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Organizations are withdrawing searchers from landslide-stricken Haines after the Alaska State Troopers called off active search and rescue operations due to hazardous conditions with the terrain and bad weather conditions in the search area. (U.S. Coast Guard photo / Lt. Erick Oredson)

State calls off active search and rescue operations in Haines

Many organizations are withdrawing their searchers but continuing their support of recovery work.

Organizations are withdrawing searchers from landslide-stricken Haines after the Alaska State Troopers called off active search and rescue operations due to hazardous conditions with the terrain and bad weather conditions in the search area. (U.S. Coast Guard photo / Lt. Erick Oredson)
The property at 9290 Hurlock Avenue near the intersection of Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road was vacant Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, but a group of nonprofit organizations are partnering to try and turn the site into a youth homeless center. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City considers proposed youth homeless center

There’s a need, but are there funds?

The property at 9290 Hurlock Avenue near the intersection of Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road was vacant Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, but a group of nonprofit organizations are partnering to try and turn the site into a youth homeless center. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Personal-use fireworks are technically illegal in the City and Borough of Juneau but officials have been allowing their use. The Assembly expressed a desire to change the laws regarding fireworks to be more in line with the city's policy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Assembly wants to clarify fireworks laws

No changes for now.

Personal-use fireworks are technically illegal in the City and Borough of Juneau but officials have been allowing their use. The Assembly expressed a desire to change the laws regarding fireworks to be more in line with the city's policy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
An iceberg floats past Bylot Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual Arctic Report Card, released on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, shows how warming temperatures in the Arctic are transforming the region’s geography and ecosystems. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Vast wildfires in Siberia linked to warming Arctic

This past fire season was directly influenced by climate change, according to scientists.

  • Dec 8, 2020
  • By CHRISTINA LARSON AP Science Writer
An iceberg floats past Bylot Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual Arctic Report Card, released on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, shows how warming temperatures in the Arctic are transforming the region’s geography and ecosystems. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
In this undated photo issued by the University of Oxford, a volunteer is administered the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, in Oxford, England. Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Monday Nov. 23, 2020, that late-stage trials showed its coronavirus vaccine was up to 90% effective, giving public health officials hope they may soon have access to a vaccine that is cheaper and easier to distribute than some of its rivals. (University of Oxford / John Cairns)

Vaccines possible by the end of next week, but questions persist

Approval could come Thursday.

In this undated photo issued by the University of Oxford, a volunteer is administered the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, in Oxford, England. Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Monday Nov. 23, 2020, that late-stage trials showed its coronavirus vaccine was up to 90% effective, giving public health officials hope they may soon have access to a vaccine that is cheaper and easier to distribute than some of its rivals. (University of Oxford / John Cairns)
This photo from August shows Kaya, who was among the dogs who participated in Capital Kennel Club of Juneau’s Obedience Trials. Not every dog in Juneau is well-fed. That is something the Grateful Dogs of Juneau organization aims to remedy as it holds a food drive for cats and dogs living in food-insecure homes for the holidays, with drop-off locations at Petco and the Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Merry Christmas, ya animals: Local nonprofit holds pet food drive

The drive has two drop off locations for dog and cat food.

This photo from August shows Kaya, who was among the dogs who participated in Capital Kennel Club of Juneau’s Obedience Trials. Not every dog in Juneau is well-fed. That is something the Grateful Dogs of Juneau organization aims to remedy as it holds a food drive for cats and dogs living in food-insecure homes for the holidays, with drop-off locations at Petco and the Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Ketchikan police and emergency response personnel deliver evacuation warnings to residents within a flood evacuation area that borders Ketchikan Creek, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Ketchikan, Alaska. Water levels were reported at 3-feet over the spillway at the Lower Ketchikan Lake dam. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)

State officials say landslide danger remains after storm

Officials in Southeast Alaska have repeated warnings about possible landslide danger.

Ketchikan police and emergency response personnel deliver evacuation warnings to residents within a flood evacuation area that borders Ketchikan Creek, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Ketchikan, Alaska. Water levels were reported at 3-feet over the spillway at the Lower Ketchikan Lake dam. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)
Venietia “V” Santana, owner of V’s Cellar Door, fills in a Juneau Restaurant Bingo card on Dec. 4, 2020. V’s Cellar Door is one of 63 participating eateries. (MIchael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Eat local, eat often with Juneau Restaurant Bingo

Bingo cards can be acquired at any of the 63 participating locations.

