News

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)
City employees clear the unhoused encampment on Teal Street on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Teal Street encampment cleared as winter maintenance rules take effect

Unhoused residents seek shelter elsewhere, many opting to stay in Mendenhall Valley.

City employees clear the unhoused encampment on Teal Street on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon Low clouds hang over Cook Inlet north of Anchor Point on Oct. 23, 2025. The Trump administration is planning an oil and gas lease sale in federal territory of the inlet. It is set to be the first of at six Cook Inlet lease sales that Congress has mandated by held between now and 2032.

Trump administration sets terms for upcoming oil and gas lease sale in Alaska’s Cook Inlet

The ‘Big Beautiful Cook Inlet Oil and Gas Lease Sale,’ scheduled for March, would follow a series of federal and state inlet lease sales that drew little industry interest

  • Nov 14, 2025
  • By Yereth Rosen Alaska Beacon
Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon Low clouds hang over Cook Inlet north of Anchor Point on Oct. 23, 2025. The Trump administration is planning an oil and gas lease sale in federal territory of the inlet. It is set to be the first of at six Cook Inlet lease sales that Congress has mandated by held between now and 2032.
Photo by Kristine Sowl/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Brant fly over the water on Sept. 28, 2016, at Izembek Lagoon in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge supports the entire Pacific population of black brant, a species of goose.

Tribes and environmental groups sue to stop road planned for Alaska wildlife refuge

Three lawsuits take aim at a Trump administration-approved land trade that would allow for a road through designated wilderness in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge

  • Nov 14, 2025
  • Yereth Rosen Alaska Beacon
Photo by Kristine Sowl/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Brant fly over the water on Sept. 28, 2016, at Izembek Lagoon in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge supports the entire Pacific population of black brant, a species of goose.
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. 15

Capital city coverage from four decades ago

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 14, 1985. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
The aurora borealis is seen from Mendenhall Lake in Juneau on Nov. 12, 2025. A series of solar flares caused unusually bright displays of the northern lights across Alaska Tuesday and Wednesday nights. (Chloe Anderson/Peninsula Clarion)

In photos: Dark clear skies and solar storm put on a show near Juneau

The aurora borealis danced over the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau on Nov. 12, 2025. Hundreds of Juneauites flocked to dark areas of town to catch… Continue reading

  • Nov 13, 2025
  • Chloe Anderson Peninsula Clarion
The aurora borealis is seen from Mendenhall Lake in Juneau on Nov. 12, 2025. A series of solar flares caused unusually bright displays of the northern lights across Alaska Tuesday and Wednesday nights. (Chloe Anderson/Peninsula Clarion)
Furloughed federal workers stand in line for hours ahead of a special food distribution by the Capital Area Food Bank and No Limits Outreach Ministries on Barlowe Road in Hyattsville, Maryland, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

Government reopens after 43 days: Trump signs bill ending record shutdown

WASHINGTON — The longest shutdown in U.S. history ended Wednesday night when President Donald Trump signed a spending package that reopens the government and funds… Continue reading

  • Nov 13, 2025
  • By Jennifer Shutt, Ariana Figueroa & Shauneen Miranda States Newsroom
  • federal government
Furloughed federal workers stand in line for hours ahead of a special food distribution by the Capital Area Food Bank and No Limits Outreach Ministries on Barlowe Road in Hyattsville, Maryland, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl (D-Juneau) discusses a fisheries bill on the Senate floor on May 20, 2025. Kiehl recently spoke at the Oct. 6 Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon alongside (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire file photo)

What does the future hold for the permanent fund dividend?

As Alaska braces for another challenging budget season, state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, is calling for realism in Governor Mike Dunleavy’s soon-to-be-released spending plan. Speaking… Continue reading

State Sen. Jesse Kiehl (D-Juneau) discusses a fisheries bill on the Senate floor on May 20, 2025. Kiehl recently spoke at the Oct. 6 Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon alongside (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire file photo)
High school culinary arts teacher and former Juneau Education Association President Chris Heidemann testifies before the Board of Education on Oct. 28. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire).

Juneau School District initiates arbitration. The teacher’s union disagrees

This step comes after months of collective bargaining.

High school culinary arts teacher and former Juneau Education Association President Chris Heidemann testifies before the Board of Education on Oct. 28. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire).
Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire Local artist Johanna Griggs looks at “The Ocean Mirror,” her favorite piece from her exhibit “Landscapes of Southeast Alaska,” on display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center.

Juneau painter explores local color and reflection

The exhibit display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center through November.

Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire Local artist Johanna Griggs looks at “The Ocean Mirror,” her favorite piece from her exhibit “Landscapes of Southeast Alaska,” on display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center.
Juneau International Airport stands on Shell Simmons Drive. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau flights not yet affected by FAA restrictions

Although local departures are unaffected, connecting flights from Sea-Tac are at risk.

Juneau International Airport stands on Shell Simmons Drive. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Choosing to shop local isn’t just convenient – it keeps money in the community, sustains the arts and turns errands into encounters with neighbors and friends. (Photo credit: Christopher S. Miller/The New York Times)

Finding the magic of the holidays close to home in Juneau

Discover how handmade treasures, live arts and hometown traditions keep Juneau’s festive spirit alive

Choosing to shop local isn’t just convenient – it keeps money in the community, sustains the arts and turns errands into encounters with neighbors and friends. (Photo credit: Christopher S. Miller/The New York Times)
The entrance to the Anchorage Correctional Complex is seen on Aug. 29, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska parole rates are among the lowest in the nation. Advocates want to know why.

At its annual public meeting, the Alaska Board of Parole offered little explanation, but advocates want to know more about their criteria and say more transparency will help reduce recidivism

  • Nov 10, 2025
  • Corinne Smith Alaska Beacon
The entrance to the Anchorage Correctional Complex is seen on Aug. 29, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
“I voted” stickers are seen on display in the headquarters offices of the Alaska Division of Elections in Juneau on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Division of Elections begins reviewing petition to repeal election reform law

Based on state law and the number of people who voted in the 2024 statewide election, repeal supporters needed to collect signatures from at least 34,099 registered voters

  • Nov 10, 2025
  • James Brooks Alaska Beacon
“I voted” stickers are seen on display in the headquarters offices of the Alaska Division of Elections in Juneau on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
City Hall stands at 155 South Seward Street. (file photo, Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire File)

Juneau Assembly reckons with city budget following municipal tax cuts

City plans on future service cuts.

City Hall stands at 155 South Seward Street. (file photo, Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire File)
Members of Juneau Education Association and supporters of the union dress in green at the Board of Education Meeting on Oct. 28, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)

Teacher’s union speaks on lapsed contract as board members shuffle

Juneau Educators Association’s contract expired at the end of July.

Members of Juneau Education Association and supporters of the union dress in green at the Board of Education Meeting on Oct. 28, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)
“Tide Pools” is part of the “Landscapes of Southeast Alaska” exhibit by Johanna Griggs, presented by Juneau Arts & Humanities Council. The exhibit will open at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Friday, Nov. 7 2025. (courtesy Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

November’s First Friday: Here’s what to see

Juneau Arts & Humanities Council announces community events at attend Nov. 7.

“Tide Pools” is part of the “Landscapes of Southeast Alaska” exhibit by Johanna Griggs, presented by Juneau Arts & Humanities Council. The exhibit will open at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Friday, Nov. 7 2025. (courtesy Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)