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El Sombrero opens the doors of its downtown restaurant for the final time Saturday after 45 years at the location. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

El Sombrero says ‘hasta luego’ by closing restaurant after 45 years, with plans to open food truck

Downtown eatery owned by family for three generations who grew up alongside their customers.

El Sombrero opens the doors of its downtown restaurant for the final time Saturday after 45 years at the location. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nesbett Courthouse in downtown Anchorage on Oct. 7, 2024. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

After controversial correspondence school decision, Anchorage judge faces voters in election

Adolf Zeman is one of 19 judges on Alaska’s ballots, but he’s the only one with a campaign against him.

Nesbett Courthouse in downtown Anchorage on Oct. 7, 2024. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by record flooding Aug. 6 to a delegation of municipal, tribal and federal officials on Aug. 11. The City and Borough of Juneau is considering a memorandum of agreement with the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska for public safety issues such as emergency response, plus a similar agreement involving solid waste operations.

City leaders, Tlingit and Haida considering operational pacts for public safety, solid waste

Assembly members Monday will also discuss flood barriers, short-term rentals, homeless.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by record flooding Aug. 6 to a delegation of municipal, tribal and federal officials on Aug. 11. The City and Borough of Juneau is considering a memorandum of agreement with the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska for public safety issues such as emergency response, plus a similar agreement involving solid waste operations.
The outcome of the struggle for control of both the House and Senate will have sweeping implications for the country’s future. Shown is the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 9, 2024. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

Will control of Congress shift? The results hinge on a handful of states and races

Narrow Republican Senate majority would allow Murkowski to wield outsized influence, expert says.

The outcome of the struggle for control of both the House and Senate will have sweeping implications for the country’s future. Shown is the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 9, 2024. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)
People voting ahead of Election Day line up inside the Mendenhall Mall annex on Friday, Oct. 25. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Juneau an afterthought for candidates ahead of Tuesday’s election, but early voting at a record pace

Toss-up U.S. House race, minimum wage increase, repeal of ranked choice voting on ballot.

People voting ahead of Election Day line up inside the Mendenhall Mall annex on Friday, Oct. 25. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
A sign on Egan Drive reminds motorists at midday Friday a lower seasonal speed limit is in effect in an attempt to reduce collisions at the Fred Meyer intersection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Reduced 45 mph speed limit goes into effect on Egan Drive in vicinity of Fred Meyer intersection

Change in effect until Jan. 31 intended to improve safety; JPD reports normal number of traffic stops.

A sign on Egan Drive reminds motorists at midday Friday a lower seasonal speed limit is in effect in an attempt to reduce collisions at the Fred Meyer intersection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
City harbor staff inspect a sunken vessel in Harris Harbor on July 11. An increase in fees for uninsured vessels is being proposed in part to pay the cost of salvaging and removing an increasing number of such vessels without insurance. (Juneau Harbors photo)

Higher payments for waterfront vendor permits, docking uninsured vessels get initial OK

Docks and Harbors Board also recommends changes involving delinquent payments.

City harbor staff inspect a sunken vessel in Harris Harbor on July 11. An increase in fees for uninsured vessels is being proposed in part to pay the cost of salvaging and removing an increasing number of such vessels without insurance. (Juneau Harbors photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 2, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week ending Nov. 2

Three decades of capital city coverage.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 2, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Tongass National Forest near Sitka on Oct. 10, 2024. The remains of a hunter who the authorities believe was fatally mauled by a bear were recovered on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, from a remote region in Alaska where such attacks are rare. (Christopher Miller/The New York Times)

Deer hunter is killed in apparent bear attack near Sitka, authorities say

The remains of a hunter who authorities believe was fatally mauled by a bear were recovered Wednesday from a remote region in Southeast Alaska where… Continue reading

  • Oct 31, 2024
  • By Johnny Diaz ©2024 The New York Times Company
  • bearsHunting
The Tongass National Forest near Sitka on Oct. 10, 2024. The remains of a hunter who the authorities believe was fatally mauled by a bear were recovered on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, from a remote region in Alaska where such attacks are rare. (Christopher Miller/The New York Times)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Parker Boman, Lucia Chapell and Brooklyn Kanouse sport the teams new official JDHS Crimson Bears swim caps during practice Tuesday at Augustus Brown Pool in preparation for the Region V Swim & Dive Championships in Petersburg this weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

‘Water’s water’ as swim team prepares for region championships

Tapering and secrecy lead to records set and championships won

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Parker Boman, Lucia Chapell and Brooklyn Kanouse sport the teams new official JDHS Crimson Bears swim caps during practice Tuesday at Augustus Brown Pool in preparation for the Region V Swim & Dive Championships in Petersburg this weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
People arrive at a Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center set up in a meeting room at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Wednesday. The center is to provide assistance to people affected by record flooding from Suicide Basin in August. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

30 Juneau households already OK’d for $605K in flood aid, FEMA official says as disaster center opens

About half of the funds actually paid out during first two weeks after federal disaster declaration.