Venietia “V” Santana, owner of V’s Cellar Door, fills in a Juneau Restaurant Bingo card on Dec. 4, 2020. V’s Cellar Door is one of 63 participating eateries. (MIchael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Jacob Walker

Empire welcomes new advertising rep

You might see a familiar face behind the front desk at the Juneau Empire. Jake Walker joined the Empire to fill the role of inside… Continue reading

Jacob Walker
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports record number of new COVID-19 cases

933 new cases.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
This photo provided by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities shows damage from heavy rains and a mudslide 600 feet wide in Haines, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Authorities say six people are unaccounted for, and four homes were destroyed in the slide, with the search resuming Thursday morning for survivors. (Matt Boron / Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Governor declares a disaster for storm-damaged Southeast

Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Saturday signed a disaster declaration.

  • Dec 5, 2020
  • Juneau Empire
This photo provided by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities shows damage from heavy rains and a mudslide 600 feet wide in Haines, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Authorities say six people are unaccounted for, and four homes were destroyed in the slide, with the search resuming Thursday morning for survivors. (Matt Boron / Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
The Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The numbers don’t lie, but people do

Newly elected legislators should be open to learning from data once in office.

  • Dec 5, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
The Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
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Alaska Science Forum: Catching ‘the butcher bird’ in action

Shrikes are songbirds, but they don’t eat fruits or seeds. They are carnivores

  • Dec 5, 2020
  • By Ned Rozell
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Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai, left, explains the recount process to DOE staff and members of the State Review Board during a recount of votes from Anchorage House District 27 where a Democratic challenger ousted a Republican incumbent by just 13 votes. Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Snyder victory confirmed, legislative leadership makeup less clear

It was an 11-vote margin.

Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai, left, explains the recount process to DOE staff and members of the State Review Board during a recount of votes from Anchorage House District 27 where a Democratic challenger ousted a Republican incumbent by just 13 votes. Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown here on Nov. 30, 2020 was on lockdown Thursday, Dec. 3, after staff received a shooting threat, said a BRH spokesperson in a news release. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

No arrests made after hospital lockdown

The comments did not clear the bar for the charge of terroristic threatening.

Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown here on Nov. 30, 2020 was on lockdown Thursday, Dec. 3, after staff received a shooting threat, said a BRH spokesperson in a news release. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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State adds 20 to total coronavirus-related deaths in 2 days

Record numbers this week.

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“Historically bad” conditions have postponed the season opening of Eaglecrest Ski Area, said a spokesperson for the facility. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)

Eaglecrest opening on hold till weather chills out

Historically bad weather has postponed the opening until the temperature drops.

“Historically bad” conditions have postponed the season opening of Eaglecrest Ski Area, said a spokesperson for the facility. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)
This photo from the U.S. Coast Guard shows where a rainstorm caused landslides in Haines, Alaska, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. Authorities have identified the two people missing after a landslide the width of two football fields slammed into the southeast Alaska community. The Coast Guard remains engaged with the Alaska State Troopers and the city of Haines while responding to this event. (Lt. Erick Oredson / U.S. Coast Guard)

Search continues for 2 missing after Haines landslide

By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press ANCHORAGE — The search continued Friday for two people missing after a massive landslide crashed into a town in southeast… Continue reading

  • Dec 4, 2020
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
This photo from the U.S. Coast Guard shows where a rainstorm caused landslides in Haines, Alaska, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. Authorities have identified the two people missing after a landslide the width of two football fields slammed into the southeast Alaska community. The Coast Guard remains engaged with the Alaska State Troopers and the city of Haines while responding to this event. (Lt. Erick Oredson / U.S. Coast Guard)
In this Oct. 8, 2019, file photo, protesters gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington where the Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the first case of LGBT rights since the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. As vice president in 2012, Joe Biden endeared himself to many LGBTQ Americans by endorsing same-sex marriage even before his boss, President Barack Obama. Now, as president-elect, Biden is making sweeping promises to LGBTQ activists, proposing to carry out virtually every major proposal on their wish lists. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh, File)

Opinion: Now is the time to pass the Equality Act

Equality is not a Democratic or Republican value, it’s an American value.

  • Dec 4, 2020
  • By Laura Carpenter
In this Oct. 8, 2019, file photo, protesters gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington where the Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the first case of LGBT rights since the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. As vice president in 2012, Joe Biden endeared himself to many LGBTQ Americans by endorsing same-sex marriage even before his boss, President Barack Obama. Now, as president-elect, Biden is making sweeping promises to LGBTQ activists, proposing to carry out virtually every major proposal on their wish lists. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh, File)
A conceptual drawing shows a possible use for Norwegian Cruise Line's property on Egan Drive. This drawing shows the property with NCL's largest ship, the Bliss, shown for scale. (Courtesy image / MRV Architects)

Priorities emerge for cruise line’s proposed dock project

Event space is popular.

A conceptual drawing shows a possible use for Norwegian Cruise Line's property on Egan Drive. This drawing shows the property with NCL's largest ship, the Bliss, shown for scale. (Courtesy image / MRV Architects)