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Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Peter Froehlich, a retired Juneau district judge who is now a volunteer tour guide, explains the history of the history of the Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building to a group of visitors Thursday. The organ has been idle since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now needs repairs before regular Friday lunchtime concerts and other performances on the 94-year-old instrument can resume.

Historic organ is in need of tuneup

How much it will cost and who will do it remain up in the air.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Peter Froehlich, a retired Juneau district judge who is now a volunteer tour guide, explains the history of the history of the Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building to a group of visitors Thursday. The organ has been idle since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now needs repairs before regular Friday lunchtime concerts and other performances on the 94-year-old instrument can resume.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who spoke to the Alaska State Legislature on Feb. 22, 2022, said in a news conference Thursday she was supporting the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act aimed at addressing the high levels of gun violence in the U.S. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Murkowski defends federal gun bill, criticizes inaction

Republican resistance.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who spoke to the Alaska State Legislature on Feb. 22, 2022, said in a news conference Thursday she was supporting the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act aimed at addressing the high levels of gun violence in the U.S. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Excess deaths across Alaska rose above predicted numbers as the pandemic continued to hit the state hard through 2021. COVID-19, as an underlying cause, became the third-largest cause of death. (Associated Press photo)

Report: COVID was Alaska’s third-leading cause of death in 2021

Excess deaths were also way up from predicted numbers.

Excess deaths across Alaska rose above predicted numbers as the pandemic continued to hit the state hard through 2021. COVID-19, as an underlying cause, became the third-largest cause of death. (Associated Press photo)
Juneau is on track to beat record high temperatures going into the weekend and following week as a heatwave rolls through the Southeast. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Sun and potentially record-setting heat are in Juneau’s future

Heatwave goodbye to the clouds.

Juneau is on track to beat record high temperatures going into the weekend and following week as a heatwave rolls through the Southeast. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Kobe Rielly grabs a hot dog Wednesday evening at the grand unveiling of the new pavilion at Riverside Rotary Park. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

One in pavilion

Locals celebrate the new pavilion at the Riverside Rotary Park.

Kobe Rielly grabs a hot dog Wednesday evening at the grand unveiling of the new pavilion at Riverside Rotary Park. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. Faculty at the university haven't seen a pay increase in six years, but UA officials say there isn't money for what the union is asking. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Faculty union rallies for renewed negotiations

Thursday talks.

Members of United Academics - American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 4996 gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to call on University of Alaska officials to agree to a negotiated contract. Faculty at the university haven't seen a pay increase in six years, but UA officials say there isn't money for what the union is asking. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. On Wednesday the Juneau Police Department shared the findings of its investigation into an incident in which a dozen children drank floor sealant when it was served instead of milk during a summer program breakfast at the school. There was nothing to obviously suggest criminal charges are appropriate, but the findings have been sent to the district attorney for review, according to JPD. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police: No obvious basis for charges in ‘milk’ incident

Investigation of floor sealant being served at summer youth program being reviewed by prosecutors

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. On Wednesday the Juneau Police Department shared the findings of its investigation into an incident in which a dozen children drank floor sealant when it was served instead of milk during a summer program breakfast at the school. There was nothing to obviously suggest criminal charges are appropriate, but the findings have been sent to the district attorney for review, according to JPD. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Juneau's Salmon Creek Dam. (Courtesy Photo / AEL&P)

Salmon Creek Dam to gain engineering landmark status

It’s not the only Southeast structure to earn the status.

This photo shows Juneau's Salmon Creek Dam. (Courtesy Photo / AEL&P)
More than 100 gathered at an Orange Shirt Day event near Sandy Beach on Sept. 30, 2021, in remembrance of the Indigenous children killed in North America in the boarding school system. Indigenous leaders are calling for a national commission on truth and healing to address intergenerational trauma stemming from boarding schools. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Indigenous leaders push for boarding school commission

Legislation to create a truth and healing commission had its first congressional hearing last month.

  • Jun 22, 2022
  • By Susan Montoya Bryan Associated Press
  • Nation-World
More than 100 gathered at an Orange Shirt Day event near Sandy Beach on Sept. 30, 2021, in remembrance of the Indigenous children killed in North America in the boarding school system. Indigenous leaders are calling for a national commission on truth and healing to address intergenerational trauma stemming from boarding schools. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows Helping Hands Food Bank as it faces potential closure due to a decline in financial assistance and donations. (Courtesy Photo / Helping Hands Food Bank)

They’re banking on community support

Local food banks say donations needed now more than ever.

