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Chicken Yard Park is pictured on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Long-ignored city code violation putting future of downtown park at risk

City officials and the residents of Starr Hill are at odds about the future of Juneau’s oldest park, but both agree that a change should… Continue reading

Chicken Yard Park is pictured on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Dan Elstad. (Courtesy Photo)

REACH hires new executive director

Disability services provider REACH Inc. selected a new executive director Monday. The 250-employee agency offered the job to local man Dan Elstad, a 30-year veteran… Continue reading

Dan Elstad. (Courtesy Photo)
Wooden boards cover up damage made by a drunk driver at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. The crash occurred July 31, police say. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Drunk driver smashes into middle school

The usual back-to-school preparations were going on at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Tuesday afternoon, as maintenance employees were cleaning the building and the front… Continue reading

Wooden boards cover up damage made by a drunk driver at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. The crash occurred July 31, police say. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Early voting underway for statewide primary

Early voting is underway in the 2018 statewide primary election. Any registered voter can cast an early vote for any reason; waiting for the Aug.… Continue reading

The Norwegian Joy during a sea trial. (Courtesy Photo | Norwegian Cruise Line)

Alaska to see second megaship next year

A second megaship will bring cruise ship passangers to Alaska starting next spring. The 3,883-passenger, 1,094-foot Norwegian Joy will reposition from China to Seattle for… Continue reading

The Norwegian Joy during a sea trial. (Courtesy Photo | Norwegian Cruise Line)
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen, left, listens to Dr. Steve Atwater, Executive Dean of the university’s new Alaska College of Education, during an interview at the University of Alaska Southeast on Friday, August 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New UA College of Education ready for first year

The University of Alaska Southeast starts classes on Aug. 27, and this will be the first year of a new Alaska College of Education. For… Continue reading

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen, left, listens to Dr. Steve Atwater, Executive Dean of the university’s new Alaska College of Education, during an interview at the University of Alaska Southeast on Friday, August 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Tourists take shelter at Marine Park during a heavy rain shower on Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sunshine gives way to a soggy (and potentially record-breaking) week

Après soleil, le déluge. According to the National Weather Service, July’s sunshine is giving way to a potentially record-breaking deluge and a flood watch for… Continue reading

Tourists take shelter at Marine Park during a heavy rain shower on Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau School District Director of Student Services Bridget Weiss, right, and Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller talk on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Weiss selected as interim superintendent

For at least this school year, the Juneau School District has its new superintendent.

Juneau School District Director of Student Services Bridget Weiss, right, and Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller talk on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Carole Shay, right, and Gwen Helms participate in a protest outside U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office Monday, July 9, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Protesters rallied to urge Murkowski to vote against President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. (AP Photo/Rachel D’Oro)

Health care campaign wants Alaskans to reach out to Sen. Murkowski about Supreme Court vote

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is in the spotlight in the ongoing national health care debate.

Carole Shay, right, and Gwen Helms participate in a protest outside U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office Monday, July 9, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Protesters rallied to urge Murkowski to vote against President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. (AP Photo/Rachel D’Oro)
Members of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4303 attend Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, Assembly meeting to speak to Assembly members about their concern in the number of career firefighters working in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Firefighters’ union urges Assembly to take more serious staffing action

As city officials consider ways to help Capital City Fire/Rescue responders with rising call volumes, members of the local firefighters’ union say one solution on… Continue reading

Members of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4303 attend Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, Assembly meeting to speak to Assembly members about their concern in the number of career firefighters working in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Sydney Johnson helps her brother Tristan with an art project at an Alaska Native culture camp on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Rose Willard)

This young Juneau artist is doing her part to keep Native artwork alive

On her first day of preschool, Sydney Johnson had a decision to make. During drawing time, she and other students had a wide array of… Continue reading

Sydney Johnson helps her brother Tristan with an art project at an Alaska Native culture camp on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Rose Willard)
Metro Creative Connection stock image

Driver in 2016 crash faces homicide charge

A Juneau man faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and driving under the influence dating back to a 2016 car crash that killed another… Continue reading

Metro Creative Connection stock image
Landry Dillingham, 10, outraces Alder Caouette, 10, at the finish line for third place in the Douglas Dirt Derby on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 at Savikko Park in Douglas. The event raised around $6,000 for the American Diabetes Association. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Children race through Savikko Park for good cause

Reed Maier led for the whole time in the final race of Saturday’s Douglas Dirt Derby. Even as he crossed the finish line, though, he… Continue reading

Landry Dillingham, 10, outraces Alder Caouette, 10, at the finish line for third place in the Douglas Dirt Derby on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 at Savikko Park in Douglas. The event raised around $6,000 for the American Diabetes Association. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Dr. Mark Miller, superintendent for the Juneau School District, gives an overview of the district’s budget at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Appearing with Miller are Brian Holst, school board president, left, Ted Wilson, Director of Teaching and Learning, center, and Bridget Weiss, Director of Student Services, right. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

School Board poised to pick interim superintendent Monday

Less than two weeks after Juneau School District Superintendent Mark Miller’s resignation, the Board of Education is going to name his replacement. The board will… Continue reading

Dr. Mark Miller, superintendent for the Juneau School District, gives an overview of the district’s budget at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Appearing with Miller are Brian Holst, school board president, left, Ted Wilson, Director of Teaching and Learning, center, and Bridget Weiss, Director of Student Services, right. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
School Board member and District 2 Assembly candidate Emil Mackey speaks about his upcoming campaign at the State Office Building on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

School Board member begins run for Assembly

Emil Mackey had his paperwork ready to run for re-election to his spot on Juneau’s Board of Education. On the day he planned on announcing… Continue reading

School Board member and District 2 Assembly candidate Emil Mackey speaks about his upcoming campaign at the State Office Building on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of The Art of Living Foundation leads a group meditation at the Juneau-Douglas High School auditorium on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, as part of his West Coast Tour that also includes San Francisco and Seattle. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Spreading ‘mental hygiene:’ Spiritual leader visits Juneau

Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously stated that the Sealaska Heritage Institute gifted Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with a Chilkat robe. The gift… Continue reading

Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of The Art of Living Foundation leads a group meditation at the Juneau-Douglas High School auditorium on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, as part of his West Coast Tour that also includes San Francisco and Seattle. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Assembly member Rob Edwardson talks on Thursday, August 2, 2018, about his run for the District 34 House seat in the Mendenhall Valley. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Election 2018: Edwardson blazes independent’s path in upcoming primary

In the Mendenhall Valley, Rob Edwardson is looking to pick up where Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, is leaving off.

Juneau Assembly member Rob Edwardson talks on Thursday, August 2, 2018, about his run for the District 34 House seat in the Mendenhall Valley. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Endless, roadless: Forest Service tries again to settle Tongass development issues

Endless, roadless: Forest Service tries again to settle Tongass development issues

The U.S. Forest Service on Thursday announced an agreement with the State of Alaska that may lead to more development in the Tongass National Forest.… Continue reading

Endless, roadless: Forest Service tries again to settle Tongass development issues
The Gastineau Apartments, before it was torn down. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

CBJ settles lawsuit with Gastineau Apartment owners

The City and Borough of Juneau is getting some of its money back. On Thursday, the city announced by email that it has reached a… Continue reading

The Gastineau Apartments, before it was torn down. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, laughs while responding to a question at the Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

At Juneau forum, Rep. Don Young hears about issues with federal services

Rep. Don Young was greeted by frequent applause as he spoke in an hourlong lunchtime forum at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday. At the talk,… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, laughs while responding to a question at the Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)