News

In this Jan. 7, 2016 photo, dead common murres lie washed up on a rocky beach in Whittier, Alaska. A year after tens of thousands of common murres, an abundant North Pacific seabird, starved and washed ashore on beaches from California to Alaska, researchers have pinned the cause to unusually warm ocean temperatures that affected the tiny fish they eat. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press file)

Warm ocean water triggered vast seabird die-off, experts say

ANCHORAGE — A year after tens of thousands of common murres, an abundant North Pacific seabird, starved and washed ashore on beaches from California to… Continue reading

In this Jan. 7, 2016 photo, dead common murres lie washed up on a rocky beach in Whittier, Alaska. A year after tens of thousands of common murres, an abundant North Pacific seabird, starved and washed ashore on beaches from California to Alaska, researchers have pinned the cause to unusually warm ocean temperatures that affected the tiny fish they eat. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press file)
Capital City Fire/Rescue’s Noah Jenkins, left, Marcus Kinman, Andrew Bishop, Brady Fink and Chad Gustafson practice ice rescue training at Twin Lakes on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photos: Ice rescue practice

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Capital City Fire/Rescue’s Noah Jenkins, left, Marcus Kinman, Andrew Bishop, Brady Fink and Chad Gustafson practice ice rescue training at Twin Lakes on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

US Rep. Young named chairman emeritus of House committee

ANCHORAGE — A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Don Young says the Alaska congressman has been named chairman emeritus of the House Natural Resources Committee. Young… Continue reading

Nathan Denette | The Canadian Press In this Dec. 12, 2016 photo, a woman runs on a snowy path in High Park in Toronto. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday pronounced the most recent La Nina event over as of January.

Weak and short La Nina fades away; climate shifts to neutral

WASHINGTON — La Nina, we hardly knew ye. U.S. weather forecasters said Thursday the cool flip side to the climate phenomenon El Nino has faded… Continue reading

Nathan Denette | The Canadian Press In this Dec. 12, 2016 photo, a woman runs on a snowy path in High Park in Toronto. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday pronounced the most recent La Nina event over as of January.

This Day in Juneau History: Feb. 10, 1987

On Feb. 10, 1987, the City and Borough of Juneau did not respond to a Juneau Harbors Board report about a needed ice machine, therefore… Continue reading

Police calls for Friday, Feb. 10, 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

Christopher D. Strawn appears in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday during his trial on charges in the murder of 30-year-old Brandon C. Cook at the Kodzoff Acres Mobile Home Park Oct. 20, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Officers testify in second day of trailer park murder trial

Christopher Strawn has been taking an active role during his trial for the shotgun murder of Brandon Cook. One juror was dismissed and another’s presence… Continue reading

Christopher D. Strawn appears in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday during his trial on charges in the murder of 30-year-old Brandon C. Cook at the Kodzoff Acres Mobile Home Park Oct. 20, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A new American Society of Civil Engineers plaque recognizing the Governor’s House as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in Juneau on Wednesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Engineers highlight importance of Governor’s House with renewed designation

In Juneau, the importance of the Alaska Governor’s House is well known, representing the significance to the city of being Alaska’s capital, even before there… Continue reading

A new American Society of Civil Engineers plaque recognizing the Governor’s House as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in Juneau on Wednesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Appeals court refuses to reinstate Trump travel ban

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court refused Thursday to reinstate President Donald Trump’s ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations, dealing another legal… Continue reading

In this April 12, 2014 photo, the Bundy family and their supporters fly the American flag as their cattle is released by the Bureau of Land Management back onto public land outside of Bunkerville, Nev. A federal judge in Nevada is considering crucial rulings about what jurors will hear in the trial of six defendants accused of stopping U.S. agents at gunpoint from rounding up cattle near Cliven Bundy’s ranch in April 2014. (Jason Bean | Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jury hears openings in trial for 6 in Bundy ranch standoff

LAS VEGAS — A jury in Las Vegas heard competing narratives Thursday about six men accused of illegally wielding weapons to block a federal roundup… Continue reading

In this April 12, 2014 photo, the Bundy family and their supporters fly the American flag as their cattle is released by the Bureau of Land Management back onto public land outside of Bunkerville, Nev. A federal judge in Nevada is considering crucial rulings about what jurors will hear in the trial of six defendants accused of stopping U.S. agents at gunpoint from rounding up cattle near Cliven Bundy’s ranch in April 2014. (Jason Bean | Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Military vehicles are staged near the path of the Dakota Access pipeline Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. The developer says construction of the Dakota Access pipeline under a North Dakota reservoir has begun and that the full pipeline should be operational within three months. One of two tribes who say the pipeline threatens their water supply on Thursday filed a legal challenge asking a court to block construction while an earlier lawsuit against the pipeline proceeds. (James MacPherson | The Associated Press)

Tribe files legal challenge to stall Dakota Access pipeline

CANNON BALL, N.D. — Construction crews have resumed work on the final segment of the Dakota Access pipeline, and the developer of the long-delayed project… Continue reading

Military vehicles are staged near the path of the Dakota Access pipeline Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. The developer says construction of the Dakota Access pipeline under a North Dakota reservoir has begun and that the full pipeline should be operational within three months. One of two tribes who say the pipeline threatens their water supply on Thursday filed a legal challenge asking a court to block construction while an earlier lawsuit against the pipeline proceeds. (James MacPherson | The Associated Press)

Anchorage man charged with stabbing woman, police officer

ANCHORAGE — A 27-year-old man suspected of stabbing an Anchorage police officer and a woman he once dated has been charged with felony assault and… Continue reading

  • Feb 9, 2017
  • By The Associated Press

Oprah plans cruise in Alaska in Holland America partnership

Oprah Winfrey will take a cruise this summer in a place she’s never been before: Alaska. The trip launches a partnership between O, The Oprah… Continue reading

Mayor opposes making Fairbanks a sanctuary city

FAIRBANKS — Fairbanks Mayor Jim Matherly says he will not support making the city a sanctuary for immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission.… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers is greeted as he arrives for his State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Chief justice expects another 3.5 percent drop in court system budget

Alaska’s chief justice told lawmakers Wednesday that he’s optimistic and hopes they will find a solution to the state’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit. Then again, “Candidly,… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers is greeted as he arrives for his State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Wednesday. Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, left, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, watch from the Speakers desk in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Northwest Arctic Borough spends $128,000 on Seattle retreat

ANCHORAGE — Records show Alaska’s Northwest Arctic Borough spent about $115,000 for the Borough Assembly to attend a five-day trip to Seattle where assembly members… Continue reading

Driver charged in bicycle hit-and-run crash

FAIRBANKS —A 40-year-old Fairbanks driver suspected of crashing into a boy on a bicycle and not stopping has been formally charged. Prosecutors charged Howard Martinez… Continue reading

Anchorage police officer injured in fight with suspect

ANCHORAGE — Anchorage police said an officer received a “significant” injury after a fight with a suspect. Police early Wednesday morning responded to the Carrs… Continue reading

Police calls for Thursday, Feb. 9, 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

Members of the public listen to public testimony on the Juneau School District’s 2018 budget Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School library.

Class size, STEM training priorities for Juneau school councils

Reducing class sizes topped the list of priorities at the first of two school district public budgeting forums Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School. Educators, school… Continue reading

Members of the public listen to public testimony on the Juneau School District’s 2018 budget Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School library.