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Kim Kovol will be the acting commissioner for the new Alaska Department of Family and Community Services which debuts Friday. (Courtesy Photo)

New state department gets new commissioner

Kim Kovol, a longtime social services worker, will head the Dept. of Family and Community Services

Kim Kovol will be the acting commissioner for the new Alaska Department of Family and Community Services which debuts Friday. (Courtesy Photo)
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Board takes steps toward probe of ‘milk’ incident

There is debate about whether local or national experts are preferred for investigation.

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho spoke about rank choice voting at the Chamber of Commerce's weekly luncheon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The 411 on ranked choice voting

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho gives the lowdown.

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho spoke about rank choice voting at the Chamber of Commerce's weekly luncheon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Sun sat moored in Juneau on Monday after striking striking ice Saturday afternoon near Yakutat Bay on its way to Skagway. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Cruise ship that hit iceberg arrives in Seattle for repairs

It spent over a day in Juneau after striking ice.

The Norwegian Sun sat moored in Juneau on Monday after striking striking ice Saturday afternoon near Yakutat Bay on its way to Skagway. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Petty Officer 2nd Class William Peters tips Matthew Shockley into Twin Lakes on June 30, 2022 as part of a boating safety class. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Boating safety — better lake than never

Up the creek, with a paddle.

Petty Officer 2nd Class William Peters tips Matthew Shockley into Twin Lakes on June 30, 2022 as part of a boating safety class. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Photos by Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Reef Shark replaced the USCGC Liberty as the cutter for Sector Juneau earlier in June, stationed at Don D. Statter Harbor.

Tropical shark, Alaska home: Reef Shark replaces cutter Liberty

The new cutter has big boots to fill, but brings the enthusiasm to do it.

Photos by Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Reef Shark replaced the USCGC Liberty as the cutter for Sector Juneau earlier in June, stationed at Don D. Statter Harbor.
Juneau residents from Lemon Creek to Tee Harbor were asked Wednesday to conserve water. (Unsplash)

No splash zone: City asks residents to conserve water

How long the conservation request will remain depends on the weather.

Juneau residents from Lemon Creek to Tee Harbor were asked Wednesday to conserve water. (Unsplash)
Rachel Hightower and Ben Burns present a board showing homes, other buildings and activities near a proposed marijuana dispensary in Douglas, during a Juneau Planning Commission meeting Tuesday. The couple argued the dispensary, which was unanimously approved by the commission, is inappropriate for a neighborhood where there are families with small children and a school. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

First marijuana dispensary in Douglas clears early hurdle

Proposed shop approved by Planning Commission despite opposition from neighbors

Rachel Hightower and Ben Burns present a board showing homes, other buildings and activities near a proposed marijuana dispensary in Douglas, during a Juneau Planning Commission meeting Tuesday. The couple argued the dispensary, which was unanimously approved by the commission, is inappropriate for a neighborhood where there are families with small children and a school. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Glory Hall’s housing hopes survive

Plan turning downtown homeless shelter into apartments gets 2nd reprieve from Planning Commission

This photo shows the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo / Arena Stage Molly Smith directs Brad Oscar and the cast of “Damn Yankees” in 2005 at Arena Stage.

Americana exceptionalism: Perseverance Theatre founder Molly Smith to retire from Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

Perseverance Theatre founder Molly Smith retiring at Arena Stage after 25 years in Washington, D.C.

Courtesy Photo / Arena Stage Molly Smith directs Brad Oscar and the cast of “Damn Yankees” in 2005 at Arena Stage.
A man bikes past the Assembly Building, located just across the street from the Alaska State Capitol. The building is set to be renovated into a 33-unit multi-family apartment complex to house legislative staff. (Clarise Larson /Juneau Empire)

Extra leg room: Commission OKs plan to make legislative apartments

It is set to become a 33-unit apartment complex designated for legislative staff

A man bikes past the Assembly Building, located just across the street from the Alaska State Capitol. The building is set to be renovated into a 33-unit multi-family apartment complex to house legislative staff. (Clarise Larson /Juneau Empire)
City Clerk Beth McEwen directs a fan at City Attorney Robert Palmer, left, and Assembly member Greg Smith as they discuss revisions to a list of proposed projects that will be funded by an extension of a temporary 1% sales tax if voters approve it this fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Initial ‘shopping list’ for 1% sales tax extension drafted

Building maintenance, affordable housing and child care top proposals.

