Home

Glacier Swim Club’s Amy Liddle (age 15), top, passes GSC teammate Lily Francis (16) in the girls 11 and over 1,650 freestyle during the 2025 Savannah Cayce Southeast Age Group Championships on Friday at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center. Liddle won the event. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Glacier Swim Club dominates Savannah Cayce SE swim championships

Three days of swimming fun and family, shows GSC strength across Southeast.

Glacier Swim Club’s Amy Liddle (age 15), top, passes GSC teammate Lily Francis (16) in the girls 11 and over 1,650 freestyle during the 2025 Savannah Cayce Southeast Age Group Championships on Friday at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center. Liddle won the event. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ayla Keller signs an Institutional Agreement to attend Montana State University Billings and be part of the cheer and stunt team for the 2025-26 academic year, Friday in the JDHS commons. Parents Stella, left, and Wes, right, look on. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Keller signs to cheer at college for Yellowjackets

JDHS four-year letterman commits to Montana State University Billings.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ayla Keller signs an Institutional Agreement to attend Montana State University Billings and be part of the cheer and stunt team for the 2025-26 academic year, Friday in the JDHS commons. Parents Stella, left, and Wes, right, look on. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Youth Choir sings the official state song during its traditional appearance to open the 50th Alaska Folk Festival on Monday night at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini)

50th Folk Festival opens with longtime, long-absent, new and other performers

Weeklong festival adheres to tradition, but revisits many of its past moments with tales and tunes.

The Alaska Youth Choir sings the official state song during its traditional appearance to open the 50th Alaska Folk Festival on Monday night at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini)
The offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022 in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Permanent Fund suffers multibillion-dollar decline amid Trump tariff-driven market crash

The Alaska Permanent Fund, the No. 1 source of general-purpose revenue for state services and the Permanent Fund dividend, suffered a multibillion-dollar loss during last… Continue reading

The offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022 in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

New initiative limiting cruise tourism in Juneau filed Monday by Ship-Free Saturday supporter

Measure would set 1.5M passenger annual limit, ban ships with 250+ people before May and after Sept.

Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Sitka’s Mason McLeod throws against Soldotna High School Thursday at Moller Field. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)

JDHS begins baseball title chase with Sitka, Soldotna clashes

Crimson Bears split in weekend road battles against Wolves and Stars.

Sitka’s Mason McLeod throws against Soldotna High School Thursday at Moller Field. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)
Visitors to the Alaska Capitol take pictures as members of the House’s Republican minority gather in a hallway to discuss an upcoming vote on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

As key bills advance, here’s an update on the Alaska Legislature’s biggest issues

Still looming is deficit caused by a collision between education spending, PFD and lower oil revenue.

Visitors to the Alaska Capitol take pictures as members of the House’s Republican minority gather in a hallway to discuss an upcoming vote on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, has spoken often of his and his family’s longstanding commitment to Native Americans. (Eric Lee / The New York Times)

Kennedy’s plan to send health officials to ‘Indian country’ angers Native leaders

Health secretary says he wants to improve Indian Health Service; Native leaders have doubts.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, has spoken often of his and his family’s longstanding commitment to Native Americans. (Eric Lee / The New York Times)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Riley Schultz heads a corner kick from junior teammate Peyton Wheeler (not shown) that would score against Eagle River during the Crimson Bears’ 5-0 win over the Wolves on Saturday at Adair Kennedy Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears finish pitch sweep of Wolves

JDHS girls down Eagle River 5-0, boys win 12-0.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Riley Schultz heads a corner kick from junior teammate Peyton Wheeler (not shown) that would score against Eagle River during the Crimson Bears’ 5-0 win over the Wolves on Saturday at Adair Kennedy Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman Ayla Erickson (16) blasts a shot through three Eagle River defenders during the Crimson Bears 3-0 win over the Wolves on Friday at Adair Kennedy Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS soccer teams play beautiful game

Crimson Bears girls win 3-0, Crimson Bears boys win 9-1.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman Ayla Erickson (16) blasts a shot through three Eagle River defenders during the Crimson Bears 3-0 win over the Wolves on Friday at Adair Kennedy Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Protesters spill out into the street beyond the front of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday as part of anti-Trump demonstrations that took place internationally during the day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Largest Juneau protest of Trump’s second term joins voices of discontent at events worldwide

Wide range of grievances shared in speeches and songs Saturday at Alaska State Capitol.

