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Laraine Derr, of the Regional Accu-Vote Board, center, waits for her machine to print out a tally as she, David Clover, left, and Mary Foster count questioned and absentee ballots at the State of Alaska election office at the Mendenhall Mall on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New vote tallies aid challenged Alaska legislative incumbents

Incumbent Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux has taken a significant lead in a Republican primary race marred by possible voter fraud. On Tuesday, the Alaska Division of… Continue reading

Laraine Derr, of the Regional Accu-Vote Board, center, waits for her machine to print out a tally as she, David Clover, left, and Mary Foster count questioned and absentee ballots at the State of Alaska election office at the Mendenhall Mall on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
New Hoonah Police Chief Rick Groshong is seen in an undated photo he provided to the Empire. (Courtesy photo)

Hoonah hires Wrangell policeman as new chief

Hoonah’s small police department has a new leader. On Aug. 23, Rick Groshong of Wrangell became the new chief of the Hoonah Police Department after… Continue reading

New Hoonah Police Chief Rick Groshong is seen in an undated photo he provided to the Empire. (Courtesy photo)
An electric motor coach provided by BYD Auto Co., Ltd., a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, and Alaska Coach Tours stops at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center to showcase the potential for electric vehicle bus transportation as part of the tourism industry in Alaska on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

City gets funding for another electric bus

For the second year in a row, the City and Borough of Juneau is getting a federal grant to help bring an electric bus to the city.

An electric motor coach provided by BYD Auto Co., Ltd., a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, and Alaska Coach Tours stops at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center to showcase the potential for electric vehicle bus transportation as part of the tourism industry in Alaska on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Dead Alaskans attempt to vote in Anchorage

Dead Alaskans attempt to vote in Anchorage

The Alaska Division of Elections is investigating why seven dead people requested absentee ballots for the close-fought primary election in Anchorage’s House District 15. The… Continue reading

Dead Alaskans attempt to vote in Anchorage
Southeast to get new Wildlife Supervisor

Southeast to get new Wildlife Supervisor

From Yakutat to Ketchikan, a new wildlife supervisor will direct hunting and wildlife conservation in Southeast. Ryan Scott, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Regional… Continue reading

Southeast to get new Wildlife Supervisor
Nugget Falls is pictured on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Cruise passenger dies near Mendenhall Glacier

A woman died after suffering a medical emergency on the trail to Nugget Falls near the Mendenhall Glacier on Sunday, Juneau Police Department Lt. Krag… Continue reading

Nugget Falls is pictured on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Tracy K. Smith (Courtesy Photo)

Poetry in motion: U.S. Poet Laureate comes to Juneau

If you’ve ever wanted to talk to a poet laureate, your chance is coming up. Wednesday, Aug. 29, U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith will… Continue reading

Tracy K. Smith (Courtesy Photo)
Juneau Empire file

Public invited to put their imprint on city’s downtown plans

The City and Borough of Juneau has big plans for downtown. They’re just not yet fully formed and need public input. A kickoff event for… Continue reading

  • Aug 25, 2018
  • JUNEAU EMPIRE
Juneau Empire file
This July 10, 2008 photo made with a fisheye lens shows ice floes in Baffin Bay above the Arctic Circle, seen from the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker. (Associated Press | Louis S. St-Laurent)

NOAA to work on Arctic at Juneau panel

Meetings this week in Juneau will help shape the future of marine navigation in the Arctic and around Alaska. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s… Continue reading

This July 10, 2008 photo made with a fisheye lens shows ice floes in Baffin Bay above the Arctic Circle, seen from the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker. (Associated Press | Louis S. St-Laurent)
Fishing gear downs seagull

Fishing gear downs seagull

A local bird rescue center is asking fishermen to be careful with their fishing gear after a seagull ingested a treble hook and died earlier… Continue reading

Fishing gear downs seagull
Mike Dunleavy for governor and Jerry Nankervis for state house election signs are seen on Egan Drive at 17 Mile on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. Alaska statute states signs on private or commercial property cannot be located within 660 feet of a state-maintained road or “with the purpose of their message being read from the main traveled way.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Signs of trouble: ACLU and pro-Dunleavy campaign launch lawsuit against state

