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Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters move to extinguish a trailer fire in early March. CCFR officials talk about the importance of staying fire safe as spring approaches. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Recent fires emphasize importance smoke detectors, fire awareness

Two recent fatal incidents, illegal burns prompt reminders from local fire officials

Myrna Gardner drops off a completed Easter Basket near several others Saturday inside the Juneau Moose Family Center. The baskets were dropped off with AWARE later in the day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

News

Women of the Moose decide it’s eggs-actly the right time for giving

Volunteers prep Easter baskets for AWARE.

A snowboarder stays afloat on the skim pond at Eaglecrest Ski Area as they partake in the return of the Slush Cup Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Slush Cup returns to Eaglecrest

The ski area waves goodbye to the 2022-2023 winter season.

Former professional BMX race and Olympic coach Tony Hoffman speaks to a crowed in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall Thursday afternoon about his story of overcoming addiction. His speech marked the “Final Chapter” of the Pillars of America speakers series that has been put on by the Juneau Glacier Valley Rotary Club for more than three decades. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

From prison to Pillar: Tony Hoffman shares his journey from addiction to the Olympics in final Pillars of America speech.

The speaker series is now ended.

Assembly members listen to a discussion about the near and long-term future of Juneau’s solid waste management during “Talkin’ Trash” work session held by members of the Assembly Public Works and Facilities Committee Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Juneau’s dumping dilemma: City and waste officials discuss short and long-term goals for Juneau’s dying landfill

“There is no one thing that can fix this.”

This March 10 photo shows fentanyl pills seized by police. A Juneau woman was arrested Saturday on a felony drug charge and police seized over 6,000 pills suspected to contain fentanyl. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Police: Over 6,000 fentanyl pills seized after traffic stop

A Juneau woman was arrested on a drug-related charge, after police found more than 6,000 pills, believed to…

A soccer ball rests on the field at Thunder Mountain High School. The JDHS girls bested TMHS 9-0 on Wednesday behind five goals from Peyton Wheeler. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Sports

JDHS girls see 8 goals from underclassmen in season-opener

New faces make impact in cross-town win over TMHS.

City and Borough of Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Assembly Member Michelle Bonnet Hale talk with City Manager Rorie Watt Wednesday night after the the 2024-2025 municipal budget was introduced at the city finance committee meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

City considers lowering property tax rate as budget process begins

High revenues mean bold investments, city officials say

Brian Erickson, vice president and general manager of Hecla Greens Creek Mine, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Mine VP gives update, addresses report on elevated lead levels in Hawk Inlet

“They made numerous unsupported comparisons and conclusions to support their allegation.”

The children's book "I Would Tuck You In," illustrated by Mitchell Thomas Watley, is shown at a bookstore in Portland, Ore. in this April 5, 2023 photo. Publisher Sasquatch books, owned by Penguin Random House, said Wednesday, April 5, 2023, it has ended its publishing relationship with Watley after he was arrested on allegations of leaving violent, transphobic notes in stores around Juneau, Alaska. Watley told police he was motivated by fear following a deadly school shooting in Nashville that sparked online backlash about the shooter's gender identity, court records show. (AP Photo/Claire Rush)

News

Publisher drops children’s illustrator for anti-trans notes

Sasquatch Books said it has ended the publishing relationship, will discontinue selling the books.

The series “Credible, Idiot Strings” features cotton fabric, nylon thread and steel wire to draw attention to the high rates of suicide in Alaska Native and Indigenous communities. The series is a part of the new exhibition “Visceral: Verity” on display at the Alaska State Museum and featured during the April First Friday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday

New exhibitions, live music and more

Members of the Thane Community Garden hold a sign and pose for a group photo at the location of where the new communal garden is being constructed just outside of downtown Juneau over the Sheep Creek bridge. (Courtesy Photo / Judy Sherburne)

News

New community garden coming to downtown neighborhood

Seeds are expected to be planted next month.

The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in February. The center will be closed for most of April for seasonal staff training and to prepare the center for summer visitors. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to be closed for most of April

Closure allows prep for summer.

Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on March 28 in Juneau. Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire) Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

News

House bill aims to boost Alaska Performance Scholarship use

The scholarship is awarded to support education after high school graduation

Lee Richards, a Thunder Mountain High School sophomore, gets ready to let an arrow fly during this year’s Traditional Games held Saturday and Sunday at the high school in Juneau. This year’s games were the first to feature archery. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Target acquired: Traditional Games see archery debut, record number of athletes

Dozens of teams, over 200 athletes compete.

Nancy Barnes leads the Yees Ku.oo Dancers through a performance for the opening ceremony of the sixth annual Traditional Games this Saturday at Thunder Mountain High School. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

News

Opening ceremony adds celebratory atmosphere to Traditional Games

“It just means a lot to be here.”

(Left to right): Britt Smith, President of the National Engineering Society, Floyd Dryden Middle School team members: Tyler Oudekerk, Caden Morris, Dan Degener, FDMS Coach Alan Degener and State Mathcounts Coordinator Clark Milne. FDMS team receiving their second place trophies at the state Mathcounts tournament in Fairbanks on March 25.

News

Local mathletes make trip to Fairbanks count

The Floyd Dryden Mathcounts team recently placed second in the state Mathcounts competition.

Frank Hauser, who on Friday was selected by the Juneau School District Board of Education to be the district's next superintendent, addresses members of the Juneau School Board and attendees of a Tuesday evening forum at Thunder Mountain High School. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

News

Longtime Alaska educator picked to be next Juneau superintendent

School board president gets the OK to negotiate 3-year contract with Frank Hauser.

CCFR crews work to contain a residential structure fire in the 2800 block of Engineers Cut-Off Road on Thursday afternoon where it was reported that a 51-year-old man was the only casualty. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

News

Authorities investigating fatal fire

A Juneau man died after a residential structure fire Thursday afternoon, according to Juneau Police Department.

Áakʼw Ḵwáan spokesperson Fran Houston addresses a crowd of people during a blessing ceremony on Friday at Marine Park as part of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) that will run along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Neighbors

PHOTOS: Blessing held at grounds of Kootéeyaa Deiyí

Ceremony held at future site of Totem Pole Trail.