News

The Capitol building in Juneau, Alaska. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

State House candidate dressed in blackface at party

Republican running for Fairbanks and North Star Borough seat dressed as Madea.

The Capitol building in Juneau, Alaska. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge in November 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

University president withdraws from consideration for Wisconsin job

Says calling remains in Alaska.

Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge in November 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Friday, June 12, 2020

Police calls for Friday, June 12, 2020

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

  • Jun 12, 2020
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Police calls for Friday, June 12, 2020
“Alaska is consistently rated very high, in part because of the consistent boating safety programs, such as Kids Don’t Float,” said Mike Folkerts, boating safety specialist for Coast Guard District 17. He said such campaigns and widespread use of life jackets help explain why Alaska saw fewer boating-related deaths last year than in 2018. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

2019 boating deaths, injuries in Alaska down from previous years

Alaska’s high rate of life jacket use likely saved many lives.

“Alaska is consistently rated very high, in part because of the consistent boating safety programs, such as Kids Don’t Float,” said Mike Folkerts, boating safety specialist for Coast Guard District 17. He said such campaigns and widespread use of life jackets help explain why Alaska saw fewer boating-related deaths last year than in 2018. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall | Juneau Empire Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer was among the attendees at the “I Can’t Breathe” vigil held Saturday, May 30 at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park.

JPD Chief talks department strengths, struggles amid nationwide protests

The department is adapting to deal with community demands.

Peter Segall | Juneau Empire Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer was among the attendees at the “I Can’t Breathe” vigil held Saturday, May 30 at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park.
Juneau a testing hub? Assembly to consider buying testing machine

Juneau a testing hub? Assembly to consider buying testing machine

It would mean more local testing control.

Juneau a testing hub? Assembly to consider buying testing machine
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, pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported Thursday two new COVID-19 cases for Juneau. (NIAID-RML via AP)

State reports 2 new COVID-19 cases for Juneau

They’re under investigation.

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, pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported Thursday two new COVID-19 cases for Juneau. (NIAID-RML via AP)
This July 2014 photo shows a cruise ship docked in Skagway, Alaska, as passengers tour the town. The Alaska port city, nearly entirely dependent upon cruise ship tourism, wants to share its federal coronavirus relief funds with workers in town. The city of Skagway posted an application on its website inviting residents to apply for up to $1,000 in relief funds to help with bills. Nearly half of Alaska’s 2.2 million tourists arrive on cruise ships, but most companies have canceled their summer seasons, leaving workers here without much relief. (AP Photo | Kathy Matheson)

Skagway plans aid to locals hit by virus fallout

The program is intended to help residents stay in Skagway through the winter.

This July 2014 photo shows a cruise ship docked in Skagway, Alaska, as passengers tour the town. The Alaska port city, nearly entirely dependent upon cruise ship tourism, wants to share its federal coronavirus relief funds with workers in town. The city of Skagway posted an application on its website inviting residents to apply for up to $1,000 in relief funds to help with bills. Nearly half of Alaska’s 2.2 million tourists arrive on cruise ships, but most companies have canceled their summer seasons, leaving workers here without much relief. (AP Photo | Kathy Matheson)
This City and Borough of Juneau sign encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings to protect others. More than 200 Alaskans have asked Gov. Mike Dunleavy to issue a mandate requiring the use of face coverings, but Dunleavy has said he prefers to ask people to wear masks rather than require it. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska health workers seek mask rule for crowded businesses

ANCHORAGE — More than 200 Alaska physicians and health care workers concerned about the coronavirus have asked the governor to mandate the use of masks… Continue reading

  • Jun 11, 2020
  • Associated Press
This City and Borough of Juneau sign encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings to protect others. More than 200 Alaskans have asked Gov. Mike Dunleavy to issue a mandate requiring the use of face coverings, but Dunleavy has said he prefers to ask people to wear masks rather than require it. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Thursday, June 11, 2020

Police calls for Thursday, June 11, 2020

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

  • Jun 11, 2020
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Police calls for Thursday, June 11, 2020
A plan is being refined to use CARES Act funds to help feed Juneau’s food-insecure residents, such as the patrons of the Glory Hall. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Proposal would ‘set the table’ to address community hunger

The plan would give business to local restaurants.

A plan is being refined to use CARES Act funds to help feed Juneau’s food-insecure residents, such as the patrons of the Glory Hall. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Writers’ Weir: Kids on the Trampoline
Capital City Weekly

Writers’ Weir: Kids on the Trampoline

A poem by Diane DeSloover.

Writers’ Weir: Kids on the Trampoline
Governor says health care capacity able to handle new cases

Governor says health care capacity able to handle new cases

Cases are clustered

Governor says health care capacity able to handle new cases
A fishing vessel is drawfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State shares results of Juneau air quality study

More monitoring is expected this year.

A fishing vessel is drawfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Fire/Rescue is recruiting temporary workers to help with outreach and screening at Juneau International Airport. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Traveler tested at airport tests positive for COVID-19

They are isolating.

Capital City Fire/Rescue is recruiting temporary workers to help with outreach and screening at Juneau International Airport. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Assembly votes for no tax hike and a reduced budget

Assembly votes for no tax hike and a reduced budget

Flat taxes, flat budget.

Assembly votes for no tax hike and a reduced budget
With age comes an appreciation for brakes

With age comes an appreciation for brakes

While I agree with the “send it” ethos, I don’t want to send myself into unconsciousness.

With age comes an appreciation for brakes
Police calls for Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Police calls for Wednesday, June 10, 2020

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

  • Jun 10, 2020
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Police calls for Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Chief Ed Mercer of the Juneau Police Department answered questions from the Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau on the department’s use of force policy, oversight, and other topics during an Assembly webinar on June 9, 2020. (Stock photo | Juneau Empire)

Assembly asks for use of force policy specifics

Police department’s top brass says no for now, citing legal concerns.

Chief Ed Mercer of the Juneau Police Department answered questions from the Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau on the department’s use of force policy, oversight, and other topics during an Assembly webinar on June 9, 2020. (Stock photo | Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Image | CDC This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

State reports 11th COVID-19 death

Report comes along with rise in cases.

Courtesy Image | CDC This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.