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Andy Jones, director for the Alaska Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention, speaks during a community meeting in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, on what Juneau needs to fight opioid misuse. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State making progress in fight against opioid addiction

As statewide public safety officials unveiled crime statistics Wednesday, they expressed optimism in one main category: the state’s reaction to the opioid crisis. Since Gov.… Continue reading

Andy Jones, director for the Alaska Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention, speaks during a community meeting in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, on what Juneau needs to fight opioid misuse. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A Capital Transit bus is pictured in this October 2016 file photo. (Juneau Empire File)

Bus stops close because of downtown construction

Construction on North Franklin Street is affecting more than just concrete and asphalt. As a result of the construction, which began Wednesday, Capital Transit bus… Continue reading

A Capital Transit bus is pictured in this October 2016 file photo. (Juneau Empire File)
In this screenshot from a video provided by the governor’s office, Gov. Bill Walker is seen during the May 2018 trade mission to China.

Report: Chinese hackers scanned Alaska networks

An East Coast cybersecurity firm say that Alaska computers were the target of reconnaissance by Chinese hackers before, during and after an Alaska trade mission to the country.

In this screenshot from a video provided by the governor’s office, Gov. Bill Walker is seen during the May 2018 trade mission to China.
Alyson Currey, of Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, speaks to abortion rights supporters at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza on Wednesday, August 15, 2018,during a protest against President Donald Trump’s selection of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kava-nots gather at Capitol as Planned Parenthood calls for Murkowski’s ‘no’ vote on SCOTUS pick

Shouting into a megaphone while on a park bench in downtown Juneau on Wednesday, Alaska Planned Parenthood legislative liaison Alyson Currey had a message she… Continue reading

Alyson Currey, of Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, speaks to abortion rights supporters at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza on Wednesday, August 15, 2018,during a protest against President Donald Trump’s selection of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Argument about stolen shoes leads to stabbing, police say

An argument about stolen shoes led to two hospitalizations and an arrest Tuesday night, according to a Juneau Police Department press release. Juneau man Kurtis… Continue reading

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Juneau Police Department officers arrest California resident Kevin Leonard-Kinney at the Baranof Hotel during a drug bust on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Feds, police seize drugs, make arrests at Baranof Hotel

The Juneau Police Department assisted multiple federal agencies in intercepting a package of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine and making two arrests last week, according to… Continue reading

Juneau Police Department officers arrest California resident Kevin Leonard-Kinney at the Baranof Hotel during a drug bust on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
A Juneau Police Department car sits in front of 401 Harris Street as police officers search it Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Crime continues to rise in state, Juneau

The amount of crime in Alaska continued to rise in 2017, according to numbers released by the Department of Public Safety on Wednesday, and the… Continue reading

A Juneau Police Department car sits in front of 401 Harris Street as police officers search it Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Jordan Creek Center on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fresh blood bank: Juneau to get permanent Blood Bank of Alaska office

Starting next January, blood donors in Juneau will have a permanent location to contribute to the Blood Bank of Alaska. BBA announced Tuesday that it’s… Continue reading

Jordan Creek Center on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Cruise ships dock in downtown Juneau in May 2015. (Juneau Empire file)

Measles found on Alaska cruise ship

A teenager visiting Alaska on a cruise ship last week had the measles, health officials say, prompting concern that passengers may spread the rarely-seen virus… Continue reading

Cruise ships dock in downtown Juneau in May 2015. (Juneau Empire file)
Maria Covarrubian, right, Maddie Simbirdi, center, and Kourtney Howard wait to direct cruise ship passengers to their excursions downtown on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Young adults become largest group in town

Juneau’s overall population is still getting older, but young adults are now the largest group in town. People ages 20-39 made up the largest group… Continue reading

Maria Covarrubian, right, Maddie Simbirdi, center, and Kourtney Howard wait to direct cruise ship passengers to their excursions downtown on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A Capital City Fire/Rescue crew transports a cruise ship passenger off the Radiences of the Seas downtown on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fire department gets funding for another ambulance crew

Starting in October, Capital City Fire/Rescue will be able to have an extra ambulance staffed around the clock. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly… Continue reading

A Capital City Fire/Rescue crew transports a cruise ship passenger off the Radiences of the Seas downtown on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Sea-Tac International Airport Friday evening, Aug. 10, 2018, in SeaTac, Washington. An airline mechanic stole an Alaska Airlines plane without any passengers and took off from Sea-Tac International Airport in Washington state on Friday night before crashing near Ketron Island, officials said. (Elaine Thompson | The Associated Press)

Authorities probe how airline employee could steal plane

Officials said Saturday that the man was a 3.5-year Horizon employee and had clearance to be among aircraft, but that to their knowledge, he wasn’t a licensed pilot.

