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A group of fourth-grade Harborview Elementary School students share the digging and planting task at Juneau’s newest accredited arboretum on Arbor Day, celebrated Monday, May 19, 2025. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)

Planting of new trees at Evergreen Cemetery celebrate its new status as an arboretum

More than 100 donated trees of 42 varieties planted during past decades.

A group of fourth-grade Harborview Elementary School students share the digging and planting task at Juneau’s newest accredited arboretum on Arbor Day, celebrated Monday, May 19, 2025. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)
Olga Lijo Serans, owner of Hearthside Books, discusses its inclusion in USA Today’s voting competition to determine the “10 Best Independent Bookstores” in the U.S. at her Nugget Mall branch on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hearthside Books and Toys among 20 contenders in online vote for 10 best independent bookstores in US

USA Today contest that ends June 2 also includes famous stores such as Strand Book Store in NYC.

Olga Lijo Serans, owner of Hearthside Books, discusses its inclusion in USA Today’s voting competition to determine the “10 Best Independent Bookstores” in the U.S. at her Nugget Mall branch on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
KINY’s “prize patrol” vehicle is parked outside the Local First Media Group Inc.’s building on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

KINY’s parent company enters Chapter 15 bankruptcy proceedings; local co-owner says operations unaffected

Company that owns 11 Southeast Alaska radio stations placed in receivership over defaulted $8.2M loan.

KINY’s “prize patrol” vehicle is parked outside the Local First Media Group Inc.’s building on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman sprinter Bella Connally (4) wins the girls 100-meters in a Crimson Bears sweep as classmates Lydia Goins (7), Addie Hartman (5) and Shandiin Frommherz (3) trail her across the finish during the Region V Track & Field Championships at Juneau’s Thunder Mountain Middle School on Friday.

JDHS girls win Region V track championship over Kayhi

Crimson Bears top DI school, Sitka Wolves top DII competitions.

Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman sprinter Bella Connally (4) wins the girls 100-meters in a Crimson Bears sweep as classmates Lydia Goins (7), Addie Hartman (5) and Shandiin Frommherz (3) trail her across the finish during the Region V Track & Field Championships at Juneau’s Thunder Mountain Middle School on Friday.
A payday advance neon sign is seen in this undated photo. (EHStock/Getty Images)

Alaska Legislature votes to limit high interest rates and fees for payday loan lenders

On the 120th and last day of Alaska’s annual legislative session, the state House passed a bill that would curb high interest rates and fees… Continue reading

A payday advance neon sign is seen in this undated photo. (EHStock/Getty Images)
Athletes with a chance for state titles include 1,600-meter runners: Sitka senior Connor Hitchcock, Wrangell junior Boomchain Loucks and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Ferguson Wheeler, Nick Iverson, Owen Woodruff and Sage Janes, shown in the combined 1,600-meters during the Region V Track & Field Championships at Juneau's Thunder Mountain Middle School on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS track and field athletes set for state field in Anchorage

Crimson Bears have multiple chances for championships this weekend

Athletes with a chance for state titles include 1,600-meter runners: Sitka senior Connor Hitchcock, Wrangell junior Boomchain Loucks and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Ferguson Wheeler, Nick Iverson, Owen Woodruff and Sage Janes, shown in the combined 1,600-meters during the Region V Track & Field Championships at Juneau's Thunder Mountain Middle School on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

It’s Memorial Day for many, but just one of many memorial days for some who were in battle

Tributes at annual ceremonies in Juneau note major historic achievement and unseen individual sufferings.

Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Jason Williams, a Juneau resident experiencing homelessness and suffering from multiple medical ailments, lies on a cot in a tent on the edge of a ditch on Teal Street on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s homeless camping crisis: ‘They don’t feel safe around us? We don’t feel safe around them’

Business, home dwellers agree with unhoused that city’s “dispersed camping” remains dangerously unhealthy.

Jason Williams, a Juneau resident experiencing homelessness and suffering from multiple medical ailments, lies on a cot in a tent on the edge of a ditch on Teal Street on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hayden Aube is the first student to receive his diploma from Principal Paula Casperson during Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. Aube, a multisport star athlete for the Crimson Bears, was in a wheelchair after sustaining an injury Saturday competing in the Region V Track and Field Championships. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Class of 2025: Expanding by consolidating

Former TMHS students get tributes as nearly 300 seniors walk the stage in first post-merger commencement.

