News

University of Alaska Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer, shown in this photo, was recently selected to be new chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast.

Q&A: Get to know the next UAS chancellor

Incoming chancellor talks workforce development, fiscal sustainability and student access

University of Alaska Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer, shown in this photo, was recently selected to be new chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast.
A by-mail general ballot is sent to an Alaska voter in October of 2020. Concern is being expressed by some state lawmakers about such ballots frequently being received and used by people who became residents of other states many years ago. Officials with the state Division of Elections said keeping such people on voter rolls is based on an intention to return to Alaska, which often cannot be definitely determined. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

State may end membership in voter anti-fraud organization

Group falsely attacked by Trump is costly, better options may exist, new elections director says

A by-mail general ballot is sent to an Alaska voter in October of 2020. Concern is being expressed by some state lawmakers about such ballots frequently being received and used by people who became residents of other states many years ago. Officials with the state Division of Elections said keeping such people on voter rolls is based on an intention to return to Alaska, which often cannot be definitely determined. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
The sun beams down on a clock and nearby melting snow. A bill that calls for Alaska to choose to remain in Daylight Saving Time for the entirety of the year and say farewell to the switch to Standard Time has been reintroduced to the Alaska Legislature this session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

It’s about time: With the switch to Daylight Saving Time on the horizon, Alaska lawmakers push to make the change permanent

It’s a time sensitive issue…

The sun beams down on a clock and nearby melting snow. A bill that calls for Alaska to choose to remain in Daylight Saving Time for the entirety of the year and say farewell to the switch to Standard Time has been reintroduced to the Alaska Legislature this session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A sign in 2019 urges Alaska lawmakers to fund a “full” Permanent Fund Dividend — or else. Some legislators this year are hoping tough times since then due to the COVID.19 pandemic and other events will make residents willing to accept proposals that result in lower dividends so some of the money can be used for purposes such as increasing education spending. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, file)

PFD plans poised for public pontificating

Five proposals to be subject of Saturday hearing.

A sign in 2019 urges Alaska lawmakers to fund a “full” Permanent Fund Dividend — or else. Some legislators this year are hoping tough times since then due to the COVID.19 pandemic and other events will make residents willing to accept proposals that result in lower dividends so some of the money can be used for purposes such as increasing education spending. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, file)
The Associated Press A map shows the location of the Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where more than 200 drills are scheduled to be drilled during a 30-year period if approved.

Willow approval expected next week, Bloomberg and CNN reports

The Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska will be officially approved by the Biden administration next week, according to reports from CNN… Continue reading

The Associated Press A map shows the location of the Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where more than 200 drills are scheduled to be drilled during a 30-year period if approved.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The Tazlina docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Thursday afternoon.

DOT: Staffing shortages mean fewer ferries this summer

Service may improve if more crew becomes available, officials say

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The Tazlina docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Thursday afternoon.
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Friday, March 10, 2023

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

  • Mar 10, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Woman indicted on fraud and theft charges

A Juneau woman was indicted Thursday on charges of theft and fraud, according to police. A Juneau grand jury indicted 39-year-old Rebecca Jo Burke on… Continue reading

  • Mar 9, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs a memorandum of understanding Thursday afternoon between the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Goldbelt Inc. to pursue engineering and design services to determine whether it’s feasible to build a new ferry terminal facility in Juneau at Cascade Point. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

State signs agreement with Goldbelt Inc. for Cascade Point ferry terminal feasibility study

A long-discussed project took a step forward…

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs a memorandum of understanding Thursday afternoon between the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Goldbelt Inc. to pursue engineering and design services to determine whether it’s feasible to build a new ferry terminal facility in Juneau at Cascade Point. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A panel discussion about transboundary mining issues involving Alaska and British Columbia is hosted Tuesday by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, during the Juneau Mining Forum conference Tuesday at the Baranof Hotel. Participating in the discussion were Andrew Rollo, left, assistant deputy minister for Energy Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in B.C., Laurel Nash, assistant deputy minister for the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy in B.C., and Jason Brune, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Toxic mining talks linger between Alaska, Canada

Native and legislative leaders reinterate call for U.S. intervention after Canadian officials’ visit

A panel discussion about transboundary mining issues involving Alaska and British Columbia is hosted Tuesday by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, during the Juneau Mining Forum conference Tuesday at the Baranof Hotel. Participating in the discussion were Andrew Rollo, left, assistant deputy minister for Energy Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in B.C., Laurel Nash, assistant deputy minister for the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy in B.C., and Jason Brune, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows downtown Juneau in late October. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee OK’d the city to begin drafting an ordinance that would make it a requirement to register short-term rentals in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City considers short-term rental registration requirement

New survey shows difficulty in assessing accurate data on short-term rental stock.

