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Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cheerleaders Stefano Rivera, MAC the Bear, Olivia Hickman (kneeling), Ayla Keller and Gabby Ely pose for a photo during a recent basketball game at the George Houston Gymnasium. The cheerleaders will be helping honor their seniors and the seniors of the basketball and dance teams and pep band this weekend during homecoming games against North Pole. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS homecoming weekend welcomes North Pole for senior nights

Crimson Bears to honor basketball, cheer, dance and pep band seniors

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cheerleaders Stefano Rivera, MAC the Bear, Olivia Hickman (kneeling), Ayla Keller and Gabby Ely pose for a photo during a recent basketball game at the George Houston Gymnasium. The cheerleaders will be helping honor their seniors and the seniors of the basketball and dance teams and pep band this weekend during homecoming games against North Pole. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel Rainier pulls into port at Coast Guard Station Juneau on Sept. 16, 2020 for rest and replenishment of stores. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Mass firings begin at NOAA as part of Trump’s federal government downsizing

More than 10% may be let go from agency that oversee weather forecasting, Suicide Basin monitoring.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel Rainier pulls into port at Coast Guard Station Juneau on Sept. 16, 2020 for rest and replenishment of stores. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Kake’s Talen Davis (3) and Josiah Jackson (21) force a ball loose from Hydaburg’s Ricky Alander in the Thunderbirds win over the Warriors on Thursday during the 2025 Alaska Airlines Region V 1A Boys Basketball Tournament at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kake runs past Hydaburg, Klawock topples Skagway to earn boys 1A Region V title shots

Both win semifinal games convincingly, will meet in final Friday

Kake’s Talen Davis (3) and Josiah Jackson (21) force a ball loose from Hydaburg’s Ricky Alander in the Thunderbirds win over the Warriors on Thursday during the 2025 Alaska Airlines Region V 1A Boys Basketball Tournament at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kake fans, including members of the boys team, cheer on the Thunderbirds’ girls Thursday during the 2025 Alaska Airlines Region V 1A Girls Basketball Tournament at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Friday girls 1A Region V Championship games set

Klawock runs through Kake; Hoonah outlasts Skagway to earn berths.

Kake fans, including members of the boys team, cheer on the Thunderbirds’ girls Thursday during the 2025 Alaska Airlines Region V 1A Girls Basketball Tournament at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is surrounded by reporters as she arrives on the Senate Subway to vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

Murkowski co-sponsors bill to help Ukrainians stay in the US

Alaska senator is first Republican to join Democrat-led effort to grant guest status to refugees.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is surrounded by reporters as she arrives on the Senate Subway to vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
Daniel Nichols, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, presents results from the organization’s Infrastructure Report Card for Alaska during a presentation Wednesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Daniel Nichols, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, presents results from the organization’s Infrastructure Report Card for Alaska during a presentation Wednesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Officials prepare to move Ashley Rae Johnston from the street where she was fatally shot by police on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2025, near the Mendenhall Valley Breeze In. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Investigation: Fatal shooting of woman with hatchet by JPD officer on Christmas Day justified

Ashley Rae Johnston threatened customers outside store and then police, state report finds.

Officials prepare to move Ashley Rae Johnston from the street where she was fatally shot by police on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2025, near the Mendenhall Valley Breeze In. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Planned Parenthood location in Juneau, seen here in June of 2023, is now closed permanently. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Planned Parenthood opens virtual health center for Alaska following Juneau closure

Online access to birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and other services offered.

The Planned Parenthood location in Juneau, seen here in June of 2023, is now closed permanently. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Office of Personnel Management cannot order agencies to cut staff, a federal judge ruled Thursday. (Valerie Plesch for The New York Times)

Judge tells Trump administration to retract memos directing mass firings

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration on Thursday to retract directives that prompted the firing of thousands of federal workers, saying that those directives… Continue reading

The Office of Personnel Management cannot order agencies to cut staff, a federal judge ruled Thursday. (Valerie Plesch for The New York Times)
The main campus of the University of Alaska Southeast. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Full-time faculty members ratify tentative agreement with University of Alaska

87% approve pact that still needs OK from Board of Regents and funding from Alaska Legislature.

The main campus of the University of Alaska Southeast. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Aerial photo of the Juneau airport and newly formed dike around the perimeter in about 1956. Note the absence of any trees and the fully inundated area. (Courtesy Juneau International Airport, photographer unknown).

The path to Juneau’s heart: The Airport Dike Trail

Created as emergency access road for airport, it’s now a popular area for dog walking and birdwatching.

