News

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, listens to an overview of Alaska’s past and projected oil production by Department of Natural Resources Commissioner John Boyle during Kiehl’s first meeting as a member of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Business as usual underway in the Senate

Key committees meetings start with optimistic tone about working with House, governor

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, listens to an overview of Alaska’s past and projected oil production by Department of Natural Resources Commissioner John Boyle during Kiehl’s first meeting as a member of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
From left, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby testify before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Dec. 15, 2021 in Washington. Kirby said Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, that other airlines won’t be able to handle all the flights they plan to operate this year, leading to more disruptions for travelers. (Tom Brenner/The Washington Post)

United Airlines CEO warns travelers more disruptions ahead

United, Alaska, Spirit and Frontier had double-digit percentages of cancellations in late December.

From left, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby testify before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Dec. 15, 2021 in Washington. Kirby said Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, that other airlines won’t be able to handle all the flights they plan to operate this year, leading to more disruptions for travelers. (Tom Brenner/The Washington Post)
Juneau-based photographer Mark Kelley smiles next to a photo he took that was a part of his award-winning portfolio featured in the 2022 National Wildlife Magazine photo contest. The annual competition that receives more than 30,000 photos submitted by over 3,100 photographers with images coming in from across the globe. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau resident wins prestigious wildlife photography award

“I think for a wildlife photographer it’s the world’s highest compliment.”

Juneau-based photographer Mark Kelley smiles next to a photo he took that was a part of his award-winning portfolio featured in the 2022 National Wildlife Magazine photo contest. The annual competition that receives more than 30,000 photos submitted by over 3,100 photographers with images coming in from across the globe. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Growth is good but the strain on resources makes for tough decisions going forward. The author peers through the brush at anglers on the Russian River and sees the byproduct of economic growth. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Growth mindset

Growth is good but within certain context.

Growth is good but the strain on resources makes for tough decisions going forward. The author peers through the brush at anglers on the Russian River and sees the byproduct of economic growth. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Vivian Faith Prescott, accompanied by dogs Kéet and Oscar, holds Alaska’s literary journals in Wrangell. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Faith Prescott)

Planet Alaska: Poetry lives and thrives in Alaska

We’ve been listening to poetry for a long time in Southeast Alaska.

  • Jan 18, 2023
  • By Vivian Faith Prescott For the Capital City Weekly
Vivian Faith Prescott, accompanied by dogs Kéet and Oscar, holds Alaska’s literary journals in Wrangell. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Faith Prescott)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, Jan. 18

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

  • Jan 18, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
State Rep. Josiah Patkotak, left, an Utqiagvik independent, accepts the gavel from Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom after he’s elected speaker pro tem of the House during the opening day of the 33rd Alaska State Legislature on Tuesday. Patkotak, who has served as president pro tem during a previous stalemate in determining a House majority, is among the members Republicans are trying to lure to join a coalition controlled by their party. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Session starts sans House speaker, smooth in Senate

Temporary House leader elected as another majority stalemate looms; Senate slights its minority.

State Rep. Josiah Patkotak, left, an Utqiagvik independent, accepts the gavel from Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom after he’s elected speaker pro tem of the House during the opening day of the 33rd Alaska State Legislature on Tuesday. Patkotak, who has served as president pro tem during a previous stalemate in determining a House majority, is among the members Republicans are trying to lure to join a coalition controlled by their party. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks with reporters during a visit to the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation incubator at the Center for Innovative Technology campus in Herndon, Va., Oct. 21, 2022. Yellen has notified Congress that the U.S. is projected to reach its debt limit on Thursday and will then resort to “extraordinary measures” to avoid default. (AP Photo / Cliff Owen)

How ominous is the U.S. debt limit problem?

An explainer.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks with reporters during a visit to the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation incubator at the Center for Innovative Technology campus in Herndon, Va., Oct. 21, 2022. Yellen has notified Congress that the U.S. is projected to reach its debt limit on Thursday and will then resort to “extraordinary measures” to avoid default. (AP Photo / Cliff Owen)
A parcel of land just off the corner of Capital Avenue and Village Street in downtown Juneau was approved to be the first parcel of land owned by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to be put into federal trust, however, the state of Alaska filed a lawsuit against the federal government and asked the U.S. District Court of Alaska to reverse the federal government’s decision, return the land to Tlingit and Haida and stop future land-into-trust applications. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

State sues feds over Tlingit and Haida land trust

Suit calls DOI decision capricious; Tlingit and Haida president says complaint is mean-spirited.

