Juneau ranked eighth out of 12 communities in an annual study asking business leaders how they feel about the business climate in Southeast Alaska. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Uncertainty dragging down mood of Southeast business leaders in annual survey

Tariffs, layoffs, other Trump policies result in “second-lowest levels of positivity” since 2010.

Juneau ranked eighth out of 12 communities in an annual study asking business leaders how they feel about the business climate in Southeast Alaska. (City and Borough of Juneau)
A group of fourth-grade Harborview Elementary School students share the digging and planting task at Juneau’s newest accredited arboretum on Arbor Day, celebrated Monday, May 19, 2025. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)

Planting of new trees at Evergreen Cemetery celebrate its new status as an arboretum

More than 100 donated trees of 42 varieties planted during past decades.

A group of fourth-grade Harborview Elementary School students share the digging and planting task at Juneau’s newest accredited arboretum on Arbor Day, celebrated Monday, May 19, 2025. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)
Olga Lijo Serans, owner of Hearthside Books, discusses its inclusion in USA Today’s voting competition to determine the “10 Best Independent Bookstores” in the U.S. at her Nugget Mall branch on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hearthside Books and Toys among 20 contenders in online vote for 10 best independent bookstores in US

USA Today contest that ends June 2 also includes famous stores such as Strand Book Store in NYC.

Olga Lijo Serans, owner of Hearthside Books, discusses its inclusion in USA Today’s voting competition to determine the “10 Best Independent Bookstores” in the U.S. at her Nugget Mall branch on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
KINY’s “prize patrol” vehicle is parked outside the Local First Media Group Inc.’s building on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

KINY’s parent company enters Chapter 15 bankruptcy proceedings; local co-owner says operations unaffected

Company that owns 11 Southeast Alaska radio stations placed in receivership over defaulted $8.2M loan.

KINY’s “prize patrol” vehicle is parked outside the Local First Media Group Inc.’s building on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A payday advance neon sign is seen in this undated photo. (EHStock/Getty Images)

Alaska Legislature votes to limit high interest rates and fees for payday loan lenders

On the 120th and last day of Alaska’s annual legislative session, the state House passed a bill that would curb high interest rates and fees… Continue reading

A payday advance neon sign is seen in this undated photo. (EHStock/Getty Images)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Sunday, May 25, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

It’s Memorial Day for many, but just one of many memorial days for some who were in battle

Tributes at annual ceremonies in Juneau note major historic achievement and unseen individual sufferings.

Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Jason Williams, a Juneau resident experiencing homelessness and suffering from multiple medical ailments, lies on a cot in a tent on the edge of a ditch on Teal Street on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s homeless camping crisis: ‘They don’t feel safe around us? We don’t feel safe around them’

Business, home dwellers agree with unhoused that city’s “dispersed camping” remains dangerously unhealthy.

Jason Williams, a Juneau resident experiencing homelessness and suffering from multiple medical ailments, lies on a cot in a tent on the edge of a ditch on Teal Street on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hayden Aube is the first student to receive his diploma from Principal Paula Casperson during Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. Aube, a multisport star athlete for the Crimson Bears, was in a wheelchair after sustaining an injury Saturday competing in the Region V Track and Field Championships. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Class of 2025: Expanding by consolidating

Former TMHS students get tributes as nearly 300 seniors walk the stage in first post-merger commencement.

Hayden Aube is the first student to receive his diploma from Principal Paula Casperson during Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. Aube, a multisport star athlete for the Crimson Bears, was in a wheelchair after sustaining an injury Saturday competing in the Region V Track and Field Championships. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, May 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 Friday, May 23, 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, May 22, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School’s seniors enter the Dzantik’i Heeni gymnasium during the school’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School celebrates Class of 2025

38 seniors get individual tributes from their advisors before walk across stage at Dzantik’i Heeni.

Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School’s seniors enter the Dzantik’i Heeni gymnasium during the school’s graduation ceremony Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
The retreat of the Bear Glacier, near Stewart, British Columbia, transformed a stream below it into a haven for salmon. (Max Graham/Grist)

Who will benefit from melting glaciers?

In a remote corner of North America, salmon and mining companies are vying for new territory.

The retreat of the Bear Glacier, near Stewart, British Columbia, transformed a stream below it into a haven for salmon. (Max Graham/Grist)
At a farm market in St. Petersburg, Florida, SNAP recipients were able to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for food. (Lance Cheung/USDA).

More than 3 million people would lose SNAP benefits under GOP bill, nonpartisan report says

The massive tax and spending bill passed by U.S. House Republicans would likely result in 3.2 million people losing food assistance benefits, and saddle states… Continue reading

At a farm market in St. Petersburg, Florida, SNAP recipients were able to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for food. (Lance Cheung/USDA).
Juneau high school seniors Peyton Edmunds of IDEA Homeschool (left), Ryan Song of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé (center) and Maxie Lehauli of Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School. (Photos of Edmunds and Song by Juneau Empire staff, photo of Lehauli provided by her family)

Senior Spotlight 2025: Adapting to where the ‘real world’ might take you

Homeschool grad honored Friday; ceremonies for Juneau’s two public high schools are Sunday.

Juneau high school seniors Peyton Edmunds of IDEA Homeschool (left), Ryan Song of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé (center) and Maxie Lehauli of Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School. (Photos of Edmunds and Song by Juneau Empire staff, photo of Lehauli provided by her family)
An Arctic tern sits at its nesting site at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Baluss)

Arctic terns return to their protected nests in Juneau

The birds began their journey to Alaska in March to find safe haven at the Mendenhall Glacier.

An Arctic tern sits at its nesting site at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Baluss)
On Friday, May 16, 2025, Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, gets a chit sheet signature from Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anchorage, for an upcoming bill. To bring a bill to a vote in the House, a lawmaker has to get a majority of lawmakers to sign a sheet signifying that there is enough support for the bill to pass the body. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska’s Legislature was in session for four months: Here’s what they did with their time.

A look at the 33 bills that both the House and Senate passed this year, and where they stand in the process.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, gets a chit sheet signature from Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anchorage, for an upcoming bill. To bring a bill to a vote in the House, a lawmaker has to get a majority of lawmakers to sign a sheet signifying that there is enough support for the bill to pass the body. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The Taku River as seen Monday, May 19, 2025, from an Alaska Wildlife Troopers helicopter carrying U.S. Border Patrol agents during a patrol flight. (U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector photo)

Border Patrol, state troopers take patrol flight over Taku River looking for drugs, other illegal activity

Troopers: “No enforcement action was taken”; Border Patrol: “We are just getting started.”

The Taku River as seen Monday, May 19, 2025, from an Alaska Wildlife Troopers helicopter carrying U.S. Border Patrol agents during a patrol flight. (U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector photo)
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ships in port for the week of May 25

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2024 schedule. Capacity figures in parenthesis were pulled from cruise lines’ websites. Sunday, May 25… Continue reading

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)