A dog in musher Paige Drobny’s team, lined up for the March 5, 2022, ceremonial start, wears a jacket urging vaccination. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Serum Run that used sled dog teams to deliver life-saving diphtheria medicine to Nome. The Iditarod race course includes part of the route used by the serum teams, and the Iditarod has frequently called attention to that historic event and the value of childhood vaccinations. Still, fewer than two-thirds of young Alaska children have received their full suite of combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines, state health officials say. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaskans failing to make progress toward most health improvements sought by 2030

Report shows little improvement in most categories, includng care for pregnant women and young children.

A dog in musher Paige Drobny’s team, lined up for the March 5, 2022, ceremonial start, wears a jacket urging vaccination. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Serum Run that used sled dog teams to deliver life-saving diphtheria medicine to Nome. The Iditarod race course includes part of the route used by the serum teams, and the Iditarod has frequently called attention to that historic event and the value of childhood vaccinations. Still, fewer than two-thirds of young Alaska children have received their full suite of combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines, state health officials say. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State speech at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, with Senate President Gary Stevens, at left, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, at right, in the background. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)

Gov. Dunleavy takes victory lap with selective portrayal of Alaska in second-to-last State of the State

Some legislators criticize “mixed messages” about cooperation, omission of problems needing work.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State speech at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, with Senate President Gary Stevens, at left, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, at right, in the background. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Löki Tobin (right), D-Anchorage, discusses possible impacts of a freeze on federal grants and loans during a press conference with other members of the Senate majority including Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Judge blocks Trump’s freeze on federal grants and loans until Monday

Alaska lawmaker says disruption “could be catastrophic” for education, homeless, other programs.

State Sen. Löki Tobin (right), D-Anchorage, discusses possible impacts of a freeze on federal grants and loans during a press conference with other members of the Senate majority including Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Guests ride the Porcupine chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest to open Ptarmigan lift to top of ski area on Wednesday

Hooter lift providing access to lower part of eastside terrain scheduled to open on Saturday.

Guests ride the Porcupine chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Mike Satre (left), chair of Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors, talks about the resort’s plans with Mayor Beth Weldon and Juneau Assembly Member Neil Steininger following an Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly members say they’re willing to loan Eaglecrest money until gondola is ready

Report criticizing ski area’s finances and maintenance also contains enough promise for city leaders.

Mike Satre (left), chair of Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors, talks about the resort’s plans with Mayor Beth Weldon and Juneau Assembly Member Neil Steininger following an Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington on Thursday, Jan., 23, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

White House freezes all federal grants and loans

Juneau leaders say city should be able to cope, but express concern about smaller towns and uncertainty.

President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington on Thursday, Jan., 23, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
A sign at Thunder Mountain Middle School was changed in January 2025 from Thunder Mountain High School to reflect the Juneau School District consolidation that officially took effect July 1, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska House bill raising education funding more than 40% over three years gets first hearing Monday

Juneau school leaders say they’ve done their part, Legislature now needs to uphold state constitution.

A sign at Thunder Mountain Middle School was changed in January 2025 from Thunder Mountain High School to reflect the Juneau School District consolidation that officially took effect July 1, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

66% drop in reported drug crimes first half of ‘24, staffing woes continue, JPD states in annual report

Decline in drugs cases reflects shift to larger cases that take more time to investigate, chief says.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau’s flooded Mendenhall Valley is seen on Aug. 6, 2024. The waters pouring from an outburst flood at Mendenhall Glacier reached record levels, surpassing the record set by a similar glacial outburst flood the previous year. Hundreds of homes were damaged, and some were destroyed. (Photo provided by the City and Borough of Juneau)

Researchers embark on five-year study of flood risks at Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier

After two consecutive years when meltwaters burst out of a basin on Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier and devastated neighborhoods in that part of the capital city,… Continue reading

Juneau’s flooded Mendenhall Valley is seen on Aug. 6, 2024. The waters pouring from an outburst flood at Mendenhall Glacier reached record levels, surpassing the record set by a similar glacial outburst flood the previous year. Hundreds of homes were damaged, and some were destroyed. (Photo provided by the City and Borough of Juneau)
State Rep. Maxine Dibert (right), a Fairbanks Democrat, confers with Rep. Calvin Schrage (I-Anchorage) about a resolution opposing the change of Denali back to Mount McKinley during the House floor session at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Alaska House majority rejects GOP effort to turn protest of Denali name change into Trump tribute

Resolution opposing restoration of Mt. McKinley name is first legislation to pass House this session.

State Rep. Maxine Dibert (right), a Fairbanks Democrat, confers with Rep. Calvin Schrage (I-Anchorage) about a resolution opposing the change of Denali back to Mount McKinley during the House floor session at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, Jan. 24, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Hosts and guests mingle at a fundraising brunch on behalf of the Alaska Cultural Trust at the Rie Muñoz Gallery on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Practicing the art of of seeking funds from lawmakers during a lean year at the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska Cultural Trust seeks $733,000 — $1 per resident — for grants it hopes to start awarding this fall.

Hosts and guests mingle at a fundraising brunch on behalf of the Alaska Cultural Trust at the Rie Muñoz Gallery on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mount McKinley, officially renamed from Denali as of Friday, is seen in the distance. (National Park Service photo)

It’s official: Denali is again Mount McKinley

Interior Department says change effective as of Friday; Gulf of Mexico is also now Gulf of America.

Mount McKinley, officially renamed from Denali as of Friday, is seen in the distance. (National Park Service photo)
President Donald Trump discusses Helene recovery during a visit to Western North Carolina on Jan. 24, 2025. (C-SPAN screenshot)

Trump floats ‘getting rid’ of FEMA as he visits North Carolina to survey Helene damage

Federal agency approved more than $2.6M in aid for Juneau residents affected by 2024 flood.

President Donald Trump discusses Helene recovery during a visit to Western North Carolina on Jan. 24, 2025. (C-SPAN screenshot)
The Juneau Symphony rehearses for its winter mainstage concert in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé auditorium on Jan. 23, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Symphony rehearses for its winter mainstage concert in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé auditorium on Jan. 23, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Katie Kachel (left), a federal lobbyist for the City and Borough of Juneau, talks with Juneau Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Mayor Beth Weldon following a joint meeting of the Assembly and Juneau’s legislative delegation on Thursday at the Assembly Chambers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Katie Kachel (left), a federal lobbyist for the City and Borough of Juneau, talks with Juneau Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Mayor Beth Weldon following a joint meeting of the Assembly and Juneau’s legislative delegation on Thursday at the Assembly Chambers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau residents fill out public comment cards at an open house in the Assembly Chambers on Jan. 22, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Public weighs in on draft tideland lease conditions for private Aak’w Landing cruise dock

Community asks how the waterfront development project will be managed with the growth of tourism.

Juneau residents fill out public comment cards at an open house in the Assembly Chambers on Jan. 22, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)