News

This photo provided by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities shows damage from heavy rains and a mudslide 600 feet wide in Haines, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Authorities say six people are unaccounted for, and four homes were destroyed in the slide, with the search resuming Thursday morning for survivors. (Matt Boron / Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Governor declares a disaster for storm-damaged Southeast

Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Saturday signed a disaster declaration.

  • Dec 5, 2020
  • Juneau Empire
This photo provided by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities shows damage from heavy rains and a mudslide 600 feet wide in Haines, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Authorities say six people are unaccounted for, and four homes were destroyed in the slide, with the search resuming Thursday morning for survivors. (Matt Boron / Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
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Alaska Science Forum: Catching ‘the butcher bird’ in action

Shrikes are songbirds, but they don’t eat fruits or seeds. They are carnivores

  • Dec 5, 2020
  • By Ned Rozell
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Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai, left, explains the recount process to DOE staff and members of the State Review Board during a recount of votes from Anchorage House District 27 where a Democratic challenger ousted a Republican incumbent by just 13 votes. Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Snyder victory confirmed, legislative leadership makeup less clear

It was an 11-vote margin.

Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai, left, explains the recount process to DOE staff and members of the State Review Board during a recount of votes from Anchorage House District 27 where a Democratic challenger ousted a Republican incumbent by just 13 votes. Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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 Friday, Dec. 4

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)
Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown here on Nov. 30, 2020 was on lockdown Thursday, Dec. 3, after staff received a shooting threat, said a BRH spokesperson in a news release. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

No arrests made after hospital lockdown

The comments did not clear the bar for the charge of terroristic threatening.

Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown here on Nov. 30, 2020 was on lockdown Thursday, Dec. 3, after staff received a shooting threat, said a BRH spokesperson in a news release. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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State adds 20 to total coronavirus-related deaths in 2 days

Record numbers this week.

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“Historically bad” conditions have postponed the season opening of Eaglecrest Ski Area, said a spokesperson for the facility. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)

Eaglecrest opening on hold till weather chills out

Historically bad weather has postponed the opening until the temperature drops.

“Historically bad” conditions have postponed the season opening of Eaglecrest Ski Area, said a spokesperson for the facility. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)
This photo from the U.S. Coast Guard shows where a rainstorm caused landslides in Haines, Alaska, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. Authorities have identified the two people missing after a landslide the width of two football fields slammed into the southeast Alaska community. The Coast Guard remains engaged with the Alaska State Troopers and the city of Haines while responding to this event. (Lt. Erick Oredson / U.S. Coast Guard)

Search continues for 2 missing after Haines landslide

By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press ANCHORAGE — The search continued Friday for two people missing after a massive landslide crashed into a town in southeast… Continue reading

  • Dec 4, 2020
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
This photo from the U.S. Coast Guard shows where a rainstorm caused landslides in Haines, Alaska, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. Authorities have identified the two people missing after a landslide the width of two football fields slammed into the southeast Alaska community. The Coast Guard remains engaged with the Alaska State Troopers and the city of Haines while responding to this event. (Lt. Erick Oredson / U.S. Coast Guard)
A conceptual drawing shows a possible use for Norwegian Cruise Line's property on Egan Drive. This drawing shows the property with NCL's largest ship, the Bliss, shown for scale. (Courtesy image / MRV Architects)

Priorities emerge for cruise line’s proposed dock project

Event space is popular.

A conceptual drawing shows a possible use for Norwegian Cruise Line's property on Egan Drive. This drawing shows the property with NCL's largest ship, the Bliss, shown for scale. (Courtesy image / MRV Architects)
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Friday, Dec. 4, 2020

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

  • Dec 4, 2020
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown here on Nov. 30, 2020 was on lockdown Thursday, Dec. 3, after staff received a shooting threat, said a BRH spokesperson in a news release. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

BRH: hospital lockdown ended

There were no arrests made in the incident.

Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown here on Nov. 30, 2020 was on lockdown Thursday, Dec. 3, after staff received a shooting threat, said a BRH spokesperson in a news release. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Personnel from the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska load a front-end loader aboard the vessel Frontrunner for transit to Haines to provide relief and assistance in recovery efforts in Haines following catastrophic rainfall-fueled landslides, Dec. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State, local organizations respond to Haines disaster

Everyone from SAR specialists to tribal organizations to uniformed services are helping out.

Personnel from the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska load a front-end loader aboard the vessel Frontrunner for transit to Haines to provide relief and assistance in recovery efforts in Haines following catastrophic rainfall-fueled landslides, Dec. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
stickers

113,000 Alaskan voter IDs exposed in data breach

Elections are secure.

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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 Thursday, Dec. 3

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)
A truck stops outside Douglas Island Pink and Chum to pump in water on Thursday following damage to a pipeline caused by a landslide on Dec. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Landslide damages DIPAC’s freshwater supply

Many fish slated for release next spring were destroyed to preserve resources.

A truck stops outside Douglas Island Pink and Chum to pump in water on Thursday following damage to a pipeline caused by a landslide on Dec. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Caribou from the Porcupine Caribou Herd migrate onto the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska. The Trump Administration has paved the way for an oil and lease sale in Alaska's pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge scheduling a lease sale for Jan. 6, 2021, before the president leaves office later next month. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

US plans oil, gas lease sale in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press The U.S. Bureau of Land Management plans to hold an oil and gas lease sale for Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife… Continue reading

Caribou from the Porcupine Caribou Herd migrate onto the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska. The Trump Administration has paved the way for an oil and lease sale in Alaska's pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge scheduling a lease sale for Jan. 6, 2021, before the president leaves office later next month. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
This photo hows damage from heavy rains and a mudslide 600 feet wide in Haines, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Authorities say six people are unaccounted for, and four homes were destroyed in the slide, with the search resuming Thursday morning for survivors. (Matt Boron/Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

6 missing after landslide hits Haines neighborhood

It was one of several reported landslides after a period of intense rain.

This photo hows damage from heavy rains and a mudslide 600 feet wide in Haines, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Authorities say six people are unaccounted for, and four homes were destroyed in the slide, with the search resuming Thursday morning for survivors. (Matt Boron/Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
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Capital City Weekly

Downtown, not downtrodden: Gallery Walk marches on

This year’s offerings include spread out shopping and online events.

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Capital City Fire/Rescue responded after a personal aircraft was destroyed by high winds while taxiing at Juneau International Airport Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2020. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Aircraft wrecked by strong wind while taxiing at airport

The plane was not in flight, and no injuries occured.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responded after a personal aircraft was destroyed by high winds while taxiing at Juneau International Airport Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2020. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)
Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, speaks during the House Finance Committee meeting as they work on SB 128, the Permanent Fund spending bill, in the Bill Ray Center in 2016. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Razor-thin state House race gets a recount

Recount starts Friday morning.

Rep. Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, speaks during the House Finance Committee meeting as they work on SB 128, the Permanent Fund spending bill, in the Bill Ray Center in 2016. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)