Earlene "Memaw" Branson, 83, mother to Alaskan Bush People star Ami Brown, talks of her journey from Texas to Alaska in hopes of reuniting with her daughter during an interview in Juneau on Wednesday. Her great nephew, Chuck Gilbert, helped her travel to Hoonah for the visit.

Mother of ‘Alaskan Bush People’ star tries to reconnect with estranged daughter

In 37 years, Earlene Branson has seen her daughter in only one place: Reality TV.Branson is the 83-year-old mother of Amora “Ami” Brown, star of… Continue reading

Earlene "Memaw" Branson, 83, mother to Alaskan Bush People star Ami Brown, talks of her journey from Texas to Alaska in hopes of reuniting with her daughter during an interview in Juneau on Wednesday. Her great nephew, Chuck Gilbert, helped her travel to Hoonah for the visit.

Police: 5 officers dead, 7 hurt in Dallas protest shooting

DALLAS — Gunmen shot and killed five police officers and wounded seven others during a protest over fatal police shootings of black men in other… Continue reading

  • Jul 7, 2016
  • By TERRY WALLACE

By-mail voting available; deadline approaching

Alaskans interested in casting an absentee ballot by mail in the Aug. 16 statewide primary election must apply for a ballot by Aug. 6. Absentee… Continue reading

Troopers say man’s 2015 disappearance suspicious

ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers say a Big Lake man’s disappearance last year is suspicious and they are investigating it as a death.Troopers said 46-year-old… Continue reading

Police & fire for Friday, July 8, 2016

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

This Day in Juneau History: July 8, 1986

On July 8, 1986, the Juneau Police Department retired their animal chasing duties to the Gastineau Humane Society after the change was approved by the… Continue reading

Around Town

Storytime, 11 a.m., Mendenhall Valley Library. Details: 586-5267. Organ concert, noon, State Office Building. T.J. Duffy to play a variety of music. Senior Lunch, noon,… Continue reading

Police investigate dynamite blast in Sitka

SITKA — Authorities are investigating reports of an illegal dynamite blast in Sitka that caused damage to one home on the Fourth of July.Police had… Continue reading

In this May 2015 photo, Gov. Bill Walker, left, is shown sporting a BP hardhat during a visit to Prudhoe Bay. In a July 6 interview, Walker said he expects a middle ground to be found between the state's demand for detailed gas marketing information from the North Slope producers and their refusal to provide it.

Dispute continues over gas marketing

The state Division of Oil and Gas has officially rejected BP’s 2016 operational plan for Prudhoe Bay, but is extending last year’s plan until Nov.… Continue reading

In this May 2015 photo, Gov. Bill Walker, left, is shown sporting a BP hardhat during a visit to Prudhoe Bay. In a July 6 interview, Walker said he expects a middle ground to be found between the state's demand for detailed gas marketing information from the North Slope producers and their refusal to provide it.

US gives tentative OK to flights to Cuba from 10 cities

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government on Thursday tentatively approved scheduled commercial airline service to Havana from 10 American cities, further bridging the gulf between countries… Continue reading

Juneau's Deputy Mayor Jesse Kiehl gives an update on the status of local marijuana businesses to the Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge on Thursday.

What it takes to start a marijuana business in Juneau

With several Juneau marijuana businesses at various stages of the permitting process, the local marijuana retail industry could get underway fairly soon.“We’re at a point… Continue reading

Juneau's Deputy Mayor Jesse Kiehl gives an update on the status of local marijuana businesses to the Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge on Thursday.

Alaska Airlines awarded daily service to Cuba

The U.S. Department of Transportation has tentatively approved an application from Alaska Airlines for daily service between Los Angeles and Havana.The department announced the award… Continue reading

Alaska House majority spokesman fired after domestic violence charges filed

A former spokesman for the Alaska House of Representatives facing assault charges after he allegedly hit his girlfriend has been terminated.Alaska House press secretary William… Continue reading

Legislative budget official calls out Walker veto mistake

The head of the Legislative Finance Division has called out a mistake by Gov. Bill Walker in his attempt to veto $6.3 million in state… Continue reading

In this 2015 photo, about 4 oz. of dried marijuana is shown stored in a large glass container.

Board considers ‘marijuana doggie bag’

Alaska’s Marijuana Control Board has turned down a proposal to allow the equivalent of a ‘marijuana bar’ in Alaska, but the idea isn’t dead yet.On… Continue reading

In this 2015 photo, about 4 oz. of dried marijuana is shown stored in a large glass container.

Obama administration sets rules for future Arctic drilling

WASHINGTON — With no new drilling planned in the Arctic waters off Alaska, the Obama administration is setting rules to ensure that any future energy… Continue reading

State to consider unified health care authority

The state of Alaska is about to begin considering whether to buy health insurance in bulk for state employees, municipal government employees, and the general… Continue reading

During evaluation, Juneau school board ‘pleased’ with superintendent

The Juneau School Board overall is happy with the superintendent’s performance. That’s what the body determined after meeting in executive session for three hours during… Continue reading

Juneau Jumper Garrett Klein, 12, left, shows Layne Cutnose, 12, some jumping pointers during a Wellness Wednesdays program at the Douglas Library on Wednesday.

Photos: Jumping for joy, and wellness

Juneau Jumper Garrett Klein, 12, left, shows Layne Cutnose, 12, some jumping pointers during a Wellness Wednesdays program at the Douglas Library on Wednesday.… Continue reading

Juneau Jumper Garrett Klein, 12, left, shows Layne Cutnose, 12, some jumping pointers during a Wellness Wednesdays program at the Douglas Library on Wednesday.

Fourth celebrations marred by multiple drunken drivers

The Fourth of July weekend wasn’t just fireworks and fun for everyone.A Juneau grand jury on Wednesday indicted Dale Ray Kubik Jr., 46, for allegedly… Continue reading