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President Joe Biden speaks about the debt limit talks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)

Biden declares ‘America will not default,’ says he’s confident of budget deal with GOP lawmakers

Remarks come as negotiators try and hammer out a budget spending deal.

  • May 17, 2023
  • By Seung Min Kim and Lisa Mascaro Associated Press
  • Nation-World
President Joe Biden speaks about the debt limit talks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
JDHS sophomore Kellen Chester (10) and TMHS senior Matthew Spratt (4) battle for a ball during the Crimson Bears 6-1 win over the Falcons Tuesday at Falcons Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears soccer boys spoil Falcons senior night

Juneau-Douglas earns win at Thunder Mountain

JDHS sophomore Kellen Chester (10) and TMHS senior Matthew Spratt (4) battle for a ball during the Crimson Bears 6-1 win over the Falcons Tuesday at Falcons Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
JDHS junior Cadence Plummer hugs sophomore Milina Mazon (11) after Mazon scored during the Crimson Bears 2-0 win over Thunder Mountain at the Adair-Kennedy pitch Tuesday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears bring heat to senior night

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé soccer girls topple Thunder Mountain.

JDHS junior Cadence Plummer hugs sophomore Milina Mazon (11) after Mazon scored during the Crimson Bears 2-0 win over Thunder Mountain at the Adair-Kennedy pitch Tuesday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, May 17, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, May 18, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, tells reporters why the bill for next year’s budget was held over Tuesday until the final day of the session on Wednesday. The Senate floor session is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., giving the Senate and House 13 hours to resolve their differences before the 121-day session deadline. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Senate stalls budget for suspenseful final day

Legislature will have 13 hours to solve differences over PFD, other issues to avoid special session

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, tells reporters why the bill for next year’s budget was held over Tuesday until the final day of the session on Wednesday. The Senate floor session is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., giving the Senate and House 13 hours to resolve their differences before the 121-day session deadline. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Lisa Hawkins interviews drummer Cameron Cartland for the Anchorage-based livestream concert/conversation podcast Amplify Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Yngvil Vatn Guttu)
Capital City Weekly

Upcoming concert series to ‘Amplify Alaska’ voices

Saturday night show to serve as a fundraiser for Aak’w Rock Indigenous Music Festival.

Lisa Hawkins interviews drummer Cameron Cartland for the Anchorage-based livestream concert/conversation podcast Amplify Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Yngvil Vatn Guttu)
An array of vapes line the shelf of a display case at Alaska Pipeline vape store downtown. The Alaska Senate passed a bill that would impose a 25% statewide tax on retail e-cigarette products in Alaska Tuesday morning. It now heads to the House. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

​​Senate passes bill to impose statewide tax on e-cigarettes

A similar bill was vetoed by Gov. Dun Mike Dunleavy last fall.

An array of vapes line the shelf of a display case at Alaska Pipeline vape store downtown. The Alaska Senate passed a bill that would impose a 25% statewide tax on retail e-cigarette products in Alaska Tuesday morning. It now heads to the House. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks in opposition Tuesday to a bill prohibiting state and municipal officials from closing firearms businesses during declared emergencies if other essential businesses remain open. The Senate voted 17-3 to pass the bill, which sets the stage for it to pass the full Legislature before the session adjourns Wednesday as part of a package agreement on various bills. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Ban on gun store shutdowns during disasters passes Senate

Kiehl among dissenters in 17-3 vote; proposal may be part of final negotiations with Housde

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, speaks in opposition Tuesday to a bill prohibiting state and municipal officials from closing firearms businesses during declared emergencies if other essential businesses remain open. The Senate voted 17-3 to pass the bill, which sets the stage for it to pass the full Legislature before the session adjourns Wednesday as part of a package agreement on various bills. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
People walk past an American flag inside the Oculus, part of the World Trade Center transportation hub, at the start of a work day in New York, Sept. 11, 2019. American lore is full of tales of a nation built on the foundations of individualism. In reality, loneliness in America can be deadly. In May 2023, the U.S. surgeon general declared it an epidemic, saying that it takes as deadly a toll as smoking. (AP Photo / Wong Maye-E)

How the American Dream convinces people loneliness is normal

In reality, loneliness in America can be deadly.

