News

In this April 26, 2016, photo, Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a rally at the Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Ind. Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich are having a tough time attracting establishment Republican donors even as they intensify their efforts to derail the nomination of billionaire Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Former Speaker Boehner on Cruz: ‘Lucifer in the flesh’

FORT WAYNE, Indiana — Former House Speaker John Boehner unloaded on Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz during a talk to college students, calling the Texas… Continue reading

In this April 26, 2016, photo, Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a rally at the Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Ind. Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich are having a tough time attracting establishment Republican donors even as they intensify their efforts to derail the nomination of billionaire Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight raises his fist after talking about Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign stop at Old National Events Plaza, Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Evansville, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Abroad, Trump seen as a danger

BRUSSELS — The world is fascinated by Donald Trump, just as blindsided as many Americans are about his rise and nearly at a loss to… Continue reading

Former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight raises his fist after talking about Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign stop at Old National Events Plaza, Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Evansville, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
FILE- In this Oct. 12, 2012, file photo, nearly 100 confiscated illegal firearms rests on a table before a news conference with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, and New York City District Attorney Cyrus Vance in New York. While the vast majority of guns used in crimes were originally sold legally, what happens with such weapons after their initial sale is difficult to track and even harder to prevent: criminals getting guns from friends and family, or on the street. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

Tracking the flow of guns used in crime is inexact science

SMYRNA, Ga. — Adventure Outdoors is an 80,000-square-foot store with walls lined with long guns, cases packed with handguns and aisles jammed with all the… Continue reading

FILE- In this Oct. 12, 2012, file photo, nearly 100 confiscated illegal firearms rests on a table before a news conference with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, and New York City District Attorney Cyrus Vance in New York. While the vast majority of guns used in crimes were originally sold legally, what happens with such weapons after their initial sale is difficult to track and even harder to prevent: criminals getting guns from friends and family, or on the street. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Amy Skilbred is the executive director of the Juneau Community Foundation.

In uncertain budget times, local philanthropy comes through

Just last week, a Juneau man with mental health issues issued violent threats inside a healthcare clinic. The situation ended up resolving peacefully, with the… Continue reading

Amy Skilbred is the executive director of the Juneau Community Foundation.
Jim Hoff with the Department of Administration, right, directs Erik Pedersen, left, and Josh Tagalon of World Wide Movers as they move furniture out of the Governor's Office at the Capitol on Thursday. The Governor's Office is now located in the Community Building on Third Street as construction at the Capitol continues.

Before move on budget, Legislature moves itself

The Alaska Legislature is moving slowly to address the state’s $4 billion annual deficit, but it will move quickly this weekend as proceedings are displaced… Continue reading

Jim Hoff with the Department of Administration, right, directs Erik Pedersen, left, and Josh Tagalon of World Wide Movers as they move furniture out of the Governor's Office at the Capitol on Thursday. The Governor's Office is now located in the Community Building on Third Street as construction at the Capitol continues.

UAS commencement ceremonies in Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka this weekend

University of Alaska Southeast is honoring 670 graduates from the Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka campuses this weekend. They’ll receive 755 associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees… Continue reading

Assembly discusses lowering mill rate

The members of the Assembly Finance Committee began to chew on some of the more difficult policy questions they’ll face this budget season at it’s… Continue reading

Board advances in-store pot use

The Alaska Marijuana Control Board has voted unanimously to ask the public to comment on draft regulations allowing recreational marijuana users to enjoy pot products… Continue reading

Pillars of America speaker Tiana Tozer poses for a picture with eighth grade students from Floyd Dryden Middle School at Centennial Hall on Wednesday.

Tiana Tozer: More than a disability

Author, human rights activist, paralympian: Tiana Tozer has played many roles in her life. The one role she refuses to play is victim.Tozer spoke at… Continue reading

Pillars of America speaker Tiana Tozer poses for a picture with eighth grade students from Floyd Dryden Middle School at Centennial Hall on Wednesday.

UA president to speak at lunch lecture

University of Alaska president Jim Johnsen will be the featured speaker at this week’s Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon.Johnsen is scheduled to discuss the university’s… Continue reading

Police & fire for Thursday, April 28, 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

U.S. Senate committee moves icebreaker measure

The U.S. Senate’s commerce, science and transportation committee has approved an amendment that allots $150 million for a new heavy polar icebreaker.The amendment, offered by… Continue reading

Flags lowered for former Nome judge

Gov. Bill Walker has ordered state flags lowered in honor of former Superior Court Judge Ben Esch, who died Monday of leukemia.The announcement was made… Continue reading

Federal officials end plans for Alaska island feral cattle

KODIAK — Federal wildlife managers say efforts to remove a herd of more than 2,000 feral cattle on Chirikof Island that have long gone without… Continue reading

A foundation is compacted for an area to hold new tennis courts in Cope Park on Wednesday. The park is closed while the area is being remodeled with play equipment and a new picnic area. A new water main running through the park is also being installed.

Photo: Cope Park remodeling

A foundation is compacted for an area to hold new tennis courts in Cope Park on Wednesday. The park is closed while the area is… Continue reading

A foundation is compacted for an area to hold new tennis courts in Cope Park on Wednesday. The park is closed while the area is being remodeled with play equipment and a new picnic area. A new water main running through the park is also being installed.

Up to $10,000 in medical grants available for Alaska children

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is accepting grant applications from Alaska families in need of financial assistance to help pay for their child’s health care… Continue reading

Free ice cream at Coppa on Saturday

It’s Free Ice Cream Day this Saturday, April 30, at Coppa’s downtown store from noon-5 p.m. Coppa will give out its handmade ice cream as… Continue reading

Around Town

Juneau Gastineau Rotary Club meeting, 7 a.m., The Prospector Hotel.English as a Second Language, 9-10:15 a.m., Gruening Park Learning Connection, 1800 Northwood Dr. Free eight… Continue reading

Fairbanks officials veto effort to rename prominent road

FAIRBANKS — The Fairbanks City Council has shot down an attempt by the Fairbanks North Star Borough to rename a prominent downtown road.The Council decided… Continue reading

FILE - This July 24,1997 file photo a plastic casting of the skull from the bones known as Kennewick Man, is shown in in Richland, Wash. A bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to require the federal government to give the bones of the Kennewick Man back to the Indian tribes from which he descended. The bipartisan bill was introduced Tuesday, April 26, 2016 by Sen. Barbara Boxer and Sen. James Inhofe. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson,File)

Corps determines Kennewick Man is Native American

SPOKANE, Wash. — The ancient skeleton known as Kennewick Man is related to modern Native American tribes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Wednesday,… Continue reading

FILE - This July 24,1997 file photo a plastic casting of the skull from the bones known as Kennewick Man, is shown in in Richland, Wash. A bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to require the federal government to give the bones of the Kennewick Man back to the Indian tribes from which he descended. The bipartisan bill was introduced Tuesday, April 26, 2016 by Sen. Barbara Boxer and Sen. James Inhofe. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson,File)