News

Two bear cubs walk in a Juneau field on a summer evening. Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced Friday that highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a bear cub in Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. It's just the second time the virus has been detected in a bear. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Glacier Bay bear cub diagnosed with bird flu in rare case

Health officials say risk to mammals, including people, remains low.

Two bear cubs walk in a Juneau field on a summer evening. Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced Friday that highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a bear cub in Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. It's just the second time the virus has been detected in a bear. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Friday, Nov. 18

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

  • Nov 18, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
David Keith, chief executive officer at Bartlett Regional Hospital, talks about his first 100 days on the job during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday at the Juneau Moose Family Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

New Bartlett CEO talks first 100 days on the job

Retaining young residents as employees, restoring hospice services among early goals for David Keith.

David Keith, chief executive officer at Bartlett Regional Hospital, talks about his first 100 days on the job during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday at the Juneau Moose Family Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Light illuminates part of the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. The Biden administration plans to ask the Supreme Court to reinstate the president's student debt cancellation plan, according to a Thursday legal filing warning that Americans will face financial strain if the plan remains stalled in court when loan payments are scheduled to restart in January. (AP Photo / Patrick Semansky)

Biden admin to ask high court to take up student debt plan

Biden administration plans to ask the Supreme Court to reinstate student debt cancellation plan.

  • Nov 17, 2022
  • By Collin Bikley AP Education Writer
  • Nation-World
Light illuminates part of the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. The Biden administration plans to ask the Supreme Court to reinstate the president's student debt cancellation plan, according to a Thursday legal filing warning that Americans will face financial strain if the plan remains stalled in court when loan payments are scheduled to restart in January. (AP Photo / Patrick Semansky)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, Nov. 17

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

  • Nov 17, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
AK STAR testing results and materials are displayed on a table at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District office on Monday in Soldotna.. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Statewide test scores ‘unacceptable’

Educators blame COVID and cash, not kids.

AK STAR testing results and materials are displayed on a table at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District office on Monday in Soldotna.. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This composite image shows mopheads recently flushed down toilets in Juneau that are creating problems at the Auke Bay wastewater treatment facility. (Courtesy Photos / City and Borough of Juneau)

Mop up duty: Massive flushing of mopheads down toilets causing sewage system clogs

City officials to ask for the culprits to clean up their act.

This composite image shows mopheads recently flushed down toilets in Juneau that are creating problems at the Auke Bay wastewater treatment facility. (Courtesy Photos / City and Borough of Juneau)
Juneau Education Association president Chris Heidemann talks during the Juneau Board of Education and JEA’s annual meet and greet Tuesday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

School board and teachers union confront ‘disconnect’ and district financial deadlock

“There’s no happiness anywhere in this.”

Juneau Education Association president Chris Heidemann talks during the Juneau Board of Education and JEA’s annual meet and greet Tuesday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Mike Bucy keeps the temp while he conducts local composer and musician Ben Holtz’s piece, Atmosphere with Radio Occultation, during Con Brio Chamber Series’ Tuesday evening rehearsal.

Climate change concern crescendoes with collaborative concert

It’s a collaboration between local scientists, composers and musicians

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Mike Bucy keeps the temp while he conducts local composer and musician Ben Holtz’s piece, Atmosphere with Radio Occultation, during Con Brio Chamber Series’ Tuesday evening rehearsal.
Trail Mix Inc.’s executive director, Ryan O’Shaughnessy, right, walks with Mike McKrill off Lemon Creek Trail on June 4, 2022 after taking part in the organization’s annual National Trails Day event. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Trail Mix Inc. dinner & auction returns in-person

Tickets sold out but online bidding available

Trail Mix Inc.’s executive director, Ryan O’Shaughnessy, right, walks with Mike McKrill off Lemon Creek Trail on June 4, 2022 after taking part in the organization’s annual National Trails Day event. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., joined from left by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., speaks to reporters following a closed-door policy meeting on the lame duck agenda, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Same-sex marriage legislation clears key Senate hurdle

12 Republicans, including both Alaska Senators, voted with all Dems to move forward on bill.

  • Nov 16, 2022
  • By Mary Clare Jalonick Associated Press
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., joined from left by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., speaks to reporters following a closed-door policy meeting on the lame duck agenda, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
The cast of Theatre in the Rough’s production of “Witch” finishes off an unexpected musical number with flourish. From left to right: Stacy Katasse, Ty Yamoaka, Aaron Elmore, Katie Jensen, Cate Ross, Kelsey Riker, Salissa Thole, Dakota Morgan and Patrick Minik. The local company’s production of the play includes a few musical moments unique to the Juneau effort. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Something wickedly funny this way comes

Stagecraft meets witchcraft.

