Search Results for: climate

In this June 21 photo, meteorologist David Percy films the daily “Alaska Weather” program in a makeshift studio at the National Weather Service office in Anchorage. The “Alaska Weather” program she oversees, the only weather show produced by the National Weather Service, will have its last on-air broadcast Friday after Alaska Public Media dropped distribution, forcing it to YouTube. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

How’s the weather up there? It’ll be harder for Alaska to tell as a longtime program goes off air

ANCHORAGE — Before Morris Nashoanak heads out for days in search of bearded seals, beluga whales or salmon, he catches the weather on TV. But… Continue reading

In this June 21 photo, meteorologist David Percy films the daily “Alaska Weather” program in a makeshift studio at the National Weather Service office in Anchorage. The “Alaska Weather” program she oversees, the only weather show produced by the National Weather Service, will have its last on-air broadcast Friday after Alaska Public Media dropped distribution, forcing it to YouTube. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau, seen here Sept. 28, 2022, is where most the corporation’s estimated 70 employees work. APFC leaders are considering options to move some operations and staff to Anchorage during the next year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

My Turn: Capital creep — a way to weaken state government

I just read that the Permanent Fund Corp. has been considering a move to Anchorage since 2019. I was stunned. An essential part of the… Continue reading

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau, seen here Sept. 28, 2022, is where most the corporation’s estimated 70 employees work. APFC leaders are considering options to move some operations and staff to Anchorage during the next year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Longtime Juneau musician Rob Cohen performs at an outdoor cabaret show during the Alaska Theater Festival in 2022. This year’s festival will begin with a series of Neighborhood Cabaret shows at various locations throughout Juneau between June 28 and July 2. (Courtesy of Theater Alaska)

Neighborhood watch

Fourth annual Alaska Theater Festival to stage outdoor productions throughout Juneau this summer.

Longtime Juneau musician Rob Cohen performs at an outdoor cabaret show during the Alaska Theater Festival in 2022. This year’s festival will begin with a series of Neighborhood Cabaret shows at various locations throughout Juneau between June 28 and July 2. (Courtesy of Theater Alaska)
Salmon dries on a traditional rack on the beach in the Seward Peninsula village of Teller on Sept. 2, 2021. Salmon is a dietary staple for Indigenous residents of Western Alaska, and poor runs have created hardship. A new Alaska salmon task force mandated by federal law is now appointed and charged with producing a science plan within a year. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska salmon task force charged with developing science plan

19 members appointed by federal and state leaders to spend a year on sustainable management

Salmon dries on a traditional rack on the beach in the Seward Peninsula village of Teller on Sept. 2, 2021. Salmon is a dietary staple for Indigenous residents of Western Alaska, and poor runs have created hardship. A new Alaska salmon task force mandated by federal law is now appointed and charged with producing a science plan within a year. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A Chinook salmon is seen in an undated photo. (Photo by Ryan Hagerty/USFWS)

Washington-based group wants Endangered Species Act protections for Alaska king salmon

By Nathaniel Herz, Alaska Beacon A Washington-based conservation group whose actions have already caused the closure of an iconic Southeast Alaska fishery is now planning… Continue reading

A Chinook salmon is seen in an undated photo. (Photo by Ryan Hagerty/USFWS)
A bald eagle is seen on Feb. 6, 2018, perched in a tree in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Bald eagles are near the top of the list of bird species in Alaska that have been killed by the currently circulating strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza. (Photo by Lisa Hupp/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Avian influenza has returned to Alaska, and so have health advisories

Migrating birds have returned to Alaska, and so has the highly pathogenic avian influenza that began to sweep through global bird populations in 2020. That… Continue reading

A bald eagle is seen on Feb. 6, 2018, perched in a tree in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Bald eagles are near the top of the list of bird species in Alaska that have been killed by the currently circulating strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza. (Photo by Lisa Hupp/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
A graph shows how Southeast Alaska businesses feel about the region’s business climate in surveys conducted since 2010. Meilani Schijvens, owner and director of Rain Coast Data, said the survey she conducted this year shows the most optimistic responses in the annual survey’s history. (Rain Coast Data)