This photo shows Helping Hands Food Bank as it faces potential closure due to a decline in financial assistance and donations. (Courtesy Photo / Helping Hands Food Bank)
The author's wife seasons a fresh chunk of king salmon for dinner at the Point Amargura forest service cabin near Craig. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: The cabin life

What says love like a Forest Service cabin?

The author's wife seasons a fresh chunk of king salmon for dinner at the Point Amargura forest service cabin near Craig. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Gigi Monroe, the event organizer, performs during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Packed houses, back to back: GLITZ a roaring success

Sold out sets and heavy-hitting headliners.

Gigi Monroe, the event organizer, performs during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
An array of “I voted” stickers awaits voters Juneau’s municipal election in October 2020. Residents interested in running for Assembly and Juneau Board of Education seats in this year’s election can start getting schooled with a “toolkit” and workshop scheduled this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

School’s in for aspiring candidates

Assembly and school board members offer wise words as toolkit and workshop for local races arrive

An array of “I voted” stickers awaits voters Juneau’s municipal election in October 2020. Residents interested in running for Assembly and Juneau Board of Education seats in this year’s election can start getting schooled with a “toolkit” and workshop scheduled this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
FILE - Al Gross is seen during a debate on Oct. 23, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gross, an independent running for Alaska's only U.S. House seat, said late Monday, June 20, 2022, that he is ending his campaign. (Jeff Chen / Alaska Public Media)

Gross ends campaign in odd election’s latest twist

Special election will feature only three candidates

FILE - Al Gross is seen during a debate on Oct. 23, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gross, an independent running for Alaska's only U.S. House seat, said late Monday, June 20, 2022, that he is ending his campaign. (Jeff Chen / Alaska Public Media)
Pharmacist Kaitlin Harring, left, administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination to three year-old Fletcher Pack, while he sits on the lap of his mother, McKenzie Pack, at Walgreens pharmacy Monday, June 20, 2022, in Lexington, S.C. Today marked the first day COVID-19 vaccinations were made available to children under 5 in the United States. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Clinics readying to vaccinate new age group of children

CDC clearance for the new age group went out Tuesday.

Pharmacist Kaitlin Harring, left, administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination to three year-old Fletcher Pack, while he sits on the lap of his mother, McKenzie Pack, at Walgreens pharmacy Monday, June 20, 2022, in Lexington, S.C. Today marked the first day COVID-19 vaccinations were made available to children under 5 in the United States. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Dawn breaks behind the stones during the Summer Solstice festivities at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. After two years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Stonehenge reopened Monday for the Summer Solstice celebrations. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)

Thousands flock to Stonehenge to mark summer solstice

Thousands flock to Stonehenge to mark summer solstice.

Dawn breaks behind the stones during the Summer Solstice festivities at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. After two years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Stonehenge reopened Monday for the Summer Solstice celebrations. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)
This 2018 photo shows downtown Juneau. Commercial property owners filed in 2021 a record number of appeals of a property assessments. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Commercial property sees record appeals

The reason for the uproar is assessments for all commercial property were increased 50% for 2021.

This 2018 photo shows downtown Juneau. Commercial property owners filed in 2021 a record number of appeals of a property assessments. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Hali Hall, 4, holds Heidi Hall's hand Saturday afternoon as they walk past a sign honoring to Dr. George Brown at Project Playground. Ben Brown, son of the longtime children's advocate, said during a short dedication ceremony that he was pleased to see the park being enjoyed by children. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘A wonderful, positive person’: Plaque dedication honors much-admired doctor

Impact extends well beyond Juneau.

Hali Hall, 4, holds Heidi Hall's hand Saturday afternoon as they walk past a sign honoring to Dr. George Brown at Project Playground. Ben Brown, son of the longtime children's advocate, said during a short dedication ceremony that he was pleased to see the park being enjoyed by children. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association in Juneau, looks out as the group sold sweet potato pies as a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneteenth celebrated with food and friendship

The event was a celebration and a fundraiser for their college scholarship fund.

Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association in Juneau, looks out as the group sold sweet potato pies as a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak helicopter aircrew medically evacuated an injured crewmember from a fishing vessel near Esther Island to an Anchorage hospital on June 16, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Courtesy Photo)

Coast Guard medevacs injured fisherman near Cordova

The man had suffered head trauma and crew were unable to control the bleeding.

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak helicopter aircrew medically evacuated an injured crewmember from a fishing vessel near Esther Island to an Anchorage hospital on June 16, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Courtesy Photo)