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Gov. Mike Dunleavy (right) delivers opening remarks at a bill signing event at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy signs two pharmacy bills into law during Soldotna ceremony

One new law exempts veterinarians from state’s prescription drug monitoring program.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (right) delivers opening remarks at a bill signing event at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Library Historical Collection P418-3 President Warren G. Harding (with walking stick) stands beside his wife (in cape) before Mendenhall Glacier on July 10, 1923. To Mrs. Harding’s side is Alaska Territorial Gov. Scott Bone (with mustache) and his niece Marguerite Bone.
Capital City Weekly

100 years ago Juneau got its first visit from a U.S. president — less than three weeks before his death

Warren G. Harding got a “21 discharges of dynamite” salute and Mendenhall Glacier tour during visit

Alaska State Library Historical Collection P418-3 President Warren G. Harding (with walking stick) stands beside his wife (in cape) before Mendenhall Glacier on July 10, 1923. To Mrs. Harding’s side is Alaska Territorial Gov. Scott Bone (with mustache) and his niece Marguerite Bone.
One of the two 60-passenger cars on the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway descends Mount Roberts in late May. The tram has been closed nearly every day since last Sunday due to mechanical issues, but a company official said the tram is expected to reopen Saturday. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)

Tram expected to reopen Saturday after closing for several days for repairs

Mechanical issues force halt of cable cars; Mount Roberts race on Saturday cancelled.

One of the two 60-passenger cars on the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway descends Mount Roberts in late May. The tram has been closed nearly every day since last Sunday due to mechanical issues, but a company official said the tram is expected to reopen Saturday. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)
A bus picks up visitors at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Friday morning. Local tourism companies are being forced to turn away tourists in Juneau seeking to visit the area this summer as commercial tourism limits are being reached rapidly. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘Unprecedented’ visitors at Mendenhall Glacier rapidly outpacing allowed capacity

Availability of commercial services likely to be reduced, public transportation negatively impacted.

A bus picks up visitors at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Friday morning. Local tourism companies are being forced to turn away tourists in Juneau seeking to visit the area this summer as commercial tourism limits are being reached rapidly. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Andre P. Lawrence is detained by police officers at a residence on Riverwood Drive on Friday morning. He was later arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man on Cinema Drive on Thursday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Suspect arrested following fatal shooting in Mendenhall Valley

Andre P. Lawrence was arrested on a first-degree murder charge Friday afternoon, police say.

Andre P. Lawrence is detained by police officers at a residence on Riverwood Drive on Friday morning. He was later arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man on Cinema Drive on Thursday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of an phone dialing 9-1-1. The Juneau Police Department’s 9-1-1 system is having technical issues preventing dispatchers from responding to calls as they come in. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau police 9-1-1 system experiencing technical issues

The issues were resolved later that evening, police say.

This is a photo of an phone dialing 9-1-1. The Juneau Police Department’s 9-1-1 system is having technical issues preventing dispatchers from responding to calls as they come in. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Hundreds walk the waterfront near Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza during the 2023 Juneau Maritime Festival in early May. City data revealed a total of 627,220 passengers have visited Juneau so far this cruise ship season and large ships in the last three months came in at 99% of their official capacity. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Mid-season passenger numbers show large cruise ships at — or above — 100% capacity

A total of 627,220 passengers have visited Juneau so far this season.

Hundreds walk the waterfront near Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza during the 2023 Juneau Maritime Festival in early May. City data revealed a total of 627,220 passengers have visited Juneau so far this cruise ship season and large ships in the last three months came in at 99% of their official capacity. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Afternoon traffic is seen in downtown Fairbanks on March 1. Significant air-quality improvements have been achieved since 2010, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska and 9 other states threaten to sue EPA over wood-burning stove standards

State says EPA should focus on wood-stove certifications; agency also wants policy for power plants

Afternoon traffic is seen in downtown Fairbanks on March 1. Significant air-quality improvements have been achieved since 2010, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A complaint filed Wednesday with the Alaska Public Offices Commission alleges advocates of repealing the state’s open primary elections and ranked choice voting are violating numerous campaign disclosure laws. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Ranked choice repeal ‘church’ violating campaign laws, complaint alleges

Four organizations and two people leading repeal effort accused of “laundering donations”

A complaint filed Wednesday with the Alaska Public Offices Commission alleges advocates of repealing the state’s open primary elections and ranked choice voting are violating numerous campaign disclosure laws. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Local humpback whale Manunauna is seen this week with trailing yellow crab pot buoys and green satellite tag buoy. (NOAA Fisheries/Suzie Teerlink)

Two humpback whales reportedly entangled in fishing gear in Juneau area

Officials seek public assistance in reported sightings.

