Home

Hank Shaw holds coho salmon caught on the Taku River. Shaw, a hunter, angler, gardener, chef and award-winning writer, is in town this week to promote his new book "Hook, Line and Supper." (Courtesy Photo / Holly A. Heyser)

Stuffed to the gills with recipes: Award-winning writer talks new fish cookbook

Angler, hunter, cook and award-winning writer talks new book while in town.

Hank Shaw holds coho salmon caught on the Taku River. Shaw, a hunter, angler, gardener, chef and award-winning writer, is in town this week to promote his new book "Hook, Line and Supper." (Courtesy Photo / Holly A. Heyser)
Travelers check their cellphones near a sign promoting COVID-19 vaccinations in the Juneau International Airport on Thursday. Federal officials are recommending a booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine, and local health authorities say the rollout will likely be similar to the initial vaccine distribution. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City, state officials plan for September vaccine boosters

Federal details not yet released.

Travelers check their cellphones near a sign promoting COVID-19 vaccinations in the Juneau International Airport on Thursday. Federal officials are recommending a booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine, and local health authorities say the rollout will likely be similar to the initial vaccine distribution. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The waiting room at Custom Cuts II in the Jordan Creek Mall sits empty on Aug. 19. Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, new citywide COVID-19 mitigation measures mean that all personal services businesses must operate by appointment only and close all waiting areas. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Local business owners prepare to pivot

City announces increasing risk level and mitigation measures.

The waiting room at Custom Cuts II in the Jordan Creek Mall sits empty on Aug. 19. Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, new citywide COVID-19 mitigation measures mean that all personal services businesses must operate by appointment only and close all waiting areas. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
(Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Good news and bad news

The good news we need to hear soon is that we have a balanced budget.

  • Aug 19, 2021
  • By Win Gruening
(Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire This Aug. 13 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Ibn Bailey.

Bailey seeks school board seat

Local business owner says he brings unique perspective

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire This Aug. 13 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Ibn Bailey.
A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. The BBA is currently experiencing critical shortages of multiple blood types statewide. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Alaska blood bank faces critical shortages of multiple blood types

Pandemic conditions, summer and trauma rates all add to the need.

A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. The BBA is currently experiencing critical shortages of multiple blood types statewide. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Judge throws out Trump-era approvals for Willow Project

The Trump administration approved the project, and the Biden administration defended it in court.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)
A health care worker fills a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. U.S. health officials Wednesday, Aug. 18, recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Health officials call for booster shots against COVID-19

Plan calls for dose 8 months after people get their 2nd shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine

A health care worker fills a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. U.S. health officials Wednesday, Aug. 18, recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
The City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department has issued a public survey as they consider improvements to the North Douglas Boat Launch Ramp, seen here on Aug. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Docks and Harbors considering North Douglas launch ramp improvements

The department has issued a survey to see what the public wants.

The City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department has issued a public survey as they consider improvements to the North Douglas Boat Launch Ramp, seen here on Aug. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A new course through the University of Alaska Fairbanks hopes to train new crops of Alaska Native filmmakers in a drive toward greater narrative soverignty. (Jakob Owens / Unsplash)

Filmmaking course hopes to create ‘narrative sovereignty’ for Alaska Natives

‘Our stories from our own perspective.’

A new course through the University of Alaska Fairbanks hopes to train new crops of Alaska Native filmmakers in a drive toward greater narrative soverignty. (Jakob Owens / Unsplash)
The author's wife makes her way across a mountain during an unsuccessful hunt with friends. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Giving it our best shot

Is it a feeling of accomplishment to simply get to the top? Yeah.

The author's wife makes her way across a mountain during an unsuccessful hunt with friends. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Theater Alaska performers Bostin Christopher, left, and Erin Tripp perform a short play in front of an audience at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. Theater Alaska partnered with environmental group 350Juneau to put on a Climate Fair for a Cool Planet, which drew over 100 people. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Juneauites use performances to urge climate action

Climate ‘catastrophe.’

Theater Alaska performers Bostin Christopher, left, and Erin Tripp perform a short play in front of an audience at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. Theater Alaska partnered with environmental group 350Juneau to put on a Climate Fair for a Cool Planet, which drew over 100 people. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl places a portion of what will become the 60-by 20-foot public mural depicting Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon, into place at Centennial Hall on Aug. 13. Once complete, the mural will appear on the currently blank south wall of the Marine Parking garage, the structure on which the downtown branch of Juneau’s public library sits. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

A mural comes to life

Team of artists assemble pieces

Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl places a portion of what will become the 60-by 20-foot public mural depicting Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon, into place at Centennial Hall on Aug. 13. Once complete, the mural will appear on the currently blank south wall of the Marine Parking garage, the structure on which the downtown branch of Juneau’s public library sits. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
A sidewalk-based message welcomes students and staff back to Sít’ Eetí Shaanàx-Glacier Valley School ahead of the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 16.

Teachers share excitement about return to classrooms

There’s nothing like in-person instruction for teaching

A sidewalk-based message welcomes students and staff back to Sít’ Eetí Shaanàx-Glacier Valley School ahead of the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 16.
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. nbsp; (NIAID-RML via AP)

New cases continue to surge in city, state

Nearly 800% increase in 7-day average for new case rate since July.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. nbsp; (NIAID-RML via AP)
Former Gov. Bill Walker, seen here in 2016, filed to run for governor once again in 2022, picking former Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Heidi Drygas to run for lieutenant governor. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

Former Gov. Walker files to run again as an independent

‘Our goal is to be a fiscal solution.’

Former Gov. Bill Walker, seen here in 2016, filed to run for governor once again in 2022, picking former Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Heidi Drygas to run for lieutenant governor. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
This July 30 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Aaron Spratt. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

First-time candidate seeks school board seat

Spratt criticizes current board’s COVID policy

This July 30 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Aaron Spratt. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
This photo shows adult crane flies mating on goldenrod. The flying adults are interested in just one thing — mating. They only live for a week or two, so males and females have a short time in which to find each other. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Video

On the Trails: No, they don’t eat mosquitoes, but these long-legged bugs are food for many animals

Crane flies while you’re having fun.

This photo shows adult crane flies mating on goldenrod. The flying adults are interested in just one thing — mating. They only live for a week or two, so males and females have a short time in which to find each other. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Video
Vanessa Dickinson adjusts second grade student Kanani Dickinson’s mask ahead of the first day of school. Kanani Dickinson is a student at Auke Bay Elementary School. Vanessa Dickinson said she’s excited the 7-year-old is back in school. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Full-time, in-person learning returns for Juneau’s students

School is in session.

Vanessa Dickinson adjusts second grade student Kanani Dickinson’s mask ahead of the first day of school. Kanani Dickinson is a student at Auke Bay Elementary School. Vanessa Dickinson said she’s excited the 7-year-old is back in school. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds up a graph showing the earnings of the Alaska Permanent Fund during a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. Lawmakers have asked the governor to amend the call of the special session, allowing them to address the budget which remains only partially funded. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers, governor spar over direction of special session

Lawmakers return to the capital city.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds up a graph showing the earnings of the Alaska Permanent Fund during a new conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. Lawmakers have asked the governor to amend the call of the special session, allowing them to address the budget which remains only partially funded. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)