People walk past an American flag inside the Oculus, part of the World Trade Center transportation hub, at the start of a work day in New York, Sept. 11, 2019. American lore is full of tales of a nation built on the foundations of individualism. In reality, loneliness in America can be deadly. In May 2023, the U.S. surgeon general declared it an epidemic, saying that it takes as deadly a toll as smoking. (AP Photo / Wong Maye-E)
State Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, talks with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, following the Senate’s unanimous passage of carbon credits bill Monday. Hughes and Se. Mike Shower, center, voted for the bill despite voicing strong concerns about some of its provisions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Carbon credits bill unanimously passes Senate, House quickly takes it up

Legislature seeks to OK priority bill for Dunleavy as part of package to adjourn session in time

State Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, talks with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, following the Senate’s unanimous passage of carbon credits bill Monday. Hughes and Se. Mike Shower, center, voted for the bill despite voicing strong concerns about some of its provisions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Anna Dale signed a letter of intent Monday to play hockey for Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Anna Dale signs to compete in college hockey

JDHS senior will bring national level skills to powerhouse Lebanon Valley

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Anna Dale signed a letter of intent Monday to play hockey for Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
State Senate leaders depart the House Speaker’s office following a long meeting between members of both chambers Saturday afternoon that failed to resolve budget differences with only four days left until the scheduled adjournment of the legislative session. Leaders with both chambers have said there’s a strong likelihood of a special session, but a breakthrough on some key items late Monday may allow legislators to finish in time on Wednesday if they work at a whirlwind pace. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘It’s the weirdest session I’ve ever seen’: Odds for special session fluctuating drastically

Accusations by House and Senate leaders lead to late pacts as Legislature tries to adjourn on time

State Senate leaders depart the House Speaker’s office following a long meeting between members of both chambers Saturday afternoon that failed to resolve budget differences with only four days left until the scheduled adjournment of the legislative session. Leaders with both chambers have said there’s a strong likelihood of a special session, but a breakthrough on some key items late Monday may allow legislators to finish in time on Wednesday if they work at a whirlwind pace. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors Board Vice Chairman Jim Becker cuts a ribbon Monday afternoon stretched across the Seawalk downtown in celebration of the city’s completion of the Docks and Harbors Marine Deckover Project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Docks and Harbors celebrates completion of Marine Park deckover project

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday afternoon.

City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors Board Vice Chairman Jim Becker cuts a ribbon Monday afternoon stretched across the Seawalk downtown in celebration of the city’s completion of the Docks and Harbors Marine Deckover Project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A Starburst is unwrapped by the Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgery System under the control of Eugene Rehfield, 10, who was one of the many residents that tried out the machine at the Bartlett Regional Hospital lobby Monday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Bartlett unveils new robotic surgery system

The hospital hosted an open house to celebrate the new technology.

A Starburst is unwrapped by the Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgery System under the control of Eugene Rehfield, 10, who was one of the many residents that tried out the machine at the Bartlett Regional Hospital lobby Monday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This Juneau Hydropower Inc. photo shows an overview of the Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Project site. (Courtesy Photo / Robert Johnson)

Sweetheart Lake project still in the works after partnership ends

Permit application withdrawn after Tokyo-based partners terminate agreement.

This Juneau Hydropower Inc. photo shows an overview of the Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Project site. (Courtesy Photo / Robert Johnson)
A sign hangs outside of outgoing City Manager Rorie Watt’s office located in the City Hall downtown. On Monday the Assembly City Manager Recruitment Committee met for the first time to discuss the recruitment process to hire Watt’s replacement by the end of September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City begins search for new manager

Outgoing Rorie Watt is expected to leave his post this fall.

A sign hangs outside of outgoing City Manager Rorie Watt’s office located in the City Hall downtown. On Monday the Assembly City Manager Recruitment Committee met for the first time to discuss the recruitment process to hire Watt’s replacement by the end of September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of a Capital City Fire/Rescue truck in the Mendenhall Valley in May. CCFR and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a recent blaze Sunday morning as possible arson. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Doorstep fire investigated as possible arson

The circumstances of the blaze make it unlikely to be an accident, fire marshal says

This is a photo of a Capital City Fire/Rescue truck in the Mendenhall Valley in May. CCFR and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a recent blaze Sunday morning as possible arson. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Thunder Mountain High School boys soccer seniors, from left, Tristan Laremore, Matthew Spratt, Ben Erickson, Stig Cunningham, Preston Lam and MJ Tupou will be honored before the Falcons home game against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday on Falcons Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain boys to honor soccer seniors Tuesday

Falcons will welcome JDHS Crimson Bears in final derby match

Thunder Mountain High School boys soccer seniors, from left, Tristan Laremore, Matthew Spratt, Ben Erickson, Stig Cunningham, Preston Lam and MJ Tupou will be honored before the Falcons home game against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday on Falcons Field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Simple math points to more equitable tax plan

To me it seems like simple math.

  • May 15, 2023
  • Judy Smathers
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