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Members of the Juneau Symphony, Vox Borealis and Sitka Holiday Brass rehearse for an annual Holiday Cheer concert Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Juneau Symphony, Vox Borealis and Sitka Holiday Brass rehearse for an annual Holiday Cheer concert Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Home Health and Hospice program at Bartlett Regional Hospital, and family members of people who’ve been in such programs, gather for “Light Up a Life” community celebration Friday evening at the hospital. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Stabilizing local hospice and home health services celebrated as a gift at holiday gathering

“Light Up a Life” at Bartlett Regional Hospital offers tributes to those receiving end-of-life care.

Members of the Home Health and Hospice program at Bartlett Regional Hospital, and family members of people who’ve been in such programs, gather for “Light Up a Life” community celebration Friday evening at the hospital. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Soldotna’s Keegan Myrick and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Caden Morris battle for a puck during Friday’s 4-3 Crimson Bears’ loss to the visiting Stars at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Stars eclipse Crimson Bears

JDHS hockey team falls to visiting Soldotna skaters.

Soldotna’s Keegan Myrick and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Caden Morris battle for a puck during Friday’s 4-3 Crimson Bears’ loss to the visiting Stars at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
At left, the U.S. Coast Guard’s light icebreaker Storis is seen patrolling in Womens Bay near Kodiak on an unspecified date. At right, the Aiviq icebreaker, which arrived at a Florida shipyard about two weeks ago, is seen with a new paint job matching that of other modern Coast Guard icebreakers and the name “Storis” painted on its stern. (Photo of Storis from the Library of Congress / Photo of Aiviq by USCG Auxiliary Public Affairs)
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Update: Coast Guard confirms Juneau icebreaker to be named after historic ‘Storis’ stationed here after WWII

Newly painted Aiviq bears name of ship in service for 64 years, including a lengthy local legacy.

At left, the U.S. Coast Guard’s light icebreaker Storis is seen patrolling in Womens Bay near Kodiak on an unspecified date. At right, the Aiviq icebreaker, which arrived at a Florida shipyard about two weeks ago, is seen with a new paint job matching that of other modern Coast Guard icebreakers and the name “Storis” painted on its stern. (Photo of Storis from the Library of Congress / Photo of Aiviq by USCG Auxiliary Public Affairs)
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The Planned Parenthood location in Juneau, seen here in June of 2023, is now closed permanently. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Planned Parenthood in Juneau closes, making Anchorage the nearest location for abortion access

Organization cites need to consolidate resources to ensure continuation of services in region.

The Planned Parenthood location in Juneau, seen here in June of 2023, is now closed permanently. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Gov. Dunleavy’s budget nixes education increase, pays $3,838 PFD and incurs $1.5B deficit

Proposal sets up battle with Legislature that in past has resulted in more school money and smaller PFDs.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Charity collectors Peppin (played by Natalia Spenglere) and “Salt” played by (Roblin Gray Davis) try in vain to get a donation from Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Tom Robenolt) during Theater Alaska’s production of “A Christmas Carol” on Sunday at McPhetres Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Charity collectors Peppin (played by Natalia Spenglere) and “Salt” played by (Roblin Gray Davis) try in vain to get a donation from Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Tom Robenolt) during Theater Alaska’s production of “A Christmas Carol” on Sunday at McPhetres Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A network of pipelines, seen on Aug. 23, 2018, snakes through a portion of the Greater Prudhoe Bay Unit on Alaska’s North Slope. Oil production is expected to increase in coming years, but revenue is expected to decline, in large part because of lower oil prices, accordign to the newest forecast from the Alaska Department of Revenue. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Lower prices dim expectations for Alaska oil earnings in coming years, revenue forecast says

North Slope production is expected to start rising, but revenues to state will decline this decade.

A network of pipelines, seen on Aug. 23, 2018, snakes through a portion of the Greater Prudhoe Bay Unit on Alaska’s North Slope. Oil production is expected to increase in coming years, but revenue is expected to decline, in large part because of lower oil prices, accordign to the newest forecast from the Alaska Department of Revenue. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A man is searched by a Juneau Police Department officer as he arrested April 17 after causing disturbances at the Alaska State Capitol and State Office Building. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Legislators skip adding TSA-style security checks at Alaska’s Capitol, approve other safety measures

Proposal to screen visitors at entrance tabled for future discussion; moving mailroom offsite OK’d.

A man is searched by a Juneau Police Department officer as he arrested April 17 after causing disturbances at the Alaska State Capitol and State Office Building. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Girls Basketball team. Standing, from left-to-right, senior Kerra Baxter (22), junior Gwen Nizich (11), freshman Lydia Goins (15), senior Addison Wilson (10), sophomore Layla Tokuoka (14), junior Cambry Lockhart (3), sophomore June Troxel (5), senior Mary Johnson (4), freshman Sadie Lockhart (13), sophomore Bergen Erickson (12), freshman Athena Warr (21) and senior Cailynn Baxter (23). Seated l-r: Senior manager Nadia Wilson, head coach Tanya Nizich, assistant coaches Jasmine James, Angie Kemp, Nicole Fenumiai, and junior manager Jadyn Cook. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears girls basketball has roster for state title

Combining of two schools sets high expectations, but region and state are daunting.