  • Aug 14, 2018
  • By RACHEL LA CORTE and KEITH RIDLER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Nation-World
Alaska Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Sea-Tac International Airport Friday evening, Aug. 10, 2018, in SeaTac, Washington. An airline mechanic stole an Alaska Airlines plane without any passengers and took off from Sea-Tac International Airport in Washington state on Friday night before crashing near Ketron Island, officials said. (Elaine Thompson | The Associated Press)
Ben Patterson, the city’s park maintenance supervisor, tries to read a moss-covered gravestone as he gives a tour of the cemetery sections in Douglas on Monday, August 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City might help maintain overgrown Douglas cemeteries

Ben Patterson had to pull the devil’s club and alder to the side to get a good look at the gravestone. Patterson, the landscape maintenance… Continue reading

Ben Patterson, the city’s park maintenance supervisor, tries to read a moss-covered gravestone as he gives a tour of the cemetery sections in Douglas on Monday, August 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this June 2017 photo, a pedestrian walks by City Hall. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Early childhood education funding will not appear on October ballot

Despite the majority of sitting City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members being in favor of putting a child care funding initiative on the October… Continue reading

In this June 2017 photo, a pedestrian walks by City Hall. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Norton Gregory gives Carole Triem a high-five as he arrives at City Hall to resign from his Assembly seat to run for mayor on Monday, August 13, 2018. Triem was waiting for Gregory to resign so she could file to run for his areawide seat. The Candidate Filing Period for the Oct. 2 Municipal Election closed Monday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crowded races abound in municipal election

All was quiet at the Clerk’s Office at City Hall on Monday, until about 3 p.m. At that point, an hour and a half before… Continue reading

Norton Gregory gives Carole Triem a high-five as he arrives at City Hall to resign from his Assembly seat to run for mayor on Monday, August 13, 2018. Triem was waiting for Gregory to resign so she could file to run for his areawide seat. The Candidate Filing Period for the Oct. 2 Municipal Election closed Monday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
An insect has three body parts, something kids learned with a dance at Bug Day at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Ecosystem ‘glue:’ Kids learn insect ins and outs at Bug Day

They’re creepy. They’re crawly. And in Alaska, they’re the bane of any fishing expedition. But bugs — even mosquitos — are also a vital part… Continue reading

An insect has three body parts, something kids learned with a dance at Bug Day at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
City Hall stands on a quiet morning on June 7, 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Field almost set for municipal election

Entering the final day for candidates to register for the municipal election, there are still a few details that need to be worked out. The… Continue reading

City Hall stands on a quiet morning on June 7, 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Joe Kahken, a retired President & CEO of Goldbelt, Inc., speaks about his time with the Juneau-area Alaska Native corporation during an interview on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

People of Juneau: Goldbelt’s first CEO reflects on lifetime of involvement

Today, Goldbelt Inc. is a booming Alaska Native corporation that owns lands throughout Southeast Alaska and has thrived in the realms of logging and tourism.… Continue reading

Joe Kahken, a retired President & CEO of Goldbelt, Inc., speaks about his time with the Juneau-area Alaska Native corporation during an interview on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Court: Some sex offenders don’t have to register in Alaska

Some Outside sex offenders do not have to enter their names into a statewide registry, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday. In a decision that… Continue reading

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A stock image of a gun care kit. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)

Man dies from gunshot wound

A Juneau man died Saturday from a gunshot wound to the head, according to a Juneau Police Department press release. The man, identified as 63-year-old… Continue reading

A stock image of a gun care kit. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)