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Juneau Municipal Clerk Beth McEwen listens to a discussion during a Juneau Assembly meeting Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. She was named the Municipal Clerk of the Year by the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks the previous week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau City Clerk Beth McEwen announces retirement after nearly 30 years with CBJ

Winner of statewide Municipal Employee of the Year in 2015 and Municipal Clerk of the Year in 2023.

Juneau Municipal Clerk Beth McEwen listens to a discussion during a Juneau Assembly meeting Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. She was named the Municipal Clerk of the Year by the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks the previous week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Craig Tribal Association visits the Tongass National Forest to harvest a cultural tree in April of 2024. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

Reviews range widely to Forest Service’s draft ‘biography’ of Tongass as part of management plan update

Comment period ends Monday for assessment of forest — but will plan’s direction change under Trump?

The Craig Tribal Association visits the Tongass National Forest to harvest a cultural tree in April of 2024. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
The Alaska Senate Finance Committee chambers are seen on April 22, 2022. (Photo by Rashah McChesney)

With bipartisan support, Alaska Senate panel again proposes new ‘75/25’ PFD formula

Proposal directing money mostly to state spending would mean about $1,420 per recipient this year.

The Alaska Senate Finance Committee chambers are seen on April 22, 2022. (Photo by Rashah McChesney)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Nordic Ski team at the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Nordic Ski State Championships at Fairbanks Birch Hill Recreation Area. (Photo courtesy JDHS Nordic Ski team)

Lamb gives JDHS cross-country ski team historic finish at state tournament

Senior is first Crimson Bear to place during Nordic tournament; JDHS girls win Academic Award.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Nordic Ski team at the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Nordic Ski State Championships at Fairbanks Birch Hill Recreation Area. (Photo courtesy JDHS Nordic Ski team)
A state-run fish hatchery in Anchorage. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game photo)

Dunleavy’s bill to legalize fish farms seen as flaky by many lawmakers, interest groups

Governor responds to widespread opposition with video emphasizing salmon not among species allowed.

A state-run fish hatchery in Anchorage. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game photo)
Elon Musk on stage with a chainsaw gifted to him by President Javier Milei of Argentina, left, during the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center in National Harbor, Md., on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

Update: Trump administration, breaking with Musk’s directive, says replying to his email is voluntary

Federal workers told Saturday by Musk failure to reply by Monday would be treated as a resignation.

Elon Musk on stage with a chainsaw gifted to him by President Javier Milei of Argentina, left, during the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center in National Harbor, Md., on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
Jude Humphrey, a Student Conservation Association intern for the U.S. Forest Service, reads a story about snowflakes to kids during a Mendenhall Minis event at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Firing on: Remaining Forest Service staff fill in to keep Mendenhall Glacier activities flowing

As visitor center continues lectures and kids’ events, fired employees get a show of community support.

Jude Humphrey, a Student Conservation Association intern for the U.S. Forest Service, reads a story about snowflakes to kids during a Mendenhall Minis event at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Tourists walk along Juneau’s harbor on April 26, 2024, next to the docked Carnival Spirit, a ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. Cruise ship visitation to Alaska has increased in recent years, and so have measured violations of wastewater standards. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

More cruise traffic in Alaska is followed by more wastewater violations, officials say

Violations roughly triple after elimination of ocean ranger program by Dunleavy in 2019.

Tourists walk along Juneau’s harbor on April 26, 2024, next to the docked Carnival Spirit, a ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. Cruise ship visitation to Alaska has increased in recent years, and so have measured violations of wastewater standards. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ahmir Parker (2) attempts a steal as Monroe senior Jett McCullough (4) dribbles behind his back during the Crimson Bears’ 71-55 loss to the Rams on Saturday in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears battle, but are butted by Rams

JDHS falls to Monroe Catholic for the second night in a row

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ahmir Parker (2) attempts a steal as Monroe senior Jett McCullough (4) dribbles behind his back during the Crimson Bears’ 71-55 loss to the Rams on Saturday in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Addison Wilson (10) is defended by Monroe sophomore Leila Church as Monroe coach Travis Cortez gives directions during the Crimson Bears’ 40-33 loss to the Rams on Saturday in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls fall to Monroe 40-33 on Saturday

Crimson Bears lose in physical contest to visiting Rams.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Addison Wilson (10) is defended by Monroe sophomore Leila Church as Monroe coach Travis Cortez gives directions during the Crimson Bears’ 40-33 loss to the Rams on Saturday in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Tetyana Robbins, executive director of Project Alaska, embraces Deepika Ramesh Perumal, executive director of the Alaska Literacy Project, after a House Judiciary Committee meeting at the Alaska State Capitol Building on Feb. 19, 2025. The presentation to the Alaska Legislature was one of many in Juneau this week by immigration leaders in the state. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Immigrants and refugees in Alaska feel uncertainty under Trump administration

Policy changes spur preparation outreach from immigration advocates.

