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This photo shows gray currents, also called stink currants, Vivian Mork photographer. (Vivian Mork Yeilk’ / For the Capital City Weekly)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: Picking currants and riding currents

We give respect and thanks to the berries and the birds as we harvest the last of the berries.

This photo shows gray currents, also called stink currants, Vivian Mork photographer. (Vivian Mork Yeilk’ / For the Capital City Weekly)
Several members of the Alaksa House of Representatives were absent form a floor session Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, but after a quiet first week lawmakers are scheduled to hold committee meetings through the end of the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

COVID cases delay Senate

Still slow going.

Several members of the Alaksa House of Representatives were absent form a floor session Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, but after a quiet first week lawmakers are scheduled to hold committee meetings through the end of the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In 1980, U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and cutters, assisted by the U.S. Air Force and the Canadian armed forces as well as civilian rescue and relief organizations, rescued more than 500 passengers and crew from the cruise ship Prinsendam in the Gulf of Alaska. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Rescuers recall Prinsendam fire following 41st anniversary

It’s been four decades since the Coast Guard’s biggest and most successful rescue.

In 1980, U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and cutters, assisted by the U.S. Air Force and the Canadian armed forces as well as civilian rescue and relief organizations, rescued more than 500 passengers and crew from the cruise ship Prinsendam in the Gulf of Alaska. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
Election workers Nora Laughlin and Bob Laurie man the City Hall election station on the last day of voting for Juneau's municipal election, Oct. 5, 2021. On Friday, results started to roll in with more expected Monday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Update: Continuing count shuffles early results

With almost 70% of the vote counted, results remain unofficial

Election workers Nora Laughlin and Bob Laurie man the City Hall election station on the last day of voting for Juneau's municipal election, Oct. 5, 2021. On Friday, results started to roll in with more expected Monday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This map from the U.S. Cencsus Bureau highlighting Alaska's indigenous populations. A ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska formally recognize the state's already federally recognized tribes took a step forward Monday, when it was certified by the Division of Elections. (Courtesy image/ Wikicommons)

Tribal recognition initiative moves ahead

Mending divisions.

This map from the U.S. Cencsus Bureau highlighting Alaska's indigenous populations. A ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska formally recognize the state's already federally recognized tribes took a step forward Monday, when it was certified by the Division of Elections. (Courtesy image/ Wikicommons)
Jarrell Williams, a junior defensive back, prepares to tackle Roman Smith. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies win at home behind big second half

Bartlett comes to town next week.

Jarrell Williams, a junior defensive back, prepares to tackle Roman Smith. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sam Sika, a junior who plays full back and defensive line for the Huskies, celebrates after scoring a touchdown against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Photos: The Juneau Huskies’ season from practice to playoffs

The season continues at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Sam Sika, a junior who plays full back and defensive line for the Huskies, celebrates after scoring a touchdown against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sarah Traiger drops off a ballot at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library vote center on Tuesday, the last day to cast a ballot in the City and Borough of Juneau’s 2021 municipal election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

City clerk releases unofficial election results

Voters appear to OK sales tax extension.

Sarah Traiger drops off a ballot at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library vote center on Tuesday, the last day to cast a ballot in the City and Borough of Juneau’s 2021 municipal election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The doors of the Alaska Senate chambers were shut Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, a week into the Alaska State Legislature's fourth special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called lawmakers to session to resolve the state's longterm fiscal issues, but the same divisions that have kept lawmakers from finding resolution before are still in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

A week into special session, work hasn’t begun

Quiet day at the Capitol.

The doors of the Alaska Senate chambers were shut Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, a week into the Alaska State Legislature's fourth special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called lawmakers to session to resolve the state's longterm fiscal issues, but the same divisions that have kept lawmakers from finding resolution before are still in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Judge sides with psychiatrists who alleged wrongful firing

Two psychiatrists said they were wrongfully fired when Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy took office.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Speakers address participants in the Alaska Native Brotherhood/Alaska Native Sisterhood’s 109th Grand Camp Convention at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Oct. 8, 2021.