The cast of Theatre in the Rough’s production of “Witch” finishes off an unexpected musical number with flourish. From left to right: Stacy Katasse, Ty Yamoaka, Aaron Elmore, Katie Jensen, Cate Ross, Kelsey Riker, Salissa Thole, Dakota Morgan and Patrick Minik. The local company’s production of the play includes a few musical moments unique to the Juneau effort. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 16

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

  • Nov 16, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A roll of "I Voted" stickers await voters on Election Day in Alaska. Voters overwhelmingly rejected the prospect of a state constitutional convention. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska voters reject constitutional convention

AP calls it.

  • Nov 15, 2022
  • Associated Press
A roll of "I Voted" stickers await voters on Election Day in Alaska. Voters overwhelmingly rejected the prospect of a state constitutional convention. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A Thanksgiving dinner is displayed on a table in Concord, N.H., on Oct. 22, 2012. While inflation, avian flu and ongoing supply chain strife have costs on the rise, Thanksgiving staples are largely available in Juneau supermarkets. (AP Photo / Matthew Mead)

Fowl prices, but fair selection for Thanksgiving

Illness and inflation puts turkey prices at all-time high, but stores thankful supplies are arriving

A Thanksgiving dinner is displayed on a table in Concord, N.H., on Oct. 22, 2012. While inflation, avian flu and ongoing supply chain strife have costs on the rise, Thanksgiving staples are largely available in Juneau supermarkets. (AP Photo / Matthew Mead)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Pat Tynan, left, and Tom Melville, review absentee ballots Tuesday at the Division of Elections office at the Mendenhall Mall. The review process is taking place in a separate room from where ballots are being tallied for the official results.

Incumbents solidify positions in updated election count

Peltola, Murkowski and Dunleavy likely to prevail when ranked choice ballots are tallied Nov. 23

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Pat Tynan, left, and Tom Melville, review absentee ballots Tuesday at the Division of Elections office at the Mendenhall Mall. The review process is taking place in a separate room from where ballots are being tallied for the official results.
People enjoy the Ipanema beach, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Nov.13, 2022. The world's population is projected to hit an estimated 8 billion people on Tuesday, Nov. 15, according to a United Nations projection. (AP Photo / Bruna Prado)

World Population hits 8 billion, creating many challenges

The U.N.’s Day of 8 Billion milestone Tuesday is more symbolic than precise.

  • Nov 15, 2022
  • By Dan Ikopyi and Chinedu Asadu Associated Press
  • Nation-World
People enjoy the Ipanema beach, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Nov.13, 2022. The world's population is projected to hit an estimated 8 billion people on Tuesday, Nov. 15, according to a United Nations projection. (AP Photo / Bruna Prado)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Woman arrested on fraud charges

Police say she posted false ad for rental property.

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Southeast Alaska Food Bank will host its 26th annual Caring is Sharing Food Drive on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Superbear and Foodland IGA stores. (Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Food Bank)

Southeast Alaska Food Bank readies for biggest drive of the year

Caring is Sharing event returns to local IGA stores.

Southeast Alaska Food Bank will host its 26th annual Caring is Sharing Food Drive on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Superbear and Foodland IGA stores. (Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Food Bank)
This photo available under a Creative Commons license shows a lawn wolf spider in its funnel web in Laos. (Courtesy Photo / Basile Morin)

On the Trails: A wide world of webs

There are wonderfully diverse ways of using silk to detect and capture prey.

This photo available under a Creative Commons license shows a lawn wolf spider in its funnel web in Laos. (Courtesy Photo / Basile Morin)