Jennifer Skinner and Dave Ringle stand by the St. Vincent de Paul logo on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

St. Vincent de Paul St. Therese Conference announces new leadership

Jennifer Skinner replaces Dave Ringle as the executive director of the organization with his continued involvement

Jennifer Skinner and Dave Ringle stand by the St. Vincent de Paul logo on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
Hannahadina Kuhnert leads a music procession during Juneau Juneteenth celebration at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Black Awareness Association hosts movie nights for Juneteenth celebration

June 19 is celebrated as an Alaska state holiday and a holiday for City and Borough of Juneau workers

Hannahadina Kuhnert leads a music procession during Juneau Juneteenth celebration at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Autumn leaves lie on a trail in the Campbell Tract on Oct. 8, 2020. The tract appears to be the largest piece of salable land in urban Anchorage under a U.S. Senate Republican proposal. Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s office said the tract is a recreational gem for Anchorage. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)

Federal land sales, more logging and more oil revenue: What’s in the big federal bill for Alaska?

A look at the lands and energy pieces of the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ and where they stand right now in the U.S. Senate

Autumn leaves lie on a trail in the Campbell Tract on Oct. 8, 2020. The tract appears to be the largest piece of salable land in urban Anchorage under a U.S. Senate Republican proposal. Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s office said the tract is a recreational gem for Anchorage. (Photo by Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon)
Paul Myers takes a business phone call while stopped in Haines on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Staying connected on the Columbia

The fastest and largest vessel in the fleet is testing public Wi-Fi

Paul Myers takes a business phone call while stopped in Haines on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Sunlight gleams through the Tongass National Forest in Juneau on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Trump land sale plan draws protest in Sitka

Sitka residents are mounting a strong response to a draft provision of the U.S. Senate Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill that would mandate the sale of… Continue reading

  • Jun 18, 2025
  • By Anna Laffrey, Daily Sitka Sentinel
  • Environment
Sunlight gleams through the Tongass National Forest in Juneau on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
The cover of The Juneau Empire on June 21, 1995. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
The cover of The Juneau Empire on June 21, 1995. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
In this still image from a video provided to the Alaska Beacon, the cruise ship Celebrity Edge (at right) is seen drifting toward the Carnival Luminosa (at left). Three other cruise ships are seen moored to the Juneau docks. (Video screenshot)

Coast Guard investigates storm-caused near-collision between two cruise ships in Juneau

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a near-collision between two cruise ships in the Port of Juneau that occurred Monday, when one of the two… Continue reading

In this still image from a video provided to the Alaska Beacon, the cruise ship Celebrity Edge (at right) is seen drifting toward the Carnival Luminosa (at left). Three other cruise ships are seen moored to the Juneau docks. (Video screenshot)
Chris Storey shows where he found an incapacitated man in an embankment along Glacier Highway in Lemon Creek during the early morning hours of Monday, June 16, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Man who collapses near roadside rescued in early morning hours by passerby

Chris Storey, a former adult care worker who was homeless until April, assists man in distress.

  • Jun 17, 2025
  • By Mark Sabbatini Juneau Empire
  • Community
Chris Storey shows where he found an incapacitated man in an embankment along Glacier Highway in Lemon Creek during the early morning hours of Monday, June 16, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A ferry worker ties up the Hubbard on Sunday, April 21, 2024, as it docks in Haines, Alaska. (Rashah McChesney / Chilkat Valley News)

Weekend ferry cancellation complicates travel for bike relay, solstice

A ferry cancellation will affect travel plans for some participants of the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay. The annual bike relay sees hundreds of people… Continue reading

A ferry worker ties up the Hubbard on Sunday, April 21, 2024, as it docks in Haines, Alaska. (Rashah McChesney / Chilkat Valley News)
Families write messages in chalk outside the governor's mansion on Friday, June 13, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

Chalking up education funding outrage on the sidewalk at the governor’s mansion

Families protest Dunleavy’s vetoes to education funding with colorful pictures and words.

Families write messages in chalk outside the governor's mansion on Friday, June 13, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories

Officials say sun’s angle in Alaska makes temperatures feel higher compared to other states.

Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A row of tents on Teal Street across the street from the Glory Hall on the morning of Saturday, May 14, 2025. Occupants of the tents received a 48-hour vacate notice from the Juneau Police Department on Friday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Large homeless encampment on Teal Street gets JPD vacate notice; where will occupants go next?

People who keep moving from place to place under “dispersed camping” policy unsure where they’ll go.

A row of tents on Teal Street across the street from the Glory Hall on the morning of Saturday, May 14, 2025. Occupants of the tents received a 48-hour vacate notice from the Juneau Police Department on Friday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ships in port for the week of June 15

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2025 schedule. Capacity figures in parenthesis were pulled from cruise lines’ websites. Sunday, June 15… Continue reading

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Christina Love leads the audience in raising their fist, symbolizing telling the truth despite fear on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

Juneau joins nation in ‘No Kings’ protest

More than 1,000 protestors join millions nationwide opposing Trump as he presides over military parade.

Christina Love leads the audience in raising their fist, symbolizing telling the truth despite fear on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
Volunteers look for trash on the Jordan Avenue sidewalk at JAMHI’s Community Litter Pickup event on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

JAMHI hosts community cleanup to kick off 40th anniversary celebration

Local addiction and mental health treatment organization plans summer of events and give-back days.

Volunteers look for trash on the Jordan Avenue sidewalk at JAMHI’s Community Litter Pickup event on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
The entrance to the Anchorage Correctional Complex is seen on Aug. 29, 2022. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House Judiciary Committee to hold a fact-finding hearing on ICE detention in state prisons

The Alaska House Judiciary Committee plans to hold a hearing June 20 on the use of Alaska Department of Corrections facilities to house and supervise… Continue reading

The entrance to the Anchorage Correctional Complex is seen on Aug. 29, 2022. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Then-Rep. Grier Hopkins, D-Fairbanks, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Hopkins is now the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Officials warn of possible lawsuit in wake of Alaska governor’s education funding veto

Among issues are if veto violates Alaska’s constitutional guarantee of adequately funded public schools.

Then-Rep. Grier Hopkins, D-Fairbanks, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House, Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Hopkins is now the mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Homes in downtown and west Juneau on Friday, May 13, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Short-term rental task force recommends rule adjustments, but no cap on units for property owners

Group suggests allowing multiple STRs for a single dwelling, “grandfathering” period for new rules.

Homes in downtown and west Juneau on Friday, May 13, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Youths compete in a choker setter race during last year’s Juneau Gold Rush Days at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

A not-entirely-precise schedule of this year’s Juneau Gold Rush Days

Timing of events for 33rd annual weekend “depends on the number of contestants and speed of competitors”

Youths compete in a choker setter race during last year’s Juneau Gold Rush Days at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area will not reopen because repairs are no longer practical, officials said Thursday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Eaglecrest leaders decide Black Bear chairlift is beyond repair, seek alternatives to get skiers at their peak

Possibilities include converting Ptarmigan lift to triple-chair in addition to long-awaited gondola.

The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area will not reopen because repairs are no longer practical, officials said Thursday. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)