They’re the signs of the times, and they’re causing problems. On Thursday, the Alaska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union joined the group Dunleavy… Continue reading

Mike Dunleavy for governor and Jerry Nankervis for state house election signs are seen on Egan Drive at 17 Mile on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. Alaska statute states signs on private or commercial property cannot be located within 660 feet of a state-maintained road or “with the purpose of their message being read from the main traveled way.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jeremy Bauer, left, and Jason Clifton, right, of Frenchie’s Floral Studio, talk with inmate Patrick Sweeney about a flower-growing collaboration at Lemon Creek Correctional Center on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gardening project results in nostalgia, inspiration for inmates

As a drizzling rain fell Friday afternoon, Patrick Sweeney stood in the courtyard at Lemon Creek Correctional Center and talked about the flower beds he… Continue reading

Jeremy Bauer, left, and Jason Clifton, right, of Frenchie’s Floral Studio, talk with inmate Patrick Sweeney about a flower-growing collaboration at Lemon Creek Correctional Center on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sitka Police Chief Jeff Ankerfelt (right) was named to the Alaska Marijuana Control Board on May 24. Ankerfelt is the subject of a lawsuit filed this week against the department by current officer Ryan Silva. (Courtesy Photo | Sitka Police Department)

Sitka officer files lawsuit alleging police department punished him for speaking out

A Sitka police officer filed a lawsuit against the City of Sitka and the Sitka Police Department this week, making a variety of claims that… Continue reading

Sitka Police Chief Jeff Ankerfelt (right) was named to the Alaska Marijuana Control Board on May 24. Ankerfelt is the subject of a lawsuit filed this week against the department by current officer Ryan Silva. (Courtesy Photo | Sitka Police Department)
Analysis: Primary results indicate willingness to re-fight old battles

Analysis: Primary results indicate willingness to re-fight old battles

On Tuesday, workers at the Alaska Division of Elections will begin counting absentee and question ballots from across the state. Those votes may tilt the… Continue reading

Analysis: Primary results indicate willingness to re-fight old battles
Ballot Measure 1 forum set for Monday

Ballot Measure 1 forum set for Monday

A lot of questions remain for voters ahead of the Nov. 6 general election. None may be more pressing than what effect Ballot Measure 1,… Continue reading

Ballot Measure 1 forum set for Monday
Chef Berkeley Scott, of the buoy tender Hickory, prepares two burgers to be judged on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coast Guard chefs compete to see who can make the best burger

Culinary Specialist-3 Berkeley Scott crouched down like a golfer reading a green, his eyes just inches away from the sizzling burger. Scott, a cook aboard… Continue reading

Chef Berkeley Scott, of the buoy tender Hickory, prepares two burgers to be judged on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Green Elephant Gardens gardener Scott Jones cares for a marijuana plant on Green Elephant’s first day of operation in June 2017. Jennifer Canfield, co-owner of the marijuana retailer, says proposed on-site consumption rules could reduce the public’s exposure to marijuana smoke. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire file)

Alaska marijuana board opens comment on café-style rules

The Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office has begun taking public comments on a proposal that could allow Amsterdam-style marijuana cafés in Alaska. In a public… Continue reading

Green Elephant Gardens gardener Scott Jones cares for a marijuana plant on Green Elephant’s first day of operation in June 2017. Jennifer Canfield, co-owner of the marijuana retailer, says proposed on-site consumption rules could reduce the public’s exposure to marijuana smoke. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire file)
Joshua Midgett. (Courtesy Photo | Perseverance Theatre)

Perseverance Theatre hires new managing director to right financial ship

Joshua Midgett, 32, fills long-vacant position as the latest hire in management rebuild

Joshua Midgett. (Courtesy Photo | Perseverance Theatre)
Duff Mitchell gives an update to electric vehicles usage in Juneau to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau commission urges changes in electric car charging, parking

There was no altar or pulpit, and the Juneau Moose Lodge is hardly a church, but Duff Mitchell did his best to preach the gospel… Continue reading

Duff Mitchell gives an update to electric vehicles usage in Juneau to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Feds will test nationwide cellphone alert system

Feds will test nationwide cellphone alert system

Cellphones across Alaska will sound a strident alarm on Sept. 20 as the federal government conducts the first nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alert system.

Feds will test nationwide cellphone alert system