Aerial photo of the Juneau airport and newly formed dike around the perimeter in about 1956. Note the absence of any trees and the fully inundated area. (Courtesy Juneau International Airport, photographer unknown).
Hydaburg junior Tyrone Carlson (1) shoots over an Angoon defender in the Warriors 48-45 win over the Eagles during the 2025 Alaska Airlines Region V 1A Boys Basketball Tournament at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Hard challenges finish Wednesday regional tournament play

Hydaburg boys nip Angoon, Hoonah girls topple Hydaburg.

Hydaburg junior Tyrone Carlson (1) shoots over an Angoon defender in the Warriors 48-45 win over the Eagles during the 2025 Alaska Airlines Region V 1A Boys Basketball Tournament at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Skagway radio announcer Mason Jennings, 13, and his father Nathan Jennings calling action at the Region V 1A tournament on Wednesday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

The voice of Lynn Canal giving listeners hoops

Skagway 13-year-old Mason Jennings calling Region V 1A basketball tournament action.

Skagway radio announcer Mason Jennings, 13, and his father Nathan Jennings calling action at the Region V 1A tournament on Wednesday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kake freshman Aurora Davis and sophomore Eden Hallingstad and Angoon junior Lisa Kookesh-Booth go for a loose ball during the Lady Thunderbirds 54-12 win over the Eagles on Wednesday during the 2025 Alaska Airlines Region V 1A Girls Basketball Tournament at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Region 1A tournament starts with a slam

Skagway dunks Thorne Bay, Kake presses Angoon

Kake freshman Aurora Davis and sophomore Eden Hallingstad and Angoon junior Lisa Kookesh-Booth go for a loose ball during the Lady Thunderbirds 54-12 win over the Eagles on Wednesday during the 2025 Alaska Airlines Region V 1A Girls Basketball Tournament at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
State Senate Finance Committee Co-Chair Bert Stedman (R-Sitka), Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) and Senate President Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) discuss budget, education and other issues during a press availability Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Two top Alaska GOP leaders on Trump: ‘It’s like Christmas every day’…‘if all you expect is coal in your stocking’

Gov. Dunleavy cheery about state’s prospects; some Republican legislators grim about lost jobs, funds.

State Senate Finance Committee Co-Chair Bert Stedman (R-Sitka), Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) and Senate President Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) discuss budget, education and other issues during a press availability Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Photo by Douglas Sacha/Getty Images)

Alaska property crimes decline over long term, but violent crime rates remains ‘exceptionally’ high

National crime data for 2023 shows Alaska’s overall violent crime rate was more than 540% the national rate.

(Photo by Douglas Sacha/Getty Images)
Kristen Rankin rehearses the opening scene from “The Thanksgiving Play” on Thursday night at Perseverance Theatre. (Photo by Molly Johnson)

Political correctness runs afowl in Perseverance Theatre production opening Friday

Satirical comedy “The Thanksgiving Play” comes to Juneau, no thanks to cancel culture.

Kristen Rankin rehearses the opening scene from “The Thanksgiving Play” on Thursday night at Perseverance Theatre. (Photo by Molly Johnson)
U.S. House Speaker Speaker Mike Johnson put down revolts on a budget bill Tuesday among centrist Republicans who feared that the plan would require deep cuts to Medicaid and conservatives who wanted more reductions. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)

U.S. House passes GOP budget teeing up enormous tax and spending cuts

Officials say cuts may result in 100,000 Alaskans losing Medicaid coverage, 70,000 losing SNAP benefits.

U.S. House Speaker Speaker Mike Johnson put down revolts on a budget bill Tuesday among centrist Republicans who feared that the plan would require deep cuts to Medicaid and conservatives who wanted more reductions. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
This file photo shows Klawock senior Lea Armour (23), eighth grader Jayla Edenshaw and senior Kaiya Marvin defending Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Bergen Erickson (12) during this season's Capital City Classic in the George Houston Gymnasium. The Region V 1A basketball championships begin Wednesday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Region V 1A basketball championships in Juneau

Small schools, big plays set to start Wednesday at TMMS.

This file photo shows Klawock senior Lea Armour (23), eighth grader Jayla Edenshaw and senior Kaiya Marvin defending Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Bergen Erickson (12) during this season's Capital City Classic in the George Houston Gymnasium. The Region V 1A basketball championships begin Wednesday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Assembly members and other visitors examine a meeting room in the Michael J. Burns Building formerly used by the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Assembly OKs negotiations to relocate city offices to Burns building; concerns about cost linger

Building owners asking $12M for space assessed at $9.3M; city manager says alternatives are limited.

Juneau Assembly members and other visitors examine a meeting room in the Michael J. Burns Building formerly used by the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)