Dan Colman, a network specialist with the Juneau Public Libraries, helps Juan Orozco, 15, center, and Simon Smith, 14, during the library's Hour of Code class for teenagers at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Friday. The students were using an online program called "Scratch" developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The program can be found at https://scratch.mit.edu.

Photo: Hour of code

Dan Colman, a network specialist with the Juneau Public Libraries, helps Juan Orozco, 15, center, and Simon Smith, 14, during the library’s Hour of Code… Continue reading

Dan Colman, a network specialist with the Juneau Public Libraries, helps Juan Orozco, 15, center, and Simon Smith, 14, during the library's Hour of Code class for teenagers at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Friday. The students were using an online program called "Scratch" developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The program can be found at https://scratch.mit.edu.

Poll finds Alaska businesses opposed to state taxes

A new poll from the Alaska branch of the National Federation of Independent Businesses has found most of its 2,000 dues-paying members in Alaska are… Continue reading

Around town for Sunday, Dec. 13

Open trap shooting, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Juneau Trap Club, 1 Mile Montana Creek Road. The Juneau Trap Club is open to members and public trap… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Sunday, Dec. 13, 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

Assistant City Attorney Jane Sebens, left, and Mila Cosgrove, Human Resources and Risk Management Director for the city, read over an exhibit offered by the firefighter's union during a fact finding session in the Assembly Chamber in August 2011. Then City Manager Rod Swope and Deputy City Manager Kim Kiefer watch in the background. Cosgrove is becoming the new Deputy City Manger for Juneau.

CBJ promotes from within to get new deputy manager

The City and Borough of Juneau will begin the new year with a new deputy city manager.On Friday, the CBJ announced that its human resources… Continue reading

Assistant City Attorney Jane Sebens, left, and Mila Cosgrove, Human Resources and Risk Management Director for the city, read over an exhibit offered by the firefighter's union during a fact finding session in the Assembly Chamber in August 2011. Then City Manager Rod Swope and Deputy City Manager Kim Kiefer watch in the background. Cosgrove is becoming the new Deputy City Manger for Juneau.

Alaska ferry system could face more budget cuts

KODIAK — The head of the Alaska Marine Highway System says he expects a $5 million cut to the organization’s operating budget next year.The budget… Continue reading

Electric official outlines $15 million upgrades for Sitka

SITKA — Officials with Sitka’s electric department have plans for $15.7 million in projects over the next decade to address weaknesses in the city’s electric… Continue reading

Man steals Salvation Army kettle outside Wasilla store

ANCHORAGE — Wasilla police are looking for man suspected of stealing a Salvation Army kettle that contained donations.Anchorage television station KTUU reported a volunteer bell-ringer… Continue reading

Eighth-grader Isabelle Wassilie shows off her car design in teacher Alan Denerger's technology class at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Thursday. Students can design the wooden CO2 powered-cars to be fast or just fun.

Photos: Dragsters

Racing cars made by eighth grade students in teacher Alan Denerger's technology class at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Thursday. The wooden cars are powered… Continue reading

Eighth-grader Isabelle Wassilie shows off her car design in teacher Alan Denerger's technology class at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Thursday. Students can design the wooden CO2 powered-cars to be fast or just fun.
Teslyn Harris, left, Denali Isaak, center, and Sophia Owen of the TAFY Dazzlers dance group practice their "Black Magic" routine at the TAFY Dance Studio on Thursday. The TAFY Dancers, lead by Director Mika Morford, perform their winter showcase at the Thunder Mountain High School auditorium this Saturday at 2 and 6 p.m.

Photo: TAFY dancers

Teslyn Harris, left, Denali Isaak, center, and Sophia Owen of the TAFY Dazzlers dance group practice their "Black Magic" routine at the TAFY Dance Studio… Continue reading

Teslyn Harris, left, Denali Isaak, center, and Sophia Owen of the TAFY Dazzlers dance group practice their "Black Magic" routine at the TAFY Dance Studio on Thursday. The TAFY Dancers, lead by Director Mika Morford, perform their winter showcase at the Thunder Mountain High School auditorium this Saturday at 2 and 6 p.m.

Hoverboards cannot fly

Alaska Airlines is banning the shipment of one of the most popular toys this Christmas.Last week, the airline decided that hoverboards are not safe to… Continue reading

Criminal justice commission recommends $424 million in savings

The state commission tasked with cutting costs in Alaska’s criminal justice system has come up with a slate of suggestions that could save Alaska’s budget… Continue reading

James Hoagland works at his wig shop in downtown Juneau in early December.

Styling the stars

From his office in downtown Juneau, James Hoagland adds a bit more volume and several more layers of hairspray to a Georgia client’s new up-do.… Continue reading

James Hoagland works at his wig shop in downtown Juneau in early December.

City group wants $50 licenses for pot biz

If the City and Borough of Juneau marijuana committee gets its way, the city will require all marijuana businesses to obtain a $50 local license… Continue reading

Shootings may push states to give FBI records

HELENA, Mont. — Six states are not alerting the FBI about people who have been found to have mental health problems that would bar them… Continue reading

Hearing in Fairbanks 4 case canceled

ANCHORAGE — A hearing set for today has been canceled in the case of four indigenous men seeking post-conviction relief in the 1997 beating death… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Friday, Dec. 11, 2015

Drunken driving• At 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Gary Piper, 49, was arrested for operating a watercraft under the influence and refusing a breath test in the… Continue reading

Around town for Friday, Dec. 11

GED orientation class, 9 a.m., The Learning Connection, 210 Ferry Way. GED orientation is designed to improve the success rate of those taking the tests.… Continue reading

No daily fantasy ads to run during College Football Playoff

College Football Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock says ESPN has agreed to not use advertisements for daily fantasy sports websites during broadcasts of the biggest… Continue reading

  • Dec 11, 2015
  • By The Associated Press

Houston’s Watt has broken hand but will play Sunday

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston star defensive end J.J. Watt isn’t worried about people trying to come after him Sunday to take advantage of his broken… Continue reading

  • Dec 11, 2015
  • By KRISTIE RIEKEN