Hayden Aube is the first student to receive his diploma from Principal Paula Casperson during Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. Aube, a multisport star athlete for the Crimson Bears, was in a wheelchair after sustaining an injury Saturday competing in the Region V Track and Field Championships. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ella Orsborn (9) wins a ball against Wasilla as senior teammate Adelyn Buss (3) moves in during the Crimson Bears senior appreciation game Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS soccer girls play for pride and for the seniors

Crimson Bears girls’ season ends at home against Wasilla.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ella Orsborn (9) wins a ball against Wasilla as senior teammate Adelyn Buss (3) moves in during the Crimson Bears senior appreciation game Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kai Ciambor hits a penalty kick to break the Crimson Bears’ career scoring record during Saturday’s Crimson Bears senior appreciation game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS seniors honored in sweep over Wasilla

Crimson Bears boys “sock-er” it to visiting Warriors.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kai Ciambor hits a penalty kick to break the Crimson Bears’ career scoring record during Saturday’s Crimson Bears senior appreciation game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School’s seniors enter the Dzantik’i Heeni gymnasium during the school’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School celebrates Class of 2025

38 seniors get individual tributes from their advisors before walk across stage at Dzantik’i Heeni.

Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School’s seniors enter the Dzantik’i Heeni gymnasium during the school’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé softball senior Tatum Billings connects at the plate against Sitka on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park during the Crimson Bears’ senior appreciation game. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears softball team gives seniors special win

JDHS defeats Sitka Saturday during weekend celebration matchups.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé softball senior Tatum Billings connects at the plate against Sitka on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park during the Crimson Bears’ senior appreciation game. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Nick Iverson receives the 4x400 baton from classmate Finn Lamb during the Crimson Bears’ win in the final event of the Region V Championships on Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys win Region V track title over Ketchikan

Crimson Bears boys top DI events, Sitka Wolves top DII.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Nick Iverson receives the 4x400 baton from classmate Finn Lamb during the Crimson Bears’ win in the final event of the Region V Championships on Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The retreat of the Bear Glacier, near Stewart, British Columbia, transformed a stream below it into a haven for salmon. (Max Graham/Grist)

Who will benefit from melting glaciers?

In a remote corner of North America, salmon and mining companies are vying for new territory.

The retreat of the Bear Glacier, near Stewart, British Columbia, transformed a stream below it into a haven for salmon. (Max Graham/Grist)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Ida Meyer (1) and Sitka’s Marina Dill (2) and Clare Mullin (1) lead the start of the combined DI and DII 3200 during the Region V Track & Field Championships Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS leads Region V track and field championships after day one

Crimson Bears boys and girls hold slight advantage over Ketchikan.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Ida Meyer (1) and Sitka’s Marina Dill (2) and Clare Mullin (1) lead the start of the combined DI and DII 3200 during the Region V Track & Field Championships Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
At a farm market in St. Petersburg, Florida, SNAP recipients were able to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for food. (Lance Cheung/USDA).

More than 3 million people would lose SNAP benefits under GOP bill, nonpartisan report says

The massive tax and spending bill passed by U.S. House Republicans would likely result in 3.2 million people losing food assistance benefits, and saddle states… Continue reading

At a farm market in St. Petersburg, Florida, SNAP recipients were able to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for food. (Lance Cheung/USDA).
Juneau high school seniors Peyton Edmunds of IDEA Homeschool (left), Ryan Song of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé (center) and Maxie Lehauli of Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School. (Photos of Edmunds and Song by Juneau Empire staff, photo of Lehauli provided by her family)

Senior Spotlight 2025: Adapting to where the ‘real world’ might take you

Homeschool grad honored Friday; ceremonies for Juneau’s two public high schools are Sunday.

Juneau high school seniors Peyton Edmunds of IDEA Homeschool (left), Ryan Song of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé (center) and Maxie Lehauli of Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School. (Photos of Edmunds and Song by Juneau Empire staff, photo of Lehauli provided by her family)
An Arctic tern sits at its nesting site at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Baluss)

Arctic terns return to their protected nests in Juneau

The birds began their journey to Alaska in March to find safe haven at the Mendenhall Glacier.

An Arctic tern sits at its nesting site at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Baluss)
On Friday, May 16, 2025, Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, gets a chit sheet signature from Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anchorage, for an upcoming bill. To bring a bill to a vote in the House, a lawmaker has to get a majority of lawmakers to sign a sheet signifying that there is enough support for the bill to pass the body. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska’s Legislature was in session for four months: Here’s what they did with their time.

A look at the 33 bills that both the House and Senate passed this year, and where they stand in the process.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, gets a chit sheet signature from Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anchorage, for an upcoming bill. To bring a bill to a vote in the House, a lawmaker has to get a majority of lawmakers to sign a sheet signifying that there is enough support for the bill to pass the body. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)