A rainbow appears over downtown as residents check out rows of electric vehicles at Juneau’s EV E-bike Roundup Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Capital city celebrates 10th annual Juneau EV and E-bike Roundup

Juneau’s electric vehicle growth among fastest in the country, organizers say.

 

This is a photo of Juneau International Airport. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Email threat to Alaska airports doesn’t appear credible, police say

Heightened presence of officers at Juneau airport planned Friday.

 

Samantha Crain, of the Choctaw Nation, sings to the crowd during a performance Thursday night as part of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘It’s pure resiliency’: Áak’w Rock kicks off

The three-day Indigenous music festival attracts full crowds during its first night.

Samantha Crain, of the Choctaw Nation, sings to the crowd during a performance Thursday night as part of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Soon-departing Assembly member and Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski smiles for a photo at her seat in the Assembly chambers Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Soon-departing Assembly member and Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski smiles for a photo at her seat in the Assembly chambers Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly was in full attendance sporting the color pink while conducting a meeting in early July in honor of departing member Carole Triem. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau Assembly attendance report card: Bryson, Hale and Smith get perfect scores

Members talk importance of getting involved during meetings, commitment to long hours.

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly was in full attendance sporting the color pink while conducting a meeting in early July in honor of departing member Carole Triem. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
The is a photo of the Juneau School District building in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau not among multiple Alaska school districts receiving bomb threats

Alaska State Troopers and FBI are investigating the source of the threat.

The is a photo of the Juneau School District building in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May. Short-term rental operators in Juneau have until Oct. 8 to register their units with the City and Borough of Juneau before they face a $25 daily fine. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Registration deadline approaching for short-term rental operators in Juneau

As of Monday, 117 units have been registered out of the nearly 600 estimated in the capital city.

Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May. Short-term rental operators in Juneau have until Oct. 8 to register their units with the City and Borough of Juneau before they face a $25 daily fine. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A whale surfaces near an Alaska Tales Whale Watching boat in early September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Whale watching operators recommend solutions to industry impact ahead of 2024 season

Limiting number of boats, speeds and “whale sighting guaranteed” marketing among recommendations

A whale surfaces near an Alaska Tales Whale Watching boat in early September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Saturday will mark first day without cruise ships since early May

Nearly 1.5 million cruise ship passengers have arrived in Juneau so far this season.

Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A sign paid for by Save Juneau sits in a yard on South Douglas. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Campaign group opposing new City Hall backs four candidates

Save Juneau supports Assembly candidates “who are most likely to give taxpayers relief,” chair says.

A sign paid for by Save Juneau sits in a yard on South Douglas. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Longtime Juneau drag pillar Gigi Monroe leads a dance alongside other performers during the eighth annual GLITZ drag show at the Centennial Hall ballroom Saturday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Photos: GLITZ returns

Hundreds turn out for the eighth annual drag show’s first fall debut.

Longtime Juneau drag pillar Gigi Monroe leads a dance alongside other performers during the eighth annual GLITZ drag show at the Centennial Hall ballroom Saturday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A police officer stands on duty in early March. On Friday the City and Borough of Juneau announced three police chief finalists. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City announces finalists for new police chief

Selection includes two out-of-state candidates, one from within the department.

A police officer stands on duty in early March. On Friday the City and Borough of Juneau announced three police chief finalists. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
This is a photo collage of the candidates running for local office in the 2023 City and Borough of Juneau municipal election. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

2023 Juneau Election Guide

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the City and Borough of Juneau’s Oct. 3 local election.

This is a photo collage of the candidates running for local office in the 2023 City and Borough of Juneau municipal election. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Chilkat weaver Anna Brown Ehlers smiles while on stage at the 2023 University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony in May. Ehler’s was bestowed a honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts during the event. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau master Chilkat weaver Anna Brown Ehlers named Rasmuson distinguished artist

Multiple Southeast Alaska artists recognized by the foundation earlier this week.

Chilkat weaver Anna Brown Ehlers smiles while on stage at the 2023 University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony in May. Ehler’s was bestowed a honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts during the event. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
An inmate stands near a bunk at Lemon Creek Correctional Center on Monday. The prison is at about 45% capacity as it is currently undergoing structural repairs and renovations following “extreme wet weather” last fall that caused instability at certain locations and prompted emergency repairs. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau prison at 45% inmate capacity as structural repairs continue

Transferred inmates expected to return upon project completion slated November 2024, officials say.

An inmate stands near a bunk at Lemon Creek Correctional Center on Monday. The prison is at about 45% capacity as it is currently undergoing structural repairs and renovations following “extreme wet weather” last fall that caused instability at certain locations and prompted emergency repairs. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, City and Borough of Juneau Areawide Assembly candidates Paul Kelly, Laura Martinson McDonnell and Ella Adkison are the top three candidates so far this municipal election to raise the most funds, according to their campaign finance records with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
From left to right, City and Borough of Juneau Areawide Assembly candidates Paul Kelly, Laura Martinson McDonnell and Ella Adkison are the top three candidates so far this municipal election to raise the most funds, according to their campaign finance records with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Retiring City and Borough of Juneau Manager Rorie Watt smiles as he is honored during an Assembly meeting Monday night. Watt will be officially departing at the end of September after announcing his plan to retire in April. Public Works and Engineering Director Katie Koester was selected to take over the role. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Assembly bids farewell to retiring City Manager Rorie Watt

He was honored Monday during an Assembly meeting ahead of his departure at the end of September.

Retiring City and Borough of Juneau Manager Rorie Watt smiles as he is honored during an Assembly meeting Monday night. Watt will be officially departing at the end of September after announcing his plan to retire in April. Public Works and Engineering Director Katie Koester was selected to take over the role. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Wade Bryson listen to public testimony Monday night about whether the city should adopt new maps that show updated landslide and avalanche risk downtown. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Assembly sends hazard maps back to committee following public opposition

The move follows multiple rounds of public testimony advocating against the maps’ adoption.

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Wade Bryson listen to public testimony Monday night about whether the city should adopt new maps that show updated landslide and avalanche risk downtown. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Deputy City Manager Robert Barr shares an update with the Assembly Monday evening following Resurrection Lutheran Church’s decision to not host the city’s cold weather emergency shelter this year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City’s struggle to provide a winter homeless shelter continues

Combination of downtown transit center and bus considered as church again rejects hosting shelter.

Deputy City Manager Robert Barr shares an update with the Assembly Monday evening following Resurrection Lutheran Church’s decision to not host the city’s cold weather emergency shelter this year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)