Optimism of Southeast Alaska businesses hits 14-year high

Annual survey shows 73% of businesses positive about business climate, but some sectors less hopeful

A graph shows how Southeast Alaska businesses feel about the region’s business climate in surveys conducted since 2010. Meilani Schijvens, owner and director of Rain Coast Data, said the survey she conducted this year shows the most optimistic responses in the annual survey’s history. (Rain Coast Data)
Michael Ruppert inspects percussion instrumentation that’s part of the setup for the 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building. Ruppert, co-owner of Rose City Organ Builders in Oregon, spent two days this with with fellow co-owner Christopher Nordwall tuning and restoring the organ to playable condition. The instrument has not been played since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but local officials and musicians are hoping to schedule a lunchtime concert during the next couple of weeks. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Clearing the old pipes in the Kimball organ at the State Office Building

Tuners revive 1928 organ that’s been idle for three years; lunchtime concerts may resume next week

Michael Ruppert inspects percussion instrumentation that’s part of the setup for the 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building. Ruppert, co-owner of Rose City Organ Builders in Oregon, spent two days this with with fellow co-owner Christopher Nordwall tuning and restoring the organ to playable condition. The instrument has not been played since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but local officials and musicians are hoping to schedule a lunchtime concert during the next couple of weeks. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A polar bear feeds near a pile of whale bones north of Utqiaġvik. (Courtesy Photo /Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Polar bears of the past survived warmth

In a recent paper, scientists wrote that a small population of polar bears living off Greenland and Arctic Canada increased by 1.6 times when they… Continue reading

A polar bear feeds near a pile of whale bones north of Utqiaġvik. (Courtesy Photo /Ned Rozell)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Sustainability report is a greenwashing effort

Report leaves out “the not-so-pretty.”

  • May 27, 2023
  • By Matthew Jackson
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Mountains tower over downtown Juneau Wednesday morning. On Tuesday night the City and Borough of Juneau’s Planning Commission unanimously passed a motion to not recommend the adoption of new hazard maps and policy based on them to the Assembly. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Planning Commission urges rejection of new hazard maps and policy

The decision came after nearly 20 rounds of public testimony advocating against the maps.

Mountains tower over downtown Juneau Wednesday morning. On Tuesday night the City and Borough of Juneau’s Planning Commission unanimously passed a motion to not recommend the adoption of new hazard maps and policy based on them to the Assembly. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs legislation allowing the state to set up a carbon offset program Tuesday in Anchorage. Dunleavy signed the bill with Alaska lawmakers and administration officials standing behind him during the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy signs carbon ‘trees’ bill at sustainable energy conference

National and state leaders discuss Alaska’s green market prospects in-state and internationally

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs legislation allowing the state to set up a carbon offset program Tuesday in Anchorage. Dunleavy signed the bill with Alaska lawmakers and administration officials standing behind him during the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska's North Slope. Alaska's push to become a bigger player in the clean energy market is in the spotlight this week at a conference convened by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, even as the state continues to embrace new fossil fuel production, including the controversial Willow oil project.   (ConocoPhillips)

‘Leap of faith:’ Alaska pursues carbon offset market while embracing oil

Alaska’s push to become a bigger player in the clean energy market is in the spotlight this week at a conference convened by its Republican… Continue reading

This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska's North Slope. Alaska's push to become a bigger player in the clean energy market is in the spotlight this week at a conference convened by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, even as the state continues to embrace new fossil fuel production, including the controversial Willow oil project.   (ConocoPhillips)
State Sen. Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican who co-chairs the Senate Finance Committee, details a list of 24 projects costing about $34 million that were added to the state budget during negotiations with House members Thursday. Behind Stedman in the audience section is nearly the entire 16-member House minority caucus, which voted in favor of the budget along with 10 members of the Republican-led House majority. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Unusual House coalition OKs budget to end special session on first day

10 members of Republican-led majority join minority after $34M in targeted capital projects added

State Sen. Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican who co-chairs the Senate Finance Committee, details a list of 24 projects costing about $34 million that were added to the state budget during negotiations with House members Thursday. Behind Stedman in the audience section is nearly the entire 16-member House minority caucus, which voted in favor of the budget along with 10 members of the Republican-led House majority. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
By 1914 when this photo was taken, Juneau had developed into an established city. The Victorian era turreted Alaska Steam Laundry (built 1901) is seen on the left, while other buildings such as the Alaskan Hotel and Central Rooming House are on the right. The rooming house was reconstructed in the 1980s. It is now the Senate Mall. (Alaska State Library-P31-021).

