Senators Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage), Bert Stedman (R-Sitka) and Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel) discuss key priorities for the Senate majority caucus on Tuesday morning at the Alaska State Capitol. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska senators outline key priorities in the opening day of the 34th Legislature

An increase to the Base Student Allocation and in resource development among coming proposals.

 

State Sens. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), Matt Claman (D-Anchorage), Jesse Kiehl (D-Juneau) and Sen. James Kaufman (R-Anchorage) are sworn in by Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom during the opening day of the 34th Alaska State Legislature on Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

34th Alaska Legislature gavels in smoothly — now the hard part begins

Leadership battle in House from past sessions avoided, but minority has enough votes to sway agenda.

 

Denali, the tallest mountain in the United States, is set to revert to its former name of Mount McKinley under an executive order signed Monday by President Donald Trump. (Denali National Park and Preserve photo)

Poll: Alaskans oppose reverting Denali back to Mt. McKinley by more than two-to-one

Trump voters in state favor change 43%-37%, Harris voters oppose 7%-86%, according to survey.

 

Adm. Linda L. Fagan, the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard since 2022, was relieved of duty after President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term on Monday. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)

Adm. Linda Fagan fired as Coast Guard Commandant on Trump’s first day back in office

First woman to head a U.S. military branch presided over decision to homeport icebreaker in Juneau.

Adm. Linda L. Fagan, the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard since 2022, was relieved of duty after President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term on Monday. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)
President Donald Trump holds up an executive order after signing it on stage during the inaugural parade inside Capitol One Arena following his inauguration as the 47th president in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

Donald Trump signs executive orders, lifting oil restrictions in the Arctic

His decision receives praise from Alaska congressional delegation, concern from environmental groups.

President Donald Trump holds up an executive order after signing it on stage during the inaugural parade inside Capitol One Arena following his inauguration as the 47th president in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
A dump truck carries away a load of debris during demolition work on the Alaska-Juneau Gold Mine steam power plant Nov. 20, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Going, going…gone: A historic AJ Mine building disappears

Power plant built in 1916 kept Juneau’s economic engine charged for decades before falling into disrepair.

A dump truck carries away a load of debris during demolition work on the Alaska-Juneau Gold Mine steam power plant Nov. 20, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Monday. (Chang W. Lee / The New York Times)

Here are Trump’s day-one executive orders

President Trump on Monday began issuing a barrage of executive orders, kicking off his presidency with a muscular use of power intended to signal a… Continue reading

  • Jan 20, 2025
  • By Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Michael D. Shear and Noah Weiland ©2025 The New York Times Company
  • Donald Trump
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Monday. (Chang W. Lee / The New York Times)
An officer from the U.S. Border Patrol’s Blaine Sector office, which has assigned two permanent officers to Juneau as of December. (U.S. Border Patrol photo)

Border Patrol launches Juneau operation, with eye on drugs rather than mass deportations

Two-person deployment will work with police, tribal, other agencies throughout Southeast Alaska.

An officer from the U.S. Border Patrol’s Blaine Sector office, which has assigned two permanent officers to Juneau as of December. (U.S. Border Patrol photo)
Denali as seen in a picture distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 when the nation’s tallest mountain was renamed from Mount McKinley. (National Park Service photo)

Reports: Trump will rename Denali back to Mt. McKinley as part of flurry of executive orders on day one

Other orders expected to focus on immigration crackdowns, dismantle diversity initiatives.

Denali as seen in a picture distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 when the nation’s tallest mountain was renamed from Mount McKinley. (National Park Service photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Aurora forecast through the week of Jan. 25

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute and available online, along with more data, at www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast. The listings below will… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
A “pro-life” flag has been flying along with the U.S. flag and Alaska state flag outside the Governor’s Residence since last January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

New prefile bills includes ban on ‘political’ flags by ally of Dunleavy, who has ′pro-life’ flag at mansion

Among 20 other bills are expanding transgender sports ban, increasing scrutiny of use-of-force by police.

A “pro-life” flag has been flying along with the U.S. flag and Alaska state flag outside the Governor’s Residence since last January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Passengers wait in security lines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. (Port of Seattle photo)

Measles warning issued by CBJ after Kenai-area resident traveling through Sea-Tac tests positive

Infected person was at Seattle airport Jan. 10, took nighttime Alaska Airlines flight to Anchorage.

  • Jan 17, 2025
Passengers wait in security lines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. (Port of Seattle photo)
Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (right) listens to Katherine George-Byrd ahead of Saturday’s bombardment apology ceremony. George-Byrd, a Kiks’adi clan mother, talked to the senator about the at.óow on the table before them. At.óow are clan items that provide a connection between current clan members and their ancestors. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)

U.S. Army delivers historic apology for 1869 Wrangell bombardment; three of seven clans accept

Unlike Kake and Angoon apologies, some in Wrangell reject military’s words and seek further reparations.

Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (right) listens to Katherine George-Byrd ahead of Saturday’s bombardment apology ceremony. George-Byrd, a Kiks’adi clan mother, talked to the senator about the at.óow on the table before them. At.óow are clan items that provide a connection between current clan members and their ancestors. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)
Haven House, Tlingit and Haida’s third shelter under their Reentry and Recovery Program, is seen with lights on in the dark. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Tlingit and Haida offers a safe haven for women in recovery

Reopened Haven House is the third shelter in Reentry and Recovery program.

Haven House, Tlingit and Haida’s third shelter under their Reentry and Recovery Program, is seen with lights on in the dark. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A dusting of snow covers the Ptarmigan chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area in December. The lift to the top of the mountain remains closed as of Friday due to a lack of snow. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest board finalizes its case for future stability ahead of meeting with Assembly

Gondola and year-round operations cited in letter as fix for problems in former GM’s report.

A dusting of snow covers the Ptarmigan chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area in December. The lift to the top of the mountain remains closed as of Friday due to a lack of snow. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
The Juneau Police Department and Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a car accident on Egan Drive Thursday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Five car crashes on icy morning cause traffic delays

On Thursday morning within a three-hour time frame, five separate motor vehicle collisions occurred after a cold night that left roads in icy conditions. Erann… Continue reading

The Juneau Police Department and Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a car accident on Egan Drive Thursday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Dance Theatre members perform in the 2024 Winter Showcase. Two performances of this year’s show are scheduled Saturday at the Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.At Kalé auditorium. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)

Setting the stage for warmer times at Juneau Dance Theatre’s Winter Showcase

Saturday shows feature more than 50 performers, many headed to competition in Texas next weekend.

Juneau Dance Theatre members perform in the 2024 Winter Showcase. Two performances of this year’s show are scheduled Saturday at the Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.At Kalé auditorium. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)
The pavilion at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, seen Wednesday, is the proposed site for a new set of up to five totem poles carved by local tribal artists. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Proposed totem poles at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center get icy reception from some tribal residents

Concerns raised about accurate representation of area’s Native peoples, project’s sudden announcement

The pavilion at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, seen Wednesday, is the proposed site for a new set of up to five totem poles carved by local tribal artists. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Flags fly at half staff at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy orders flags at state facilities to fly at full height during Trump’s inauguration day

Governor joins other pols ordering interruption of 30-day half-staff period for former President Carter.

Flags fly at half staff at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)