A parcel of land just off the corner of Capital Avenue and Village Street in downtown Juneau was approved to be the first parcel of land owned by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to be put into federal trust, however, the state of Alaska filed a lawsuit against the federal government and asked the U.S. District Court of Alaska to reverse the federal government’s decision, return the land to Tlingit and Haida and stop future land-into-trust applications. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
New members of the Alaska State Legislature gather in the House chambers for a mock floor session on Friday as part of their orientation for the start of the regular two-year session on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Yet another suspenseful session starts today

Who will lead the House? Where are the meet-and-greet parties? And other key early-days essentials

New members of the Alaska State Legislature gather in the House chambers for a mock floor session on Friday as part of their orientation for the start of the regular two-year session on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Jan. 17

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

  • Jan 17, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Friday night's basketball game was the second annual Take a Timeout to Talk - Suicide Prevention Awareness game. Coaches and players donned purple and Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss spoke at halftime about the importance of mental health and suicide awareness.

JDHS hosts annual Suicide Prevention Awareness game

“The event is about encouraging teens to evaluate their lives…”

Friday night's basketball game was the second annual Take a Timeout to Talk - Suicide Prevention Awareness game. Coaches and players donned purple and Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss spoke at halftime about the importance of mental health and suicide awareness.
A dipper searches for insects in a log jam, underwater. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Video

On the Trails: The afterlife of trees

Dead wood is an important basis for many new uses.

A dipper searches for insects in a log jam, underwater. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Video
Sherry Patterson and her son Michael sort through the large pile of donations received on Monday as part of the Black Awareness Association of Juneau’s annual collection drive at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Holiday drive strives to honor King’s legacy through service

Black Awareness Association of Juneau holds MLK Day drive.

Sherry Patterson and her son Michael sort through the large pile of donations received on Monday as part of the Black Awareness Association of Juneau’s annual collection drive at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
A large group gathers to watch a wreath-laying ceremony at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Washington, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

On King’s holiday, daughter calls for bold action over words

Other commemorations echoed the Rev. Bernice King’s reminder.

A large group gathers to watch a wreath-laying ceremony at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Washington, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)
Early last week at the Juneau State Courthouse, a Juneau man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison for a felony related to suffocating and torturing one or multiple kittens in early 2020. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man sentenced to five years for torturing kittens

He was also sentenced on a drug charge.

Early last week at the Juneau State Courthouse, a Juneau man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison for a felony related to suffocating and torturing one or multiple kittens in early 2020. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. The Alaska Marine Highway System announced an opportunity to submit written comments about the draft schedule summer schedule. The comment period is currently open and runs until Jan. 26. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

DOT seeks input on proposed summer ferry schedule

The public comment period runs until Jan. 26.

The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. The Alaska Marine Highway System announced an opportunity to submit written comments about the draft schedule summer schedule. The comment period is currently open and runs until Jan. 26. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Chairs await state lawmakers in the House chambers at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. A total of 14 prefile bills were published during the day in addition to 68 published Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

More do’s and don’ts proposed by pols

Sequels are almost never as grandiose as originals, and such is the case with the second batch of prefile bills from state lawmakers released Friday… Continue reading

Chairs await state lawmakers in the House chambers at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. A total of 14 prefile bills were published during the day in addition to 68 published Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This screenshot shows the MusicAlaska Spotify page. The nonprofit's Alaska Playlist project includes an array of playlists dedicated to Alaska bands and artists across a wide array of genres. However, it's just one of the ways MusicAlaska, a partner of Alaska Independent Music Initiative, intends to catalog and promote the state's music scene. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Features

Land of the list: Spotify and directories could further connect Alaska’s music scene

“The algorithm is hard on all of us,” but maybe it doesn’t have to be.

This screenshot shows the MusicAlaska Spotify page. The nonprofit's Alaska Playlist project includes an array of playlists dedicated to Alaska bands and artists across a wide array of genres. However, it's just one of the ways MusicAlaska, a partner of Alaska Independent Music Initiative, intends to catalog and promote the state's music scene. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Kat Moore and a group of volunteer singers sang mid way through the Alaska Music Summit on Saturday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. Moore was a speaker and performer at the event who traveled from Anchorage to attend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Keynote speakers: Summit celebrates Alaska’s diverse musical ecosystem

Alaska Music Summit held in Juneau for the first time.

Kat Moore and a group of volunteer singers sang mid way through the Alaska Music Summit on Saturday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. Moore was a speaker and performer at the event who traveled from Anchorage to attend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)