Sports

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Jessie Holmes, former reality TV star, wins longest-ever Iditarod dog race: ‘It’s a magical feeling’

Jessie Holmes, a former reality television star on “Life Below Zero,” won the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race early Friday morning, crossing under the… Continue reading

  • Mar 14, 2025
  • By Lauren Merola ©2025 The New York Times Company
  • Iditarod
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Kake’s Deontay Jackson (33) is fouled by Shishmaref’s Frederick Olana (11) during the Thunderbirds 68-67 loss to the Northern Lights in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A State Basketball Championships Thursday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Kake state championship hopes fall by a point

Klawock girls, Skagway boys stay alive; Hoonah, Haines girls lose first games.

Kake’s Deontay Jackson (33) is fouled by Shishmaref’s Frederick Olana (11) during the Thunderbirds 68-67 loss to the Northern Lights in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A State Basketball Championships Thursday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Tolovana Roadhouse, built in 1924, is the only remaining rest stop mushers used in the 1925 Serum Run. Iditarod mushers also used it in 2025. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Traveling through time in the Alaska bush

TOLOVANA ROADHOUSE — On the dark, frozen white plain of the Tanana River, a white dot appeared in the night. It was the headlamp of… Continue reading

Tolovana Roadhouse, built in 1924, is the only remaining rest stop mushers used in the 1925 Serum Run. Iditarod mushers also used it in 2025. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
A troller fishes near Ketchikan last summer. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Fish farm fiasco

I’ve spent almost all of my life searching for and evaluating fish. As a boy, I rode home from the river with wild silver salmon… Continue reading

A troller fishes near Ketchikan last summer. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Wrangell coach Cody Angerman talks in a huddle during the Wolves 57-30 loss to the Seahawks during the opening day of the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 2A State Basketball Championships on Thursday in Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. The Wolves wore warmup shirts in honor of coach Angerman’s father Fred Angerman Jr. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Wrangell boys fall in emotional first game at state tournament

Wolves honor coach’s father and Southeast legend “Fast Freddy” following his recent death.

Wrangell coach Cody Angerman talks in a huddle during the Wolves 57-30 loss to the Seahawks during the opening day of the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 2A State Basketball Championships on Thursday in Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. The Wolves wore warmup shirts in honor of coach Angerman’s father Fred Angerman Jr. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kake’s Keontay Jackson (33) attempts a dunk during the Thunderbirds 61-41 win over the King Cove T-Jacks in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A/2A State Basketball Championships on Wednesday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Southeast teams open 1A state tournament play

Kake boys, Hoonah girls win; Skagway boys, Klawock girls fall.

Kake’s Keontay Jackson (33) attempts a dunk during the Thunderbirds 61-41 win over the King Cove T-Jacks in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 1A/2A State Basketball Championships on Wednesday at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Lebanon Valley College sophomore forward Anna Dale (7) slaps a shot past a Stevenson University defender during Middle Atlantic Conference hockey action this year. (Photo courtesy Lebanon Valley College)

JDHS grad Anna Dale nets Offensive Player of the Year as sophomore at Lebanon Valley College

2023 graduate helps NCAA DIII Dutchmen reach Middle Atlantic Conference semifinals.

Lebanon Valley College sophomore forward Anna Dale (7) slaps a shot past a Stevenson University defender during Middle Atlantic Conference hockey action this year. (Photo courtesy Lebanon Valley College)
A museum visitor mimics pterosaurs flight in the age of the dinosaurs. (Tim Evanson / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license)

On the Trails: Wings aloft!

When vertebrates moved onto land, long ago, some of them eventually became airborne, way after the insects did. There are three groups of vertebrates that… Continue reading

A museum visitor mimics pterosaurs flight in the age of the dinosaurs. (Tim Evanson / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license)
The 4A Girls All Conference players Juneau-Douglas’ Layla Tokuoka, Kerra Baxter, Caiylnn Baxter, Kayhi’s Aspen Bauer, Juneau-Douglas’ Gwen Nizich and Cambry Lockhart stand for a photo at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

JDHS players earn all-conference honors at regions

Good Sport, academic, cheer and dance honors given.

The 4A Girls All Conference players Juneau-Douglas’ Layla Tokuoka, Kerra Baxter, Caiylnn Baxter, Kayhi’s Aspen Bauer, Juneau-Douglas’ Gwen Nizich and Cambry Lockhart stand for a photo at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Brandon Casperson runs past defenders during Ketchikan’s 74-54 victory over Juneau-Douglas, winning the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Friday. Ketchikan eliminated Juneau-Douglas and will advance to play at state. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

Crimson Bears boys fall 74-54 to region champion Kings

JDHS season ends, Ketchikan advances to the state tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Brandon Casperson runs past defenders during Ketchikan’s 74-54 victory over Juneau-Douglas, winning the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Friday. Ketchikan eliminated Juneau-Douglas and will advance to play at state. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé players celebrate their 65-43 victory over Kayhi, winning the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Friday. Juneau-Douglas eliminated Kayhi and will advance to play at state. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

