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Alaska SeaLife Center Animal Care Specialist Savannah Costner releases a 1-year-old female elephant seal back to the ocean on March 24, 2022, after the animal was admitted as a patient to the ASLC Wildlife Response Program. The 320-pound animal was released near Lowell Point in Seward, Alaska. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center rehabs baby elephant seal

The seal is the first mammal admitted to the center’s Wildlife Response Program this year

Alaska SeaLife Center Animal Care Specialist Savannah Costner releases a 1-year-old female elephant seal back to the ocean on March 24, 2022, after the animal was admitted as a patient to the ASLC Wildlife Response Program. The 320-pound animal was released near Lowell Point in Seward, Alaska. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Janalee Minnich Gage, activist and artist at home in Ketchikan. (Courtesy Photo / Janalee Minnich Gage)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: ‘A day that changed everything’

“Whoosh! I was floating,”

Janalee Minnich Gage, activist and artist at home in Ketchikan. (Courtesy Photo / Janalee Minnich Gage)
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

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

  • Apr 13, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
A pair of rockslide on Douglas Highway cut traffic while Department of Transportation and Public Facilities personnel cleared debris. DOT&PF geologists are still monitoring the site. (Courtesy photo / DOT&PF)

Road remains closed as DOT monitors rockslide site

It’s been reopened for local or emergency traffic, but geologists are monitoring the slide site for further activity.

A pair of rockslide on Douglas Highway cut traffic while Department of Transportation and Public Facilities personnel cleared debris. DOT&PF geologists are still monitoring the site. (Courtesy photo / DOT&PF)
Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, after the Alaska State Senate passed the Alaska Reads Act, a bill he originially introduced with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Senate passes comprehensive reading bill

‘A good chance.”

Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, after the Alaska State Senate passed the Alaska Reads Act, a bill he originially introduced with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This map, included in a City and Borough of Juneau Lands, Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting packet, shows the location of a proposed off-road vehicle park. The committee OK’d negotiations between the third party and an enthusiast group seeking to make the park a reality. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Off-road vehicle park gets traction

City pols OK negotiations for park at Mile 35 Glacier Highway.

This map, included in a City and Borough of Juneau Lands, Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting packet, shows the location of a proposed off-road vehicle park. The committee OK’d negotiations between the third party and an enthusiast group seeking to make the park a reality. (City and Borough of Juneau)
This March 2020 photo shows the Juneau’s current City Hall. A lot near Centennial Hall has emerged as a preferred location for a proposed new City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lot next to Centennial Hall emerges as preferred site for new City Hall

Putting chambers for public meetings in convention center to save costs is a possibility.

This March 2020 photo shows the Juneau’s current City Hall. A lot near Centennial Hall has emerged as a preferred location for a proposed new City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo, available under a Creative Commons license, shows a European robin. While its name is similar to that of the American robin, they are not closely related. (Courtesy Photo / Charles J. Sharp)

On the Trails: Same name, very different birds

A tale of two (or more) robins.

This photo, available under a Creative Commons license, shows a European robin. While its name is similar to that of the American robin, they are not closely related. (Courtesy Photo / Charles J. Sharp)
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Tuesday, April 12

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

  • Apr 12, 2022
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
Kelly Tshibaka, left, a Republican, smiles as she officially files to run in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, Monday, April 11, 2022, while her husband, Niki Tshibaka, looks on at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. Eleven other candidates have signed up so far in the Senate race, including incumbent U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, also a Republican. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Trump-backed Tshibaka officially files for Senate run

Tshibaka will face off against Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who drew Tshibaka’s aim during a news conference.

Kelly Tshibaka, left, a Republican, smiles as she officially files to run in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, Monday, April 11, 2022, while her husband, Niki Tshibaka, looks on at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. Eleven other candidates have signed up so far in the Senate race, including incumbent U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, also a Republican. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
This photo shows Mill Campground, which is set to open on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Mill Campground to open for the season

April 13-Oct. 13, CBJ announces.

This photo shows Mill Campground, which is set to open on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Former member of the Alaska House of Representatives Les Gara was in Juneau on Friday, April 8, 2022, and met with the Empire to talk about what sets him apart from the other candidates in the race for governor. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

In governor’s race, Gara says he stands apart

Equality of opportunity.

Former member of the Alaska House of Representatives Les Gara was in Juneau on Friday, April 8, 2022, and met with the Empire to talk about what sets him apart from the other candidates in the race for governor. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau’s Marine Parking Garage. Parking fees will be increasing for the garage in July. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pricier parking: Downtown parking garages see a fee increase

As of July 1 monthly permits at both parking sites will cost $70 and annual permits $770.

This photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau’s Marine Parking Garage. Parking fees will be increasing for the garage in July. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of local environmental group 350Juneau and the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network displayed signs in front of the downtown Juneau branch of Wells Fargo on Monday, April 11, 2022, as part of a demonstration urging the company's corporate leadership to cease funding of fossil fuels. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Local environmentalists call on Wells Fargo to end fossil fuel funding

“Humanitarian crisis.”

Members of local environmental group 350Juneau and the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network displayed signs in front of the downtown Juneau branch of Wells Fargo on Monday, April 11, 2022, as part of a demonstration urging the company's corporate leadership to cease funding of fossil fuels. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Friday, April 10, 2022

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

  • Apr 10, 2022
(Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
The Alaska House of Representatives passed the state's operating and mental health budget bills on Saturday, April 9, 2022, after a week of marathon floor sessions tackling amendments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House passes operating, mental health budgets, fails to pass effective date, reverse sweep

On to the Senate.

The Alaska House of Representatives passed the state's operating and mental health budget bills on Saturday, April 9, 2022, after a week of marathon floor sessions tackling amendments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A teapot holds crocheted sunflowers at Already Read on Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

In Kenai, crocheted sunflowers raise money for Ukrainian refugees

The flowers are sold in multiple businesses around the central peninsula

A teapot holds crocheted sunflowers at Already Read on Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This photos shows Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center, which recently announced its closure. The clinic intends to begin processing records requests from clients in May, according to an announcement from the clinic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center to close

Development furthers Juneau’s already perilous pet care shortage.

This photos shows Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center, which recently announced its closure. The clinic intends to begin processing records requests from clients in May, according to an announcement from the clinic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy - seen here speaking with reporters in the Cabinet Room at the Alaska State Capitol on March 8, 2022 - spoke to the Empire recently about his approach to government after having served as Alaska's chief executive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

A Q&A with Gov. Mike Dunleavy

‘You work the hand your dealt with.’

Gov. Mike Dunleavy - seen here speaking with reporters in the Cabinet Room at the Alaska State Capitol on March 8, 2022 - spoke to the Empire recently about his approach to government after having served as Alaska's chief executive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This undated photo shows Rosemary Hagevig, who passed away on Thursday after a battle with illness. Hagevig is remembered as a consummate volunteer and longtime community lynchpin. (Courtesy Photo / Candy Behrends)

‘A consummate community volunteer’: Rosemary Hagevig, former Juneau citizen of the year, dies

Hagevig served two terms on the Assembly, was one of 11 Alaskans to carry the Olympic Torch in ‘96.

This undated photo shows Rosemary Hagevig, who passed away on Thursday after a battle with illness. Hagevig is remembered as a consummate volunteer and longtime community lynchpin. (Courtesy Photo / Candy Behrends)