Home

Frank Richards, president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., speaks at a Jan. 6, 2025, news conference held in Anchorage by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy is standing behind him. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Unnamed energy company is negotiating takeover of proposed trans-Alaska gas pipeline

Top official for the Alaska Gasline Development Corp. said he expects a formal announcement soon.

Frank Richards, president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., speaks at a Jan. 6, 2025, news conference held in Anchorage by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy is standing behind him. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Juneau residents line up in the Thunder Mountain Middle School auditorium on Friday to ask questions and protest the HESCO flood barriers that are potentially being installed this summer. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Frustrated residents say concerns about short-term flood barrier plan aren’t getting sufficient answers

Some homeowners say they’d rather buy insurance than pay $6,300 for barriers, then focus on long-term fix.

Juneau residents line up in the Thunder Mountain Middle School auditorium on Friday to ask questions and protest the HESCO flood barriers that are potentially being installed this summer. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A new development and policy blueprint for downtown Juneau got unanimous approval Monday from the Juneau Assembly. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Opening lots of land around Juneau to more development gets OK from Assembly

More housing is major goal of new downtown blueprint, rezoning proposals in North Douglas and Auke Bay.

A new development and policy blueprint for downtown Juneau got unanimous approval Monday from the Juneau Assembly. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Dave Hanna (center), a former Eaglecrest Ski Area board member, addresses the current resort leaders during a board meeting Thursday night at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest’s future may depend on how many cruise passengers will pay $171 to ride the gondola

Operators’ ridership and pricing expectations questionable, says former GM hired by CBJ for study.

Dave Hanna (center), a former Eaglecrest Ski Area board member, addresses the current resort leaders during a board meeting Thursday night at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The future U.S. Coast Guard cutter Storis, the service’s newest icebreaker, near Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 10, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Coast Guard: ‘It will be several years before families arrive in Juneau’ with icebreaker

Initial crew of 60 expected to be assigned to Storis next summer, but major ship and port upgrades await.

The future U.S. Coast Guard cutter Storis, the service’s newest icebreaker, near Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 10, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé juniors Joren Gasga (12) and Tyler Frisby (21) and senior Ahmir Parker (2) rebound with Ketchikan senior Marcus Stockhausen during the Crimson Bears’ 70-63 loss to the Kings on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kings fire long-range shots at Crimson Bears, get 70-63 win to sweep two-game series

First time Kayhi has won back-to-back games at Juneau in over a decade.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé juniors Joren Gasga (12) and Tyler Frisby (21) and senior Ahmir Parker (2) rebound with Ketchikan senior Marcus Stockhausen during the Crimson Bears’ 70-63 loss to the Kings on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Emilio Holbrook (37) defends Bartlett senior Dylan Beals (19) during the Crimson Bears’ 10-6 win over the Golden Bears on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears sweep Golden Bears in second high-scoring shootout

JDHS stops Bartlett again on Treadwell Ice Arena for 10-6 win.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Emilio Holbrook (37) defends Bartlett senior Dylan Beals (19) during the Crimson Bears’ 10-6 win over the Golden Bears on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Dance Team pose for a photo in the JDHS commons before Saturday’s Crimson Bears basketball game against Ketchikan. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS dance team are top entertainers and athletes

Fans become unglued from seats through every halftime performance.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Dance Team pose for a photo in the JDHS commons before Saturday’s Crimson Bears basketball game against Ketchikan. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Teen arrested for New Year’s DUI after collision with parked vehicle that injured three juveniles

Lance Martell, 19, also arrested on assault and endangerment charges after wreck at end of Thane Road.

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) dribbles past Ketchikan junior Jozaiah Dela Cruz (11) during the Crimson Bears 52-48 loss to the kings on Friday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kings escape Crimson Bears den

Ketchikan wins Southeast Conference opener 52-48.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) dribbles past Ketchikan junior Jozaiah Dela Cruz (11) during the Crimson Bears 52-48 loss to the kings on Friday at the George Houston Gymnasium in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Paxton Mertl (7) shoots against Bartlett’s Dylan Beals during the Crimson Bears 7-5 win over the Golden Bears Friday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. The teams play against Saturday at 3 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears ice Golden Bears

JDHS wins 7-5 scoring shootout against Bartlett.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Paxton Mertl (7) shoots against Bartlett’s Dylan Beals during the Crimson Bears 7-5 win over the Golden Bears Friday at the Treadwell Ice Arena. The teams play against Saturday at 3 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Koko Urata and Enrique Bravo with their baby, Enrique, the first born at Bartlett Regional Hospital in 2025, and Lindy Jones, a doctor at the hospital who with his wife made a wooden rocker as a gift for the new family. (Bartlett Regional Hospital photo)

Juneau’s first baby of 2025: Enrique Bravo, born at 8:10 p.m. on New Year’s Day

Family has generational ties to doctor at hospital who made wooden rocker as a traditional gift.