City Clerk Beth McEwen directs a fan at City Attorney Robert Palmer, left, and Assembly member Greg Smith as they discuss revisions to a list of proposed projects that will be funded by an extension of a temporary 1% sales tax if voters approve it this fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday signed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Gov. Dunleavy signs budget

PFD of about $3,200, $400 million in vetoes to Legislature-approved items among declared highlights

Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday signed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
In this April 11, 2018 photo state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, walks out of the Senate chambers and to a reception to honor him and Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, at the Capitol. Both were retiring from the legislature. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Dennis Egan, former state lawmaker and Juneau mayor, dies

He fought hard to keep the capital here in Juneau.

In this April 11, 2018 photo state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, walks out of the Senate chambers and to a reception to honor him and Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, at the Capitol. Both were retiring from the legislature. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Cassidy Hutchinson, former aide to Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, arrives to testify as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to reveal its findings of a year-long investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)

Aide: Trump dismissed Jan. 6 threats, wanted to join crowd

The committee announced the surprise hearing with only 24 hours’ notice.

  • Jun 28, 2022
  • By Mary Clare Jalonick, Farnoush Amiri, Eric Tucker and Micael Balsamo Associated Press
  • Nation-World
Cassidy Hutchinson, former aide to Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, arrives to testify as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to reveal its findings of a year-long investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)
The question of whether to exempt unprepared foods from sales tax is likely to be posed to Juneau residents via poll instead of on municipal ballots after Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting. (Unsplash / nrd)

Food tax exemption to get a survey instead of a vote

Advisory vote during fall election nixed by Assembly members, who say poll will provide better data

The question of whether to exempt unprepared foods from sales tax is likely to be posed to Juneau residents via poll instead of on municipal ballots after Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting. (Unsplash / nrd)
The Alaska Department of Health And Social Services building in Juneau has no visible signs indicating the department is splitting into two agencies as of Friday. Top officials at the department said many of the changes, both physical and in services, are likely weeks and in some cases months away. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Little sign of big change for DHSS

No commissioner at new department, other Dept. of Health and Social Services changes may take months

The Alaska Department of Health And Social Services building in Juneau has no visible signs indicating the department is splitting into two agencies as of Friday. Top officials at the department said many of the changes, both physical and in services, are likely weeks and in some cases months away. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Sun sat moored in Juneau on Monday after striking striking ice Saturday afternoon near Yakutat Bay on its way to Skagway. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Update: Cruise ship that struck iceberg departs Juneau

It’s heading to Seattle for repairs.

The Norwegian Sun sat moored in Juneau on Monday after striking striking ice Saturday afternoon near Yakutat Bay on its way to Skagway. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, 320 W. Willoughby Ave., will be open as a cooling center through Wednesday for elders who need a cool place during the ongoing heatwave. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Tlingit and Haida opens cooling center for elders

Keep your cool during the heatwave.

Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, 320 W. Willoughby Ave., will be open as a cooling center through Wednesday for elders who need a cool place during the ongoing heatwave. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Sealaska Corp. announced it will no longer require a blood quantum for people of Alaskan Native descent to become a shareholder. (Michael S. Lockett/ Juneau Empire)

Sealaska Corp drops blood quantum requirement

The decision opens the door to approximately 15,000 people to enroll

Sealaska Corp. announced it will no longer require a blood quantum for people of Alaskan Native descent to become a shareholder. (Michael S. Lockett/ Juneau Empire)