Local humpback whale Manunauna is seen this week with trailing yellow crab pot buoys and green satellite tag buoy. (NOAA Fisheries/Suzie Teerlink)
An empty hallway at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on July 20, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)

Study: To hire and keep teachers in remote Alaska, school districts need to pay a lot more

Districts that cannot pay high salaries need other solutions like improved working conditions.

An empty hallway at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on July 20, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)
Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed a two-year spending plan into law Wednesday in Madison, Wis. The budget was authored by Republicans who control the Legislature, but Evers used his partial veto powers to revise portions of it, including locking in annual education funding increases until the year 2425. (AP Photo/Harm Venhuizen)

Another state’s governor does a line-item veto of education funding — and increases it for 400 years

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed off on a two-year spending plan Wednesday after gutting a Republican tax cut and using his broad… Continue reading

Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed a two-year spending plan into law Wednesday in Madison, Wis. The budget was authored by Republicans who control the Legislature, but Evers used his partial veto powers to revise portions of it, including locking in annual education funding increases until the year 2425. (AP Photo/Harm Venhuizen)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Juneau Assembly attempts ‘end run’ around voters

“Information is one thing, but weighing in on an election is another.” – Assembly member Michelle Bonnet Hale, Aug. 1, 2022 During a specially held… Continue reading

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Cash isn’t going as far as it used to, but it’s losing value much less quickly so far this year, with an inflation rate of 3.1% in April, compared to an 8.1% rate for all of 2022, according to a state report released Wednesday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Statewide inflation down sharply so far this year, housing costs still rising

Alaska’s inflation at 3.1% in April after hitting 41-year high of 8.1% for 2022, state reports

Cash isn’t going as far as it used to, but it’s losing value much less quickly so far this year, with an inflation rate of 3.1% in April, compared to an 8.1% rate for all of 2022, according to a state report released Wednesday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau author and educator Aidan Key smiles for a photo in the Mendenhall Valley Wednesday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau author’s debut book on supporting transgender students gains national recognition

Aidan Key’s “Trans Children In Today’s Schools” offers guidance in face of anti-LGBTQ+ policies.

Juneau author and educator Aidan Key smiles for a photo in the Mendenhall Valley Wednesday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Children pick up sand dollars on Sandy Beach on July 3. The end of this week is expected to be ideal beach weather with near-record temperatures forecast in Juneau and elsewhere in Southeast Alaska. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire File)

Heat wave expected Friday

Temperatures not expected to break Juneau’s all-time high of 90F set on July 7, 1975.

Children pick up sand dollars on Sandy Beach on July 3. The end of this week is expected to be ideal beach weather with near-record temperatures forecast in Juneau and elsewhere in Southeast Alaska. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire File)
A sign for a store that accepts food stamps and exchange benefits transfer cards is seen in this 2019 photo. Ten Alaskans are suing the state over its failure to provide food stamps within the time frames required by federal law. (Photo by Scott Heins/Getty Images)

New data shows measurable progress on Alaska’s food stamp backlog

The division of state government that handles food stamps has made progress in eliminating the backlog of thousands of Alaskans waiting for aid, but it… Continue reading

A sign for a store that accepts food stamps and exchange benefits transfer cards is seen in this 2019 photo. Ten Alaskans are suing the state over its failure to provide food stamps within the time frames required by federal law. (Photo by Scott Heins/Getty Images)
Leadonna Castillo crosses the finish line during the Final Soapbox Challenge Tuesday afternoon down St. Ann’s Avenue in Douglas. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Hot dogs, box cars and pie mark the Fourth of July in Douglas

Island fun.

Leadonna Castillo crosses the finish line during the Final Soapbox Challenge Tuesday afternoon down St. Ann’s Avenue in Douglas. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Ati-Atihan Juneau Group proceeds down Egan Drive during Juneau’s annual Fourth of July parade on Tuesday. The group won the top overall prize among parade participants. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

An Independence Day tribute to the seen and unseen

‘Voices of Alaska’ theme at this year’s Juneau parade an opportunity ‘for every voice to be heard’

The Ati-Atihan Juneau Group proceeds down Egan Drive during Juneau’s annual Fourth of July parade on Tuesday. The group won the top overall prize among parade participants. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Fireworks boom above “Tahku” the whale sculpture and downtown during the annual Fourth of July firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau celebrates the Fourth of July

Bright lights in the big city.

Fireworks boom above “Tahku” the whale sculpture and downtown during the annual Fourth of July firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)