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Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Chief Ed Mercer presents community service officer Sarah Dolan with the Jackie Renninger Community Policing Award during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022.

Police deliver annual awards for officers, community members

Citizens were recognized for their bravery over the last year.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Chief Ed Mercer presents community service officer Sarah Dolan with the Jackie Renninger Community Policing Award during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022.
Jerry Harmon, president of Juneau Gold Rush Days and a miner for more than 40 years, shows some of the nearly 500,000 pounds of heavy equipment being brought to Savikko Field for this weekend’s events. The event has attracted more than 10,000 people at its peak, but was cancelled the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Gold Rush Days returns with strong prospects

Weekend mining and logging event at Savikko Field celebrates 30th year after missing past two years

Jerry Harmon, president of Juneau Gold Rush Days and a miner for more than 40 years, shows some of the nearly 500,000 pounds of heavy equipment being brought to Savikko Field for this weekend’s events. The event has attracted more than 10,000 people at its peak, but was cancelled the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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)

Superintendent: Pouches of milk, chemicals delivered side-by-side

“That’s when the beginning of this mismatch began,” she said.

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)
Learning bundles await pickup at what is now known as Kax̱digoowú Héen Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020. The school’s name was officially changed Tuesday night after much debate. It was previously named Riverbend Elementary School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Goodbye Riverbend, hello Kax̱digoowú Héen

Renaming elementary school approved by Juneau Board of Education after a long debate.

Learning bundles await pickup at what is now known as Kax̱digoowú Héen Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020. The school’s name was officially changed Tuesday night after much debate. It was previously named Riverbend Elementary School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A voter fills out their ballot at the Alaska Division of Elections Region I offices in the Mendenhall Valley for the special primary election to replace the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The Division released updated results Wednesday, but there were no changes to the ranking of the canidates. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Updated results show no change to primary ranking

No surprises.

A voter fills out their ballot at the Alaska Division of Elections Region I offices in the Mendenhall Valley for the special primary election to replace the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The Division released updated results Wednesday, but there were no changes to the ranking of the canidates. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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12 kids ingested floor sealant served as milk during summer program, according to school district

Investigation is underway.

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Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon, left, and Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski review a portion of the city’s spending plan for the upcoming year before the Juneau Assembly unanimously approved it Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly approves budget, new city hall ‘down payment’

Juneau’s leaders approve $439.6M budget with no debate, but city hall funding remains controversial

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon, left, and Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski review a portion of the city’s spending plan for the upcoming year before the Juneau Assembly unanimously approved it Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Local group Alaska Heat Smart has received $2 million in federal grant money and will be using the funds to provide energy upgrades to low-income homes. In this May 2020 photo, Raymond Lindoff poses with his air source heat pump, installed by Renewable Juneau in 2020. (Courtesy photo / Andy Romanoff)

Local group has $2 million for home energy upgrades

Electric heat.

Local group Alaska Heat Smart has received $2 million in federal grant money and will be using the funds to provide energy upgrades to low-income homes. In this May 2020 photo, Raymond Lindoff poses with his air source heat pump, installed by Renewable Juneau in 2020. (Courtesy photo / Andy Romanoff)
Shoshana Gungurstein dropped by the Empire offices for an interview on May 27, 2022 to discuss her run for the U.S. Senate. However, despite running for public office, Gungurstein was vague on her past and said privacy agreements prevented her from discussing her work history. Gungurstein, who is running as an independent, said it is time for a younger generation to hold office. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Independent candidate talks Senate bid

Gungurstein shares policy vision, vague details of past.

Shoshana Gungurstein dropped by the Empire offices for an interview on May 27, 2022 to discuss her run for the U.S. Senate. However, despite running for public office, Gungurstein was vague on her past and said privacy agreements prevented her from discussing her work history. Gungurstein, who is running as an independent, said it is time for a younger generation to hold office. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Election official Barb Murray watches as voter Alicia Duncan places her ballot in a receptical during the special primary election to fill Alaksa's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau goes for Gross and Peltola in special primary; Palin, Begich lead the race statewide

More results expected on June 15.

Election official Barb Murray watches as voter Alicia Duncan places her ballot in a receptical during the special primary election to fill Alaksa's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Rear Adm. Nathan Moore, U.S. Coast Guard 17th District, commander, left, and Neil O’Rourke, Canadian Coast Guard Arctic Region, assistant commissioner, holding the officially signed Beaufort Sea Annex, at Hay River Base, Northwest Territories, Canada, June 8, 2022. (PO2 Alexandria Preston / USCG)

U.S., Canadian coast guards update joint pollution response plans

The conference also covered planning for other missions, such as search and rescue.

