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Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s chief of staff Ben Stevens, seen here speaking during the Southeast Conference Mid-Session Summit on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, spoke to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy was proposing bonds for infrastructure projects across the state, Stevens said. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Proposed bonds would fund ‘shovel-ready’ projects, says governor’s chief of staff

Shovel-ready in Southeast?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s chief of staff Ben Stevens, seen here speaking during the Southeast Conference Mid-Session Summit on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, spoke to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy was proposing bonds for infrastructure projects across the state, Stevens said. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows signage outside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. A group of 35 states as well as the District of Columbia and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Google on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, alleging that the search giant has an illegal monopoly over the online search market that hurts consumers and advertisers. The lawsuit, announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. by states represented by bipartisan attorneys general. (AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Alaska joins anti-trust lawsuit against Google

States allege the search giant has an illegal monopoly over the online search market.

This photo shows signage outside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. A group of 35 states as well as the District of Columbia and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Google on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, alleging that the search giant has an illegal monopoly over the online search market that hurts consumers and advertisers. The lawsuit, announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. by states represented by bipartisan attorneys general. (AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Mark Emery wrestles with an alligator in Florida. (Courtesy Photo / Mark Emery)

Pride of Bristol Bay: How a gator-wrestling former kickboxer became a wildlife cinematographer

“He may be the most interesting man in the world.”

Mark Emery wrestles with an alligator in Florida. (Courtesy Photo / Mark Emery)
Courtesy photo / City and Borough of Juneau Capital Transit received its first electric bus, seen here, on Wednesday. The bus will enter active service in February.

Leading the charge: City welcomes fleet’s 1st electric bus

Bus is expected to be rider-ready in February.

Courtesy photo / City and Borough of Juneau Capital Transit received its first electric bus, seen here, on Wednesday. The bus will enter active service in February.
Has it always been a police car. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Thursday, Dec.17, 2020

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

  • Dec 17, 2020
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Has it always been a police car. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows vials of COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine.

Adverse reaction to new vaccine reported

Health officials say it’s the first such reaction.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows vials of COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine.
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, Dec. 16

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
Juneauites were out and about in the snow on 2nd Street in Douglas Wednesday, but the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for another storm Thursday morning which could bring up to two feet of snow in two days. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

National Weather Service warns 2 feet of snow possible by weekend

Check your boats.

Juneauites were out and about in the snow on 2nd Street in Douglas Wednesday, but the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for another storm Thursday morning which could bring up to two feet of snow in two days. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The author drew a coveted elk hunt on Etolin Island a few years ago. In five days, he and his two buddies saw zero elk, but it still ranks as one of his favorite all-time hunts. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: My ticket to paradise

Sheep. Goat. Caribou. Bison. Not necessarily in that order.

The author drew a coveted elk hunt on Etolin Island a few years ago. In five days, he and his two buddies saw zero elk, but it still ranks as one of his favorite all-time hunts. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
The City and Borough of Juneau and four Juneau residents will be among those honored in the Governor’s Arts and Humanities Awards in early January. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Weekly

Juneau residents to be recognized with arts and humanities awards

Four Juneauites and the city itself among the eight honored.

The City and Borough of Juneau and four Juneau residents will be among those honored in the Governor’s Arts and Humanities Awards in early January. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows salmon, quinoa and salad. (Vivian Mork Yéilk’ / For the Capital City Weekly)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: Healing foods for hard times

We’ve been eating all of our favorite soul foods because now is now.

This photo shows salmon, quinoa and salad. (Vivian Mork Yéilk’ / For the Capital City Weekly)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Tuesday, Dec. 14

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here in this April 7, photo, will hold a news conference Tuesday evening. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Watch: Gov. Dunleavy discuss vaccine, Southeast disaster

Watch the video live

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here in this April 7, photo, will hold a news conference Tuesday evening. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
The property at 9290 Hurlock Avenue near the intersection of Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road was vacant Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, but a group of nonprofit organizations are partnering to try and turn the site into a youth homeless center. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly passed two ordinances Monday which would allow the project to move forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Youth shelter awaits funding

Worthy project but funds are tight.

The property at 9290 Hurlock Avenue near the intersection of Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road was vacant Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, but a group of nonprofit organizations are partnering to try and turn the site into a youth homeless center. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly passed two ordinances Monday which would allow the project to move forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Mike Wiley, left, and daughter Megan Bishop serve a customer at their store, Ben Franklin Store, in downtown Juneau on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The city extended its mask mandate at a meeting Monday, but Wiley and Bishop said they'd ask customers to wear a mask regardless of the mandate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau extends mask mandate

Vaccines have arrived, but vigilance remains important, city officials said.

Mike Wiley, left, and daughter Megan Bishop serve a customer at their store, Ben Franklin Store, in downtown Juneau on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The city extended its mask mandate at a meeting Monday, but Wiley and Bishop said they'd ask customers to wear a mask regardless of the mandate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Signs protesting 100% remote learning are seen on Monday, Dec. 14. (Courtesy Photo / Andie Bock)

Kanai parents plan strike to protest remote learning

Community opposition mounts to Smart Start revisions

Signs protesting 100% remote learning are seen on Monday, Dec. 14. (Courtesy Photo / Andie Bock)
This photo shows the Juneau Police Station, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Police warn of phone scam faking abduction scenario

They’ve recieved several reports of such calls.

  • Dec 15, 2020
  • Juneau Empire
This photo shows the Juneau Police Station, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Fire/Rescue will be escorting their Clauses around Juneau this year, with some slight modifications to the annual tradition. (Courtesy photo / City and Borough of Juneau)

Santa Claus is coming to town

Capital City Fire/Rescue, Mr. and Mrs. Claus ready for parade

Capital City Fire/Rescue will be escorting their Clauses around Juneau this year, with some slight modifications to the annual tradition. (Courtesy photo / City and Borough of Juneau)
Ice plates pile up on the shore of Mendenhall Lake on Dec. 4. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Ice and quiet

It’s not an exercise for everyone, of course. You have to be ready for it.

Ice plates pile up on the shore of Mendenhall Lake on Dec. 4. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Chief Master Sgt. Winfield Hinkley Jr., Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the Alaska National Guard, left, Makayla Hikley, middle, and Maj. John Brackenbury, divisional commander with the Salvation Army, Alaska Division, wrap gifts in Anchorage, Alaska, that will be sent to children in three rural Alaska villages, on Nov. 17, 2020. The Alaska National Guard and the Salvation Army were able to provide and deliver gifts for the program’s 65th year, but had to scale back distribution parties that are normally held in the villages because of COVID-19. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Pandemic prompts scaled back Christmas tradition in Alaska

This year’s edition of Operation Santa Claus didn’t have the pomp of previous incarnations.

  • Dec 15, 2020
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
Chief Master Sgt. Winfield Hinkley Jr., Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the Alaska National Guard, left, Makayla Hikley, middle, and Maj. John Brackenbury, divisional commander with the Salvation Army, Alaska Division, wrap gifts in Anchorage, Alaska, that will be sent to children in three rural Alaska villages, on Nov. 17, 2020. The Alaska National Guard and the Salvation Army were able to provide and deliver gifts for the program’s 65th year, but had to scale back distribution parties that are normally held in the villages because of COVID-19. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)