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This graph, included in the meeting packet for Thursday’s Joint Assembly School Board Facility Planning Committee, shows “high case,” “mid-case” and “low case” scenarios for enrollment in Juneau Schools. Enrollment is projected to decline by over 1,000 students in the mid-case scenario. (Screenshot)

News

A schooling in subtraction: Report projects drop in Juneau’s student enrollment over next 10 years

“Mid-range” forecast shows over 1,000-student reduction by 2032.

This undated photo shows Rosemary Hagevig, who passed away on Thursday after a battle with illness. Hagevig is remembered as a consummate volunteer and longtime community lynchpin. (Courtesy Photo / Candy Behrends)

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‘A consummate community volunteer’: Rosemary Hagevig, former Juneau citizen of the year, dies

Hagevig served two terms on the Assembly, was one of 11 Alaskans to carry the Olympic Torch in…

This photo shows a stack of pocket constitutions at the Alaska State Capitol. A broad coalition has formed in opposition to a potential State Constitution Convention. Alaskans are asked every 10 years on ballots whether a convention should be held. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

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Coalition to oppose constitutional convention grows

A lot could change.

Robert Barr, deputy city manager; Rorie Watt, city manager; Jeff Rogers, city finance director and Adrien Speegle, a budget analyst, participate Wednesday night in a City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Uncertainty looms as city begins its budget process

A deficit is projected, additional federal funds are not.

This public domain image shows the Golden Bridge in Vladivostok, Russia. After a narrow vote by the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, the Russian city and Juneau are still sister cities.

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Assembly narrowly rejects suspending relationship with Russian sister city

“People, not government,” was the prevailing sentiment.

Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, rings up purchases while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 is scheduled to close in August if a new owner can’t be found. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

J&J Deli and Asian Mart, a local favorite for 43 years, faces closure in August unless a new owner is found

Owner says pending closure is due to health rather than economic reasons.

Annie Bartholomew and Miguel Rohrbacher, Juneau artists, kick off the 2022 Alaska Folk Festival to a standing ovation at Centennial Hall on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Alaska Folk Festival begins with a roar

The nearly half-century old festival is back in person.

A black bear looks around near the Shrine of St. Therese in 2021. Experts said bears will soon be returning the Juneau’s urban environs. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

News

Be bear-aware as furry neighbors return to Juneau

It’s almost opening day for the cubs.

Thunder Mountain High School was briefly locked down on Tuesday afternoon as police dealt with a nearby situation. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

TMHS locked down briefly after report of nearby gunshots

A suspect was taken into custody, and no injuries have been reported.

Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

News

With federal funds falling away, city readies its budget

City eyes an initial defecit.

A.J. Wilson, 17, DeAndre Pittman, 16, and Elora Johnson, 16, eat lunch Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. They, like many students, agree the free meals available during the pandemic are worth continuing if funding can be found after it ends June 30, but they are likely to look off-campus for food if they are required to pay for school lunches again. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

With federal funding ending, full-priced school lunches could be on the menu for many students next year

District hopes to continue to offer free breakfast, “reasonably priced” lunches.

This conceptual rendering shows what a proposed welcome center near the the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center would look like. The center is part of a proposed overhaul for the popular recreation area. (U.S. Forest Service)

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Mendenhall overhaul: Residents ask questions about expansion plans during webinar

Residents ask questions about expansion plans during webinar.

The boards of the Glory Hall and Juneau Housing First Collaborative are merging, aiming to complete the process by July 1. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Glory Hall and Juneau Housing First boards to merge

Users won’t notice any difference.

Featured artist Jill Kaasteen Meserve designed the logo gracing the front of Tidal Echoes’ 2022 edition. (Courtesy photo / Tidal Echoes)

News

Loss and birds: UAS releases annual literary journal

Eased restrictions streamlined the production, but the release event will still be online.

Rep. Sara Hannan (D-Juneau) speaks during a Friday fundraising dinner and silent auction for the people of Ukraine at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall which raised more than $30,000. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Tens of thousands raised at fundraiser for Ukraine

The fundraiser for UNICEF’s Ukraine mission was a huge success, said organizers.

Jake Blount, an award winning banjo player, is the featured artist for the Alaska Folk Festival’s 2022 show. (Courtesy photo / Michael Last)

News

Q&A: Renowned East Coast banjo performer to headline Folk Fest

Drawing his inspiration from Black and Indigenous communties back east, Blount is the featured artist for 2022.

The Juneau Police Department stood up a new missing persons database to help the community in the search for the lost. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

News

Police launch local missing people database

It’s meant to help the police and community work together to find missing persons more quickly.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Riverbend Elementary School principal Elizabeth Pisel-Davis gestures at drawings of things schoolchildren were thankful for that currently decorate the walls of the school after massive flooding from a burst pipe in January meant much the school’s interior had to be gutted.

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New walls, news roof, new name: Riverbend undergoing major changes

The school board will vote on the name change in April.

JDHS’ Jake Sleppy, right, vies for the ball in a tipoff against TMHS during the regular basketball season. JDHS just ended their season with an unsuccessful championship attempt. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Sports

JDHS boys end season at state tournament

The long season gave players lots of time to refine their game.

A map from the Alaska Redistricting Board shows proposed House Districts in Anchorage, two of which were the subject of a lawsuit against the board for their being paired together in a single senate seat.The Alaska Supreme Court Ruled Friday the board acted unconstitutionally in one of its Senate district pairings. (Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board)

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Alaska Supreme Court says redistricting board acted unconstitutionally

A tight timeline.