(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
University of Alaska President Pat Pitney gives the State of the University address in Juneau on Jan. 30, 2025. She highlighted the wide variety of educational and vocational programs as creating opportunities for students, and for industries to invest in workforce development and the future of Alaska’s economy. (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

University of Alaska president highlights impact on workforce, research and economy in address

Pat Pitney also warns “headwinds” are coming with federal executive orders and potential budget cuts.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney gives the State of the University address in Juneau on Jan. 30, 2025. She highlighted the wide variety of educational and vocational programs as creating opportunities for students, and for industries to invest in workforce development and the future of Alaska’s economy. (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
A photo by Nicole Steger that’s part of her exhibit at the Juneau Artists Gallery is among the events featured during First Friday in February. (Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in February

First Friday for the shortest month of 2025 features performances from the second annual Juneau Jazz Fest, a trio of exhibitions at the Alaska State… Continue reading

A photo by Nicole Steger that’s part of her exhibit at the Juneau Artists Gallery is among the events featured during First Friday in February. (Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
State Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (right), I-Sitka, answers a question from Rep. Jubilee Underwood (right), R-Wasilla, about a bill increasing per-pupil public school funding during a House Education Committee meeting on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Legislators and governor form working group seeking quick education funding and policy package

Small bipartisan group plans to spend up to two weeks on plan as related bills are put on hold.

State Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (right), I-Sitka, answers a question from Rep. Jubilee Underwood (right), R-Wasilla, about a bill increasing per-pupil public school funding during a House Education Committee meeting on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute and available online, along with more data, at www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast. The listings below will… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
The roundabout at the intersection of Mendenhall Loop Road and Stephen Richards Memorial Drive on Monday morning after it was reopened following a shooting between two men in vehicles shortly after midnight. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Motorist fatally shoots driver he says was threatening him with a gun at Mendenhall Valley roundabout

Shooter released after initial JPD investigation; 16-year-old victim had pellet/BB-style CO2 rifle

The roundabout at the intersection of Mendenhall Loop Road and Stephen Richards Memorial Drive on Monday morning after it was reopened following a shooting between two men in vehicles shortly after midnight. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A worker paints over a wall mural featuring words such as “fairness,” “leadership,” “compassion,” “diversity” and “integrity” at the FBI Academy at Quantico on Wednesday. (Anonymous photo provided to The New York Times)

Mass deletion and alteration of federal websites includes Alaska reports and data

Forest Service climate assessment, Alaska Native education program, FEMA strategic plan among deletions.

A worker paints over a wall mural featuring words such as “fairness,” “leadership,” “compassion,” “diversity” and “integrity” at the FBI Academy at Quantico on Wednesday. (Anonymous photo provided to The New York Times)
MXAK’s executive director Steve White watches the wall of monitoring screens as maritime information specialist Jason Hort (foreground) tracks vessels transiting the North Pacific. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Buying time: Juneau’s Marine Exchange of Alaska saves lives, cargo, communities and wildlife

Two retired Coast Guard captains lead team providing data to ensure safe transit for hundreds of vessels.

MXAK’s executive director Steve White watches the wall of monitoring screens as maritime information specialist Jason Hort (foreground) tracks vessels transiting the North Pacific. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
A Mendenhall Valley neighborhood is swamped by a record glacial outburst flood on on Aug. 6, 2024. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
A Mendenhall Valley neighborhood is swamped by a record glacial outburst flood on on Aug. 6, 2024. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, gives an overview of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s omnibus education package on Jan. 31, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Education package with multitude of policy changes and no BSA increase unveiled by Gov. Dunleavy

Proposals include allowing students to enroll anywhere in the state, more charter and homeschool support.

Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, gives an overview of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s omnibus education package on Jan. 31, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A marker for the U.S.-Canadian border sits between Skagway, Alaska, and Stikine Region, British Columbia. (Philip Yabut/Getty Images)

Yukon government warns that Trump tariffs will make Alaska life more expensive

China, Alaska’s biggest international trading partner, also targeted by tariffs likely to trigger trade war

A marker for the U.S.-Canadian border sits between Skagway, Alaska, and Stikine Region, British Columbia. (Philip Yabut/Getty Images)
A map shows properties within a proposed Local Improvement District whose owners could be charged nearly $6,300 each for the installation of a semi-permanent levee to protect the area from floods. (City and Borough of Juneau map)

81 of 466 property owners object to flood district plan ahead of Assembly vote on Monday

Residents in zone would have to pay about $6,300 each for barriers if plan approved.

A map shows properties within a proposed Local Improvement District whose owners could be charged nearly $6,300 each for the installation of a semi-permanent levee to protect the area from floods. (City and Borough of Juneau map)
Kate Sheehan (left foreground), director of the Alaska Division of Personnel and Labor Relations, and Paula Vrana, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration, discuss an ongoing statewide salary study during a House State Affairs Committee meeting Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy’s delay in releasing state salary study frustrates legislators, union leaders

Draft report to assess competitiveness completed last June, but not released publicly.

Kate Sheehan (left foreground), director of the Alaska Division of Personnel and Labor Relations, and Paula Vrana, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration, discuss an ongoing statewide salary study during a House State Affairs Committee meeting Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ephraim Froelich, a Juneau resident, testifies in support of House Bill 69 on Jan. 29, 2025. His son, who attends first grade in the Juneau School District, sits beside him. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Ephraim Froelich, a Juneau resident, testifies in support of House Bill 69 on Jan. 29, 2025. His son, who attends first grade in the Juneau School District, sits beside him. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The statue of William Henry Seward in front of the Alaska State Capitol is seen covered in snow on Monday, Jan. 21, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Limited state revenue foreshadows fiscal tug-of-war in Alaska Legislature

Schools, PFDs and aging state buildings will compete for scarce dollars due to lower oil revenue.

The statue of William Henry Seward in front of the Alaska State Capitol is seen covered in snow on Monday, Jan. 21, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A street sign on Pederson Hill. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Effort to reduce street fatalities is first CBJ project put on hold due to Trump’s vow to slash federal budget

Open houses to get public input on grant-funded program canceled due to uncertainty about funds

A street sign on Pederson Hill. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 24, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 24, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé students, along with a handful of state legislators and staff members, march from the school to the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in a protest seeking more state funding from lawmakers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Alaska students rank 51st among 53 U.S. jurisdictions in 3 of 4 categories in annual ‘Nation’s Report Card’

Dunleavy administration says it shows failure of public schools, other say it reflects lack of funds.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé students, along with a handful of state legislators and staff members, march from the school to the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in a protest seeking more state funding from lawmakers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)