In this Jan. 15 photo, President and CEO Paula Kerger speaks at the PBS’s Executive Session at the 2017 Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California. “We’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Public Broadcasting Act, what I think has been the most successful public-private partnership — how ironic it would be if we were defunded this year,” said Kerger. (Willy Sanjuan | Invision)

Trump budget clouds Public Broadcasting Act’s 50th year, especially in Juneau

LOS ANGELES — The federal act that created public broadcasting is marking its 50th year, but if President Donald Trump has his way, it could… Continue reading

In this Jan. 15 photo, President and CEO Paula Kerger speaks at the PBS’s Executive Session at the 2017 Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California. “We’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Public Broadcasting Act, what I think has been the most successful public-private partnership — how ironic it would be if we were defunded this year,” said Kerger. (Willy Sanjuan | Invision)

Police calls for Monday, March 20, 2017

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

House’s dubious amendments record foreshadows more money struggles to come

The Alaska House of Representatives has never heard this many budget amendments. On Friday afternoon, the House advanced to a final vote on its budget… Continue reading

The Fireweed Factory will open up their marijuana retail shop between the Imperial Billiards & Bar and Benjamin Franklin Store on Front Street. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s second pot shop close to opening

As he talks about losing dozens of marijuana plants to a malfunction, Paul Disdier laughs, his blue eyes brightening. It’s as if he enjoys the… Continue reading

The Fireweed Factory will open up their marijuana retail shop between the Imperial Billiards & Bar and Benjamin Franklin Store on Front Street. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Wasilla lawmaker would move Legislature to Anchorage, permanently

If a Wasilla lawmaker gets her way, the Alaska Legislature will pack up and move to Anchorage ─ permanently. On Friday, Rep. Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, R-Wasilla,… Continue reading

Lack of comma sense ignites debate after ruling in $10M suit

PORTLAND, Maine — It all came down to a missing comma, and not just any one. And it’s reignited a longstanding debate over whether the… Continue reading

Police call for Sunday, March 19, 2017

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

  • Mar 19, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime

Inspectors seek review of second Alaska underwater pipeline

ANCHORAGE — Federal inspectors have issued a second proposed safety order to the owner of an underwater pipeline spewing processed natural gas into Alaska’s Cook… Continue reading

This Sept. 2, 2015 photo shows an F-35 jet arriving at its new operational base at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. (Rick Bowmer | The Associated Press File)

US, Asia-Pacific allies rolling out F-35 stealth fighter

HONOLULU — The U.S. and its Asia-Pacific allies are rolling out their new stealth fighter jet, a cutting-edge plane that costs about $100 million each.… Continue reading

This Sept. 2, 2015 photo shows an F-35 jet arriving at its new operational base at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. (Rick Bowmer | The Associated Press File)

Condemning the Bergmann Hotel

When city officials boarded up the Bergmann Hotel last week, citing potentially life-threatening conditions that prompted the building’s condemnation, manager Charles Cotten estimated several dozen… Continue reading

  • Mar 19, 2017
  • By LIZ KELLAR
Nineteen high school teens from across the state, from Utqiagvik to Ketchikan, hold a March for Salmon as the culmination of this year’s Civics and Conservation Summit in Juneau, on Friday, March 17, 2017. The event is hosted by Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, a program of The Alaska Center in Anchorage, which trains young people to be environmental leaders. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Emerging voters: ‘We want salmon!’

Millennials: self-centered, glued to their phones and unable to focus on anything longer than a six-second gif. Alaska’s youth know how to turn that stereotype… Continue reading

Nineteen high school teens from across the state, from Utqiagvik to Ketchikan, hold a March for Salmon as the culmination of this year’s Civics and Conservation Summit in Juneau, on Friday, March 17, 2017. The event is hosted by Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, a program of The Alaska Center in Anchorage, which trains young people to be environmental leaders. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Suspected home burglar pleads not guilty

A suspected burglar, accused of breaking into two separate residences in the Mendenhall Valley last month, is now facing felony charges. Jeremiah Moore Houston, 36,… Continue reading

Petersburg may consider letting ATVs on Mitkof Island roads

PETERSBURG — Voters in southern Alaska may find a question about whether to allow all-terrain vehicles on the roads of Mitkof island on this year’s… Continue reading

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, the chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday on the restructuring the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.. (Susan Walsh | The Associated Press)

9th Circuit judges to Congress: Leave us alone

WASHINGTON — Three federal judges on Thursday asked Congress not to break up the vast, San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a longtime… Continue reading

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, the chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday on the restructuring the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.. (Susan Walsh | The Associated Press)

US soldiers train for jungle warfare in Hawaii rainforest

HONOLULU — The U.S. Army soldiers finished wading across a stream in a rainforest in Hawaii, and they were soaked. Their boots and socks were… Continue reading

The Alaskan Brewing Company’s newest beer is a bourbon barrel-aged oatmeal stout. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Stout, stout and more stout: Alaskan Brewing releases 3 new brews for St. Patrick’s Day

This St. Patrick’s Day, people can drink Alaskan Brewing Company’s beers in 18 states, as far east as Ohio and as far south as Texas.… Continue reading

The Alaskan Brewing Company’s newest beer is a bourbon barrel-aged oatmeal stout. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Police & Fire for Friday, March 17, 2017

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

  • Mar 17, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime
The Alaska State Capitol, pictured Jan. 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers slash own pay

Lawmakers in the Alaska House on Thursday voted to slash their own pay. Members of the House voted 34-5 to cut legislators’ pay by almost… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol, pictured Jan. 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Senate President Pete Kelly watches the vote on SB 26 in the Senate chambers on Wednesday. The Senate voted to use a portion of earnings from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund government and cap dividends at $1,000 per person. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

PFD on the chopping block

Lawmaker after lawmaker said the Senate does not relish the idea of touching what has long been a political third rail — the Permanent Fund… Continue reading

Senate President Pete Kelly watches the vote on SB 26 in the Senate chambers on Wednesday. The Senate voted to use a portion of earnings from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund government and cap dividends at $1,000 per person. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Docks and Harbors Board sets meeting to discuss continued development at Aurora Harbor

The first phase of the Aurora Harbor rebuild was recently completed, and the next phase is about to get going. The Docks and Harbor division… Continue reading