The Juneau road system ends at Cascade Point in Berners Bay, as shown in a May 2006 photo. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

State starts engineering for power at proposed Cascade Point ferry terminal

DOT says the contract for electrical planning is not a commitment to construct the terminal.

 

Members of the Alaska Air and Army National Guard, Alaska Naval Militia, and Alaska State Defense Force work together to load plywood onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, in Bethel, Alaska, Nov. 2, 2025, bound for the villages of Napaskiak, Tuntutuliak, and Napakiak. The materials will help residents rebuild homes and restore community spaces damaged by past storms. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Ericka Gillespie)

Gov. Dunleavy approves Alaska National Guard assisting ICE in Anchorage

The National Guard said five service members will assist with administrative support; lawmakers and civil rights advocates worry that the move signals a ramping up of immigration enforcement operations in Alaska

  • Dec 4, 2025
  • By Corinne Smith Alaska Beacon

 

A cruise ship, with several orange lifeboats visible, is docked in downtown Juneau. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

CBJ seeks input on uses for marine passenger fees

Public comment period is open for the month of December.

 

Browsers crowd into Annie Kaill’s gallery and gift shop during the 2024 Gallery Walk. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Gallery Walk guide for Friday, Dec. 5

The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council announced community events taking place during Gallery Walk on First Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 in Juneau. With over 50… Continue reading

Browsers crowd into Annie Kaill’s gallery and gift shop during the 2024 Gallery Walk. (Juneau Empire file photo)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate Republicans confirm Rauscher, Tilton and open two vacancies in state House

The Alaska Republican Party is moving quickly after Republicans in the Alaska Senate confirmed Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s picks for two vacancies in the Senate on… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Downtown Skagway, with snow dusting its streets, is seen in this undated photo. (Photo by C. Anderson/National Park Service)

Skagway’s lone paramedic is suing the city, alleging retaliation by fire department officials

This article was reported and published in collaboration between the Chilkat Valley News and the Alaska Beacon. Skagway’s former paramedic is alleging wrongdoing by the… Continue reading

  • Dec 2, 2025
  • By Will Steinfeld Chilkat Valley News, James Brooks Alaska Beacon
Downtown Skagway, with snow dusting its streets, is seen in this undated photo. (Photo by C. Anderson/National Park Service)
A spruce tree grows along Rainforest Trail on Douglas Island. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Where to cut your Christmas tree in Juneau

CBJ and Tongass National Forest outline where and how residents can harvest.

A spruce tree grows along Rainforest Trail on Douglas Island. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry LeConte at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Update: Public comment period extended on proposed Cascade Point ferry terminal

The $28 million first phase would extend Glacier Highway and prepare the site on Goldbelt land.

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry LeConte at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Michael Wilson of Keet Enterprises offers staffs, salves and more at the Juneau Public Market on Friday, Nov. 28. (Mari Kanagy /Juneau Empire)

Five faces of the Juneau Public Market

Of the more than 175 vendors, the Empire spoke to five across different mediums.

Michael Wilson of Keet Enterprises offers staffs, salves and more at the Juneau Public Market on Friday, Nov. 28. (Mari Kanagy /Juneau Empire)

Controversial political website Alaska Landmine faces defamation suit from Alaska state official

By James Brooks Alaska Beacon The chair of Alaska’s human rights commission has sued a political writer for defamation over his description of her work… Continue reading

Winter dining has always carried more weight than the menu might suggest. In the off-season, eating out isn’t just about comfort food or convenience; it’s a way of supporting local businesses as they hold steady through the slower months. Photo credit: Canva.

Savoring local in Juneau: How a simple meal helps the whole community

Independent cafés and neighborhood restaurants keep Juneau strong through the slow season

Winter dining has always carried more weight than the menu might suggest. In the off-season, eating out isn’t just about comfort food or convenience; it’s a way of supporting local businesses as they hold steady through the slower months. Photo credit: Canva.
Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. The Kvichak watershed would be damaged by the Pebble mine project, the Environmental Protection Agency has determined. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency)

Pebble Mine, halted by EPA order, gets support from national development groups

In 2023, the EPA invoked a rarely used “veto” clause of the Clean Water Act to say that there was no way that the proposed Pebble Mine could be developed without significant harm to the environment.

  • Dec 1, 2025
  • By James Brooks Alaska Beacon
Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. The Kvichak watershed would be damaged by the Pebble mine project, the Environmental Protection Agency has determined. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency)
Hundreds of people pack into Treadwell Arena on Friday night for a free Santa Skate. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Hundreds of people pack into Treadwell Arena on Friday night for a free Santa Skate. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A page of the Juneau Empire from a Nov. 27, 1915 edition. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Nov. 29

Capital city coverage from a century ago.

A page of the Juneau Empire from a Nov. 27, 1915 edition. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, talks to fellow lawmakers about rules for debate on House Bill 183 on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy appoints Rauscher and Tilton to Alaska Senate, opening two House vacancies

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has appointed state Reps. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, and Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, to two vacancies in the Alaska Senate. Each nomination will become… Continue reading

Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, talks to fellow lawmakers about rules for debate on House Bill 183 on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Ned Rozell/Submitted 
A map showing some of Alaska’s more unique place names.

Alaska Science Forum: What’s in an Alaska name?

I once asked a snowmachiner heading out on a trail from Nome where he was going. “Boston,” he said before speeding off. Not knowing of… Continue reading

Ned Rozell/Submitted 
A map showing some of Alaska’s more unique place names.
Local nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul delivered over 500 meal baskets on Saturday as part of its Thanksgiving Basket Drive. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Skinner)

St. Vincent de Paul delivers 521 Thanksgiving baskets amid rising need

The annual holiday drive saw a 30% increase in demand.

Local nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul delivered over 500 meal baskets on Saturday as part of its Thanksgiving Basket Drive. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Skinner)
The Juneau offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy makes new pick for Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board of directors

By James Brooks Alaska Beacon Craig Richards, a longtime member of the board in charge of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, has been replaced. On… Continue reading

The Juneau offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Photos courtesy Tlingit and Haida 
The Floyd Dryden Middle School building will be home to part of the Tlingit & Haida education and youth programs starting early next year.
Photos courtesy Tlingit and Haida 
The Floyd Dryden Middle School building will be home to part of the Tlingit & Haida education and youth programs starting early next year.
Salmon returning from the ocean attempt to jump Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve’s Brooks River on July 12, 2018. Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest this year was nearly twice as big as last year’s small harvest. (Photo by Russ Taylor/National Park Service)

Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest rebounds after ultra-low harvest last year

The catch was more plentiful but money remains modest for Alaska fishers

  • Nov 24, 2025
  • By Yereth Rosen Alaska Beacon
Salmon returning from the ocean attempt to jump Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve’s Brooks River on July 12, 2018. Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest this year was nearly twice as big as last year’s small harvest. (Photo by Russ Taylor/National Park Service)