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Zoos and aquariums from Alaska to Florida see fewer visitors

Zoos and aquariums from Alaska to Florida see fewer visitors

Visitors are down, but the cost of feeding, treating and sheltering animals remains.

  • Aug 1, 2020
  • By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ Associated Press
Zoos and aquariums from Alaska to Florida see fewer visitors
State reports 151 new cases, 1 death

State reports 151 new cases, 1 death

No new cases reported by state in Juneau.

  • Aug 1, 2020
State reports 151 new cases, 1 death
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, right, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, arrive at the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the Capitol to resume talks on a COVID-19 relief bill, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Negotiators report progress in COVID-19 aid talks

It’s a busy weekend.

  • Aug 1, 2020
  • By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, right, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, arrive at the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the Capitol to resume talks on a COVID-19 relief bill, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Cautiously optimistic, UAS will open its doors

Cautiously optimistic, UAS will open its doors

Masks a must.

Cautiously optimistic, UAS will open its doors
Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House in this February 2019 photo. Knopp died July, 31, in a plane crash near his home town. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)

State Rep. Gary Knopp killed in plane crash

Developing story

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House in this February 2019 photo. Knopp died July, 31, in a plane crash near his home town. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)
Man flown to Seattle after early morning crash

Man flown to Seattle after early morning crash

The man, whose name has not yet been released, was ejected from the vehicle.

Man flown to Seattle after early morning crash
This undated photo shows members of the Rorem family. (Courtesy Photo / Laura and Larry Rorem)

Opinion: Our experiences with both racism and white privilege

Suburban Detroit 1982: “Mom, my History teacher is prejudice and giving me C’s instead of A’s. He treats Black kids differently than white kids —… Continue reading

  • Jul 31, 2020
  • By Laura and Larry Rorem
This undated photo shows members of the Rorem family. (Courtesy Photo / Laura and Larry Rorem)
People walk near Nugget Falls Thursday, July 30, 2020. A flood warning is in effect for Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River through 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. As water levels rise, recreation sites near the glacier may be hazardous or inaccessible. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

National Weather Service issues flood warning for Mendenhall Glacier area

It’s in effect until Saturday morning.

People walk near Nugget Falls Thursday, July 30, 2020. A flood warning is in effect for Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River through 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. As water levels rise, recreation sites near the glacier may be hazardous or inaccessible. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Downtown shop may be 1st to offer onsite pot consumption

Downtown shop may be 1st to offer onsite pot consumption

No smoking.

Downtown shop may be 1st to offer onsite pot consumption
This gastropod has appeal

This gastropod has appeal

Banana slugs ooze all over Alaska.

This gastropod has appeal
State reports 120 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new death

State reports 120 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new death

Juneau reports 4 new cases.

State reports 120 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new death
Sticking the landing: Schools ready for start of strange school year

Sticking the landing: Schools ready for start of strange school year

The future is fluxing furiously.

Sticking the landing: Schools ready for start of strange school year
A proposed design for a Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska-run transitional living facility on the corner of Alaway Avenue and Glacier Highway. Tlingit and Haida will seek permitting on Aug. 11. (Courtesy Art / Tlingit and Haida)

Tlingit and Haida works to bring transitional housing projects to life

The two projects will seek permits on Aug. 11.

A proposed design for a Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska-run transitional living facility on the corner of Alaway Avenue and Glacier Highway. Tlingit and Haida will seek permitting on Aug. 11. (Courtesy Art / Tlingit and Haida)
The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Federal policy change sparks debate over Tongass

Critics and proponents are debating the merits of changes to federal environmental policy, including the effects on management of Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. The largest… Continue reading

  • Jul 30, 2020
  • Associated Press
The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Amended paperwork could mean 1 fewer death for Alaska

Amended paperwork could mean 1 fewer death for Alaska

One less for Alaska.

Amended paperwork could mean 1 fewer death for Alaska
A Juneau Police Department officer at the Juneau International Airport on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Nonresident out-of-state arrivals will have to provide negative COVID-19-test results under a revised travel mandate from Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Details on mandate change scarce, few changes for now

Details to be released this week.

A Juneau Police Department officer at the Juneau International Airport on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Nonresident out-of-state arrivals will have to provide negative COVID-19-test results under a revised travel mandate from Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Jokes aside, August is a pretty special month in Southeast Alaska and it is probably Jeff Lund’s favorite. If you disagree, that’s fine. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

Southeast Alaska’s best month is right around the corner

The totally non-biased data is in: August is the most desired month in Southeast Alaska.

Jokes aside, August is a pretty special month in Southeast Alaska and it is probably Jeff Lund’s favorite. If you disagree, that’s fine. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Alaska GOP lawmakers seek to unseat Republican Rep. Eastman

Alaska GOP lawmakers seek to unseat Republican Rep. Eastman

Members of the House Republican minority campaigned for his GOP primary opponent.

Alaska GOP lawmakers seek to unseat Republican Rep. Eastman
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Customers line up at a business in downtown Juneau on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. The rise in COVID-19 cases could partially be attributed to an increase among young adults, state health experts said Tuesday. Even outside, state health experts have recommended wearing face coverings when less than six feet from others.

Governor stands firm on mask mandate, announces travel rule changes

‘If we can’t have distance we have a mask.’

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Customers line up at a business in downtown Juneau on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. The rise in COVID-19 cases could partially be attributed to an increase among young adults, state health experts said Tuesday. Even outside, state health experts have recommended wearing face coverings when less than six feet from others.
Members from Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro stand in formation on the back of the cutter, July 24, 2020. The cutter’s hull day, July 24, correlates with its hull number, 724. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Cutter Douglas Munro celebrates Hull Day at sea

USCG WHEC-724 represented on their day — July 24.

Members from Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro stand in formation on the back of the cutter, July 24, 2020. The cutter’s hull day, July 24, correlates with its hull number, 724. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)