News

Two of the seven Gillig electric buses ordered by the City and Borough of Juneau await inspection at the Capital Transit fleet facility on Monday. The other buses are expected to arrive by mid October and the first use of the vehicles for paying passengers is scheduled around the beginning of the new year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Capital Transit’s new electric buses arriving, with hopes of much better experience than first e-bus

Seven incoming buses built by different company expected to be in service around New Year’s.

Two of the seven Gillig electric buses ordered by the City and Borough of Juneau await inspection at the Capital Transit fleet facility on Monday. The other buses are expected to arrive by mid October and the first use of the vehicles for paying passengers is scheduled around the beginning of the new year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024

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 Friday, Sept. 27, 2024

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 Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ships in port for the week of Sept. 28

Here’s what to expect this week.

Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jude Pate, right, asks a question during oral arguments in a case concerning correspondence education allotments, on June 27, 2024, in the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Supreme Court says most business insurance doesn’t cover COVID-19 damages

In a first-of-its-kind ruling, the Alaska Supreme Court said Friday that the COVID-19 pandemic does not qualify as “physical loss” or “damage” under common commercial… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jude Pate, right, asks a question during oral arguments in a case concerning correspondence education allotments, on June 27, 2024, in the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
Cast members of “Henry V” rehearse Wednesday at the Filipino Community Hall for the Theater Alaska production opening Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

“Henry V” forcefully brings battlefield leadership issues to the stage during election season

Theater Alaska offering free and pay-as-you-want performances until Oct. 20.

Cast members of “Henry V” rehearse Wednesday at the Filipino Community Hall for the Theater Alaska production opening Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A local-mail in ballot is deposited in a drop box. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Rodell has big money lead in mayor’s race, Hall tops Assembly candidates a week before Oct. 1 election

Ship-Free Saturday opponents remain dominant money presence with about $500K raised, $750K spent.

A local-mail in ballot is deposited in a drop box. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Mount Juneau Counseling and Recovery facility is one of several programs operated by Gastineau Human Services at its campus in Lemon Creek. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Rainforest Recovery Center closure stands as Gastineau Human Services fires back at critics about its program

Accusations about closure prompt hospital, GHS, city leaders to meet about local substance abuse care.

The Mount Juneau Counseling and Recovery facility is one of several programs operated by Gastineau Human Services at its campus in Lemon Creek. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Rainforest Recovery Center at Bartlett Regional Hospital officially closed Tuesday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Closure of Rainforest Recovery Center gets another look as decision called ‘medically irresponsible’

City, hospital leaders to consider options Thursday; halt to other services also discussed by board.

Rainforest Recovery Center at Bartlett Regional Hospital officially closed Tuesday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Rush-hour traffic backs up at a traffic light on Mendenhall Loop Road at the intersection of Valley Boulevard and Mendenhall Boulevard on Oct. 11, 2023. The Juneau Planning Commission approved a roundabout for the intersection on Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Third roundabout on Mendenhall Loop Road gets planning commission OK despite mound of controversy

Supporters say it will improve safety; opponents say obstructed driver views will increase risk.

Rush-hour traffic backs up at a traffic light on Mendenhall Loop Road at the intersection of Valley Boulevard and Mendenhall Boulevard on Oct. 11, 2023. The Juneau Planning Commission approved a roundabout for the intersection on Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Sept. 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week ending Sept. 28

Three decades of capital city coverage.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Sept. 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
“Back to Lands Week” participants prepare to offload in Howkan. Over 100 ago, the villages of Howkan, Sukkwan and Klinkwan dissolved in order to form a school in the new village of Hydaburg. (Photo by Addy Mallott)
Capital City Weekly

Woven Peoples and Place: Húus dáng hl kíngsaang (I’ll see you again)

Reflections from Prince of Wales’ “Back to the Lands Week”

“Back to Lands Week” participants prepare to offload in Howkan. Over 100 ago, the villages of Howkan, Sukkwan and Klinkwan dissolved in order to form a school in the new village of Hydaburg. (Photo by Addy Mallott)
Part of the city of Hoonah’s waterfront is seen in a 2012 photo. (Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Division of Community and Regional Affairs’ Community Photo Library)

Ousted Hoonah superintendent seeks damages in Alaska district court

The former Hoonah City School District superintendent has filed a complaint against the local school board over a conflict with its president that allegedly led… Continue reading

Part of the city of Hoonah’s waterfront is seen in a 2012 photo. (Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Division of Community and Regional Affairs’ Community Photo Library)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024

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, Sept. 23, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
St. Joseph’s Mission Indian Residential School, a site featured in a scene from the new documentary Sugarcane. (Sugarcane Film LLC)

A new film highlights the traumas inflicted on Indigenous children by residential schools

This story contains difficult subject matter relating to Canada’s and America’s history of operating residential schools for Indigenous people. The National Native American Boarding School… Continue reading

St. Joseph’s Mission Indian Residential School, a site featured in a scene from the new documentary Sugarcane. (Sugarcane Film LLC)
Candace Frank gets a red handprint pressed onto her face at the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Rally in Juneau on May 5, 2022. (Lisa Phu / Alaska Beacon)

Alaska enacts law to reduce high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous persons

Despite Alaska’s small population, a 2018 report by the Urban Indian Health Institute identified it as the state with the fourth-highest number of missing and… Continue reading

Candace Frank gets a red handprint pressed onto her face at the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Rally in Juneau on May 5, 2022. (Lisa Phu / Alaska Beacon)
“We accept this apology,” says Kake elder Ruth Demmert as she addresses the audience at Saturday’s formal apology by the U.S. Navy delivered minutes earlier by Rear Adm. Mark Sucato. The apology in Kake was for the 1869 bombardment and destruction of Kake’s three villages and two forts in winter of that year. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Video

A long time coming: U.S. Navy apologizes for destroying Alaska Native village of Kake in 1869

“From this time forward we will start healing our people,” village president says at historic ceremony.

“We accept this apology,” says Kake elder Ruth Demmert as she addresses the audience at Saturday’s formal apology by the U.S. Navy delivered minutes earlier by Rear Adm. Mark Sucato. The apology in Kake was for the 1869 bombardment and destruction of Kake’s three villages and two forts in winter of that year. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Video