This photo shows downtown Juneau in late October. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee OK’d the city to begin drafting an ordinance that would make it a requirement to register short-term rentals in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File The sun partially shines on the University of Alaska sign in late February. University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced Wednesday her selection of Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer as the new leader of the University of Alaska Southeast.

UA announces selection of new UAS chancellor

Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer is expected to begin the role in July

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File The sun partially shines on the University of Alaska sign in late February. University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced Wednesday her selection of Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer as the new leader of the University of Alaska Southeast.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, reads an announcement during the Senate floor session Wednesday. Tobin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, emerged as a potential road block to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “parental rights” bill by declaring it would not get a hearing if referred to her committee. The bill was subsequently referred to two other committees, with Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, stating it will get a public hearing.

Bill limiting sex, gender discussion in education will get public hearing, senate president says

However, lawmakers say it will not be a main focus.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, reads an announcement during the Senate floor session Wednesday. Tobin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, emerged as a potential road block to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “parental rights” bill by declaring it would not get a hearing if referred to her committee. The bill was subsequently referred to two other committees, with Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, stating it will get a public hearing.
Four generations at Mickey’s Fishcamp. Back row left to right: Vivian Mork Yeilk’, Mickey Prescott, Nikka Mork. Front: Vivian Faith Prescott and Bear Hurst. (Courtesy Photo / Howie Martindale)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: Life jackets and binoculars

I can see things more clearly with my binoculars, yet there’s a sensation of floating…

Four generations at Mickey’s Fishcamp. Back row left to right: Vivian Mork Yeilk’, Mickey Prescott, Nikka Mork. Front: Vivian Faith Prescott and Bear Hurst. (Courtesy Photo / Howie Martindale)
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska's North Slope. Pressure is building on the social media platform TikTok to urge President Joe Biden to reject an oil development project on Alaska's North Slope from young voters concerned about climate change. That's blunted by Alaska Native leaders who support ConocoPhillips' development called Willow. (ConocoPhillips)

TikTok push targets Biden on Alaska’s huge Willow oil plan

However, in Alaska, there have been visible shows of support for the project.

  • Mar 8, 2023
  • By Mark Thiessen, Isabella O’Malley and Natalia Gutierrez Associated Press
  • State & Legislature
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska's North Slope. Pressure is building on the social media platform TikTok to urge President Joe Biden to reject an oil development project on Alaska's North Slope from young voters concerned about climate change. That's blunted by Alaska Native leaders who support ConocoPhillips' development called Willow. (ConocoPhillips)
In this photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey is the Tanaga Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on May 23, 2021. A swarm of earthquakes occurring over the past few weeks has intensified at a remote Alaska volcano dormant for over a century, a possible indication of an impending eruption. The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano late Tuesday, March 7, 2023, after the quakes became very vigorous. (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey)

Swarm of quakes at Alaska volcano could mean eruption coming

The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano.

In this photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey is the Tanaga Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on May 23, 2021. A swarm of earthquakes occurring over the past few weeks has intensified at a remote Alaska volcano dormant for over a century, a possible indication of an impending eruption. The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to advisory status for Tanaga Volcano late Tuesday, March 7, 2023, after the quakes became very vigorous. (Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Matt Cook, new Dealer Principal of Juneau Auto Mall, formerly Mendenhall Auto Center, poses for a photo on Wednesday. Cook took over ownership officially on Wednesday, March 1.

Ownership transition drives change at dealership

Juneau Auto Mall, formerly known as Mendenhall Auto Center, officially opened its doors on March 1.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Matt Cook, new Dealer Principal of Juneau Auto Mall, formerly Mendenhall Auto Center, poses for a photo on Wednesday. Cook took over ownership officially on Wednesday, March 1.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Dale Hudson holds his phone showing a photo of him and his late wife, Suzanne, dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Dale is in the process of liquidating his wife’s store, Nana’s Attic, after her recent death in late February.

Unique downtown Juneau antique store to close following owner’s death

Family expressed gratitude for community support of Nana’s Attic

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Dale Hudson holds his phone showing a photo of him and his late wife, Suzanne, dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Dale is in the process of liquidating his wife’s store, Nana’s Attic, after her recent death in late February.
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Wednesday, March 8, 2023

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

  • Mar 8, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Screenshot from official livestream Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils proposals to offer public school teachers annual retention bonuses and enact policies similar so-called “don’t say gay” laws in states such as Florida during a press conference in Anchorage on Tuesday.

Governor proposes ‘don’t say gay’-style law, year-end teacher bonuses

Dunleavy says bill is “pro-parent,” not anti-LGBTQ+.

Screenshot from official livestream Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils proposals to offer public school teachers annual retention bonuses and enact policies similar so-called “don’t say gay” laws in states such as Florida during a press conference in Anchorage on Tuesday.