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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.
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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.
Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. The Kvichak watershed would be damaged by the Pebble mine project, the Environmental Protection Agency has determined. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency)

Pebble Mine, halted by EPA order, gets support from national development groups

In 2023, the EPA invoked a rarely used “veto” clause of the Clean Water Act to say that there was no way that the proposed Pebble Mine could be developed without significant harm to the environment.

  • Dec 1, 2025
  • By James Brooks Alaska Beacon
Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. The Kvichak watershed would be damaged by the Pebble mine project, the Environmental Protection Agency has determined. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency)
Hundreds of people pack into Treadwell Arena on Friday night for a free Santa Skate. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Seasonal events guide for the end of November

Skating and feasting and shopping, oh my!

Hundreds of people pack into Treadwell Arena on Friday night for a free Santa Skate. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A page of the Juneau Empire from a Nov. 27, 1915 edition. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Nov. 29

Capital city coverage from a century ago.

A page of the Juneau Empire from a Nov. 27, 1915 edition. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, talks to fellow lawmakers about rules for debate on House Bill 183 on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy appoints Rauscher and Tilton to Alaska Senate, opening two House vacancies

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has appointed state Reps. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, and Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, to two vacancies in the Alaska Senate. Each nomination will become… Continue reading

Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, talks to fellow lawmakers about rules for debate on House Bill 183 on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Ned Rozell/Submitted A map showing some of Alaska’s more unique place names.

Alaska Science Forum: What’s in an Alaska name?

I once asked a snowmachiner heading out on a trail from Nome where he was going. “Boston,” he said before speeding off. Not knowing of… Continue reading

Ned Rozell/Submitted A map showing some of Alaska’s more unique place names.
Local nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul delivered over 500 meal baskets on Saturday as part of its Thanksgiving Basket Drive. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Skinner)

St. Vincent de Paul delivers 521 Thanksgiving baskets amid rising need

The annual holiday drive saw a 30% increase in demand.

Local nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul delivered over 500 meal baskets on Saturday as part of its Thanksgiving Basket Drive. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Skinner)
The Juneau offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy makes new pick for Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board of directors

By James Brooks Alaska Beacon Craig Richards, a longtime member of the board in charge of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, has been replaced. On… Continue reading

The Juneau offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Photos courtesy Tlingit and Haida The Floyd Dryden Middle School building will be home to part of the Tlingit & Haida education and youth programs starting early next year.

Tlingit & Haida to turn Floyd Dryden building into youth hub

Lease brings several youth programs under one roof.

Photos courtesy Tlingit and Haida The Floyd Dryden Middle School building will be home to part of the Tlingit & Haida education and youth programs starting early next year.
Salmon returning from the ocean attempt to jump Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve’s Brooks River on July 12, 2018. Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest this year was nearly twice as big as last year’s small harvest. (Photo by Russ Taylor/National Park Service)

Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest rebounds after ultra-low harvest last year

The catch was more plentiful but money remains modest for Alaska fishers

  • Nov 24, 2025
  • By Yereth Rosen Alaska Beacon
Salmon returning from the ocean attempt to jump Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve’s Brooks River on July 12, 2018. Alaska’s commercial salmon harvest this year was nearly twice as big as last year’s small harvest. (Photo by Russ Taylor/National Park Service)
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis uses dynamic positioning to maintain its position near the Johns Hopkins Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashly Murphy)

As the Arctic heats up, the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaker fleet is preparing for boom times

The Trump administration and Congress, seeking to improve security, have approved funding for eight icebreakers and are planning even more

  • Nov 24, 2025
  • By James Brooks & Tom Banse Alaska Beacon
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis uses dynamic positioning to maintain its position near the Johns Hopkins Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashly Murphy)
A statue of William Henry Seward stands outside the Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Judge dismisses eviction case against Telephone Hill residents

A lawsuit against the city supersedes the case against the residents, the judge decided.

A statue of William Henry Seward stands outside the Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 14, 1985. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Nov. 22

Capital city coverage from a century ago.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 14, 1985. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Former Juneau police officer Brandon LeBlanc stands second from the left as paramedics secure Christopher Williams Jr. to a stretcher following his arrest by LeBlanc. (Juneau Police Department screenshot)

Juneau man files suit against CBJ and former police officer for violent arrest

Christopher Williams Jr. has filed a civil lawsuit against former Juneau police officer Brandon LeBlanc and the City and Borough of Juneau, alleging excessive force… Continue reading

Former Juneau police officer Brandon LeBlanc stands second from the left as paramedics secure Christopher Williams Jr. to a stretcher following his arrest by LeBlanc. (Juneau Police Department screenshot)
Donlin mine camp, June 23, 2025. (photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Supreme Court upholds early permits for Donlin gold mine, loosens reins on development

The decision has implications for mining and drilling projects on private and federal lands, experts say

  • Nov 20, 2025
  • By James Brooks Alaska Beacon
Donlin mine camp, June 23, 2025. (photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Fresh produce is seen at the Alaska Commercial Company grocery store in Bethel on Oct 15, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska didn’t use $5M set aside to fund SNAP during the shutdown, even though benefits were late

By Claire Stremple Alaska Beacon Alaskans who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program received half of their benefits nearly a week late as a… Continue reading

  • Nov 20, 2025
  • By Claire Stremple Alaska Beacon
Fresh produce is seen at the Alaska Commercial Company grocery store in Bethel on Oct 15, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
The trans-Alaska pipeline, seen on Oct. 8, 2008, threads over snow-covered terrain in the Brook Range foothills. This year’s Alaska Division of Oil and Gas North Slope areawide lease sale drew brisk bidding and netted about $17 million, according to results released on Wednesday. (Photo by Craig McCaa/U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

Alaska onshore North Slope oil auction sets new mark for tract leases sold

Mostly small independent companies submitted nearly $17 million in high bids, the highest total since 2014 for an annual North Slope areawide oil and gas lease sale

  • Nov 20, 2025
  • By Yereth Rosen Alaska Beacon
The trans-Alaska pipeline, seen on Oct. 8, 2008, threads over snow-covered terrain in the Brook Range foothills. This year’s Alaska Division of Oil and Gas North Slope areawide lease sale drew brisk bidding and netted about $17 million, according to results released on Wednesday. (Photo by Craig McCaa/U.S. Bureau of Land Management)
A bus passes by City Hall downtown. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file)

Juneau grocery and utility taxes drop this week

Exemptions come with parameters and restrictions.

A bus passes by City Hall downtown. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file)
Assembly member Ella Adkison moves to table the ordinance to implement ranked-choice voting indefinitely at the Monday, Nov. 17 Assembly meeting at Centennial Hall. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Assembly tables implementation of ranked choice voting indefinitely

They said they should be focussed on the budget, at present.

Assembly member Ella Adkison moves to table the ordinance to implement ranked-choice voting indefinitely at the Monday, Nov. 17 Assembly meeting at Centennial Hall. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Tone and Charles Deehr in Fairbanks, October 2021. (Photo courtesy Charles Deehr)

Alaska Science Forum: Red aurora rare enough to be special

Charles Deehr will never forget his first red aurora. On Feb. 11, 1958, Deehr was a student at Reed College in Portland, Ore. He asked… Continue reading

Tone and Charles Deehr in Fairbanks, October 2021. (Photo courtesy Charles Deehr)