Rooted in Community: Alaska Steam Laundry and the MacKinnon Family

Perhaps sharing the leading roles in Juneau High School’s 1915 theatrical play clinched the relationship that bloomed into the MacKinnon family legacy of keeping Juneau… Continue reading

  • May 18, 2023
  • By Laurie Craig For the Downtown Business Association
  • ColumnsHistory
By 1914 when this photo was taken, Juneau had developed into an established city. The Victorian era turreted Alaska Steam Laundry (built 1901) is seen on the left, while other buildings such as the Alaskan Hotel and Central Rooming House are on the right. The rooming house was reconstructed in the 1980s. It is now the Senate Mall. (Alaska State Library-P31-021).
In this aerial photo chunks of ice follow flooding from an ice jam in Crooked Creek, Alaska, May 15, 2023. Ice jams along two Alaska rivers unleashed major flooding over the weekend. (Jennifer Wallace / Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management)

Surging Alaska rivers leave behind huge chunks of ice, damaged homes

ANCHORAGE — Ice jams that blocked two Alaska rivers broke loose over the weekend, unleashing a surge of ice and water that caused major floods,… Continue reading

In this aerial photo chunks of ice follow flooding from an ice jam in Crooked Creek, Alaska, May 15, 2023. Ice jams along two Alaska rivers unleashed major flooding over the weekend. (Jennifer Wallace / Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management)
A liquid carbon dioxide containment unit stands outside the fabrication building of Glenwood Mason Supply Company, April 18, 2023, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The Biden administration announced on Wednesday, May 17, $251 million for carbon capture and storage projects in seven states. (AP Photo / John Minchillo)

Biden administration invests in carbon capture

Move ups pressure on industry to show results.

A liquid carbon dioxide containment unit stands outside the fabrication building of Glenwood Mason Supply Company, April 18, 2023, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The Biden administration announced on Wednesday, May 17, $251 million for carbon capture and storage projects in seven states. (AP Photo / John Minchillo)
State Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, talks with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, following the Senate’s unanimous passage of carbon credits bill Monday. Hughes and Se. Mike Shower, center, voted for the bill despite voicing strong concerns about some of its provisions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Carbon credits bill unanimously passes Senate, House quickly takes it up

Legislature seeks to OK priority bill for Dunleavy as part of package to adjourn session in time

State Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, talks with Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, following the Senate’s unanimous passage of carbon credits bill Monday. Hughes and Se. Mike Shower, center, voted for the bill despite voicing strong concerns about some of its provisions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Carole Triem and Deputy City Manager Robert Barr chat during a break at the Wednesday night Finance Committee meeting. Community groups were invited to give presentations that explained their community funding requests sent to the Assembly for the fiscal year 2024 budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Carole Triem and Deputy City Manager Robert Barr chat during a break at the Wednesday night Finance Committee meeting. Community groups were invited to give presentations that explained their community funding requests sent to the Assembly for the fiscal year 2024 budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Flames are visible from the Beluga Point parking area near Anchorage on July 19, 2016, as a wildfire near McHugh Creek burns. A recent series of wildfires near Anchorage and the hottest day on record have sparked fears that a warming climate could soon mean serious, untenable blazes in urban areas — just like in the rest of the drought-plagued American West. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News)

Climate change sparks disaster fears in Alaska’s largest city

This is the new reality.

Flames are visible from the Beluga Point parking area near Anchorage on July 19, 2016, as a wildfire near McHugh Creek burns. A recent series of wildfires near Anchorage and the hottest day on record have sparked fears that a warming climate could soon mean serious, untenable blazes in urban areas — just like in the rest of the drought-plagued American West. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News)