Capital City Fire/Rescue completes last season’s ice break rescue training at the float pond near Juneau International Airport. (photo courtesy of Capital City Fire/Rescue)

On thin ice: Fire department responds to season’s first rescue at Mendenhall Lake

This week’s single digit temperatures have prompted dangerous ice ventures.

Capital City Fire/Rescue completes last season’s ice break rescue training at the float pond near Juneau International Airport. (photo courtesy of Capital City Fire/Rescue)
Brenda Schwartz-Yeager gestures to her artwork on display at Annie Kaill’s Gallery Gifts and Framing during the 2025 Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 5. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Alaska artist splashes nautical charts with sea life

Gallery Walk draws crowds to downtown studios and shops.

Brenda Schwartz-Yeager gestures to her artwork on display at Annie Kaill’s Gallery Gifts and Framing during the 2025 Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 5. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Downtown Juneau experiences its first significant city-level snow fall of the season as pictured on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Sub-zero temperatures to follow record snowfall in Juneau

The National Weather Service warns of dangerous wind chills as low as -15 degrees early this week.

Downtown Juneau experiences its first significant city-level snow fall of the season as pictured on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
A totem pole, one of 13 on downtown’s Totem Pole Trail in Juneau, Alaska, Nov. 27, 2024. (Christopher S. Miller/The New York Times)
A totem pole, one of 13 on downtown’s Totem Pole Trail in Juneau, Alaska, Nov. 27, 2024. (Christopher S. Miller/The New York Times)
Holiday lights decorate the Governor’s House on Dec. 4, 2019 before the Governor’s Open House on Dec. 10. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Holiday lights decorate the Governor’s House on Dec. 4, 2019 before the Governor’s Open House on Dec. 10. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A truck rumbles down a road at the Greens Creek mine. The mining industry offers some of Juneau’s highest paying jobs, according to Juneau Economic Development’s 2025 Economic Indicator’s Report. (Hecla Greens Creek Mine photo)

Juneau’s economic picture: Strong industries, shrinking population

JEDC’s 2025 Economic Indicators Report is out.

A truck rumbles down a road at the Greens Creek mine. The mining industry offers some of Juneau’s highest paying jobs, according to Juneau Economic Development’s 2025 Economic Indicator’s Report. (Hecla Greens Creek Mine photo)
Browsers crowd into Annie Kaill’s gallery and gift shop during the 2024 Gallery Walk. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Gallery Walk guide for Friday, Dec. 5

The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council and the Downtown Business Association announced community events taking place during Gallery Walk on First Friday, Dec. 5, 2025… Continue reading

Browsers crowd into Annie Kaill’s gallery and gift shop during the 2024 Gallery Walk. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Map showing approximate location of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Courtesy/Earthquakes Canada)

7.0-magnitude earthquake hits Yukon/Alaska border

Earthquake occurred about 55 miles from Yakutat

  • Dec 6, 2025
  • Yukon News Staff
Map showing approximate location of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Courtesy/Earthquakes Canada)
A commercial bowpicker is seen headed out of the Cordova harbor for a salmon fishing opener in June 2024 (Photo by Corinne Smith)

Planned fiber-optic cable will add backup for Alaska’s phone and high-speed internet network

The project is expected to bring more reliable connection to some isolated coastal communities.

A commercial bowpicker is seen headed out of the Cordova harbor for a salmon fishing opener in June 2024 (Photo by Corinne Smith)
Gustavus author Kim Heacox talked about the role of storytelling in communicating climate change to a group of about 100 people at <strong>Ḵ</strong>unéix<strong>̱</strong> Hídi Northern Light United Church on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Author calls for climate storytelling in Juneau talk

Kim Heacox reflects on what we’ve long known and how we speak of it.

Gustavus author Kim Heacox talked about the role of storytelling in communicating climate change to a group of about 100 people at <strong>Ḵ</strong>unéix<strong>̱</strong> Hídi Northern Light United Church on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau road system ends at Cascade Point in Berners Bay, as shown in a May 2006 photo. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

State starts engineering for power at proposed Cascade Point ferry terminal

DOT says the contract for electrical planning is not a commitment to construct the terminal.

