News

FDA lifts ban on blood donations from gay men

WASHINGTON — The nation’s three-decade-old ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men was formally lifted Monday, but major restrictions will continue to limit… Continue reading

Around town for Monday, Dec. 21

Social Media & Its Uses in the Workplace, 9 a.m.- 11 a.m., The Learning Connection, 210 Ferry Way. Details: 586-5718.Senior ceramics, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Juneau… Continue reading

In this photo taken Nov. 12, a group works into the evening to discuss the framework of a new college based on northern California's student-run Deep Springs College model in Allen Hall on the Sheldon Jackson College campus in Sitka.

Group targets Sheldon Jackson for new college

SITKA — For years Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has been finding ways to make use of the Sheldon Jackson campus, and his next idea is even more… Continue reading

In this photo taken Nov. 12, a group works into the evening to discuss the framework of a new college based on northern California's student-run Deep Springs College model in Allen Hall on the Sheldon Jackson College campus in Sitka.
Oddin Kirby of Australia rides during Eaglecrest's Downtown Rail Jam on Saturday.

Photos: Downtown Rail Jam

Juneau resident Christian Jacobs flips during Eaglecrest’s Downtown Rail Jam on Saturday.… Continue reading

Oddin Kirby of Australia rides during Eaglecrest's Downtown Rail Jam on Saturday.
Kara Nelson, left, and Christina Love, both addicts in long-term recovery, are trained recovery coaches, helping guide drug addicts into recovery.

Juneau ‘Sherpas’ help guide addicts into treatment, recovery

Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a series that examines why it’s so hard for heroin and drug addicts to get into treatment… Continue reading

Kara Nelson, left, and Christina Love, both addicts in long-term recovery, are trained recovery coaches, helping guide drug addicts into recovery.

Lawmakers may move from offices costing $4M to lease

ANCHORAGE — Lawmakers are a step closer to moving out of office space in Anchorage that costs $4 million to lease.The Legislative Council voted Saturday… Continue reading

UAF program director draws inspiration from eclectic sources

FAIRBANKS — If you ask Phillip Charette “What makes you who you are?” don’t expect a simple answer.The half Yup’ik, half French Canadian director of… Continue reading

Law enforcement officials with the Juneau Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Department of Corrections and U.S. Forest Service prepare to take local youth shopping in front of the Nugget Mall on Saturday.

Photo: Shop with a cop

Law enforcement officials with the Juneau Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Department of Corrections and U.S. Forest Service prepare to take local youth shopping… Continue reading

Law enforcement officials with the Juneau Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Department of Corrections and U.S. Forest Service prepare to take local youth shopping in front of the Nugget Mall on Saturday.

Police & Fire for Monday, Dec. 21, 2015

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

In this March 12, 2014 photo, firefighters respond to a fire after an explosion and building collapse in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York.

Firefighters sue siren maker over their hearing loss

NEW YORK — There were times by the end of his shift that firefighter Joseph Nardone’s head would be pounding, his eyes crossing from the… Continue reading

In this March 12, 2014 photo, firefighters respond to a fire after an explosion and building collapse in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York.

Sanders struggles to gain edge

MANCHESTER, N.H. — The third Democratic presidential debate opened with an apology and ended with compliments.For months, the Democratic primary contest has been a relatively… Continue reading

In this undated photo, the ruins of the old Hanford High School are shown near Richland, Washington. The towns of Hanford and White Bluffs were evacuated to make room for the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, which made the plutonium for the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, and the ruins of the high school and other buildings are now part of the nation's newest national park, called the Manhattan Project National Historic Park.

Polluted nuclear weapons site to become tourist destination

SPOKANE, Wash. — The nation’s most polluted nuclear weapons production site is now its newest national park.Thousands of people are expected next year to tour… Continue reading

In this undated photo, the ruins of the old Hanford High School are shown near Richland, Washington. The towns of Hanford and White Bluffs were evacuated to make room for the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, which made the plutonium for the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, and the ruins of the high school and other buildings are now part of the nation's newest national park, called the Manhattan Project National Historic Park.

‘Star Wars’ blasts opening weekend record

LOS ANGELES — To say that the force is strong with this one is an understatement.“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” brought in a galactic $238… Continue reading

In budget deal, health law foes took a different path

WASHINGTON — Republican foes of President Barack Obama’s health care law may be able to get more by chipping away at it than trying to… Continue reading

In this Nov. 18 photo, a shopkeeper walks past a sign of Molenbeek with a peace sign on it outside of his clothing shop on the main square in Molenbeek, Belgium.

In Belgian district, feeling of dead end fuels militancy

BRUSSELS — Brahim Abdeslam seemed no different from his peers in Molenbeek, one of Belgium’s poorest districts, where drug use is rife and many of… Continue reading

In this Nov. 18 photo, a shopkeeper walks past a sign of Molenbeek with a peace sign on it outside of his clothing shop on the main square in Molenbeek, Belgium.
In this photo taken Nov. 13, Chulunjav Bayarsaikhan poses for photos with Hassar, a shaggy, 11-month-old bankhar puppy, in Tuv Province, Mongolia.

Mongolian dog tradition revived to protect sheep, leopards

TUV AIMAG, Mongolia — Through three decades of marriage, they have wandered together across the rolling hills of Mongolia’s northern Tuv Province, accompanied by their… Continue reading

In this photo taken Nov. 13, Chulunjav Bayarsaikhan poses for photos with Hassar, a shaggy, 11-month-old bankhar puppy, in Tuv Province, Mongolia.

Senators split on federal budget package

JUNEAU — Alaska’s Republican U.S. senators split on their votes for a sweeping budget package Friday, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski voting in favor and Sen.… Continue reading

A collection of 52.20 grams of black tar heroin photographed at the Juneau Police Department.

This is what it takes to get into treatment

Editor’s Note: This is one part of a series examining why it’s so hard for heroin and drug addicts to get into treatment in Juneau,… Continue reading

A collection of 52.20 grams of black tar heroin photographed at the Juneau Police Department.
The Fairbanks Four - Marvin Roberts, left to right, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent, and George Frese - hold up four fingers, symbolizing the Fairbanks Four, in the David Salmon Tribal Hall after they were freed on Thursday in Fairbanks.

Fairbanks 4 exonerated, contrary to state claim

ANCHORAGE — An attorney in the Fairbanks Four case said Friday the four indigenous men previously convicted in the 1997 beating death of a teenager… Continue reading

The Fairbanks Four - Marvin Roberts, left to right, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent, and George Frese - hold up four fingers, symbolizing the Fairbanks Four, in the David Salmon Tribal Hall after they were freed on Thursday in Fairbanks.

Leaning on a community

During a season filled with giving and lifted spirits, Kolene James was troubled by a news article revealing financial woes for Juneau’s homeless shelter. Something… Continue reading