Rear Adm. Nathan Moore, U.S. Coast Guard 17th District, commander, left, and Neil O’Rourke, Canadian Coast Guard Arctic Region, assistant commissioner, holding the officially signed Beaufort Sea Annex, at Hay River Base, Northwest Territories, Canada, June 8, 2022. (PO2 Alexandria Preston / USCG)
A video of former President Donald Trump speaking is displayed 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, Monday, June 13, 2022. (Mandel Ngan / Pool)

Jan. 6 witness: Trump ‘detached from reality’ over election

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s closest campaign advisers, top government officials and even his family were dismantling his false claims of 2020 election fraud ahead of… Continue reading

  • Jun 13, 2022
  • By Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick Associated Press
A video of former President Donald Trump speaking is displayed 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, Monday, June 13, 2022. (Mandel Ngan / Pool)
Alaska Native dancers gather for a final time on the stage at Centennial Hall for the Grand Exit of this year’s four-day Celebration. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Celebration goes out like it came in

1,200 Alaska Natives perform encore of entrance dance for Grand Exit, talk of revived future hopes

Alaska Native dancers gather for a final time on the stage at Centennial Hall for the Grand Exit of this year’s four-day Celebration. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A roll of I voted stickers await voters on Saturday at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Juneau. On Saturday, which was also special primary election day, the Alaska Supreme Court reversed a ruling that would have delayed certification of the special election,.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State supreme court reverses ruling that roiled House election

Special primary moved forward as planned Saturday following a tense legal fight.

A roll of I voted stickers await voters on Saturday at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Juneau. On Saturday, which was also special primary election day, the Alaska Supreme Court reversed a ruling that would have delayed certification of the special election,.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A group of women drummers nears the end of the Celebration parade route at the turnoff to Centennial Hall on Saturday. The four-day Alaska Native gathering is marking its final day with events at the hall including an afternoon of dances, a screening a film commemorating Celebration’s 40-year anniversary and the Grand Exit. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Celebration parade a priceless souvenir for visitors

Procession a chance for Alaska Natives to share stories and snapshots with folks from afar.

A group of women drummers nears the end of the Celebration parade route at the turnoff to Centennial Hall on Saturday. The four-day Alaska Native gathering is marking its final day with events at the hall including an afternoon of dances, a screening a film commemorating Celebration’s 40-year anniversary and the Grand Exit. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An artist’s depiction shows the public meeting space for a proposed new city hall in Juneau. The Juneau Assembly is scheduled to vote Monday on allocating $6.3 million in general funds toward the project expected to cost roughly $40 million, accepting public testimony beforehand. The Assembly is also scheduled to take final votes on other major items including next year’s budget and property tax mill rate. (SRS Architecture)

Big action on big local issues Monday

Final votes on next year’s budget and property tax mill rate among items at Juneau Assembly meeting

An artist’s depiction shows the public meeting space for a proposed new city hall in Juneau. The Juneau Assembly is scheduled to vote Monday on allocating $6.3 million in general funds toward the project expected to cost roughly $40 million, accepting public testimony beforehand. The Assembly is also scheduled to take final votes on other major items including next year’s budget and property tax mill rate. (SRS Architecture)
This photo shows a ballot and return envelope for the special primary election for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ballots must be postmarked by June 11. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: How the Second Amendment informed my special election primary vote

By Rich Moniak Jeff Lowenfels was at the bottom of my short list in the special primary election to complete Congressman Don Young’s term. Then… Continue reading

  • Jun 11, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
This photo shows a ballot and return envelope for the special primary election for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ballots must be postmarked by June 11. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Update: Judge rules against state in ballot access case

DOL: Agency is working on an emergency petition for review to the Alaska Supreme Court.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Performers and their families wave to the crowd at the end of the Toddler Regalia Review at Centennial Hall on Friday, June 10, 2022, part of Celebration 2022. Performers were aged 2-5, and wore regalia made for them by friends and family. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Kids take the stage for toddler regalia review

Cutest show in town.

Performers and their families wave to the crowd at the end of the Toddler Regalia Review at Centennial Hall on Friday, June 10, 2022, part of Celebration 2022. Performers were aged 2-5, and wore regalia made for them by friends and family. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Project Gabe, named after a young man who died of an opioid overdose, aims to bring overdose kits to the fisheries industry in the Southeast. Volunteers assembled 150 kits on Friday, June 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

‘This is stoppable’: Program works to bring opioid OD kits to seafood industry

The project began with a tragic death, but proponents hope it can prevent more.

Project Gabe, named after a young man who died of an opioid overdose, aims to bring overdose kits to the fisheries industry in the Southeast. Volunteers assembled 150 kits on Friday, June 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)