The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Girls Basketball team. Standing, from left-to-right, senior Kerra Baxter (22), junior Gwen Nizich (11), freshman Lydia Goins (15), senior Addison Wilson (10), sophomore Layla Tokuoka (14), junior Cambry Lockhart (3), sophomore June Troxel (5), senior Mary Johnson (4), freshman Sadie Lockhart (13), sophomore Bergen Erickson (12), freshman Athena Warr (21) and senior Cailynn Baxter (23). Seated l-r: Senior manager Nadia Wilson, head coach Tanya Nizich, assistant coaches Jasmine James, Angie Kemp, Nicole Fenumiai, and junior manager Jadyn Cook. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Jayden Johnson (4), shown in action against West Anchorage during the ASAA State Playoffs on Oct. 12, was selected to play in the 2025 Native American High School Football All-Star Game, Jan. 7, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Jayden Johnson one of three Alaskans selected for Native American High School Football All-Star Game

60 Native American athletes from across U.S. will play in front of college recruiters Jan. 7 in Texas.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Jayden Johnson (4), shown in action against West Anchorage during the ASAA State Playoffs on Oct. 12, was selected to play in the 2025 Native American High School Football All-Star Game, Jan. 7, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy talks to members of the media about the upcoming legislative session before the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy: No surprises in upcoming budget; energy and education will again be big policy goals

Governor also optimistic about Trump, says cancelled post-election announcement wasn’t about Cabinet job.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy talks to members of the media about the upcoming legislative session before the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 11, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 11, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kahyl Dybdahl, left, and Bronze Chevis eat an egg sandwich breakfast before school at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau School District gets $500K extra from BSA increase, may use about $100K to extend free student breakfasts

Juneau gets $5.7M rather than $5.2M from one-time funding boost; free meals set to end this month.

Kahyl Dybdahl, left, and Bronze Chevis eat an egg sandwich breakfast before school at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Safeway supermarket in Juneau, seen here Oct. 4, 2023, was among those in Alaska set to be sold if its parent company, Albertsons Companies Inc., merged with Kroger Co., the parent company of Fred Meyer. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Albertsons backs out of merger deal and sues Kroger after court rulings

Decision comes after federal judge blocks $25B deal between parent companies of Safeway, Fred Meyer.

The Safeway supermarket in Juneau, seen here Oct. 4, 2023, was among those in Alaska set to be sold if its parent company, Albertsons Companies Inc., merged with Kroger Co., the parent company of Fred Meyer. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Alev Kelter, a member of the bronze-winning USA’s Rugby Sevens team at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, is one of two new inductees in the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. (USA Rugby photo)

NHL star Brandon Dubinsky, Olympic rugby medalist Alev Kelter elected to Alaska Sports Hall of Fame

Hall also adding historic Alaska moments involving 1992 Winter Games, 2008 NCAA basketball title game

Alev Kelter, a member of the bronze-winning USA’s Rugby Sevens team at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, is one of two new inductees in the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. (USA Rugby photo)
James Cheng, and his daughter Gwen, 1, help themselves to some of the 17,050 cookies being offered to visitors during the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
James Cheng, and his daughter Gwen, 1, help themselves to some of the 17,050 cookies being offered to visitors during the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The fishing vessel Wind Walker fishes near Sitka on March 29, 2022. (James Poulson / The Daily Sitka Sentinel)

Two bodies from capsized fishing vessel found Monday amidst debris from boat on beach near Hoonah

Three people remain missing eight days after Sitka-based vessel sinks southwest of Juneau.

The fishing vessel Wind Walker fishes near Sitka on March 29, 2022. (James Poulson / The Daily Sitka Sentinel)
Juneau Assembly members and city administrative leaders participate in group discussions during the Assembly’s annual retreat in the main conference room at Juneau International Airport on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Big list of critical needs means mill rate increase is inevitable, Juneau’s leaders say at annual retreat

Brainstorming session also floats ideas from seasonal sales tax to “we should smoke weed for kids.”

Juneau Assembly members and city administrative leaders participate in group discussions during the Assembly’s annual retreat in the main conference room at Juneau International Airport on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears are, standing left-to-right, sophomore manager Amelia Geary, junior Brandon Casperson (5), senior Pedrin Saceda-Hurt (10), senior Ben Sikes (11), sophomore Logan Carriker (24), junior Elias Dybdahl (20), freshman Keaton Belcourt (44), junior Damian Efergan (1), junior Tyler Frisby (21) and sophomore manager Skylar Oliva. Seated at front l-r, junior Kurt Kuppert (14), senior Ahmir Parker (2), senior Gavin Gerrin (3) and sophomore Hunter Carte (15). Not pictured is junior Joren Gasga. (Photo courtesy Crimson Bears)

Crimson Bears look to return to the show

JDHS boys basketball team ready to earn next state title.

The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears are, standing left-to-right, sophomore manager Amelia Geary, junior Brandon Casperson (5), senior Pedrin Saceda-Hurt (10), senior Ben Sikes (11), sophomore Logan Carriker (24), junior Elias Dybdahl (20), freshman Keaton Belcourt (44), junior Damian Efergan (1), junior Tyler Frisby (21) and sophomore manager Skylar Oliva. Seated at front l-r, junior Kurt Kuppert (14), senior Ahmir Parker (2), senior Gavin Gerrin (3) and sophomore Hunter Carte (15). Not pictured is junior Joren Gasga. (Photo courtesy Crimson Bears)