The Assembly Building is seen on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in downtown Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Legislature’s new apartment building is on budget, on schedule

A project intended to renovate a historic Juneau building into apartments for state legislators and staff is running on time and on budget, officials told… Continue reading

The Assembly Building is seen on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in downtown Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This is a photo of Austin Brady, 28, a village public safety officer in Kake. Brady was arrested Tuesday afternoon by Alaska State Troopers after he reportedly assaulted a woman and possessed a weapon while intoxicated. (Courtesy / Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska)

Kake public safety officer arrested for assault, possessing a weapon while intoxicated

The assault of the woman occurred while he was off-duty, Alaska State Troopers say.

This is a photo of Austin Brady, 28, a village public safety officer in Kake. Brady was arrested Tuesday afternoon by Alaska State Troopers after he reportedly assaulted a woman and possessed a weapon while intoxicated. (Courtesy / Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

For Monday, Aug. 28, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, explains the details of his bill banning PFAS chemicals for most firefighting during the Senate floor session on May 8. A bill with those provisions was vetoed Saturday by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy vetoes bill containing Kiehl’s ban on PFAS chemicals for most firefighting

Republican governor rejects effort by Democratic Juneau senator after bill passes Legislature 58-2.

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, explains the details of his bill banning PFAS chemicals for most firefighting during the Senate floor session on May 8. A bill with those provisions was vetoed Saturday by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A $10 million project to improve drainage and resurface parking lots at Juneau International Airport is slated for completion Nov. 1. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)

Juneau airport project three-quarters of the way through

The primary goal of $10 million effort is to address longstanding drainage issues.

A $10 million project to improve drainage and resurface parking lots at Juneau International Airport is slated for completion Nov. 1. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
Mountains tower over downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Mountains tower over downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A map shows the location of Suicide Basin, an ice dam which since 2011 has released water into the Mendenhall Lake and River in an annual cycle known as a jökulhlaup. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Bomb the glacier? City leaders say they’re willing to evaluate all options after flood

Drastic measures for Suicide Basin appear impractical, river protection more likely, officials say.

A map shows the location of Suicide Basin, an ice dam which since 2011 has released water into the Mendenhall Lake and River in an annual cycle known as a jökulhlaup. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
The ferry Tustumena is seen July 20, 2021, in southwestern Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks)

After a false start, Alaska prepares to solicit bids for new mainline ferry

DOT expects to issue new request for proposals from U.S. shipyards next month to replace Tustumena.

The ferry Tustumena is seen July 20, 2021, in southwestern Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks)
A painting by MK MacNaughton, whose works will be on display along with artist Patti Jouppi during a First Friday event from 4:30-8 p.m. at Spice Cafe and Gallery. (Courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in September

Sounds of Áak’w Rock, a gut check for Indigenous voices and an artists’ quintet market.

A painting by MK MacNaughton, whose works will be on display along with artist Patti Jouppi during a First Friday event from 4:30-8 p.m. at Spice Cafe and Gallery. (Courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Friday, Aug. 25, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
From left to right, students Kelby Randall, KC Abad and Sage Chavez smile as they sit outside during a lunch break Monday afternoon at the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau on the first day of the 2023 fall semester. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

UAS fall semester kicks off with a sunny start and increased enrollment

New chancellor reports 4% increase in overall enrollment, 87% increase in Indigenous programs.

From left to right, students Kelby Randall, KC Abad and Sage Chavez smile as they sit outside during a lunch break Monday afternoon at the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau on the first day of the 2023 fall semester. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The project manager for the Centennial Hall ballroom renovation, Lisa Eagan-Lagerquist, points out new features of the ballroom set to open its doors again for the first time on Saturday after nearly nine months under construction. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Centennial Hall ballroom opening back up with a new look

Saturday marks the first event since its closure in December for renovations.

The project manager for the Centennial Hall ballroom renovation, Lisa Eagan-Lagerquist, points out new features of the ballroom set to open its doors again for the first time on Saturday after nearly nine months under construction. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of the fluke of “Tango,” a humpback whale calf that was found dead on an island near Juneau Friday evening. (Courtesy / Bri Pettie)

Humpback whale calf found dead near Juneau

Body of young male named “Tango” found near Hump Island with injuries.

This is a photo of the fluke of “Tango,” a humpback whale calf that was found dead on an island near Juneau Friday evening. (Courtesy / Bri Pettie)
President Joe Biden speaks on the anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden to observe 9/11 anniversary in Alaska

Stop in Anchorage will be first time a president has not visited one of the sites attacked

  • Aug 28, 2023
  • By Darlene Superville Associated Press
President Joe Biden speaks on the anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Brandon and Jackson Kessler, at front of boat, haul the first-place duck worth $5,000 in a net after it was snagged from among 5,768 others dropped over Twin Lakes on Saturday during the Glacier Valley Rotary Duck Derby. Will Fischer was the purchaser of the lucky duck. (Photo by Kelly Moore)

After four years on the ground, Duck Derby flies anew

Glacier Valley Rotary fundraiser raises nets about $40,000

Brandon and Jackson Kessler, at front of boat, haul the first-place duck worth $5,000 in a net after it was snagged from among 5,768 others dropped over Twin Lakes on Saturday during the Glacier Valley Rotary Duck Derby. Will Fischer was the purchaser of the lucky duck. (Photo by Kelly Moore)
People explore the vendor tents in the parking lot of the Juneau Arts & Culture Center during the Annual Food Festival & Farmer’s Market on Saturday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Annual Food Festival features more and varied vendors

Popular JAHC event fills parking lot and interior.

People explore the vendor tents in the parking lot of the Juneau Arts & Culture Center during the Annual Food Festival & Farmer’s Market on Saturday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)