Koko Urata and Enrique Bravo with their baby, Enrique, the first born at Bartlett Regional Hospital in 2025, and Lindy Jones, a doctor at the hospital who with his wife made a wooden rocker as a gift for the new family. (Bartlett Regional Hospital photo)
U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., center, and Rep. Marjorie Tayler Greene, R-Ga., left, talk with fellow representatives as they arrive for the first day of the 119th Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Louisiana’s Mike Johnson elected U.S. House speaker by GOP in cliffhanger vote

Nick Begich III sworn in as Alaska’s new statewide House member, votes for speaker.

U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., center, and Rep. Marjorie Tayler Greene, R-Ga., left, talk with fellow representatives as they arrive for the first day of the 119th Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Construction workers attend to outdoor tasks on Dec. 17, 2024, at a residential project being built in downtown Anchorage. Alaska is expected to gain 1,500 construction jobs this year, according to the annual forecast published by state Department of Labor and Workforce Development economists. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Construction and oil expected to lead job growth in Alaska this year

Struggling seafood processors are expected to keep shedding jobs.

Construction workers attend to outdoor tasks on Dec. 17, 2024, at a residential project being built in downtown Anchorage. Alaska is expected to gain 1,500 construction jobs this year, according to the annual forecast published by state Department of Labor and Workforce Development economists. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Fu Bao Hartle stands with his first solo photography exhibit at the Alaskan Brewery Tasting room on Thursday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Debut photo show by Fu Bao Hartle seeks to encourage making the most of one’s abilities

Exhibition by advocate on behalf of those with disabilities debuts Saturday at Alaska Brewing Co.

Fu Bao Hartle stands with his first solo photography exhibit at the Alaskan Brewery Tasting room on Thursday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A Juneau Police Department officer monitors the perimeter of a marked-off area next to the Mendenhall Valley Breeze In after a women carrying a hatchet was fatally shot by police officers on Christmas morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Names of JPD officers involved in fatal Christmas Day shooting of woman near Breeze In released

Lone officer who fired gun has been on force for six years, with no record of misconduct.

A Juneau Police Department officer monitors the perimeter of a marked-off area next to the Mendenhall Valley Breeze In after a women carrying a hatchet was fatally shot by police officers on Christmas morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A view of Shell’s deepwater oil platform Appomattox from an approaching helicopter, off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico, April 11, 2024. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)

Biden expected to permanently ban oil drilling in some federal waters

President Joe Biden is expected to permanently ban new oil and gas drilling in large sections of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as… Continue reading

A view of Shell’s deepwater oil platform Appomattox from an approaching helicopter, off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico, April 11, 2024. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)
Hundreds of people plunge into Auke Rec on New Year’s Day in Juneau. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Starting the New Year off right with the northern lights and a big dipper

Juneau residents make a splash in sub-40°F water during 34th annual Polar Bear Dip.

Hundreds of people plunge into Auke Rec on New Year’s Day in Juneau. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-based qayaq (kayak) maker Lou Logan works on his exhibit that will be at the Alaska State Museum during First Friday in January. (Photo provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in January

A trio of ongoing exhibitions at the Alaska State Museum, an exhibit at Centennial Hall by Juneau Arts and Humanities Council members, and a Juneau… Continue reading

Juneau-based qayaq (kayak) maker Lou Logan works on his exhibit that will be at the Alaska State Museum during First Friday in January. (Photo provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
Children’s coats hang in a hallway at Hillcrest Childcare Center in Anchorage o n April 18. The second and final report of a child care task force holds recommendations for expanding subsidies that families receive, speeding the caregiver licensing and hiring process and other steps intended to address the state’s shortage of affordable child care. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Task force report identifies ways to make child care more available and affordable in Alaska

More eligibility for subsidies, faster hiring process, dual use of school spaces among recommendations.

Children’s coats hang in a hallway at Hillcrest Childcare Center in Anchorage o n April 18. The second and final report of a child care task force holds recommendations for expanding subsidies that families receive, speeding the caregiver licensing and hiring process and other steps intended to address the state’s shortage of affordable child care. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)