The Juneau road system ends at Cascade Point in Berners Bay, as shown in a May 2006 photo. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
Members of the Alaska Air and Army National Guard, Alaska Naval Militia, and Alaska State Defense Force work together to load plywood onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, in Bethel, Alaska, Nov. 2, 2025, bound for the villages of Napaskiak, Tuntutuliak, and Napakiak. The materials will help residents rebuild homes and restore community spaces damaged by past storms. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Ericka Gillespie)

Gov. Dunleavy approves Alaska National Guard assisting ICE in Anchorage

The National Guard said five service members will assist with administrative support; lawmakers and civil rights advocates worry that the move signals a ramping up of immigration enforcement operations in Alaska

  • Dec 4, 2025
  • By Corinne Smith Alaska Beacon
Members of the Alaska Air and Army National Guard, Alaska Naval Militia, and Alaska State Defense Force work together to load plywood onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, in Bethel, Alaska, Nov. 2, 2025, bound for the villages of Napaskiak, Tuntutuliak, and Napakiak. The materials will help residents rebuild homes and restore community spaces damaged by past storms. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Ericka Gillespie)
A cruise ship, with several orange lifeboats visible, is docked in downtown Juneau. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

CBJ seeks input on uses for marine passenger fees

Public comment period is open for the month of December.

A cruise ship, with several orange lifeboats visible, is docked in downtown Juneau. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate Republicans confirm Rauscher, Tilton and open two vacancies in state House

The Alaska Republican Party is moving quickly after Republicans in the Alaska Senate confirmed Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s picks for two vacancies in the Senate on… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Downtown Skagway, with snow dusting its streets, is seen in this undated photo. (Photo by C. Anderson/National Park Service)

Skagway’s lone paramedic is suing the city, alleging retaliation by fire department officials

This article was reported and published in collaboration between the Chilkat Valley News and the Alaska Beacon. Skagway’s former paramedic is alleging wrongdoing by the… Continue reading

  • Dec 2, 2025
  • By Will Steinfeld Chilkat Valley News, James Brooks Alaska Beacon
Downtown Skagway, with snow dusting its streets, is seen in this undated photo. (Photo by C. Anderson/National Park Service)
A spruce tree grows along Rainforest Trail on Douglas Island. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Where to cut your Christmas tree in Juneau

CBJ and Tongass National Forest outline where and how residents can harvest.

A spruce tree grows along Rainforest Trail on Douglas Island. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry LeConte at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Update: Public comment period extended on proposed Cascade Point ferry terminal

The $28 million first phase would extend Glacier Highway and prepare the site on Goldbelt land.

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry LeConte at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Michael Wilson of Keet Enterprises offers staffs, salves and more at the Juneau Public Market on Friday, Nov. 28. (Mari Kanagy /Juneau Empire)

Five faces of the Juneau Public Market

Of the more than 175 vendors, the Empire spoke to five across different mediums.

Michael Wilson of Keet Enterprises offers staffs, salves and more at the Juneau Public Market on Friday, Nov. 28. (Mari Kanagy /Juneau Empire)

Controversial political website Alaska Landmine faces defamation suit from Alaska state official

By James Brooks Alaska Beacon The chair of Alaska’s human rights commission has sued a political writer for defamation over his description of her work… Continue reading

Winter dining has always carried more weight than the menu might suggest. In the off-season, eating out isn’t just about comfort food or convenience; it’s a way of supporting local businesses as they hold steady through the slower months. Photo credit: Canva.

Savoring local in Juneau: How a simple meal helps the whole community

Independent cafés and neighborhood restaurants keep Juneau strong through the slow season

Winter dining has always carried more weight than the menu might suggest. In the off-season, eating out isn’t just about comfort food or convenience; it’s a way of supporting local businesses as they hold steady through the slower months. Photo credit: Canva.