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Students from the Tlingit culture, language and literacy program at Harborview Elementary School dance in front of elders during the program’s in early February. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

District selects first full-time principal for the Tlingit culture, language and literacy program

Eldri Westmoreland is set to fill the position starting in July.

Students from the Tlingit culture, language and literacy program at Harborview Elementary School dance in front of elders during the program’s in early February. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, speaks during a news conference in late April. Juneau School District leaders share mixed reactions about the the Alaska State Legislature passing a budget that includes a $174 million one-time boost to public school funding, and being fearful that the increase will soon be vetoed by the governor. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

District leaders give one-time funding boost an incomplete

Mix of relief and fear of potential veto greet increase included in budget.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, speaks during a news conference in late April. Juneau School District leaders share mixed reactions about the the Alaska State Legislature passing a budget that includes a $174 million one-time boost to public school funding, and being fearful that the increase will soon be vetoed by the governor. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Mountains tower over downtown Juneau Wednesday morning. On Tuesday night the City and Borough of Juneau’s Planning Commission unanimously passed a motion to not recommend the adoption of new hazard maps and policy based on them to the Assembly. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Planning Commission urges rejection of new hazard maps and policy

The decision came after nearly 20 rounds of public testimony advocating against the maps.

Mountains tower over downtown Juneau Wednesday morning. On Tuesday night the City and Borough of Juneau’s Planning Commission unanimously passed a motion to not recommend the adoption of new hazard maps and policy based on them to the Assembly. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Considering North Douglas crossing alternatives

This new highway project will be scrutinized differently than others during the past 30 years.

  • May 25, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Michael and Chantell Sackett of Priest Lake, Idaho, pose for a photo in front of the Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 14, 2011. The Supreme Court on Thursday, May 25, 2023, made it harder for the federal government to police water pollution in a decision that strips protections from wetlands that are isolated from larger bodies of water. The justices boosted property rights over concerns about clean water in a ruling in favor of an Idaho couple who sought to build a house near Priest Lake in the state’s panhandle. (AP Photo / Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Supreme Court sharply limits federal government’s ability to police pollution into certain wetlands

The outcome almost certainly will affect ongoing court battles over new wetlands regulations.

  • May 25, 2023
  • By Mark Sherman and Jessica Gresko Associated Press
Michael and Chantell Sackett of Priest Lake, Idaho, pose for a photo in front of the Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 14, 2011. The Supreme Court on Thursday, May 25, 2023, made it harder for the federal government to police water pollution in a decision that strips protections from wetlands that are isolated from larger bodies of water. The justices boosted property rights over concerns about clean water in a ruling in favor of an Idaho couple who sought to build a house near Priest Lake in the state’s panhandle. (AP Photo / Haraz N. Ghanbari)
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Gimme a Smile: AI is coming—oh wait, it’s already here

AI is on everyone’s radar these days. Artificial Intelligence — it can either make your life easier or kick you to the curb. I’m waiting… Continue reading

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Feb. 24, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. DeSantis has filed a declaration of candidacy for president, entering the 2024 race as Donald Trump’s top GOP rival (AP Photo / John Raoux)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launches 2024 GOP presidential campaign to challenge Trump

Decision revealed in FEC filing before an online conversation with Twitter CEO Elon Musk.

  • May 24, 2023
  • By Steve Peoples, Adriana Gomez Licon and Anthony Izaguirre Associated Press
  • Nation-World
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Feb. 24, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. DeSantis has filed a declaration of candidacy for president, entering the 2024 race as Donald Trump’s top GOP rival (AP Photo / John Raoux)
Rep. Josiah Patkotak, I-Utqiagvik, explains the history of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska during an Alaska State House floor session in February. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

America’s farthest-north state representative is planning to leave the Alaska Capitol

Patkotak says he’s running to be the next mayor of the North Slope Borough.

Rep. Josiah Patkotak, I-Utqiagvik, explains the history of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska during an Alaska State House floor session in February. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Award-winning Juneau writer Vera Starbard stands on her balcony on Douglas Island that displays banners across Gastineau Channel in support of the Writer’s Guild of America union strike currently going on across Hollywood and the country. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Award-winning Juneau writer talks Hollywood writers’ strike

Vera Starbard is now living life off-script.

Award-winning Juneau writer Vera Starbard stands on her balcony on Douglas Island that displays banners across Gastineau Channel in support of the Writer’s Guild of America union strike currently going on across Hollywood and the country. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School senior Chase Darbonne wins the Division I boys long jump during the Region V Track & Field Championships, Saturday, at TMHS. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: To his father

You sir have a fine young man. I don’t know much about you. But I know a lot about your son by my interactions with… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain High School senior Chase Darbonne wins the Division I boys long jump during the Region V Track & Field Championships, Saturday, at TMHS. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
A sign at the entrance of the Juneau International Airport’s short-term parking lot informs travelers that construction will begin May 31 and long-term parking will be closed the same day. The airport’s construction project will begin next Wednesday, May 31, for parking lot improvements, including repaving, new curbing, lighting and draining, as well as installing a new payment system in the short-term lot. ( Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Airport to begin $10M parking improvement project next week

Parking will be limited during the summer and into the fall, officials say.

