News

Feltleaf willow leaves emerge beneath where a moose nipped off buds during winter of 2022-2023 in Fairbanks. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Feltleaf willows — Alaska’s most abundant tree

Imagine being a moose in late May…

 

This photo was taken at Point Bridget State Park. (Courtesy Photo / Nicholette Villarreal)

Wild Shots

Reader-submitted photos of Mother Nature in Southeast Alaska.

 

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Ships in Port for the Week of May 28

Here’s what to expect this week.

 

Matthew Murray, an attorney representing the Alaska State Employees Association, presents the union’s arguments in its lawsuit against the Dunleavy administration to the Alaska Supreme Court on Oct. 13, 2022. (Screenshot from Gavel Alaska livestream)

Dunleavy illegally altered rules for union dues, state supreme court rules

Nearly $450,000 in damages and costs awarded to ASEA as judgement in 2019 lawsuit upheld

Matthew Murray, an attorney representing the Alaska State Employees Association, presents the union’s arguments in its lawsuit against the Dunleavy administration to the Alaska Supreme Court on Oct. 13, 2022. (Screenshot from Gavel Alaska livestream)
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Police calls for Saturday, May 27

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

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The wildlife shelter at the top of Mount. Roberts sits empty Friday morning. The building future remains in limbo as it is owned by the Juneau Raptor Center, which this fall announced it would be suspending its operations by the end of 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Fate of Lady Baltimore’s shelter atop Mount Roberts in limbo

The $170,000 building remains unoccupied after Juneau Raptor Center announced dissolution this fall.

The wildlife shelter at the top of Mount. Roberts sits empty Friday morning. The building future remains in limbo as it is owned by the Juneau Raptor Center, which this fall announced it would be suspending its operations by the end of 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
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Washington woman arrested for sourcing drugs distributed to Juneau in 2022

“I think this will make a difference in the amount of drugs flowing into our community.”

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A member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, places flags in front of each headstone for "Flags-In" at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Thursday, May 25, 2023, to honor the Nation's fallen military heroes ahead of Memorial Day. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

A Memorial Day explainer

Plus, what’s happening in Juneau on Monday.

  • May 26, 2023
  • By Ben Finley Associated Press
  • Events
A member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, places flags in front of each headstone for "Flags-In" at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Thursday, May 25, 2023, to honor the Nation's fallen military heroes ahead of Memorial Day. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)
Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

What’s next for the most debated bills pending in the Legislature?

Education funding increase, “parental rights” and other proposals will resurface next year.

Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
This combination image shows senior students Kiley Morris, 18, of Thunder Mountain High School, Helen John, 17, of Yaakoosgé Daakahídi High School, and Krishna Bathija, 18, of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Each is scheduled to speak at their respective graduation ceremonies on Sunday. (Photos by Juneau Empire staff)

3 on ‘23: Graduating seniors discuss past lessons and future plans

Students among speakers at Juneau’s three high school ceremonies Sunday

This combination image shows senior students Kiley Morris, 18, of Thunder Mountain High School, Helen John, 17, of Yaakoosgé Daakahídi High School, and Krishna Bathija, 18, of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Each is scheduled to speak at their respective graduation ceremonies on Sunday. (Photos by Juneau Empire staff)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Police investigate assault in Lemon Creek area

“JPD does not believe there is any danger to the public at large.”

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
An employee at Barnacle Foods in Juneau chops up bull kelp as it makes it was down a conveyor belt. The company is among many in Alaska seeking to use kelp for a variety of commercial and scientific purposes.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Seeking the rich rewards of sustainability

Economic as well as environmental prospects emphasized at second annual energy conference

An employee at Barnacle Foods in Juneau chops up bull kelp as it makes it was down a conveyor belt. The company is among many in Alaska seeking to use kelp for a variety of commercial and scientific purposes.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
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)
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)
Nature often provides an escape from the brutality of modern life, but it can’t always provide the answers we seek. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Into the maze

“Into the Wild” and “The Grizzly Maze” are complex reads. To reduce Chris McCandless and Timothy Treadwell to naïve, unprepared fools who are led to… Continue reading

Nature often provides an escape from the brutality of modern life, but it can’t always provide the answers we seek. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
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)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, May 23, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
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)