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Chum salmon, like the kind seen here as a man examines the fish ladder at the Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc. hatchery on Channel Drive on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, have had lower returns this year according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists, even as fisheries in Bristol Bay are breaking records. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Salmon returns set records in Bristol Bay while Southeast runs struggle

Prices are up all around.

 

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Coeur Alaska will likely be able to expand their facilities at the Kensington Gold Mine including the Tailing Treatment Facility, seen here in this October 2019 photo, after the U.S. Forest Service announced it intends to approve the company’s proposal to extend the mine’s life by 10 years. Operations were expected to end in 2023 under a plan approved in 2005.

Forest Service set to approve Kensington expansion

Objections period is open.

 

Kristi Peel checks in her electric vehicle with a volunteer ahead of a road rally held Saturday in Juneau for Earth Day. Previously, Peel said she was the proud owner of the first Chrysler PT Cruise in town. However, after about two decades and 80,000 miles, she purchased her late model Chevrolet Bolt. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Rally generates excitement for electric vehicles

Going for green.

 

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks in an interview at the Empire's offices in Juneau on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Murkowski said rare earth resources was an area Alaska could, and should, take advantage of. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Could rare earth minerals be Alaska’s edge?

Green tech and defense tech.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks in an interview at the Empire's offices in Juneau on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Murkowski said rare earth resources was an area Alaska could, and should, take advantage of. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Alan Wilson

Insulation and energy efficient buildings

Discussing local solutions to climate change with Alan Wilson.

Alan Wilson
Juneau poet Lin Davis reads a poem at a demonstration in Dimond Court Plaza across from the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. Dozens of protestors gathered to support strong actions by the state to combat climate change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Environmentalists welcome lawmakers with call to action

Fossil fuel-free Alaska?

Juneau poet Lin Davis reads a poem at a demonstration in Dimond Court Plaza across from the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. Dozens of protestors gathered to support strong actions by the state to combat climate change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
There are a number of ways you can save energy as Juneau flirts with having actual winter weather over the weekend. (Unsplash / Wilhelm Gunkel)

Want to keep energy costs down? Local experts make recommendations

Cold is temporary but savings are savings.

There are a number of ways you can save energy as Juneau flirts with having actual winter weather over the weekend. (Unsplash / Wilhelm Gunkel)
In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

Dunleavy: State will appeal Pebble decision

A “flawed decision.”

In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo | Chris Miller)

Tulsequah Chief Mine moves closer to clean up

60 years of effort.

In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo | Chris Miller)
The Tailings Treatment Facility and Upper Slate Lake at the Kensington Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. The mine's owner Coeur Alaska wants to expand the life of Kengsington by at least 10 years which will require expansion of the lake which is a concern to environmentalists. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Coeur is committed to environment in expansion, mine manager says

Public comment ends Dec. 14.

The Tailings Treatment Facility and Upper Slate Lake at the Kensington Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. The mine's owner Coeur Alaska wants to expand the life of Kengsington by at least 10 years which will require expansion of the lake which is a concern to environmentalists. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A banner protesting resource extraction in the Arctic was hung from a building in downtown Juneau on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Similar banners were hung in cities around the state and nation, part of a protest mounted by Alaska Native activists. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Banner day: Activists display anti-drilling message throughout state

A Not For Sale sign.

A banner protesting resource extraction in the Arctic was hung from a building in downtown Juneau on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Similar banners were hung in cities around the state and nation, part of a protest mounted by Alaska Native activists. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rule recommendation met with both praise and distrust

Rule recommendation met with both praise and distrust

Tongass may see ‘complete exemption.’

Rule recommendation met with both praise and distrust
Rare white killer whale spotted in Southeast

Rare white killer whale spotted in Southeast

It could be heading our way.

Rare white killer whale spotted in Southeast
Shoes stand in for protesters at Capitol

Shoes stand in for protesters at Capitol

There’s a protest afoot.

Shoes stand in for protesters at Capitol
President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Washington. Trump said Wednesday he would “listen to both sides” after his eldest son and a campaign adviser urged him to intervene to block a proposed copper and gold mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Trump says he’ll listen to both sides on Alaska mine project

Pebble problems.

President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Washington. Trump said Wednesday he would “listen to both sides” after his eldest son and a campaign adviser urged him to intervene to block a proposed copper and gold mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Some salmon return, but ‘not nearly enough’

Some salmon return, but ‘not nearly enough’

Fishermen are hurting.

Some salmon return, but ‘not nearly enough’
This Toxics Release Inventory map included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual TRI analysis shows facilities throughout the state that reported the release of toxic chemicals to the EPA. Releases include permitted releases and movement of waste rock. (Courtesy Photo | Environmental Protection Agency)

Opinion: Red Dog has strong environmental track record

Every year the EPA issues its annual Toxic Release (TRI) Inventory, and every year it creates confusion and misinformation regarding the Red Dog zinc mine… Continue reading

This Toxics Release Inventory map included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual TRI analysis shows facilities throughout the state that reported the release of toxic chemicals to the EPA. Releases include permitted releases and movement of waste rock. (Courtesy Photo | Environmental Protection Agency)
EPA: Alaska led nation in toxic chemical release

EPA: Alaska led nation in toxic chemical release

Mining is a big reason why.

EPA: Alaska led nation in toxic chemical release
Dead yellow cedar could be a viable timber product, study says

Dead yellow cedar could be a viable timber product, study says

Dead trees can still be sold.

Dead yellow cedar could be a viable timber product, study says
2019 will be Alaska’s warmest year on record, and it looks like that’s going to continue

2019 will be Alaska’s warmest year on record, and it looks like that’s going to continue

“Temperatures have nowhere to go but up.”

2019 will be Alaska’s warmest year on record, and it looks like that’s going to continue