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 morning to protest lawmakers who earlier this year rejected an increase in the state’s funding formula for public schools. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau students take statewide protest for more education funding into the Capitol

Scores of students march from JDHS to the offices of the governor and other lawmakers.

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 morning to protest lawmakers who earlier this year rejected an increase in the state’s funding formula for public schools. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. Both the vessel and terminal are scheduled to get upgrades from federal grants that will be matched with “toll funds” from ferry revenues. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Use of state ferry revenues as ‘toll credits’ to secure federal grants for major projects gets OK

Federal government approval will ensure funds for Tustumena replacement vessel, other upgrades.

The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. Both the vessel and terminal are scheduled to get upgrades from federal grants that will be matched with “toll funds” from ferry revenues. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Tuesday, March 2, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks during a March 19 news conference. Next to him is Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, a co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate acts to keep cities, boroughs from taxing property sales

Juneau’s Jesse Kiehl among dissenters in 16-3 vote, saying decision should be made locally

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks during a March 19 news conference. Next to him is Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, a co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
This July 28, 2022, photo shows a person completing a ballot in a mock election at Cafecito Bonito in Anchorage, where people ranked the performances by drag performers, one of the education efforts about ranked choice voting in elections that year. (Mark Thiessen/AP file photo)

Lawsuit asks judge to disqualify ballot measure that seeks to repeal Alaska’s ranked voting system

Three Alaska voters have filed a lawsuit seeking to disqualify a ballot measure that aims to repeal the state’s open primary and ranked vote elections… Continue reading

This July 28, 2022, photo shows a person completing a ballot in a mock election at Cafecito Bonito in Anchorage, where people ranked the performances by drag performers, one of the education efforts about ranked choice voting in elections that year. (Mark Thiessen/AP file photo)
A statue of Charles Bunnell, the first president of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, as the University of Alaska Fairbanks was once known, is seen on Sept. 18, 2022, on the UAF campus. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Standardized tests still required for Alaska’s college scholarship program, state tells confused families

The agency in charge of Alaska’s merit scholarship program for high school students is advising them that they still need to take the SAT, ACT… Continue reading

A statue of Charles Bunnell, the first president of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, as the University of Alaska Fairbanks was once known, is seen on Sept. 18, 2022, on the UAF campus. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Artwork by Eric Bealer, seen here, and his wife, Pam, will be featured at Alaska Robotics Gallery as part of first Friday in April. (Sitka Conservation Society photo)

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

Annual UAS student ceremics show, Folk Fest sneak peak and art exhibits in full bloom.

Artwork by Eric Bealer, seen here, and his wife, Pam, will be featured at Alaska Robotics Gallery as part of first Friday in April. (Sitka Conservation Society photo)
Looking south from downtown Juneau in December 2023 with buildings and docks in the foreground, the rock dump can be seen jutting into Gastineau Channel and providing a weather-protected harbor for Juneau. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Juneau rock dump’s history: From waste site to ‘Million Dollar Golf Course’ to industrial hub

Area now targeted for possible homeless campsite surrounded by bustle of past and present activity.

Looking south from downtown Juneau in December 2023 with buildings and docks in the foreground, the rock dump can be seen jutting into Gastineau Channel and providing a weather-protected harbor for Juneau. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Monday, March 1, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A maintenance worker cleans the front of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska schools could buckle down on civics

Legislative proposal seeks to increase civic engagement

A maintenance worker cleans the front of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
A gate stands at the entrance to the Little Rock Dump about a mile and a half south of downtown, which is being proposed as a campsite for people experiencing homelessness this summer by some business operators near the city’s cold weather emergency shelter, stating there have been problems from people staying there. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Homeless will be on their own when warming shelter closes, as Assembly ponders campground decision

Deputy city manager: “There will be a period of time where we don’t have a CBJ-sanctioned campground.”

A gate stands at the entrance to the Little Rock Dump about a mile and a half south of downtown, which is being proposed as a campsite for people experiencing homelessness this summer by some business operators near the city’s cold weather emergency shelter, stating there have been problems from people staying there. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
Many Juneau School District employees will be in new places during the coming school year due to a consolidation plan that will result on one high school and one middle school instead of two of each. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau’s principals, vice principals get new assignments under school district’s consolidation plan

The principal of the one middle school won’t be the just-named Southeast principal of the year.

Many Juneau School District employees will be in new places during the coming school year due to a consolidation plan that will result on one high school and one middle school instead of two of each. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Sunday, March 31, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A Juneau Police Department vehicle. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Five people arrested in drug bust involving 17,000 fentanyl pills, $23,000 cash, several guns

Arrests stem from investigation that started in early January, according to JPD.

A Juneau Police Department vehicle. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Aurora forecast for the week of April 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)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, March 30, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A view of downtown Juneau. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Mill rate increase, permits for large public gatherings at parks among items on busy Assembly agenda

Homeless campground, first look at FY25 budget, more summer city buses also on Monday’s schedule.

A view of downtown Juneau. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
A northern red-backed vole scampers through a forested area of the Kenai Peninsula. These small mammals, found in almost all parts of Alaska, are known carriers of the virus that causes the disease being renamed borealpox. The borealpox virus — known up to now as the Alaskapox virus — appears to be more widespread in the environment than previously understood. (Photo by Colin Canturbury/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Alaskapox no more: Newly discovered disease and virus is to be called ‘borealpox’

The viral, rash-causing and headline-grabbing disease that was first diagnosed in Fairbanks in 2015 is getting a new name: borealpox. Known up to now as… Continue reading

A northern red-backed vole scampers through a forested area of the Kenai Peninsula. These small mammals, found in almost all parts of Alaska, are known carriers of the virus that causes the disease being renamed borealpox. The borealpox virus — known up to now as the Alaskapox virus — appears to be more widespread in the environment than previously understood. (Photo by Colin Canturbury/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
An outdoor basketball hoop is seen in Bethel in October 2022. A bill advanced in the House Education Committee on Wednesday would expand limitations for trans girls on sports teams. (Claire Stremple / Alaska Beacon)

Bills targeting trans people are on the rise nationwide and in Alaska — most focus on children

“I guess we’ll have to go do this again,” Starla Miller said as the committee room cleared. She was one of dozens of Alaskans who… Continue reading

An outdoor basketball hoop is seen in Bethel in October 2022. A bill advanced in the House Education Committee on Wednesday would expand limitations for trans girls on sports teams. (Claire Stremple / Alaska Beacon)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, March 29, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)