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Alyse Galvin, independent candidate for Alaska's only House of Representatives seat, speaks at a drive-in rally on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. Glavin is running for the second time trying to oust Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who's held the seat since 1973. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire.
Alyse Galvin, independent candidate for Alaska's only House of Representatives seat, speaks at a drive-in rally on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. Glavin is running for the second time trying to oust Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who's held the seat since 1973. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire.
A biker leads a line of cars driving off the Homer Spit at about on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, in Homer, Alaska after a tsunami evacuation order was issued for low-lying areas in Homer. (Michael Armstrong / Homer News)

Earthquake prompts tsunami fears, fleeing

The earthquake struck south of Sand Point, Alaska.

A biker leads a line of cars driving off the Homer Spit at about on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, in Homer, Alaska after a tsunami evacuation order was issued for low-lying areas in Homer. (Michael Armstrong / Homer News)
This photo shows a by-mail ballot sent to an Alaska voter in October. Monday marked the first day of early in-person voting for the 2020 general election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Record number of mail-in ballots may lead to shifting election results

‘All results are unofficial, unofficial, unofficial.’

This photo shows a by-mail ballot sent to an Alaska voter in October. Monday marked the first day of early in-person voting for the 2020 general election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau saw its first sea-level snow for the winter of 2020 with 1/10 of an inch falling in the Mendenhall Valley on Oct. 19, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Jeana Varney)

The iceman cometh: Juneau sees first sea-level snow

It’s early this year, but not the record earliest.

Juneau saw its first sea-level snow for the winter of 2020 with 1/10 of an inch falling in the Mendenhall Valley on Oct. 19, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Jeana Varney)
Morning mist is seen on a late September morning near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is part of the Tongass National Forest. A process is underway to enact a polarizing rule change that would exempt the largest national forest from the Roadless Rule. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Alaska tribes say agency ignored Tongass exemption request

Tribal officials: The government ignored Alaska Native groups’ requests to uphold the Roadless Rule.

Morning mist is seen on a late September morning near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is part of the Tongass National Forest. A process is underway to enact a polarizing rule change that would exempt the largest national forest from the Roadless Rule. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo of a by-mail ballot sent to an Alaska voter in October shows Ballot Measure 2. The League of Women Voters of Alaska supports the election reform measure. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

League of Women Voters of Alaska supports Ballot Measure 2 — here’s why

The league did not make the decision to support Ballot Measure 2 lightly

  • Oct 19, 2020
  • By Judy Andree
This photo of a by-mail ballot sent to an Alaska voter in October shows Ballot Measure 2. The League of Women Voters of Alaska supports the election reform measure. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Alma Messing, 5, raises her fist during a women’s march and rally held Saturday, Oct. 17 in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau joins in nationwide rallies

“Women vote, so count on us.”

Alma Messing, 5, raises her fist during a women’s march and rally held Saturday, Oct. 17 in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Marine CorpsU.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornets assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 prepare to take off from the flightline during Red Flag-Alaska 17-2 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in 2017.

Military leaders: Partnerships are key as Alaska’s strategic importance grows

The Alaska Native community and military must work together, commanders say

U.S. Marine CorpsU.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornets assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 prepare to take off from the flightline during Red Flag-Alaska 17-2 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in 2017.
Rebecca Carrillo (Courtesy Photo)

Juneau woman sworn in as Philippine Honorary Consul for Alaska

The appointment was approved by the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Rebecca Carrillo (Courtesy Photo)
Artist Rob Mullen stands on Long Trail, the country’s oldest long distance trail, in Manchester, Vt., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Mullen was nearing the end of his 272-mile month-long hike down the length of Vermont, painting along the way. (AP Photo/Lisa Rathke)

Artist hikes nation’s oldest long-distance trail, painting along the way

He had planned to paddle in the Northwest territories of Canada. But then the pandemic hit.

Artist Rob Mullen stands on Long Trail, the country’s oldest long distance trail, in Manchester, Vt., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Mullen was nearing the end of his 272-mile month-long hike down the length of Vermont, painting along the way. (AP Photo/Lisa Rathke)
The Juneau Police Department Community Service Officer waits as a vehicle is pulled out of the ditch at the intersection of Egan and Yandukin Drives near Fred Meyer on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has announced five proposed alternatives to better manage traffic at the intersection. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

DOT presents 5 options for Fred Meyer intersection

Extensions? Traffic signals? Both?

The Juneau Police Department Community Service Officer waits as a vehicle is pulled out of the ditch at the intersection of Egan and Yandukin Drives near Fred Meyer on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has announced five proposed alternatives to better manage traffic at the intersection. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Emergency worker Amyrlin Thorne prepares a test kit for the screening station at Juneau International Airport on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State changes interstate and international travel guidelines

New guidelines for visitors and residents.

Emergency worker Amyrlin Thorne prepares a test kit for the screening station at Juneau International Airport on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Judge: Alaska governor used veto power to punish courts

A judge said Dunleavy’s vetoes violate the separation of powers doctrine.

  • Oct 16, 2020
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A raven flies in Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Ravens and crows are hard to fool

By Ned Rozell Biologist Stacia Backensto has fooled a raven. When trying to recapture birds on Alaska’s North Slope during her graduate student days at… Continue reading

A raven flies in Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Dimond Courthouse is home to Juneau's court systems, Oct. 25, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Juneau district court set to reopen for misdemeanors next month

Felony trials will recommence in January, as currently scheduled.

Dimond Courthouse is home to Juneau's court systems, Oct. 25, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
A COVID-19 test sits sealed on a counter in Juneau International Airport on Oct. 12. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A COVID-19 test sits sealed on a counter in Juneau International Airport on Oct. 12. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
U.S.Attorney General William Barr speaks during a roundtable discussion on Operation Legend, a federal program to help cities combat violent crime, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in St. Louis. Barr also spoke via recorded message at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson)

Alaska Natives, law enforcement affirm partnership against public safety crisis

Partnerships, tribal authority, and reliable funding cam help strangle this crisis.

U.S.Attorney General William Barr speaks during a roundtable discussion on Operation Legend, a federal program to help cities combat violent crime, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in St. Louis. Barr also spoke via recorded message at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson)
A screenshot of Gov. Mike Dunleavy giving his address to the Alaska Federation of Natives 2020 Annual Convention.
Video

Watch: Dunleavy addresses AFN

State has made strides.

A screenshot of Gov. Mike Dunleavy giving his address to the Alaska Federation of Natives 2020 Annual Convention.
Video
House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, in the House Chambers before a joint session in January, 2020. Speaking to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention Thursday, Edgmon cited his relationship with Giessel as evidence of good bipartisanship in the legislature, but Giessel and other moderate Republicans lost their primaries to more conservative challengers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, in the House Chambers before a joint session in January, 2020. Speaking to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention Thursday, Edgmon cited his relationship with Giessel as evidence of good bipartisanship in the legislature, but Giessel and other moderate Republicans lost their primaries to more conservative challengers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)