News

Cottongrass wafts over the tundra in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Sept. 2, 2006. (Steve Hillebrand/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Arctic refuge oil exploration could begin as soon as this winter, court documents indicate

Alaska’s state-owned investment bank could get permission to start oil exploration work in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as soon as the third quarter of… Continue reading

Cottongrass wafts over the tundra in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Sept. 2, 2006. (Steve Hillebrand/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
A drill rig at the Palmer deposit in the Chilkat River valley near Haines. (Lex Treinen/Chilkat Valley News)

A contentious mining project in SE Alaska just changed hands. Its new owner already wants to sell.

Opponents are celebrating the news as a setback for the Palmer Project near Haines.

  • May 10, 2025
  • By Max Graham, Northern Journal
  • mining
A drill rig at the Palmer deposit in the Chilkat River valley near Haines. (Lex Treinen/Chilkat Valley News)
The Alaska House of Representatives is seen in action on Monday, May 5, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

In unusual move, Alaska House declines to honor conservative political writer

Suzanne Downing, founder of Must Read Alaska and former Juneau Empire managing editor, spurned by 21-17 vote.

The Alaska House of Representatives is seen in action on Monday, May 5, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
A collage of the flood inundation maps shows eight feet without barriers, 16 feet with barriers, 18 feet with barriers, and 20 feet without barriers. The study by Michael Baker International considers the Mendenhall River’s changed topography. (Maps provided by City and Borough of Juneau)
Video

Updated flood-fighting inundation maps show effectiveness of HESCO barriers

Maps show worst-case scenarios, future flood potential continues to be studied.

A collage of the flood inundation maps shows eight feet without barriers, 16 feet with barriers, 18 feet with barriers, and 20 feet without barriers. The study by Michael Baker International considers the Mendenhall River’s changed topography. (Maps provided by City and Borough of Juneau)
Video
Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy threatens unprecedented veto of education funds in budget unless his policy goals are met

Line-item veto could leave districts with less money for months; legality of such action is questioned

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 12, 1995. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week ending May 10

Three decades of capital city coverage.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 12, 1995. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A scene from the PBS children’s series “Molly of Denali.” (WGBH Educational Foundation photo)

‘Molly of Denali’ and other PBS children’s programs on hold as Trump cancels funds

Emmy-winning Juneau writer of “Molly” says PBS told creators the series isn’t being renewed.

A scene from the PBS children’s series “Molly of Denali.” (WGBH Educational Foundation photo)
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ships in port for the week of May 11

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2024 schedule. Capacity figures in parenthesis were pulled from cruise lines’ websites. Sunday, May 11… Continue reading

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, May 7, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Staff at the Juneau Public Library’s downtown branch sort materials on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly moves to keep Juneau libraries open daily by providing funds after federal cuts

Money would prevent branches from closing one day a week, but won’t restore statewide loan program

Staff at the Juneau Public Library’s downtown branch sort materials on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Cruise ships dock in downtown Juneau on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Outlook among Alaska businesses this year plummets in statewide, Southeast surveys

SE mood last year second-highest since 2010, is second-lowest now; statewide drop biggest in eight years

Cruise ships dock in downtown Juneau on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The center, as well as the adjacent Centennial Hall, are operated by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JAHC gave up DEI under Trump’s threats, then lost its board chair and executive director. What’s ahead?

Arts nonprofit “trying to respond to other concerns in the community and learning from this,” interim chair says.

The Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The center, as well as the adjacent Centennial Hall, are operated by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich and his supporters wave campaign signs at the corner of the Seward Highway and Northern Lights Boulevard on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Trump backs Begich for reelection to Alaska’s U.S. House seat in 2026

President Donald Trump has endorsed incumbent Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, for reelection. In a social media post Thursday afternoon, Trump said Begich “is doing… Continue reading

Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich and his supporters wave campaign signs at the corner of the Seward Highway and Northern Lights Boulevard on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, speaks in the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy administration is blocking billion-dollar audit of oil tax disputes, legislators say

Legislature close to passing bill mandating disclosure of executive-branch reports legislators request.

Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, speaks in the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Tuesday, May 6, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Monday, May 5, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Adak’s airport is on the right of this photo, which was taken in 1986, 11 years before the Naval Air Facility Adak closed. Adak is served by the Essential Air Service, targeted by President Donald Trump’s administration for cuts. (Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Division of Community and Regional Affairs’ Community Photo Library)

Trump-proposed cut to federal Essential Air Service would fall on rural Alaska

White House budget office cites the program’s rising costs in recent years.

Adak’s airport is on the right of this photo, which was taken in 1986, 11 years before the Naval Air Facility Adak closed. Adak is served by the Essential Air Service, targeted by President Donald Trump’s administration for cuts. (Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Division of Community and Regional Affairs’ Community Photo Library)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen in partial morning sun on May 10, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Legislature approves corporate tax for online business in Alaska, tied to education funding

Bill would be first state measure to raise significant new revenue in a decade.

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in partial morning sun on May 10, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Members of the Alaska Senate watch the tally board for the vote on the state’s draft operating budget, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate approves pared-down budget draft while warning of ‘coming storm’ in state finances

Proposal now goes to the House; if lawmakers reject it there, further negotiations are in store.

Members of the Alaska Senate watch the tally board for the vote on the state’s draft operating budget, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Wayne Price (center), carver of the healing totem pole Kaasei Satú at Twin Lakes, dances on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Community seeks healing through culture on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Day

Family and friends remember victims in ceremony, dance, artwork; “We shouldn’t have to do this.”

Wayne Price (center), carver of the healing totem pole Kaasei Satú at Twin Lakes, dances on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)