Protesters spill out into the street beyond the front of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday as part of anti-Trump demonstrations that took place internationally during the day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., is pictured on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt / States Newsroom)

GOP budget would add an ‘unprecedented’ $5.8 trillion to the deficit, analysis finds

WASHINGTON — The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget released an analysis Friday showing the budget resolution Republicans plan to adopt later this month… Continue reading

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., is pictured on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt / States Newsroom)
The head of the National Archives, which has been described as “the custodian of America’s collective memory,” was fired by President Trump in February. (Jared Soares / For The New York Times)

The White House frames the past by erasing parts of it

Public record being selectively deleted, letting president declare his version of history, archivists say.

The head of the National Archives, which has been described as “the custodian of America’s collective memory,” was fired by President Trump in February. (Jared Soares / For The New York Times)
The Anchorage band Big Chimney Barn Dance performs in the main ballroom of Centennial Hall on Sunday, April 14, 2024, near the end of the 49th Annual Alaska Folk Festival. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

50th Folk Festival looks to continue long traditions, only more so with record performer interest

Weeklong festival will feature long-ago as well as current musicians, all captured for documentary.

The Anchorage band Big Chimney Barn Dance performs in the main ballroom of Centennial Hall on Sunday, April 14, 2024, near the end of the 49th Annual Alaska Folk Festival. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Brad Hogarth, one of four finalists to be the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, guides the ensemble through a rehearsal on Tuesday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Symphony takes guest conductor on road trip for Sitka show before Sunday’s concert at JDHS

Brad Hogarth, a performer and conductor at Sitka holiday shows, auditions to be symphony’s music director.

Brad Hogarth, one of four finalists to be the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, guides the ensemble through a rehearsal on Tuesday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Donovan Jackson, 12, of Juneau competes in the one-foot high kick Saturday morning during the 2022 Traditional Games. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Eighth annual Traditional Games kicks off this weekend, expanding Indigenous representation

Native Youth Olympics carry on Indigenous values with athletes reaching for their personal bests.

Donovan Jackson, 12, of Juneau competes in the one-foot high kick Saturday morning during the 2022 Traditional Games. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
An oil drilling site in Midland, Texas. (Desiree Rios / For The New York Times)

‘Wait, baby, wait’: Slumping oil prices reflect economic worries

Fears Trump’s tariffs will slash global economic growth — and oil demand — are weighing on the market.

An oil drilling site in Midland, Texas. (Desiree Rios / For The New York Times)
Alaska Native youth dance at Celebration in Juneau on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Value of Alaska Native education emphasized by Sealaska Heritage Institute president at US Senate hearing

Rosita Ḵaaháni Worl says federal funds for cultural education vital to Alaska Native students’ success.

Alaska Native youth dance at Celebration in Juneau on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The House Finance Committee listens to public testimony about next year’s proposed budget on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

State budget with $1.9B deficit and ‘full’ $3,800 PFD sent to House floor; expect drastic revisions by Senate

House Finance plan passes after battles among allies as well as opponents; vote on $1,000 PFD fails 7-4.

The House Finance Committee listens to public testimony about next year’s proposed budget on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
An Eaglecrest skier cruises downhill in warm temperatures and scant snow on Wednesday. The ski area announced Thursday its last day of the season will be this Sunday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest Ski Area to end season a week early on Sunday with concert, but no Slush Cup

Poor conditions much of the season limited operations, officials say rain may wipe out scant snow left.

An Eaglecrest skier cruises downhill in warm temperatures and scant snow on Wednesday. The ski area announced Thursday its last day of the season will be this Sunday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)