Home

The Fred Meyer gas station roof collapsed early morning on Thursday, Jan. 1.  (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)

Fred Meyer gas station awning collapse raises concern over roof stability

The amount of snow that each roof can handle is highly variable.

The Fred Meyer gas station roof collapsed early morning on Thursday, Jan. 1.  (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)
A mound of a snow obscures a "student drop off" sign near Sít' Eetí Shaanàx-Glacier Valley School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Schools and city facilities are closed amid another winter storm

A winter storm warning is in effect with snow dump of around one foot forecast for the day.

A mound of a snow obscures a "student drop off" sign near Sít' Eetí Shaanàx-Glacier Valley School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities drops explosives via helicopter to trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road in February 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

DOT&PF reduces avalanche hazard over Thane, Mount Juneau remains a risk

They flew over the snowpack above Thane in a helicopter Thursday to test for controlled avalanche.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities drops explosives via helicopter to trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road in February 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
A whale tale sculpture on the downtown docks glows on New Year’s Day 2026. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

January’s First Friday: Here’s what to see

Juneau Arts Humanities Council announced a preview of community events on First Friday.

A whale tale sculpture on the downtown docks glows on New Year’s Day 2026. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Mendenhall Glacier, Governor Mike Dunleavy, and glacial outburst flooding are pictures in this collage of news stories from 2025. (Juneau Empire file photos, credits left to right: Jasz Garrett, Jasz Garrett, Chloe Anderson)

Juneau’s 2025 year in review

The Empire revisited eight major topics as their headlines progressed.

Mendenhall Glacier, Governor Mike Dunleavy, and glacial outburst flooding are pictures in this collage of news stories from 2025. (Juneau Empire file photos, credits left to right: Jasz Garrett, Jasz Garrett, Chloe Anderson)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, contracting with Coastal Helicopters, works to reduce avalanche risk on Thane Road by setting off avalanches in a controlled fashion on Feb. 5, 2021.(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)

DOT&PF has a plan to reduce avalanche hazard near Juneau amid record snowfall

They’re set to fly over the snowpack above Thane in a helicopter at about noon to trigger a controlled avalanche.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, contracting with Coastal Helicopters, works to reduce avalanche risk on Thane Road by setting off avalanches in a controlled fashion on Feb. 5, 2021.(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)
A truck with a snowplow drives along Douglas Highway on Dec. 31, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Warnings pile up under record-breaking snowfall in Juneau

December 2025 is the snowiest December in the city’s history.

A truck with a snowplow drives along Douglas Highway on Dec. 31, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Alaska's Department of Transportation and Public Facilities issue a warning of increased avalanche hazard along Thane Road. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Avalanche advisory in effect for Thane, Downtown

The alert is not an evacuation notice, but officials urge residents to stay informed.

Alaska's Department of Transportation and Public Facilities issue a warning of increased avalanche hazard along Thane Road. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Dense, wet snowpack piles up beneath a stop sign on Great Western street. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

More heavy, wet snow forecast for the Juneau area this week

Capital City Fire and Rescue cautioned residents without four wheel drive from taking on the roads.

Dense, wet snowpack piles up beneath a stop sign on Great Western street. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Child dies in car accident on Christmas Eve, Juneau community collects donations

Flying Squirrel will serve as a collection point for donations for the child’s family.

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Seward-based band Blackwater Railroad Company plays onstage ahead of their New Year’s concert in Juneau at Crystal Saloon. (photo courtesy Blackwater Railroad Company)

Transience and adventure: Alaska band returns to Juneau for New Year’s concerts

The Blackwater Railroad Company talks about their ‘Alaska Music’ ahead of their shows.

The Seward-based band Blackwater Railroad Company plays onstage ahead of their New Year’s concert in Juneau at Crystal Saloon. (photo courtesy Blackwater Railroad Company)
A Douglas street is blanketed in snow on Dec. 6, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Precipitation is forecast later this week. Will it be rain or snow?

Two storm systems are expected to move through Juneau toward the end of the week.

A Douglas street is blanketed in snow on Dec. 6, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
A residence stands on Tuesday, Dec. 23 after a fatal house fire burned on Saturday, Dec. 20. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

2 house fires burn in 3 days at Switzer Village

Causes of the fires are still under investigation.

A residence stands on Tuesday, Dec. 23 after a fatal house fire burned on Saturday, Dec. 20. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
A house on Telephone Hill stands on Dec. 22, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Court sets eviction date for Telephone Hill residents as demolition plans move forward

A lawsuit against the city seeks to reverse evictions and halt demolition is still pending.

A house on Telephone Hill stands on Dec. 22, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Juneauites warm their hands and toast marshmallows around the fire at the “Light the Night" event on winter solstice, on Dec. 21, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

A mile of lights marked Juneau’s darkest day

Two ski teams hosted a luminous winter solstice celebration at Mendenhall Loop.

Juneauites warm their hands and toast marshmallows around the fire at the “Light the Night" event on winter solstice, on Dec. 21, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
A Capital City Fire/Rescue truck drives in the Mendenhall Valley in 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau man found dead following residential fire

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

A Capital City Fire/Rescue truck drives in the Mendenhall Valley in 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
CBJ sign reads “Woodstove burn ban in effect.” (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Update: CBJ cancels air quality emergency in Mendenhall Valley Sunday morning

The poor air quality was caused by an air inversion, trapping pollutants at lower elevations.

CBJ sign reads “Woodstove burn ban in effect.” (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
A dusting of snow covers the Ptarmigan chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area in December 2024. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Update: Waterline break forces closure at Eaglecrest Friday, Saturday

The break is the latest hurdle in a challenging opening for Juneau’s city-run ski area this season.

A dusting of snow covers the Ptarmigan chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area in December 2024. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
A buck enters the view of an Alaska Department of Fish and Game trail camera on Douglas island in November 2020. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game courtesy photo)

Douglas deer: The island’s hunt faces calls for new rules

Board of Game is seeking public comment on regulation changes that would affect Juneau.

A buck enters the view of an Alaska Department of Fish and Game trail camera on Douglas island in November 2020. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game courtesy photo)
The National Weather Service Juneau issues a high wind warning forDowntown Juneau, Southern Douglas Island and Thane due to increased confidence for Taku Winds this afternoon. (National Weather Service screenshot)

Taku winds and dangerous chills forecast for Juneau

Gusts up to 60 mph and wind chills near minus 15 expected through the weekend.

The National Weather Service Juneau issues a high wind warning forDowntown Juneau, Southern Douglas Island and Thane due to increased confidence for Taku Winds this afternoon. (National Weather Service screenshot)