Tetyana Robbins, executive director of Project Alaska, embraces Deepika Ramesh Perumal, executive director of the Alaska Literacy Project, after a House Judiciary Committee meeting at the Alaska State Capitol Building on Feb. 19, 2025. The presentation to the Alaska Legislature was one of many in Juneau this week by immigration leaders in the state. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

About 100,000 Alaskans could lose health insurance under GOP plan backed by Trump, hospital officials say

Cut affecting Medicaid could also be costly to state and other policyholders, letter to delegation asserts.

A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Pedrin Saceda-Hurt leads the Crimson Bears onto the court Friday before their 76-55 loss to the Monroe Rams. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Pedrin Saceda-Hurt leads the Crimson Bears onto the court Friday before their 76-55 loss to the Monroe Rams. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The University of Alaska Southeast class of 2024 receives their degrees during a commencement ceremony Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the UAS Recreation Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska removing DEI references from all print and online materials

UAS chancellor says deletions are to comply with Board of Regents’ directive issued Friday afternoon.

The University of Alaska Southeast class of 2024 receives their degrees during a commencement ceremony Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the UAS Recreation Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior swimmers Pacific Ricke and Lucia Chapell signed national letters of intent to become student-athletes at Bates College and Colorado College, respectively, Thursday at Augustus Brown Pool. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Chapell, Ricke sign to swim at Colorado and Bates

From Haines to Juneau, fast friends follow futures in the pool.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior swimmers Pacific Ricke and Lucia Chapell signed national letters of intent to become student-athletes at Bates College and Colorado College, respectively, Thursday at Augustus Brown Pool. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Begich supports Trump’s federal cutbacks, but ‘I recognize the process won’t be perfect’

Congressman says cutting most Mendenhall Glacier staff may have been hasty; also wants faster flood fix.

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Ski Club’s coach Kevin Stell, Elaine Duvall, Marin Lowell, coach Brock Tabor and McKinley Burgess-Fitzpatrick pose Friday at the Alyeska Cup races in Girdwood. (Photo courtesy JSC)

Juneau Ski Club takes 14 athletes to Alyeska

Andrews, Stell highlight four top five JSC finishes

Juneau Ski Club’s coach Kevin Stell, Elaine Duvall, Marin Lowell, coach Brock Tabor and McKinley Burgess-Fitzpatrick pose Friday at the Alyeska Cup races in Girdwood. (Photo courtesy JSC)
In this 2014 photo Thunder Mountain High School senior Ben Jahn (32) and Juneau-Douglas senior Kevin Guimmayen (10) shake hands before their game. Guimmayen passed from leukemia in 2017. Funds from Saturday’s game will go to help Cancer Connection and childhood cancer awareness. Friday’s game will support mental health through Take A Timeout To Talk supported by Find Your Fire and Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Weekend home basketball welcomes Monroe

Series will feature mental health and cancer awareness.

In this 2014 photo Thunder Mountain High School senior Ben Jahn (32) and Juneau-Douglas senior Kevin Guimmayen (10) shake hands before their game. Guimmayen passed from leukemia in 2017. Funds from Saturday’s game will go to help Cancer Connection and childhood cancer awareness. Friday’s game will support mental health through Take A Timeout To Talk supported by Find Your Fire and Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
A ranger watches a bear cross a path at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. Officials and former employees say nearly all of the staff at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center have been fired by the Trump administration during the past week. (Photo courtesy of Megan Whitesall)

Only two employees left at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center after 80% of staff fired, official says

Tourism industry, city officials say they are uncertain about next steps as cruise season approaches.

A ranger watches a bear cross a path at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. Officials and former employees say nearly all of the staff at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center have been fired by the Trump administration during the past week. (Photo courtesy of Megan Whitesall)
Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks, speaks on the House floor on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Education funding bill unexpectedly advances again, nears House floor vote amid affordability concerns

HB 69 clears Finance Committee at first hearing as minority says discussions there are not worthwhile.

Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks, speaks on the House floor on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)