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Alex Alf, cultivation manager at Stoned Salmon Farms, displays a marijuana variety called Blissful Wizzard, on April 16. He said this variety of marijuana was developed to relieve epilepsy symptoms. Alf said that cultivating marijuana in Alaska requires experimentation to fine-tune the final product. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Checking in on a budding local industry

Even in the face of pandemic, business stays high.

Alex Alf, cultivation manager at Stoned Salmon Farms, displays a marijuana variety called Blissful Wizzard, on April 16. He said this variety of marijuana was developed to relieve epilepsy symptoms. Alf said that cultivating marijuana in Alaska requires experimentation to fine-tune the final product. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
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 Tuesday, April 20, 2021

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

  • Apr 20, 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)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, removes her face mask Monday moments after being removed from her committee chairmanship.

Senator removed as chair of Judiciary Committee

Multiple incidents, mostly around masking, led to the decision.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, removes her face mask Monday moments after being removed from her committee chairmanship.
Kristi Peel checks in her electric vehicle with a volunteer ahead of a road rally held Saturday in Juneau for Earth Day. Previously, Peel said she was the proud owner of the first Chrysler PT Cruise in town. However, after about two decades and 80,000 miles, she purchased her late model Chevrolet Bolt. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Rally generates excitement for electric vehicles

Going for green.

Kristi Peel checks in her electric vehicle with a volunteer ahead of a road rally held Saturday in Juneau for Earth Day. Previously, Peel said she was the proud owner of the first Chrysler PT Cruise in town. However, after about two decades and 80,000 miles, she purchased her late model Chevrolet Bolt. (Ben Hohenstatt / 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. A medical director at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control says the numbers of active COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern are higher than what has been publicly reported in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP

COVID at a glance for Monday, April 19

These numbers come from reports from the City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Operations Center and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, as… Continue reading

  • Apr 19, 2021
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. A medical director at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control says the numbers of active COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern are higher than what has been publicly reported in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP
Distance learning will continue Tuesday at Thunder Mountain High School. The school initially shifted to distance delivery for Monday, April 19, following three confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the high school. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

In-person classes to resume Thursday at Thunder Mountain following COVID cases

Boys soccer and wrestling teams to skip practice for quarantine and testing

Distance learning will continue Tuesday at Thunder Mountain High School. The school initially shifted to distance delivery for Monday, April 19, following three confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the high school. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the stern of the MV Matanuska on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

2 Matanuska crewmembers test positive for COVID

No close contacts with passengers identified.

This photo shows the stern of the MV Matanuska on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
FILE - In this May 24, 2015, file photo, a vehicle drives on a pier to be loaded onto an Alaska state ferry while people fish underneath the pier in Homer, Alaska. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Monday, April 19, 2021, in a case that will determine who is eligible to receive more than $530 million in federal virus relief funding set aside for tribes more than a year ago. More than a dozen Native American tribes sued the U.S. Treasury Department to keep the money out of the hands of Alaska Native corporations, which provide services to Alaska Natives but do not have a government-to-government relationship with the United States. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

High court seems ready to send virus funds to Alaska Natives

Justices heard arguments in a case involving the massive pandemic relief package.

FILE - In this May 24, 2015, file photo, a vehicle drives on a pier to be loaded onto an Alaska state ferry while people fish underneath the pier in Homer, Alaska. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Monday, April 19, 2021, in a case that will determine who is eligible to receive more than $530 million in federal virus relief funding set aside for tribes more than a year ago. More than a dozen Native American tribes sued the U.S. Treasury Department to keep the money out of the hands of Alaska Native corporations, which provide services to Alaska Natives but do not have a government-to-government relationship with the United States. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Courtesy photo / Imagine Learning Educators at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School hold a giant check for the food donated to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank through a drive that math students at the school participated in.

Middle school students raise money for food bank with math skills

The donation drive was spread across schools in four states.

Courtesy photo / Imagine Learning Educators at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School hold a giant check for the food donated to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank through a drive that math students at the school participated in.
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Sunday, April 18, 2021

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

  • Apr 18, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely. The eye shies away, the . (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Susan Moseby, left, SAFE program administrator, and Jenny Farley, a nurse with the child advocacy center, man a table at IGA Foodland for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month, giving information and resources to those who ask on April 16, 2021.

Child abuse referrals are climbing after declining during pandemic

Children were especially hard hit by the isolation, stress, weight of events.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Susan Moseby, left, SAFE program administrator, and Jenny Farley, a nurse with the child advocacy center, man a table at IGA Foodland for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month, giving information and resources to those who ask on April 16, 2021.
Teaser

Rep. Young advocates for Puerto Rico statehood

“I think it’s time,” said U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska.

Teaser
Prescriptions drugs, vitamins, hormones, and other drugs left in the drug drop box in the lobby of the Juneau Police Department in September 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police department to host drug take back site

No liquids, syringes or lithium batteries.

Prescriptions drugs, vitamins, hormones, and other drugs left in the drug drop box in the lobby of the Juneau Police Department in September 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Juneauites enjoyed the sun on the downtown waterfront on Friday, April 16, 2021, but the city would normally be gearing up for cruise season. Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a proposal Friday for using more the $1 billion in federal relief money meant to boost local economies and update local infrastructure. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy unveils proposals for over $1 billion in federal aid

Waiting for further guidance.

Juneauites enjoyed the sun on the downtown waterfront on Friday, April 16, 2021, but the city would normally be gearing up for cruise season. Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a proposal Friday for using more the $1 billion in federal relief money meant to boost local economies and update local infrastructure. (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. A medical director at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control says the numbers of active COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern are higher than what has been publicly reported in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP

COVID at a glance for Thursday, April 15

These numbers come from reports from the City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Operations Center and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, as… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2021
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. A medical director at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control says the numbers of active COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern are higher than what has been publicly reported in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, shown here on April 9, held a news conference in Anchorage on April 16, 2021 announcing his office’s plans for supporting tourism in Alaska going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Free vaccines for tourists: Governor talks future of tourism industry

The governor wants $150 million to aid the tourism industry.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, shown here on April 9, held a news conference in Anchorage on April 16, 2021 announcing his office’s plans for supporting tourism in Alaska going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Iliamna Volcano seen from Ninilchik, Alaska, in a photograph by Roy Boone. (Courtesy Photo / Roy Boone, Alaska Volcano Observatory.

Alaska Science Forum: Listening to avalanches half a state away

Scientists are using recorded signals to better understand avalanches in steep, icy country.

  • Apr 16, 2021
  • By Ned Rozell
Iliamna Volcano seen from Ninilchik, Alaska, in a photograph by Roy Boone. (Courtesy Photo / Roy Boone, Alaska Volcano Observatory.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities triggered an avalanche as a mitigation measure above Thane Road on April 15, 2021.

City plans ahead for future avalanche seasons

More snow isn’t bad, but dynamic weather makes predicting avalanches tricky

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities triggered an avalanche as a mitigation measure above Thane Road on April 15, 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, April 16, 2021

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

  • Apr 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)
Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 15, 2021, about a bill of his to reform Alaska's elections. An earlier version of the bill drew sharp criticism but Shower says his bill is not meant to be partisan. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Polarizing election reform bill reintroduced with changes

Bill gets another run.

Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 15, 2021, about a bill of his to reform Alaska's elections. An earlier version of the bill drew sharp criticism but Shower says his bill is not meant to be partisan. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)