A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska scientists pen letter backing salmon measure

Former scientists and fisheries managers are taking sides over Ballot Measure 1.

A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker abandons election

Incumbent independent throws support behind Democratic candidate Mark Begich.

Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A ballot box logo is seen on election materials from the Alaska Division of Elections in this undated file photo. (Alaska Division of Elections)

State seeks poll workers in village that failed to vote

The Alaska Division of Elections is seeking poll workers in a Yukon River village that failed to turn in any ballots for the August statewide… Continue reading

A ballot box logo is seen on election materials from the Alaska Division of Elections in this undated file photo. (Alaska Division of Elections)
‘The Princess Sophia’ commemorates shipwreck 100 years later

‘The Princess Sophia’ commemorates shipwreck 100 years later

“The Princess Sophia” is nearly ready for its maiden voyage. The opera named for the ill-fated ship makes its world premiere 8 p.m. Thursday in… Continue reading

‘The Princess Sophia’ commemorates shipwreck 100 years later
Libby Bakalar, left, receives her ballot from election official Tami Burgett, right, as Michael Grubbs waits during early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Voting is on the 8th floor of the State Office Building from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The Elections Office in the Mendenhall Mall Annex is also open for voting during the same times plus Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 4, noon-4 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Quiet start to early voting

Byron Mallott is usually one of the first early voters when polls open at the State Office Building. This year, the first person in line… Continue reading

Libby Bakalar, left, receives her ballot from election official Tami Burgett, right, as Michael Grubbs waits during early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Voting is on the 8th floor of the State Office Building from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The Elections Office in the Mendenhall Mall Annex is also open for voting during the same times plus Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 4, noon-4 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Ty Grussendorf, 24, left, appears in Juneau Superior Court with his attorney, John P. Cashion, to plead guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Grussendorf pleads guilty to sex abuse

The sentence will likely be handed down in January.

Ty Grussendorf, 24, left, appears in Juneau Superior Court with his attorney, John P. Cashion, to plead guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Election official Jacqueline Fowler, left, hands Becky Dierking her ballot in the Municipal Election at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Early voting opens today

Juneau voters don’t have to wait until the Nov. 6 General Election to cast ballots. Starting today, they can do so during business hours at… Continue reading

Election official Jacqueline Fowler, left, hands Becky Dierking her ballot in the Municipal Election at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this 2008 file photo, Nathan Gaudreault, left, and Tyler Gress work their way up The Rock Dump’s climbing walls. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Rock Dump fundraises with movie today

The Rock Dump Climbing Gym will screen adventure movie “The Dawn Wall” at Goldtown Nickelodeon today and tomorrow to fundraise for the gym. The film… Continue reading

In this 2008 file photo, Nathan Gaudreault, left, and Tyler Gress work their way up The Rock Dump’s climbing walls. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A Yakutat Borough Police Department vehicle sits in front of the site of a fatal stabbing in Yakutat on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Yakutat Borough Police Department)

Yakutat murder suspect, victim were longtime friends

It’s the first murder in Yakutat in more than 20 years.

A Yakutat Borough Police Department vehicle sits in front of the site of a fatal stabbing in Yakutat on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Yakutat Borough Police Department)
Alyse Galvin, Alaska’s independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, holds a town hall-style meeting to an overflowing room at Centennial Hall on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Galvin campaign comes to Juneau on eve of early voting

Before the start of her town hall meeting, Alyse Galvin led her audience in a team-building exercise. “I’m going to need everyone to move about… Continue reading

Alyse Galvin, Alaska’s independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, holds a town hall-style meeting to an overflowing room at Centennial Hall on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Michael Christenson placed first in the eighth annual Woosh Kinaadeiyí grand slam. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Annual Grand Slam poetry event crowns a winner

After delivering three caustic poems en route to the eighth annual Woosh Kinaadeiyí Grand Slam title, Michael Christenson was all smiles. The night and the… Continue reading

Michael Christenson placed first in the eighth annual Woosh Kinaadeiyí grand slam. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Jesse Kiehl, running as a Democrat for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

For Alaska Senate, Kiehl promotes experience and connections

Jesse Kiehl has worked in the Alaska Senate for 18 years. Now, he’s trying to become a senator. During a year in which none of… Continue reading

Jesse Kiehl, running as a Democrat for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Police calls for Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018

Police calls for Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018
Juneau Empire file photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Monday, Oct. 22, 2018

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Juneau Empire file photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Assembly member and legislative candidate Jerry Nankervis chairs a public safety committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Door to door, Nankervis seeks understanding in House District 34

Walking from house to house during his legislative campaign, Jerry Nankervis faces a perpetual guessing game. When the door opens, will it be someone he… Continue reading

Assembly member and legislative candidate Jerry Nankervis chairs a public safety committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Jennifer Nu, Local Foods Director at Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition, left, takes inventory of fresh grown greens being delivered by Jackie Ebert, of Nunatak Foods, with her son Oliver, to the Salt & Soil Marketplace location at the Arts & Culture Center on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. The nonprofit Salt and Soil Marketplace is staying open this winter and will offer a new Valley location to pick up Southeast-grown foods. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Online farmers market keeps going through winter

Their options don’t peter out in the cold months.

Jennifer Nu, Local Foods Director at Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition, left, takes inventory of fresh grown greens being delivered by Jackie Ebert, of Nunatak Foods, with her son Oliver, to the Salt & Soil Marketplace location at the Arts & Culture Center on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. The nonprofit Salt and Soil Marketplace is staying open this winter and will offer a new Valley location to pick up Southeast-grown foods. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
‘Crush’ playwright helps kids create characters, scene

‘Crush’ playwright helps kids create characters, scene

With $10 on the line, six wide-eyed kids sputtered their way through attempts to claim the money. Playwright Stephen Gregg had tasked the children with… Continue reading

‘Crush’ playwright helps kids create characters, scene
Walruses are pictured in this courtesy photo. (Courtesy Photo | USFWS National Digital Library)

Skagway man indicted for walrus ivory smuggling

The indictment alleged lying on paperwork, smuggling and the illegal sale of walrus ivory.

Walruses are pictured in this courtesy photo. (Courtesy Photo | USFWS National Digital Library)
The tugboat Lumberman is seen aground in Gastineau Channel on Monday, May 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The tugboat Lumberman is seen aground in Gastineau Channel on Monday, May 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Chum salmon are processed at Taku Smokeries in June 2011. New figures show a continued decline in the number of jobs available in Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska jobs numbers continue to fall

Alaska’s unemployment dipped from August to September, but the number of jobs in Alaska continues to fall, indicating the 49th state has not yet begun… Continue reading

Chum salmon are processed at Taku Smokeries in June 2011. New figures show a continued decline in the number of jobs available in Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)