News

A bear spray manufacturer issued a recall on a bear repellant product, shown here with identifying characteristics, that may not spray as intended. (Screenshot / SABRE)

Company issues recall on bear spray canisters

A mechanical malfunction may cause the spray not to work.

A bear spray manufacturer issued a recall on a bear repellant product, shown here with identifying characteristics, that may not spray as intended. (Screenshot / SABRE)
A Juneau resident holds up a Recall Dunleavy signature collection page when the campaign first began in August, 2019, but the Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday the campaign’s application for recall was legally sufficient. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

State Supreme Court sides with recall campaign, draws Dunleavy’s ire

High court affirms superior court decision.

A Juneau resident holds up a Recall Dunleavy signature collection page when the campaign first began in August, 2019, but the Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday the campaign’s application for recall was legally sufficient. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
Michelle Bonnet Hale on July 14 at the office of the Juneau Empire. Hale is seeking a second, three-year term on the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly. So far, she is the only candidate to announce a run for the District 2 seat in the valley. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Assembly member to seek reelection

She’s currently unopposed in District 2

Michelle Bonnet Hale on July 14 at the office of the Juneau Empire. Hale is seeking a second, three-year term on the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly. So far, she is the only candidate to announce a run for the District 2 seat in the valley. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
Kenneth Manzanares, 42, appears in U.S. District Court in Juneau for a change of plea hearing in this February 2020 photo. A barrier put in place in the public courtroom hallway blocked Manzanares from public view, per the judge’s orders. Photography is not allowed in the courtroom. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Man sentenced in wife’s beating death on Alaska cruise dies

He was found unresponsive in his cell Wednesday morning.

Kenneth Manzanares, 42, appears in U.S. District Court in Juneau for a change of plea hearing in this February 2020 photo. A barrier put in place in the public courtroom hallway blocked Manzanares from public view, per the judge’s orders. Photography is not allowed in the courtroom. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Aukeman Triathlon supporters and volunteers cheer on a swimmer as they leave Auke Lake on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Juneau is being considered to host a three-year series of Ironman triathlons, the first of which would be held next August. (Nolin Ainsworth/Juneau Empire File)

Juneau is in the running to host an Ironman triathlon

Running, biking and swimming to the finish line

Aukeman Triathlon supporters and volunteers cheer on a swimmer as they leave Auke Lake on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Juneau is being considered to host a three-year series of Ironman triathlons, the first of which would be held next August. (Nolin Ainsworth/Juneau Empire File)
Tree trunks that La Perouse Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve ran over in the 19th century. (Courtesy Photo/ Ned Rozell)

Visit to glacier begins with wildlife encounter

Many bears, fallingf blue ice and a first taste of peanut butter for a thumb-sized bird.

Tree trunks that La Perouse Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve ran over in the 19th century. (Courtesy Photo/ Ned Rozell)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Glory Hall executive director Mariya Lovishchuk points out some of the new features of the new Glory Hall, located near the airport and set to open on Thursday, July 22, 2021.

New Glory Hall readies for opening next week

The new structure, with twice the space of the old one, has far better accomodations.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Glory Hall executive director Mariya Lovishchuk points out some of the new features of the new Glory Hall, located near the airport and set to open on Thursday, July 22, 2021.
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 Friday, July 16, 2021

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

  • Jul 16, 2021
  • 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 bear splashes through Steep Creek in this September 2018 photo. The non-elevated portions of the Steep Creek Trail will close beginning Friday, the U.S. Forest Service announced. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Non-elevated portion of Steep Creek Trail to close

Goes into effect Friday, July 16.

A bear splashes through Steep Creek in this September 2018 photo. The non-elevated portions of the Steep Creek Trail will close beginning Friday, the U.S. Forest Service announced. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A 60-year-old Juneau man was sentenced for multiple sexual assaults, some occurring as far back as 1999, on Tuesday at Dimond Courthouse, seen here Oct. 20, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau man sentenced for multiple sexual assaults

The offenses occurred between 1999 and 2015.

