Rubio’s withdrawal means Trump ties Cruz in Alaska

The withdrawal of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, from the Republican presidential race means Donald Trump will now have as large a share of Alaska’s Republican… Continue reading

Healy man dies in tree-cutting accident

HEALY — An autopsy has been ordered for a 66-year-old Healy man who died as he was cutting down a tree.Alaska State Troopers say Beryl… Continue reading

Senate votes to relax penalty for texting while driving

The Alaska Senate voted unanimously, 20-0 on Wednesday, to relax the penalty for texting while driving. Senate Bill 123, brought by Sen. Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage… Continue reading

Sammy Becker and Mo Michels head up to Pittman's Ridge to take advantage of the fresh snow at Eaglecrest on Wednesday.

Photos: Winter at last

Sammy Becker, right, and Mo Michels head up to Pittman’s Ridge in wintery conditions to take advantage of the fresh snow after skinning up the… Continue reading

Sammy Becker and Mo Michels head up to Pittman's Ridge to take advantage of the fresh snow at Eaglecrest on Wednesday.
Federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland, left, accompanied by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, steps to the microphone as he is introduced as Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court in the Rose Garden of the White House on Wednesday.

Obama dares GOP to let Clinton, Trump pick justice

WASHINGTON — By nominating an uncontroversial 63-year-old judge, President Barack Obama handed Republicans an unwelcome election-year proposition: Give in or risk letting Hillary Clinton or… Continue reading

Federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland, left, accompanied by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, steps to the microphone as he is introduced as Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court in the Rose Garden of the White House on Wednesday.

Kelly: Taxes not on the table this year

One of the leaders of the powerful Senate Finance Committee has said taxes are not on the table this year as the Legislature considers how… Continue reading

Federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland receives applauds from President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as he is introduced as Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court during an announcement in the Rose Garden of the White House on Wednesday. Garland, 63, is the chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a court whose influence over federal policy and national security matters has made it a proving ground for potential Supreme Court justices.

Standout in the law, Garland would blend in at Supreme Court

WASHINGTON — In experience, background and even in his personal characteristics, Merrick Garland resembles the men and women he would join on the bench if… Continue reading

Federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland receives applauds from President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as he is introduced as Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court during an announcement in the Rose Garden of the White House on Wednesday. Garland, 63, is the chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a court whose influence over federal policy and national security matters has made it a proving ground for potential Supreme Court justices.
Freshmen Abby Locks, left, and Maya Garza play with a tobacco trivia game ball while manning an anti-tobacco information stand at the downtown Heritage Coffee shop on Wednesday. The students hung anti-tobacco graffiti on clothes lines in the cafe. The national Kick Butts Day is sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Photo: Kick Butts Day

Freshmen Abby Locks, left, and Maya Garza play with a tobacco trivia game ball while manning an anti-tobacco information stand at the downtown Heritage Coffee… Continue reading

Freshmen Abby Locks, left, and Maya Garza play with a tobacco trivia game ball while manning an anti-tobacco information stand at the downtown Heritage Coffee shop on Wednesday. The students hung anti-tobacco graffiti on clothes lines in the cafe. The national Kick Butts Day is sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Bill proposes uses for excess earnings from power program

JUNEAU — Excess earnings from a fund set up to provide assistance to rural Alaskans faced with high electricity costs would go to the general… Continue reading

Early childhood conference focuses on social-emotional learning

“Resilience & The Power of Relationships” is the theme of an early childhood conference that will be held in Juneau’s Centennial Hall Friday and Saturday.… Continue reading

Tsunami warning test imminent

On March 30, the National Weather Service will be testing the tsunami warning communications system in Juneau and other coastal Alaska communities.“The intention is to… Continue reading

Museum seeks operators for gift shop, coffee bar

The new State Library, Archives, and Museum is seeking people or companies interested in running the new building’s gift shop and coffee bar. According to… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Thursday, March 17, 2016

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction information. Anyone listed… Continue reading

Governor’s fiscal plan topic of chamber luncheon

The commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue will speak about the governor’s fiscal plan at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon Thursday. Randy… Continue reading

Sham Jam charity event this Saturday

The “Viva Las Vegas” Sham Jam charity event will take place at the Canvas Art Studio on Saturday, March 19 at 8 p.m. Proceeds will… Continue reading

Shannon Croft, representing West Anchorage High School, recites "When I have Fears That I May Cease To Be" during the Poetry Out Loud State Finals on Tuesday in Juneau. Croft took first place and will be representing Alaska for the Poetry Out Loud 2016 National Finals at George Washington University, Washington, D.C. in May.

Photo: Poetry Out Loud winner

Shannon Croft, representing West Anchorage High School, recites “When I have Fears That I May Cease To Be” during the Poetry Out Loud State Finals… Continue reading

Shannon Croft, representing West Anchorage High School, recites "When I have Fears That I May Cease To Be" during the Poetry Out Loud State Finals on Tuesday in Juneau. Croft took first place and will be representing Alaska for the Poetry Out Loud 2016 National Finals at George Washington University, Washington, D.C. in May.

Around Town

Juneau Gastineau Rotary Club meeting, 7 a.m., The Prospector Hotel.Open lab computer training, 9-11 a.m, The Learning Connection, 210 Ferry Way. Home Safety for People… Continue reading

CERT to hold free course

The Juneau Local Emergency Planning Committee will be holding a free course for anybody interested in volunteering on the Community Emergency Response Team or learning… Continue reading

In this June 10, 2015 photo, U.S. Marines Capt. David Gooch, with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, walks past an aircraft wheel assembly resting on the ice surface of Colony Glacier.

Remains of more servicemen identified from 1952 crash

ANCHORAGE — The Air Force said Wednesday it has identified the remains of more service members who died when a military transport plane slammed into… Continue reading

In this June 10, 2015 photo, U.S. Marines Capt. David Gooch, with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, walks past an aircraft wheel assembly resting on the ice surface of Colony Glacier.

IFA plans to restart POW-Mitkof route

KETCHIKAN — The Inter-Island Ferry Authority will restart its former northern route between Coffman Cove and Mitkof Island beginning this summer.The ferry now sails a… Continue reading