A sign at the entrance of the Juneau International Airport’s short-term parking lot informs travelers that construction will begin May 31 and long-term parking will be closed the same day. The airport’s construction project will begin next Wednesday, May 31, for parking lot improvements, including repaving, new curbing, lighting and draining, as well as installing a new payment system in the short-term lot. ( Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs legislation allowing the state to set up a carbon offset program Tuesday in Anchorage. Dunleavy signed the bill with Alaska lawmakers and administration officials standing behind him during the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy signs carbon ‘trees’ bill at sustainable energy conference

National and state leaders discuss Alaska’s green market prospects in-state and internationally

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs legislation allowing the state to set up a carbon offset program Tuesday in Anchorage. Dunleavy signed the bill with Alaska lawmakers and administration officials standing behind him during the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears center Orion Dybdahl signs a letter of intent Monday to play basketball at Centralia College as brother Eli Dybdahl, mother Sarah Dybdahl, sister Michaela Demmert, father Travis Dybdahl and JDHS coach Robert Casperson look on Monday at the JDHS gym. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Dybdahl signs to Centralia College

Crimson Bears big man noted for ‘athleticism and high basketball IQ’

  • May 23, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe Juneau Empire
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears center Orion Dybdahl signs a letter of intent Monday to play basketball at Centralia College as brother Eli Dybdahl, mother Sarah Dybdahl, sister Michaela Demmert, father Travis Dybdahl and JDHS coach Robert Casperson look on Monday at the JDHS gym. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Kai Ciambor, shown in earlier season action, had two goals and controlled the pitch for the Crimson Bears during their final two regular season games at Ketchikan last weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears soccer boys split at Kayhi

JDHS still the top seed for state this weekend.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Kai Ciambor, shown in earlier season action, had two goals and controlled the pitch for the Crimson Bears during their final two regular season games at Ketchikan last weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears freshman Peyton Wheeler, shown in earlier season action, had two goals and an assist at Ketchikan last weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire File)

Crimson Bears girls tie and win at Kayhi

JDHS receives number four seed for state tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears freshman Peyton Wheeler, shown in earlier season action, had two goals and an assist at Ketchikan last weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire File)
Thunder Mountain High School senior captain Preston Lam (10), shown in early season action against JDHS senior Kean Buss (5), was credited by coaches for defensive play at West Anchorage last weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire File)

Falcons soccer boys end season on the road

Thunder Mountain coaches describe final match.

Thunder Mountain High School senior captain Preston Lam (10), shown in early season action against JDHS senior Kean Buss (5), was credited by coaches for defensive play at West Anchorage last weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire File)
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska's North Slope. Alaska's push to become a bigger player in the clean energy market is in the spotlight this week at a conference convened by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, even as the state continues to embrace new fossil fuel production, including the controversial Willow oil project. (ConocoPhillips)

‘Leap of faith:’ Alaska pursues carbon offset market while embracing oil

Alaska’s push to become a bigger player in the clean energy market is in the spotlight this week at a conference convened by its Republican… Continue reading

This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska's North Slope. Alaska's push to become a bigger player in the clean energy market is in the spotlight this week at a conference convened by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, even as the state continues to embrace new fossil fuel production, including the controversial Willow oil project. (ConocoPhillips)
A channel flows through the mud flats along the Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm in Alaska on Oct. 25, 2014. Authorities said, a 20-year-old man from Illinois who was walking Sunday evening, May 21, 2023, on tidal mud flats with friends in an Alaska estuary, got stuck up to his waist in the quicksand-like silt and drowned as the tide came in before frantic rescuers could extract him. (Bob Hallinen / Anchorage Daily News)

Illinois man gets stuck waist-deep in Alaska mud flats, drowns as tide comes in

“…It’s Mother Nature, and she has no mercy for humanity.”

A channel flows through the mud flats along the Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm in Alaska on Oct. 25, 2014. Authorities said, a 20-year-old man from Illinois who was walking Sunday evening, May 21, 2023, on tidal mud flats with friends in an Alaska estuary, got stuck up to his waist in the quicksand-like silt and drowned as the tide came in before frantic rescuers could extract him. (Bob Hallinen / Anchorage Daily News)
On Monday the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly passed a motion in support of the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s intention to rename the two blocks of South Seward Street between Front Street and Marine Way to Heritage Way. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City signals support for renaming South Seward Street

Sealaska Heritage Institute applied for it to be renamed to Heritage Way.

On Monday the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly passed a motion in support of the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s intention to rename the two blocks of South Seward Street between Front Street and Marine Way to Heritage Way. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Racers start the Spring Tide Scramble at Fish Creek Park on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo)

Spring Tide Scramble beats the tide

Youth and adult runners get dirty on the mud flats

Racers start the Spring Tide Scramble at Fish Creek Park on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo)