Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire
Local artist Johanna Griggs looks at “The Ocean Mirror,” her favorite piece from her exhibit “Landscapes of Southeast Alaska,” on display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center.

Juneau painter explores local color and reflection

The exhibit display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center through November.

Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire
Local artist Johanna Griggs looks at “The Ocean Mirror,” her favorite piece from her exhibit “Landscapes of Southeast Alaska,” on display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center.
Juneau International Airport stands on Shell Simmons Drive. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau flights not yet affected by FAA restrictions

Although local departures are unaffected, connecting flights from Sea-Tac are at risk.

Juneau International Airport stands on Shell Simmons Drive. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Choosing to shop local isn’t just convenient – it keeps money in the community, sustains the arts and turns errands into encounters with neighbors and friends. (Photo credit: Christopher S. Miller/The New York Times)

Finding the magic of the holidays close to home in Juneau

Discover how handmade treasures, live arts and hometown traditions keep Juneau’s festive spirit alive

Choosing to shop local isn’t just convenient – it keeps money in the community, sustains the arts and turns errands into encounters with neighbors and friends. (Photo credit: Christopher S. Miller/The New York Times)
The entrance to the Anchorage Correctional Complex is seen on Aug. 29, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska parole rates are among the lowest in the nation. Advocates want to know why.

At its annual public meeting, the Alaska Board of Parole offered little explanation, but advocates want to know more about their criteria and say more transparency will help reduce recidivism

  • Nov 10, 2025
  • Corinne Smith Alaska Beacon
The entrance to the Anchorage Correctional Complex is seen on Aug. 29, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
“I voted” stickers are seen on display in the headquarters offices of the Alaska Division of Elections in Juneau on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Division of Elections begins reviewing petition to repeal election reform law

Based on state law and the number of people who voted in the 2024 statewide election, repeal supporters needed to collect signatures from at least 34,099 registered voters

  • Nov 10, 2025
  • James Brooks Alaska Beacon
“I voted” stickers are seen on display in the headquarters offices of the Alaska Division of Elections in Juneau on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
City Hall stands at 155 South Seward Street. (file photo, Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire File)
City Hall stands at 155 South Seward Street. (file photo, Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire File)
Members of Juneau Education Association and supporters of the union dress in green at the Board of Education Meeting on Oct. 28, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)

Teacher’s union speaks on lapsed contract as board members shuffle

Juneau Educators Association’s contract expired at the end of July.

Members of Juneau Education Association and supporters of the union dress in green at the Board of Education Meeting on Oct. 28, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)
“Tide Pools” is part of the “Landscapes of Southeast Alaska” exhibit by Johanna Griggs, presented by Juneau Arts & Humanities Council. The exhibit will open at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Friday, Nov. 7 2025. (courtesy Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

November’s First Friday: Here’s what to see

Juneau Arts & Humanities Council announces community events at attend Nov. 7.

“Tide Pools” is part of the “Landscapes of Southeast Alaska” exhibit by Johanna Griggs, presented by Juneau Arts & Humanities Council. The exhibit will open at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Friday, Nov. 7 2025. (courtesy Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
Photos by Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire
Yuxgitisiy George Holly, center, leads a Lingít dance and drumming class at Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx – Glacier Valley Elementary School on Oct. 23, 2025.

Q&A: Lorrie Heagy and Yuxgitisiy George Holly talk language revitalization

The Juneau Alaska Music Matters program uses the power of music to teach language.

Photos by Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire
Yuxgitisiy George Holly, center, leads a Lingít dance and drumming class at Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx – Glacier Valley Elementary School on Oct. 23, 2025.
One of the houses on Telephone Hill stands vacant on Wednesday, Nov. 5. A lawsuit filed against the city Friday seeks to reverse the eviction of residents and halt demolition of homes on the hill. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)

Telephone Hill residents file lawsuit against city to stop evictions and demolition

The city says legal action is “without factual or legal support.”

One of the houses on Telephone Hill stands vacant on Wednesday, Nov. 5. A lawsuit filed against the city Friday seeks to reverse the eviction of residents and halt demolition of homes on the hill. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)
“Hair ice” grows from the forest floor in Fairbanks, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Ned Rozell

‘Hair ice’ enlivens an extended fall in Interior Alaska

Just when you thought you’d seen everything in the boreal forest, a reader points out white whiskers sprouting from the ground. Chris Greenfield-Pastro of Fairbanks… Continue reading

“Hair ice” grows from the forest floor in Fairbanks, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Ned Rozell
Yuxgitisiy George Holly and Lorrie Gax.áan.sán Heagy (center left and right) stand alongside Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom (left) and other honorees at the Governor’s Arts and Humanities Award ceremony in Anchorage on Oct. 28, 2025. Holly won the Margaret Nick Cooke Award for Alaska Native Arts and Languages, and Heagy won the award for Individual Artist. (photo courtesy of Yuxgitisiy George Holly)

Two Juneau educators win Governor’s arts awards

Holly and Heagy turn music and dance into Lingít language learning, earning statewide arts awards.

Yuxgitisiy George Holly and Lorrie Gax.áan.sán Heagy (center left and right) stand alongside Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom (left) and other honorees at the Governor’s Arts and Humanities Award ceremony in Anchorage on Oct. 28, 2025. Holly won the Margaret Nick Cooke Award for Alaska Native Arts and Languages, and Heagy won the award for Individual Artist. (photo courtesy of Yuxgitisiy George Holly)
Goldbelt Inc. illustrates a potential cruise ship port and development along the coast of west Douglas Island. (Port of Tomorrow MG image)

Assembly approves one step in Douglas cruise port plan, but pauses next move

Goldbelt’s “new cultural cruise destination” in west Douglas is still years out.

Goldbelt Inc. illustrates a potential cruise ship port and development along the coast of west Douglas Island. (Port of Tomorrow MG image)
Kelsey Ciugun Wallace, president of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, looks over a collection of frozen sockeye salmon on Oct. 30, 2025. The salmon was donated from the Copper River basin and is part of the collection of traditional Native foods donated for the Yukon-Kuskokwim residents displaced by Typhoon Halong. The salmon and other foods have been stored in a large freezer trailer at the heritage center, pending distribution to families and organizations.

Alaska typhoon victims’ losses of traditional foods go beyond dollar values

A statewide effort to replace lost subsistence harvests is part of the system of aid that organizations are trying to tailor to the needs of Indigenous rural Alaskans

  • Nov 4, 2025
  • By Yereth Rosen Alaska Beacon
Kelsey Ciugun Wallace, president of the Alaska Native Heritage Center, looks over a collection of frozen sockeye salmon on Oct. 30, 2025. The salmon was donated from the Copper River basin and is part of the collection of traditional Native foods donated for the Yukon-Kuskokwim residents displaced by Typhoon Halong. The salmon and other foods have been stored in a large freezer trailer at the heritage center, pending distribution to families and organizations.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his new proposed omnibus education legislation at a news conference on Jan. 31, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska declares disaster over federal food aid failure, diverts $10 million for temporary help

Following a request by state legislators and similar action by other states, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Monday declared a 30-day state of disaster that… Continue reading

  • Nov 3, 2025
  • By James Brooks and Claire Stremple Alaska Beacon
Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his new proposed omnibus education legislation at a news conference on Jan. 31, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Support your friends and neighbors by shopping close to home this holiday season. Photo credit: Canva stock.

Keeping it local: How shopping close to home strengthens Juneau

Every dollar spent locally helps create jobs, fuel community growth and keep Juneau’s economy strong

Support your friends and neighbors by shopping close to home this holiday season. Photo credit: Canva stock.
HESCO barriers line the Mendenhall River on Monday, May 12, 2025. (File photo, Jasz Garrett/Juneau Empire)

Army Corps to fund next steps of flood barrier improvements

CBJ accepts federal help for flood mitigation

HESCO barriers line the Mendenhall River on Monday, May 12, 2025. (File photo, Jasz Garrett/Juneau Empire)
Alaska Division of Forestry photo
Alaska attorney Aaron Peterson, seen here in a February 2024 photo, is expected to be nominated by President Trump to one of two vacancies on Alaska’s federal court bench.

Trump plans to nominate state fish and game attorney for Alaska federal judgeship

Aaron Peterson was an early selection of Sen. Dan Sullivan; Lisa Murkowski offers support late

  • Oct 31, 2025
  • James Brooks Alaska Beacon
Alaska Division of Forestry photo
Alaska attorney Aaron Peterson, seen here in a February 2024 photo, is expected to be nominated by President Trump to one of two vacancies on Alaska’s federal court bench.
Alaska’s natural gas pipeline would largely follow the route of the existing trans-Alaska oil pipeline, pictured here, from the North Slope. Near Fairbanks, the gas line would split off toward Anchorage, while the oil pipeline continues to the Prince William Sound community of Valdez. (Photo by David Houseknecht/United States Geological Survey)

Tokyo Gas signs preliminary agreement with trans-Alaska gas pipeline developer

The largest gas company in Japan has signed a letter of intent signifying that it would buy up to 1 million tons of liquefied natural… Continue reading

  • Oct 31, 2025
  • By James Brooks Alaska Beacon
Alaska’s natural gas pipeline would largely follow the route of the existing trans-Alaska oil pipeline, pictured here, from the North Slope. Near Fairbanks, the gas line would split off toward Anchorage, while the oil pipeline continues to the Prince William Sound community of Valdez. (Photo by David Houseknecht/United States Geological Survey)
Glass clan house screen and house posts made by Tlingit artist Preston Singletary at the Walter Soboleff Center in Juneau, Alaska. The screen shows a Northwest Coast design in sandblasted glass. On the left stands an Eagle warrior; while on the right stands a Raven created in a dark charcoal color. (photo courtesy SHI)

SHI to host November lecture series on SE Alaska Native history

The monthlong series brings together artists, scholars and leaders.

Glass clan house screen and house posts made by Tlingit artist Preston Singletary at the Walter Soboleff Center in Juneau, Alaska. The screen shows a Northwest Coast design in sandblasted glass. On the left stands an Eagle warrior; while on the right stands a Raven created in a dark charcoal color. (photo courtesy SHI)