Alaska Native Brotherhood/Sisterhood Grand Camp Convention underway

The Grand Camp Convention returns (mostly) in-person after a year’s absence due to pandemic.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Speakers address participants in the Alaska Native Brotherhood/Alaska Native Sisterhood’s 109th Grand Camp Convention at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Oct. 8, 2021.
Workers make progress on the Sealaska Heritage Institute's Northwest Coast arts campus on Sept. 24. Supply chain issues and material shortages have been a factor for local construction projects this year. (Michael S. Lockett/Juneau Empire)

Shortages and shipping snarls complicate local projects

Substitutions and patience prevail

Workers make progress on the Sealaska Heritage Institute's Northwest Coast arts campus on Sept. 24. Supply chain issues and material shortages have been a factor for local construction projects this year. (Michael S. Lockett/Juneau Empire)
Afghanistan

Goldbelt employees among those evacuated from Afghanistan

Landed in Qatar.

Afghanistan
pexels

Alaska’s minimum wage to remain unchanged in 2022

$1 more than the federal wage.

pexels
Industries related to cruise ships, like this one docked in downtown Juneau on July 26, 2021, were the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic according to a report from the McKinley Research Group. Senior economist at McKinley Jim Calvin says he’s concerned about businesses ability to hire enough workers going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Report: Labor challenges likely to impact pandemic recovery

Tourism troubles.

Industries related to cruise ships, like this one docked in downtown Juneau on July 26, 2021, were the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic according to a report from the McKinley Research Group. Senior economist at McKinley Jim Calvin says he’s concerned about businesses ability to hire enough workers going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Juneau residents gathered around the statue of William H. Seward in downtown Juneau on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, for the local version of a national rally for abortion rights. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau rallies for abortion rights

Tension over Texas.

Juneau residents gathered around the statue of William H. Seward in downtown Juneau on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, for the local version of a national rally for abortion rights. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School on April 18. Earlier this fall, vandalism including stolen soap dispensers and toilets clogged with foreign objects such as paper towel rolls were a problem at schools nationwide and in Juneau. But, principals say the local situation is improving. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

After brief surge, vandalism subsiding at local high schools

Principals say internet trends, stress likely behind incidents.

Thunder Mountain High School on April 18. Earlier this fall, vandalism including stolen soap dispensers and toilets clogged with foreign objects such as paper towel rolls were a problem at schools nationwide and in Juneau. But, principals say the local situation is improving. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Brandon Campbell chases down a Dimond ball carrier during an Aug. 21 game. The Juneau Huskies and Dimond Lynx will face off again on Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Huskies ready for a home playoff game

Kickoff is at 3 p.m.

Brandon Campbell chases down a Dimond ball carrier during an Aug. 21 game. The Juneau Huskies and Dimond Lynx will face off again on Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy photo / Kate Troll Kate Troll, right, and Yalda Battori, stand in front of pictures colored by refugee children from Afghanistan at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. Troll recently returned from a two week deployment with the American Red Cross at McCoy, where nearly 13,000 Afghans are awaiting resettlement in the U.S.

‘This is something that unites us all’: Alaskans help refugees resettle

100 over six months.

Courtesy photo / Kate Troll Kate Troll, right, and Yalda Battori, stand in front of pictures colored by refugee children from Afghanistan at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. Troll recently returned from a two week deployment with the American Red Cross at McCoy, where nearly 13,000 Afghans are awaiting resettlement in the U.S.
In this Jan. 8, 2020, photo Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, heads to a briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington. An Alaska man faces federal charges after authorities allege he threatened to hire an assassin to kill Murkowski, according to court documents unsealed Wed., Oct. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite,File)

Delta Junction man faces charges over threatening Murkowski’s life

Authorities allege he threatened to hire an assassin to kill the senator.

  • Oct 6, 2021
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
In this Jan. 8, 2020, photo Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, heads to a briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington. An Alaska man faces federal charges after authorities allege he threatened to hire an assassin to kill Murkowski, according to court documents unsealed Wed., Oct. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite,File)