News

US rig count drops 5 this week to 415, another all-time low

HOUSTON — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. dropped by five this week to 415, another all-time low… Continue reading

Coal seam fires again spark wildfires near Healy, coal mine

ANCHORAGE — Underground fires in coal country near the interior Alaska community of Healy have again touched off wildfires on the surface, putting forest officials… Continue reading

Helicopters sit outside the Era Group Inc. location in North Douglas on Thursday evening. An Era helicopter crashed on the Norris Glacier earlier in the day, and the only person on board - the pilot - sustained injuries and was transferred to Bartlett Regional Hospital.

Era Helicopters suspends Juneau flights after crash

The pilot flying the helicopter that crashed Thursday on Norris Glacier near Juneau was in serious medical condition as of Friday afternoon.Thirty-nine-year-old Jiri Hanis was… Continue reading

Helicopters sit outside the Era Group Inc. location in North Douglas on Thursday evening. An Era helicopter crashed on the Norris Glacier earlier in the day, and the only person on board - the pilot - sustained injuries and was transferred to Bartlett Regional Hospital.
This photo taken Sunday, April 24, 2016, on the Kahiltna Glacier in Alaska, shows Army soldiers unloading a Chinook helicopter that landed on the glacier near Denali. The U.S. Army helped set up base camp on North America's tallest mountain. Three Chinook helicopters the size of city buses took supplies like food, communication equipment and fuel to the base camp at the 7,200-foot level of Denali. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Army sets up base camps on Denali

KAHILTNA GLACIER — Three U.S. Army Chinook helicopters the size of city buses ascend higher and higher in the Alaska Range, following the 44-mile long… Continue reading

This photo taken Sunday, April 24, 2016, on the Kahiltna Glacier in Alaska, shows Army soldiers unloading a Chinook helicopter that landed on the glacier near Denali. The U.S. Army helped set up base camp on North America's tallest mountain. Three Chinook helicopters the size of city buses took supplies like food, communication equipment and fuel to the base camp at the 7,200-foot level of Denali. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Trump sweep of GOP deflates federal land transfer push

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Donald Trump’s apparent lock on the Republican presidential nomination means advocates of large-scale transfers of federal lands to states in the West… Continue reading

Dems hope conventions can unite Sanders, Clinton fans

PORTLAND, Maine — Democrats are hoping to use state conventions to unite supporters of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders as fans of the two candidates… Continue reading

House pursuing appeal of Medicaid suit decision

JUNEAU — The Alaska House has given notice that it plans to keep fighting Gov. Bill Walker’s authority to expand Medicaid on his own, drawing… Continue reading

Michele Stuart Morgan, left, chats with First Lady Donna Walker, right, before the First Lady's Volunteer of the Year award ceremony Wednesday at the Governor's Mansion. Morgan is one of 12 Alaskans recognized this year for their service to the state. She is the founder of "Juneau - Stop Heroin, Start Talking."

Juneau woman honored for helping in fight against heroin addiction

Guarding the state’s fiscal future is a hot topic in Alaska, but First Lady Donna Walker took a step back from that conversation to recognize… Continue reading

Michele Stuart Morgan, left, chats with First Lady Donna Walker, right, before the First Lady's Volunteer of the Year award ceremony Wednesday at the Governor's Mansion. Morgan is one of 12 Alaskans recognized this year for their service to the state. She is the founder of "Juneau - Stop Heroin, Start Talking."
David Timothy is sworn in by Chief of Police Bryce Johnson as a "Friend of the Force" during the department's quarterly awards ceremony on Friday.

JDHS student sworn in with JPD as ‘friend of the force’

Down syndrome didn’t stop David Timothy from earning his basketball jersey at Juneau-Douglas High School, and it certainly didn’t stop him from taking the police… Continue reading

David Timothy is sworn in by Chief of Police Bryce Johnson as a "Friend of the Force" during the department's quarterly awards ceremony on Friday.
AWARE's new women's transitional housing in Juneau is shown on Wednesday. The new 12-unit building will provide transitional housing and programs to allow women to gain their footing after an abusive relationship in a way the emergency shelter cannot.

New AWARE housing allows women to find independence, self-worth

After years of feeling like an empty shell, Karen cried tears of relief when she first moved into her one-bedroom apartment in AWARE’s transitional housing… Continue reading

AWARE's new women's transitional housing in Juneau is shown on Wednesday. The new 12-unit building will provide transitional housing and programs to allow women to gain their footing after an abusive relationship in a way the emergency shelter cannot.
The driver, who did not wish to be identified, walks by his upended truck at the Westridge Condominiums on Hermit Street in downtown Juneau on Friday. The driver was unhurt in the accident that happened about noon on Friday. The driver, with a construction company working at the condominiums, said his brakes failed to work.

Photo: Driver blames brakes for accident

The driver, who did not wish to be identified, walks by his upended truck at the Westridge Condominiums on Friday. The driver was unhurt in… Continue reading

The driver, who did not wish to be identified, walks by his upended truck at the Westridge Condominiums on Hermit Street in downtown Juneau on Friday. The driver was unhurt in the accident that happened about noon on Friday. The driver, with a construction company working at the condominiums, said his brakes failed to work.

Grand jury indicts Eagle River man in shooting death

ANCHORAGE — An Anchorage grand jury has indicted a 29-year-old Eagle River man on charges of first-degree murder and felony weapons misconduct.State prosecutors said Jarre… Continue reading

Around Town

Open trap shooting, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Juneau Gun Club, 1 Mile Montana Creek Road. The Juneau Gun Club is open to members and public trap… Continue reading

Southeast communities strike it big thanks to Gold Rush Historical Park

More than 900,000 people visited the Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park in Skagway and spent about $180 million in nearby communities last year, according to… Continue reading

Fairbanks woman named state’s top secondary school principal

FAIRBANKS — A Fairbanks principal has been named Alaska’s secondary school principal of the year.The award for West Valley High School Principal Shaun Kraska was… Continue reading

Police & fire for Sunday, May 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

Correction

An article in Friday’s Juneau Empire incorrectly stated that approximately 11,000 births in Alaska were midwife-assisted. According to the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics, there… Continue reading

Temsco helicopter crash in Skagway claims life of pilot

A Temsco helicopter crashed on a glacier in Skagway Friday night, claiming the life of the pilot who was dropping off supplies at a sled… Continue reading

NOAA’s Auke Bay Station up for surplus

The Auke Bay Marine Station, owned by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is up for surplus, and at least two organizations in town are interested… Continue reading

Schools can decide on transgender athletes

ANCHORAGE - Alaska’s governing body for high school activities says it is leaving it up to schools to decide what teams transgender students can compete… Continue reading