Crimson Bears overthrow Lady Kings for region championship

JDHS clinches undefeated Southeast season with 65-43 win over Kayhi.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé players celebrate their 65-43 victory over Kayhi, winning the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Friday. Juneau-Douglas eliminated Kayhi and will advance to play at state. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Kerra Baxter makes a layup during JDHS’ 64-36 victory over Ketchikan on the first day of the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Thursday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

Crimson Bears girls defeat Kayhi 64-36 to start region tourney

JDHS’ Kerra Baxter scores 21 points, Gwen Nizich 16 in win

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Kerra Baxter makes a layup during JDHS’ 64-36 victory over Ketchikan on the first day of the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Thursday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Elias Dybdahl catches a rebound during JDHS’ 56-43 loss to Ketchikan on the first day of the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Thursday. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)

Crimson Bears boys fall 56-43 to Kayhi

Region tourney opening loss puts JDHS in a hole to reach state.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Elias Dybdahl catches a rebound during JDHS’ 56-43 loss to Ketchikan on the first day of the Region V 4A Basketball Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Thursday. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)
Wrangell’s Hailey Cook dribbles up the court against Petersburg on Feb. 22, 2025. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)

Petersburg boys, Haines girls and both Wrangell teams win opening games of 2A tournament

JDHS begins 4A play on Thursday against Ketchikan on Kings’ home court.

Wrangell’s Hailey Cook dribbles up the court against Petersburg on Feb. 22, 2025. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)
The Juneau Youth Wrestling Club boys division grapplers pose at the Tanana Middle School Wrestling Invitational at Tanana on Saturday. (Photo courtesy JYWC)

Juneau youth grapplers on Tanana state mats

JYWC claims two titles, 16 claim high placings

The Juneau Youth Wrestling Club boys division grapplers pose at the Tanana Middle School Wrestling Invitational at Tanana on Saturday. (Photo courtesy JYWC)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hockey coach Matt Boline presents JDHS junior Nolan Cruz with the #LiveLikeMatthewC Award during the Crimson Bears hockey banquet Sunday in the JDHS commons. Matthew’s mother Judy Campbell, at left, spoke to the attendees. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS hockey banquet celebrates Crimson Bears values

Individuals honored for their roles in the team dynamics.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hockey coach Matt Boline presents JDHS junior Nolan Cruz with the #LiveLikeMatthewC Award during the Crimson Bears hockey banquet Sunday in the JDHS commons. Matthew’s mother Judy Campbell, at left, spoke to the attendees. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kerra Baxter (22) scores against North Pole last weekend as sophomore Bergen Erickson (12) looks on. The Crimson Bears open the 2A/4A Region V tournament against Kayhi at 6 p.m. Thursday in Ketchikan's Clarke Cochran Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears head to Region V basketball tournament

Ketchikan hosts, JDHS hopes to spoil Kings’ home court advantage

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kerra Baxter (22) scores against North Pole last weekend as sophomore Bergen Erickson (12) looks on. The Crimson Bears open the 2A/4A Region V tournament against Kayhi at 6 p.m. Thursday in Ketchikan's Clarke Cochran Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, a giant panda held a bamboo snack with the help of a thumblike digit. (Sharon Fisher / The New York Times)

On the Trails: Little bones

We’re all familiar with the major bones of a human body, although many folks don’t know their official names. Far less well-known are some small… Continue reading

At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, a giant panda held a bamboo snack with the help of a thumblike digit. (Sharon Fisher / The New York Times)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior basketball and cheer members Saturday at George Houston Gymnasium. Back row left-to-right are Damian Efergan, Pedrin Saceda-Hurt, Ben Sikes, Ahmire Parker, Gavin Gerrin, Kerra Baxter, Cailynn Baxter and Stefano Rivera. Front l-r are Ayla Keller, Gabby Ely, Addison Wilson, Mary Johnson and Sophia Percy. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS honors seniors with weekend wins over Patriots

No homecoming hibernation for Crimson Bears against North Pole

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior basketball and cheer members Saturday at George Houston Gymnasium. Back row left-to-right are Damian Efergan, Pedrin Saceda-Hurt, Ben Sikes, Ahmire Parker, Gavin Gerrin, Kerra Baxter, Cailynn Baxter and Stefano Rivera. Front l-r are Ayla Keller, Gabby Ely, Addison Wilson, Mary Johnson and Sophia Percy. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Skagway senior Kaitlyn Tronrud (13) and Hoonah junior Easton Ross (11) rebound during Saturday’s Region V 1A Girls Runner-Up game at Thunder Mountain Middle School. Hoonah won 31-19 for the second berth to state in Anchorage. Klawock won the championship berth Friday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Skagway boys, Hoonah girls earn second Southeast berths to 1A state

Region V 1A tournament runner-up games and awards highlight Saturday action

Skagway senior Kaitlyn Tronrud (13) and Hoonah junior Easton Ross (11) rebound during Saturday’s Region V 1A Girls Runner-Up game at Thunder Mountain Middle School. Hoonah won 31-19 for the second berth to state in Anchorage. Klawock won the championship berth Friday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)