unexpected damage to some homes.

Vehicles try to navigate through rapidly rising flood waters in a neighborhood along the Mendenhall River at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juno, a 7-year-old Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute mix, is officially up for adoption through Juneau Animal Rescue as of Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

‘Special street dog’ Juno searches for her forever home

“We just want to make sure she goes to a good, loving home.”

Juno, a 7-year-old Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute mix, is officially up for adoption through Juneau Animal Rescue as of Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The former Breakwater Inn on Egan Drive, near where a hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian occurred early Sunday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pedestrian on Egan Drive critically injured in early morning hit-and-run collision with vehicle

Relative says victim, 38, has broken neck; man ‘involved’ in accident leads police to damaged vehicle.

The former Breakwater Inn on Egan Drive, near where a hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian occurred early Sunday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The U.S. Capitol is seen on a cloudy day in an undated photo. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

As early voting opens in Alaska’s U.S. House race, current and former candidates talk about what’s at stake

State has only one seat in the House, but in closely divided Congress is one of few swing districts.

The U.S. Capitol is seen on a cloudy day in an undated photo. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
Mayor Beth Weldon cuts a ribbon for Capitol Park’s opening Saturday with John Pugh, Juneau Park Foundation vice chair and Juneau Community Foundation board president. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Newly remodeled Capitol Park welcomes community at ribbon-cutting ceremony

“I’m just looking forward to my great-grandchildren using this park.”

Mayor Beth Weldon cuts a ribbon for Capitol Park’s opening Saturday with John Pugh, Juneau Park Foundation vice chair and Juneau Community Foundation board president. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Residents on Meander Way gather around a stand selling drinks, cookies and handmade trinkets early Sunday afternoon, a few hours after a flood warning was issued for the neighborhood due to a glacier outburst flood from Suicide Basin. Residents along the street, whose homes and yards were infiltrated by water from record flooding last year, said they are making contingency plans as they keep an eye on the water, but not fleeing their homes yet. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Residents in Mendenhall River flood zone preparing, not panicking after Suicide Basin breaks

“Go” bags, alternate places to stay, other safeguards set as people watch waters expected to peak Tuesday.

Residents on Meander Way gather around a stand selling drinks, cookies and handmade trinkets early Sunday afternoon, a few hours after a flood warning was issued for the neighborhood due to a glacier outburst flood from Suicide Basin. Residents along the street, whose homes and yards were infiltrated by water from record flooding last year, said they are making contingency plans as they keep an eye on the water, but not fleeing their homes yet. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service Juneau after Suicide Basin’s ice dam broke Sunday morning. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Suicide Basin breaks, Mendenhall River expected to crest Tuesday morning with “worst case” similar to 2023

Forecast for river level of nearly 15 feet will flood numerous homes, according to weather service.

A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service Juneau after Suicide Basin’s ice dam broke Sunday morning. (National Weather Service Juneau)
Retired Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief Ed Quinto takes a photo with his family at the Hagevig Regional Fire Training Center on Saturday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

CCFR celebrates the retirement of Ed Quinto, Juneau’s longest-serving firefighter

Looking back at 45 years, retired assistant chief says it’s the journey that matters

Retired Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief Ed Quinto takes a photo with his family at the Hagevig Regional Fire Training Center on Saturday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

JPD: Callers pretending to be police, court officials are scamming locals out of thousands of dollars

People often told to pay a fine online to avoid arrest for missing jury duty, officials say.

The Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bartlett employees’ union says contract talks with hospital management at an impasse over wages

Hospital cites financial crisis due to years of deficits; union says recent program cuts free up funds.

A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

‘Neutral’ Ship-Free Saturdays voter FAQ published by city; advocates on both sides cite flaws

Document focuses on efforts CBJ is making to limit impacts, plus economic and legal scenarios

Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
From left to right: Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne, formerly of The Supremes with Joyce Vincent. (Former Ladies of The Supremes collection)

‘Supreme Sisters’: Former Ladies of The Supremes will perform in Juneau

Legendary trio will perform classic R&B show Aug. 10 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall.

From left to right: Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne, formerly of The Supremes with Joyce Vincent. (Former Ladies of The Supremes collection)
Jonathan Tuttle, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, installs monitoring equipment at the Mendenhall River bridge on Back Loop Road Thursday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
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Weather Service: Suicide Basin overflowing from top, but ‘no indication of a release at this time’

“Now is the time to start preparing for potential flooding impacts along the Mendenhall lake and river.”

Jonathan Tuttle, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, installs monitoring equipment at the Mendenhall River bridge on Back Loop Road Thursday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
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Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Gov. Dunleavy vetoes five bills passed late by state House

All five pieces of legislation were passed by the House after midnight on Legislature’s 121st day.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Children attend the Sheldon Jackson School in Sitka, in a photo dated between 1900 and 1930. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.)

Alaska officials echo federal push to promote healing after boarding schools report

Murkowski, state lawmakers have pushed for a Native-led documentation effort.

Children attend the Sheldon Jackson School in Sitka, in a photo dated between 1900 and 1930. (Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.)
Volunteers operate an in-person polling place for the special U.S. House primary election on Friday, May 27, 2022 in the atrium of the State Office Building. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

What Alaskans need to know ahead of the Aug. 20 primary

By-mail voting has already begun, while early in-person voting starts on Aug. 5

Volunteers operate an in-person polling place for the special U.S. House primary election on Friday, May 27, 2022 in the atrium of the State Office Building. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Deven Mitchell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., gives a tour of the corporation’s investment floor to Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and other attendees of an open house on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

New Alaska Permanent Fund reports show fiscal crisis growing closer

More money is being spent from the fund than is being deposited or earned through investments.

Deven Mitchell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., gives a tour of the corporation’s investment floor to Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and other attendees of an open house on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on July 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on July 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ed Quinto retired as assistant chief at Capital City Fire/Rescue on Wednesday after 45 years with the department. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

CCFR Assistant Chief Ed Quinto, Juneau’s longest-serving firefighter, retires after 45 years

“When I was a kid I always wanted to help people, so I guess I felt like I found the perfect job for me.”

Ed Quinto retired as assistant chief at Capital City Fire/Rescue on Wednesday after 45 years with the department. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Juneau resident Cathy Muse sold her oil tank after installing an air source heat pump, transitioning her house entirely off fossil fuels. (Photo by Cathy Muse distributed by the U.S. Department of Energy)

Federal grant will help 6,100 coastal Alaska homes get heat pumps

$38.6M allocation will provide rebates up to $8,500 per household for purchase and installation

  • Jul 31, 2024
  • By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel
Juneau resident Cathy Muse sold her oil tank after installing an air source heat pump, transitioning her house entirely off fossil fuels. (Photo by Cathy Muse distributed by the U.S. Department of Energy)