People arrive at a Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center set up in a meeting room at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Wednesday. The center is to provide assistance to people affected by record flooding from Suicide Basin in August. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, Nick Begich, Republican candidate for U.S. House; Alaskan Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe and Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, hold up paddles indicating their opposition to finfish farming in Alaska. Howe and imprisoned out-of-state Democrat Eric Hafner are receiving attention from the leading campaigns. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

In Alaska’s U.S. House election, the leading campaigns are thinking about third options

Correction: The initial version of this article misstated the birthplace of John Wayne Howe and Nick Begich. The article has been updated. In the final… Continue reading

From left to right, Nick Begich, Republican candidate for U.S. House; Alaskan Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe and Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, hold up paddles indicating their opposition to finfish farming in Alaska. Howe and imprisoned out-of-state Democrat Eric Hafner are receiving attention from the leading campaigns. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska souvenir name signs are seen on Monday at a gift shop in the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Oliver was the most popular name for baby boys born in Alaska in 2023, according to the state’s annual vital statistics report. Nora was tied as the fourth-most-popular among the names for baby girls, according to the report. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska births and deaths both declined in 2023, and population total held steady, state says

Fewer Alaska babies were born in 2023 than in previous years, but there were also fewer deaths in the state than in prior years, when… Continue reading

Alaska souvenir name signs are seen on Monday at a gift shop in the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Oliver was the most popular name for baby boys born in Alaska in 2023, according to the state’s annual vital statistics report. Nora was tied as the fourth-most-popular among the names for baby girls, according to the report. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé volleyball coach Jody Levernier looks on as Crimson Bears seniors Evelyn Richards, senior Lavinia Ma’ake, sophomore June Troxel and junior Braith Dihle work a drill in practice Tuesday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Volleyball team hits highs and lows on road trip

Crimson Bears staying positive after multiple games in Anchorage

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé volleyball coach Jody Levernier looks on as Crimson Bears seniors Evelyn Richards, senior Lavinia Ma’ake, sophomore June Troxel and junior Braith Dihle work a drill in practice Tuesday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Huskies competition cheer team pose for a photo at last weekend’s 2024 Rally in the Valley Cheer Competition at Palmer’s Colony High School. Back row left to right: Assistant coach Rob Day, Savannah Cornett Markey, Avery Cornett Markey, Marzena Whitmore, Kajson Cunningham, Gracie Kohuth, assistant coach Katelyn Kohuth and head coach Stephany Day. Middle row l-r: Faith Montez, Rylie Mulkey, Ayla Keller, Tenlee Roemer, Samantha Day and Elijah Levy. Front row l-r: Assistant coach Vanessa Aube, Rory Love and Viviana Flores. (Photo courtesy Samantha Day).

Cheer teams are G… R… E… A… T… Great, great, great

JDHS football and JYFL cheerleading teams earn state awards

The Juneau Huskies competition cheer team pose for a photo at last weekend’s 2024 Rally in the Valley Cheer Competition at Palmer’s Colony High School. Back row left to right: Assistant coach Rob Day, Savannah Cornett Markey, Avery Cornett Markey, Marzena Whitmore, Kajson Cunningham, Gracie Kohuth, assistant coach Katelyn Kohuth and head coach Stephany Day. Middle row l-r: Faith Montez, Rylie Mulkey, Ayla Keller, Tenlee Roemer, Samantha Day and Elijah Levy. Front row l-r: Assistant coach Vanessa Aube, Rory Love and Viviana Flores. (Photo courtesy Samantha Day).
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Man, 61, critically injured after being hit by car on Douglas Highway

Collision at Cordova Street closed highway for about two hours.

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A bear/landscape painting is among the works by Liyuan (Sunny) Zhang that will be exhibited at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum as part of First Friday in November. (Photo provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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

The penultimate First Friday of 2024 features a variety of art and photography exhibits highlighting Alaska’s nature, plus an annual napkin design contest where winners… Continue reading

A bear/landscape painting is among the works by Liyuan (Sunny) Zhang that will be exhibited at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum as part of First Friday in November. (Photo provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
A customer approaches the entrance of the Breeze In in the Mendenhall Valley on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Breeze In bought by owner of IGA supermarkets, hours at two stores reduced starting Friday

Valley store still open 24/7, others to close at 10 p.m.; Kenny’s Liquor Market still open for now.

A customer approaches the entrance of the Breeze In in the Mendenhall Valley on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rear Adm. Mark Sucato reads the U.S. Navy’s apology to the people of Angoon on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 commemorating 142 years to the day since the military bombarded the village in 1882. (Screen image from Sealaska Heritage Institute)
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Angoon accepts U.S. Navy apology for bombardment that destroyed village 142 years ago

“From this day forward, no more crying,” village leader says about declaration sought for generations

Rear Adm. Mark Sucato reads the U.S. Navy’s apology to the people of Angoon on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 commemorating 142 years to the day since the military bombarded the village in 1882. (Screen image from Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Video
Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, is seen on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

False citations show Alaska education official relied on generative AI, raising broader questions

Commissioner Bishop said documents a first draft, appeared on state’s website due to technical error.

Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, is seen on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)