A 60-year-old Juneau man was sentenced for multiple sexual assaults, some occurring as far back as 1999, on Tuesday at Dimond Courthouse, seen here Oct. 20, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire A sign lets visitors know they’re in the Tongass National Forest on Thursday, July 15, 2021, the same day the Biden administration announced yet another reversal of policy over the largest national forest. Debates about the 2001 Roadless Rule are familiar in Southeast Alaska, and Thursday’s announcement prompted familiar reactions in the state.

Conservation or constraint? Roadless Rule reversal divides Alaskans

New administration, new rules

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire A sign lets visitors know they’re in the Tongass National Forest on Thursday, July 15, 2021, the same day the Biden administration announced yet another reversal of policy over the largest national forest. Debates about the 2001 Roadless Rule are familiar in Southeast Alaska, and Thursday’s announcement prompted familiar reactions in the state.
Piggy bank

White House announces 84K Alaska families to receive child tax credit payments

Credits where they’re due .

Piggy bank
A bystander intervened in an attack near Nugget Mall Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the arrest of a 32-year-old man for multiple charges. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Man arrested for assault after bystander intervenes

The victim was seriously injured and taken to the hospital.

A bystander intervened in an attack near Nugget Mall Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the arrest of a 32-year-old man for multiple charges. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This September 2020 photo shows a view near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center within the Tongass National Forest. The Biden administration announced Thursday it’s ending old-growth timber sales on the Tongass. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Biden ends large-scale logging on Tongass

The Biden administration said it’s ending large-scale, old-growth timber sales on the Tongass.

This September 2020 photo shows a view near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center within the Tongass National Forest. The Biden administration announced Thursday it’s ending old-growth timber sales on the Tongass. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Jonathan Kriess-Tomkins, D-Sitka, facilitates a meeting of the newly-formed Fiscal Plan Working Group at legislative offices in Anchorage on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The working group is meant to draft recommendations to resolve the state’s budget deficit, but some members said they wanted to see a faster pace from the group. (Courtesy photo / Joe Plesha, Alaska House Majority Coalition)

Lawmakers say group working to solve budget woes must pick up the pace

Many more meetings.

Rep. Jonathan Kriess-Tomkins, D-Sitka, facilitates a meeting of the newly-formed Fiscal Plan Working Group at legislative offices in Anchorage on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The working group is meant to draft recommendations to resolve the state’s budget deficit, but some members said they wanted to see a faster pace from the group. (Courtesy photo / Joe Plesha, Alaska House Majority Coalition)
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 Thursday, July 15, 2021

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

  • Jul 15, 2021
  • 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 person aboard the American Constellation wears a mask as the ship arrives late Monday afternoon at the downtown cruise docks. A cluster of COVID-19 cases associated with the ship has reached 10. All known cases in the cluster are isolating. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Cruise ship COVID cluster reaches 10

Public Health: Risk of exposure to the public is low

A person aboard the American Constellation wears a mask as the ship arrives late Monday afternoon at the downtown cruise docks. A cluster of COVID-19 cases associated with the ship has reached 10. All known cases in the cluster are isolating. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, a negotiator in the infrastructure talks, pauses for reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. Murkowski hasn’t officially announced her re-election plans but her campaign released fundraising details, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, that an advisor says “strongly positions,” a re-election bid by Murkowski. The campaign statement comes ahead of a filing deadline and days after Republican party leaders in Alaska endorsed newcomer Kelly Tshibaka for Senate. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Murkowski camp teases fundraising ahead of deadline

Adviser: Fundraising “strongly positions” the Alaska Republican for a reelection bid.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, a negotiator in the infrastructure talks, pauses for reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. Murkowski hasn’t officially announced her re-election plans but her campaign released fundraising details, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, that an advisor says “strongly positions,” a re-election bid by Murkowski. The campaign statement comes ahead of a filing deadline and days after Republican party leaders in Alaska endorsed newcomer Kelly Tshibaka for Senate. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
The commercial fishing vessel Della G, seen here the next morning, caught fire and was completely destroyed in the Gastineau Channel on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven Knight)

Adrift and ablaze: emergency services respond to late-night boat fire

Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that torched the 32-foot vessel.

The commercial fishing vessel Della G, seen here the next morning, caught fire and was completely destroyed in the Gastineau Channel on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven Knight)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

This week’s Capital City Weekly to be delayed

Mechanical problems mean a day delay.

(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)