News

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Here’s what it takes to repair undersea cables

It’s a little more involved than plugging the cord back in.

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This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a glance for Friday, May 14

The most recent state and local figures.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML
Masks were made optional in the Alaska House of Representatives on Friday, May 14, 2021, but lawmakers are still trying to get their work done. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called two special sessions Thursday, but the proposal was met with mixed reactions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers mixed on governor’s special sessions

A lot of work to do.

Masks were made optional in the Alaska House of Representatives on Friday, May 14, 2021, but lawmakers are still trying to get their work done. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called two special sessions Thursday, but the proposal was met with mixed reactions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Annie Bartholomew, a Juneau-based singer-songwriter, wrote the musical play “Sisters of White Chapel: A Short But True Story,” which will be read as part of Theater Alaska’s Alaska Theater Festival. (Courtesy Photo /Sydney Akagi)

During the Gold Rush: ‘Victorian folk opera’ tells stories inspired by Klondike history

The piece’s origins are no simple A-to-B journey.

Annie Bartholomew, a Juneau-based singer-songwriter, wrote the musical play “Sisters of White Chapel: A Short But True Story,” which will be read as part of Theater Alaska’s Alaska Theater Festival. (Courtesy Photo /Sydney Akagi)
This May 2020 photo shows an open sign illuminated on a Juneau business. Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Tamika L. Ledbetter announced on Friday the state will stop participating next month in a federal program that provides an extra $300 a week in unemployment aid. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

State to stop $300 weekly federal unemployment aid boost

It’s “time to help people get back to work.”

This May 2020 photo shows an open sign illuminated on a Juneau business. Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Tamika L. Ledbetter announced on Friday the state will stop participating next month in a federal program that provides an extra $300 a week in unemployment aid. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A sign like this one, seen on a downtown Juneau business may soon come down as the city announced an end to the mask mandate for people who are fully vaccinated. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

A breath of fresh air

City updates its mask mandate following CDC guidelines

A sign like this one, seen on a downtown Juneau business may soon come down as the city announced an end to the mask mandate for people who are fully vaccinated. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, gave his annual address to the Alaska State Legislature on May 3, 2021, but some Democratic lawmakers said the speech brought the partisanship of Washington D.C. to Alaska.

In letter, Alaska Democrats say Sullivan brought D.C. partisanship to Juneau

Not what Alaskans do.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, gave his annual address to the Alaska State Legislature on May 3, 2021, but some Democratic lawmakers said the speech brought the partisanship of Washington D.C. to Alaska.
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, May 14, 2021

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

  • May 14, 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)
Kensey Jenkins (foreground, right) performs as a Lilac Fairy Attendant during a rehearsal for Juneau Dance Theatre's "Spring Showcase" on Thursday, May 6. The showcase will be available to stream at certain times on May 14, 15 and 16. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Juneau Dance Theatre springs into action

Annual showcase to be available as streaming event.

Kensey Jenkins (foreground, right) performs as a Lilac Fairy Attendant during a rehearsal for Juneau Dance Theatre's "Spring Showcase" on Thursday, May 6. The showcase will be available to stream at certain times on May 14, 15 and 16. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, said at this Wednesday, May 12, 2021 news conference there may be a special session of the Alaska Legislautre. On Thursday he officially called two, one for late May and one for early August. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy calls special sessions for budget, relief funds

Backlog of work.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, said at this Wednesday, May 12, 2021 news conference there may be a special session of the Alaska Legislautre. On Thursday he officially called two, one for late May and one for early August. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, May 12

The most recent state and local figures.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML
A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill that could allow cruise ships to come to Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

U.S. Senate passes bill that could allow cruise ships to come to Alaska

It now heads to the House.

A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill that could allow cruise ships to come to Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Department of Veterans Affairs nurse Dale Cotton administers a dose of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine during a clinic at Coast Guard Station Juneau on March 13, 2021. On Thursday, the CDC announced revised masking guidelines for people who have been vaccinated. City officials had not announced changes to local mandates as Thursday evening. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

New CDC guidelines: Vaccinated people can largely ditch masks

City officials are reviewing the federal guidance, with updates coming

Department of Veterans Affairs nurse Dale Cotton administers a dose of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine during a clinic at Coast Guard Station Juneau on March 13, 2021. On Thursday, the CDC announced revised masking guidelines for people who have been vaccinated. City officials had not announced changes to local mandates as Thursday evening. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year’s Eve. At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members agreed to proceed with a proposed ordinance that governs the local use of fireworks. Members of the public may comment on the proposal at the May 24 City Assembly meeting. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Cue the fireworks: City talks proposed ordinance

Public comment on proposed fireworks ordinance set for May 24.

Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year’s Eve. At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members agreed to proceed with a proposed ordinance that governs the local use of fireworks. Members of the public may comment on the proposal at the May 24 City Assembly meeting. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
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State Senate majority leader’s bill would bar transgender girls from female sports

Bill would require participation in a sport to be based on the participant’s sex assigned at birth.

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Adindean Franklin displays her diploma for her family after walking off the stage during the Thunder Mountain High School graduation on Sunday, May 26, 2019. The Juneau School District board is considering temporarily reducing the number of credits needed to graduate from 23 to 22.5, which is still 1.5 credits more than the state requires for high school graduation. The change will help students who are lagging in credits due to pandemic-related school closures and distance learning graduate on time. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

School board considers temporary graduation requirement change

Moving the finish line closer.

Adindean Franklin displays her diploma for her family after walking off the stage during the Thunder Mountain High School graduation on Sunday, May 26, 2019. The Juneau School District board is considering temporarily reducing the number of credits needed to graduate from 23 to 22.5, which is still 1.5 credits more than the state requires for high school graduation. The change will help students who are lagging in credits due to pandemic-related school closures and distance learning graduate on time. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Thursday, May 13, 2021

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

  • May 13, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, May 12

The most recent state and local figures.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML
Gov. Mike Dunleavy made changes to a proposed constitutional amendment in a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, he hopes will set the state on a better fiscal path. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy makes changes to Permanent Fund proposal

Gov says proposal is first step to better fiscal future

Gov. Mike Dunleavy made changes to a proposed constitutional amendment in a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, he hopes will set the state on a better fiscal path. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this May 9 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about tourism at the Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

WATCH: Governor talks future of the Permanent Fund

It’s scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m.

In this May 9 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about tourism at the Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)