Home

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Legislative Council sets mask policy for upcoming session

Only one representative out of twelve legislators voted against the mask policy.

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Allison Smith, a member of the Juneau Nordic Ski Club, passes another skier on her way along Montana Creek Road. Ski trails around Juneau will soon be hiding clues for Juneau Nordic Ski Club's ski-o’cache event. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Grab your skis and phone — it’s time for ski-o’caching

Juneau’s Nordic Ski Club offers a new event

Allison Smith, a member of the Juneau Nordic Ski Club, passes another skier on her way along Montana Creek Road. Ski trails around Juneau will soon be hiding clues for Juneau Nordic Ski Club's ski-o’cache event. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
Polar Bear Dip participants make a mad dash Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, into the cold water at Auke Bay Recreation Area. This year’s dip is cancelled due to pandemic concerns. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

No polar bears in Juneau: Dip canceled for pandemic

The 30-year-tradition is taking a pause for safety.

Polar Bear Dip participants make a mad dash Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, into the cold water at Auke Bay Recreation Area. This year’s dip is cancelled due to pandemic concerns. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Arsenio “Pastor” Credo receives the Moderna coronavirus vaccine from nurse Courtney Taber at the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Ethel Lund Medical Center on Dec. 24, 2020. He’s one of the first non-healthcare professionals to be vaccinated. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Arsenio “Pastor” Credo receives the Moderna coronavirus vaccine from nurse Courtney Taber at the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Ethel Lund Medical Center on Dec. 24, 2020. He’s one of the first non-healthcare professionals to be vaccinated. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A bird flies by on the sort of gray day typical of December 2020 in Juneau. While there was persistent precipitation this year, Juneau is poised to fall several inches short of the record. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A bird flies by on the sort of gray day typical of December 2020 in Juneau. While there was persistent precipitation this year, Juneau is poised to fall several inches short of the record. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
(Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Corrections)

State reports 5th inmate COVID-19 death

The department did not identify the man.

(Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Corrections)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Governor’s DHSS plan offers chance for API improvement

We can have a higher standard for psychiatric patient care.

  • Dec 28, 2020
  • By Faith Myers
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka pose with the family they rescued about an hour earlier from Yamani Islets, Dec. 25, 2020. The aircrew hoisted all four family members to safety after their boat capsized. (Courtesy Photo / Coast Guard Air Station Sitka)

Coast Guard rescues 4 near Sitka on Christmas

“We want to stress the importance of letting people know where you are going on the water…”

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka pose with the family they rescued about an hour earlier from Yamani Islets, Dec. 25, 2020. The aircrew hoisted all four family members to safety after their boat capsized. (Courtesy Photo / Coast Guard Air Station Sitka)
Goodbye, 2020. Good riddance, more likely. We had such high hopes for you—you were supposed to be this shiny new year to start off a new decade.

Gimme a Smile: Goodbye and good riddance to 2020

We all have high hopes for the year 2021. It’s got to be better than this past year.

  • Dec 27, 2020
  • By Peggy McKee Barnhill For the Juneau Empire
Goodbye, 2020. Good riddance, more likely. We had such high hopes for you—you were supposed to be this shiny new year to start off a new decade.
Web tease

Juneau students earn academic honors

Recognitions for Dec. 27, 2020.

  • Dec 27, 2020
Web tease
tease

Living & Growing: Finding hope at Christmas

By the Rev. Dan Wiese My thoughts are with those who are having a hard time finding the joy of Christmas. It has been a… Continue reading

  • Dec 27, 2020
  • By the Rev. Dan Wiese
tease
Courtesy photo / Alaska State Troopers
Alaska State Troopers shop for Juneau families at Fred Meyer on Dec. 21 as part of the Alaska Police Officer Association’s annual “Shop with a Cop” event.

Law enforcement officials spread holiday cheer

Distancing didn’t dampen donations or detract from delight.

Courtesy photo / Alaska State Troopers
Alaska State Troopers shop for Juneau families at Fred Meyer on Dec. 21 as part of the Alaska Police Officer Association’s annual “Shop with a Cop” event.
A law enforcement member walks past damage from an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. Buildings shook in the immediate area and beyond after a loud boom was heard early Christmas morning. (AP Photo / Mark Humphrey)

Police: Suspicious blast wounds 3 in Nashville on Christmas

Nashville Mayor John Cooper said the city was lucky that the number of injuries was limited.

A law enforcement member walks past damage from an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. Buildings shook in the immediate area and beyond after a loud boom was heard early Christmas morning. (AP Photo / Mark Humphrey)
Bruce Van Dusen, executive director of Polaris House, right, and staff member Levi LeCount give a tour of Polaris House on Thursday, May 4, 2017. Despite the challenges of the pandemic and a wreck that left them without a truck, work continues at Polaris House this holiday season.  (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Despite setbacks, work continues at Polaris House this Christmas.

A traffic accident and the pandemic prompt operational changes.

Bruce Van Dusen, executive director of Polaris House, right, and staff member Levi LeCount give a tour of Polaris House on Thursday, May 4, 2017. Despite the challenges of the pandemic and a wreck that left them without a truck, work continues at Polaris House this holiday season.  (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Photos by Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Members of the Juneau Education Support Staff union pose for a photo in front of meals being prepared for kids in Juneau as Catherine Pusich, second from right, hands a check from the union to Adrianne Schwartz to clear all money owed for school meals at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 21.

Educational support union pays off all school district meal balances

The union donated more than $7,000 to clear the ledgers.

Photos by Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Members of the Juneau Education Support Staff union pose for a photo in front of meals being prepared for kids in Juneau as Catherine Pusich, second from right, hands a check from the union to Adrianne Schwartz to clear all money owed for school meals at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 21.
"Don't be a Thor loser." An elf bests one of Earth--and Asgard's--mightiest heroes in a game. (Stephanie Spiess / Juneau Empire)

Photos: See elf adventures

No time like the present.

"Don't be a Thor loser." An elf bests one of Earth--and Asgard's--mightiest heroes in a game. (Stephanie Spiess / Juneau Empire)
Santa Claus waves to Juneau residents who gathered—at a distance—to watch a holiday parade on Dec. 19. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Santa Claus waves to Juneau residents who gathered—at a distance—to watch a holiday parade on Dec. 19. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) transits the waters of Puget Sound near Seattle on Dec. 4, 2020. The crew is deploying on rare wintertime mission to the Arctic Circle. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)

Coast Guard needs more focus on Alaska bases and ships, Sullivan says

Recent Russian exercises and America’s sole functional icebreaker are all cause for concern, the senator opined.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) transits the waters of Puget Sound near Seattle on Dec. 4, 2020. The crew is deploying on rare wintertime mission to the Arctic Circle. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)
The house crowned The Best of Juneau in the Elks Lodge's Lights Up Juneau 2020 contest was awarded cash and prizes, including a premium tram pass for the upcoming season. The house is located at 937 W. 11th St., near the Northern Light United Church downtown. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Lights Up Juneau 2020 delivers holiday cheer

Elks look to the past to end 2020 on a brighter note.

The house crowned The Best of Juneau in the Elks Lodge's Lights Up Juneau 2020 contest was awarded cash and prizes, including a premium tram pass for the upcoming season. The house is located at 937 W. 11th St., near the Northern Light United Church downtown. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
A view of the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

Sullivan announces intent to override Trump’s defense budget veto

The bill to provide Americans with $600 is also in danger of a Trump veto.

A view of the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)