News

A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska scientists pen letter backing salmon measure

Former scientists and fisheries managers are taking sides over Ballot Measure 1.

A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sonia Nagorski, assistant professor of Geology Arts and Sciences at the University of Alaska Southeast, investigates the broken oxbow along the Mendenhall River on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. The river cut through the meander bend just north of the Brotherhood Bridge last this summer. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

How a breakthrough in the Mendenhall River changes erosion near Brotherhood Bridge

It’s mid-morning at an oxbow on the Mendenhall River, and signs of change are all around. A handful of spruce trees, felled by river erosion,… Continue reading

Sonia Nagorski, assistant professor of Geology Arts and Sciences at the University of Alaska Southeast, investigates the broken oxbow along the Mendenhall River on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. The river cut through the meander bend just north of the Brotherhood Bridge last this summer. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this Empire file photo from 2012, Laurent Dick photographs the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. A professor who studies coastal zone management will give a talk today at the University of Alaska Southeast. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Visiting professor to talk education innovation at UAS lecture

Sean Anderson, Ph.D., thinks universities should be doing business differently. Undergraduate science students should be in the field collecting data for long-term research projects, not… Continue reading

In this Empire file photo from 2012, Laurent Dick photographs the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. A professor who studies coastal zone management will give a talk today at the University of Alaska Southeast. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File) The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Prince of Wales wolf hunt numbers set

Once feared endangered, wolf numbers on fourth-largest U.S. island have rebounded.

The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File) The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The new invasive bryozoan, Bugula neritina. (Courtesy Photo | Melissa Frey, Royal B.C. Museum via University of Alaska)

Invasive invertebrate discovered near Ketchikan

They’re called sea lace, moss animals and Bugula neritina to scientists — and they’re not supposed to be here. But they are here, scientists say.… Continue reading

The new invasive bryozoan, Bugula neritina. (Courtesy Photo | Melissa Frey, Royal B.C. Museum via University of Alaska)
In this file photo from 2015, a protester stands next to rubber boots on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol during a rally to bring attention to the long-term protection of transboundary waters, principally the Taku, Stikine and Unuk watersheds. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s congressional delegation pens another transboundary letter

It urges the State Department to protect Alaska’s watersheds.

In this file photo from 2015, a protester stands next to rubber boots on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol during a rally to bring attention to the long-term protection of transboundary waters, principally the Taku, Stikine and Unuk watersheds. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Unsplash.com stock image.

Opinion: Tracking the Outside money in Alaska politics

Since its inception, the Alaska Policy Forum has been guided by a vision of continuously growing prosperity in Alaska. Our work is to support policy… Continue reading

Unsplash.com stock image.
Flyfishing guide Mark Hieronymus speaks during the public comment period for the new Roadless Rule advisory committee at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Roadless rule committee questioned at first meeting

More roads may be built on the Tongass National Forest with the creation of a new Alaska-specific version of the national roadless rule. A committee… Continue reading

Flyfishing guide Mark Hieronymus speaks during the public comment period for the new Roadless Rule advisory committee at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees Kim Raum-Suryan, left, Alicia Schuler, middle, and Aleria Jensen speak to Sayeik Gastineau Community School students about ocean conservancy on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. Gastineau is one of two Juneau schools to start an Ocean Guardian program, which will work to clean up local shorelines and advocate for ocean issues. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Juneau schools launch Ocean Guardian program to combat marine mess

Students at Sayéik Gastineau Community School rummaged through trash at a school assembly on Friday. A shark, a dolphin, a salmon and a warrior looked… Continue reading

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees Kim Raum-Suryan, left, Alicia Schuler, middle, and Aleria Jensen speak to Sayeik Gastineau Community School students about ocean conservancy on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. Gastineau is one of two Juneau schools to start an Ocean Guardian program, which will work to clean up local shorelines and advocate for ocean issues. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Gov accepts climate change plan

Gov accepts climate change plan

The non-binding plan calls for carbon tax, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Gov accepts climate change plan
A dead sockeye salmon, dried in an interesting shape, in the Bristol Bay watershed on August 9, 2018. (Mary Catharine Martin | SalmonState)

The Salmon State: “Surfing the salmon wave” in Bristol Bay

By mid-August Bristol Bay’s river systems are choked with fish, but early July, when most of the bay’s sockeye salmon are fighting their way in… Continue reading

A dead sockeye salmon, dried in an interesting shape, in the Bristol Bay watershed on August 9, 2018. (Mary Catharine Martin | SalmonState)
Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say

Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say

Alaska, Washington and Oregon representatives settled negotiation Monday with Canada on how to share dwindling Chinook salmon harvests through a 10-year international treaty. The agreement,… Continue reading

Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say
Opinion: DEC Cruise Ship Program protects Alaska’s air and water

Opinion: DEC Cruise Ship Program protects Alaska’s air and water

Each year over a million visitors travel to Alaska on cruise ships, which are essentially floating resorts. As you’d expect from any resort, they generate… Continue reading

Opinion: DEC Cruise Ship Program protects Alaska’s air and water
Youth take mantle during ocean cleanup day

Youth take mantle during ocean cleanup day

The generation to face the biggest issues with marine debris will take the issue on locally.

Youth take mantle during ocean cleanup day
National Forest System Acting Deputy Chief Chris French speaks at a public informational meeting on Thursday on development of an Alaska-specific version of the national Roadless Rule. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Skepticism at first Alaska Roadless Rule meeting

As rulemaking process begins, Juneau meeting draws out public’s skepticism.

National Forest System Acting Deputy Chief Chris French speaks at a public informational meeting on Thursday on development of an Alaska-specific version of the national Roadless Rule. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Metro Creative Connection stock image

Local volunteers meeting up Saturday to clean up coastline

This Saturday, people around the world are hitting the beach in the name of taking care of the environment. International Coastal Cleanup Day is Saturday,… Continue reading

Metro Creative Connection stock image
The Holland America Line ship Amsterdam sits at port in Juneau on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. The Amsterdam is one of eight ships that have received Notice of Violations for air opacity issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Air violations issued to eight cruise ships

It’s the highest number of violations handed out in all but four years.

The Holland America Line ship Amsterdam sits at port in Juneau on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. The Amsterdam is one of eight ships that have received Notice of Violations for air opacity issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Resolving the long-running conflict between state and federal governments over the “Roadless Rule” in the Tongass National Forest is the purpose of a memorandum of understanding announced Aug. 2. (AP Photo | Juneau Empire File)

Meeting looks to spur feedback about Roadless Rule

The first of two Juneau meetings asking for public feedback on the Roadless Rule is taking place this Thursday. The U.S. Forest Service is looking… Continue reading

Resolving the long-running conflict between state and federal governments over the “Roadless Rule” in the Tongass National Forest is the purpose of a memorandum of understanding announced Aug. 2. (AP Photo | Juneau Empire File)
The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, seen docking in Juneau on Tuesday in a screenshot from an Empire video. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Video

Ship exhaust generates flurry of complaints

As exhaust emissions poured from the Norwegian Pearl’s exhaust stack, so too did complaints to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, seen docking in Juneau on Tuesday in a screenshot from an Empire video. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Video
About 200 protesters attended a rally for climate change action at the Alaska Capitol on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Conserve, convert, cooperate: Lead Obama climate scientist rallies Juneau

Dr. Don Wuebbles, a former climate scientist for the Obama administration, led a chant outside the Alaska Capitol building on Saturday morning. Before him on… Continue reading

About 200 protesters attended a rally for climate change action at the Alaska Capitol on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)