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The Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa totem pole was re-installed at its new home in the attrium of the State Office Building on Friday, March 11, 2022. Workers from Alaska Electric Light and Power helped install the pole. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Totem pole rededication ceremony emphasizes tradition, togetherness

“It represents history.”

This Empire file photo shows students at Floyd Dryden Middle School, Jan. 11, 2021, with desks separated to accommodate for COVID-19 social distancing protocols. The Juneau School District announced masks would become optional indoors on April 4, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

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Juneau schools to make masks optional starting April 4

A little breathing room.

A Navy TALON robot examines a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in front of the Alaska State Capitol on March 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Teamwork makes the dream work: Navy, JPD hold bomb drill outside capitol building

It’s good to know what to do before a crisis happens.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
A boat at the Fisherman’s Bend pier caught fire Tuesday night, injuring one person, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue.

News

One injured in Auke Bay boat fire

The cause of the engine fire is under investigation.

The Alaska Folk Festival will take place at Centennial Hall from April 4-10 after two years of being curtailed sharply by the pandemic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Folk Fest returns full force to Juneau

The 47th annual performance of the event returns to live concerts with a roar.

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Brandon sits off Auke Bay after offloading passengers on March 6, 2022 as part of exercise Arctic Edge 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Freedom of the seas: Royal Canadian Navy practices minesweeping outside Juneau

The practice comes as part of an Alaska-wide exercise.

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New series seeks to empower people, provide tools for fighting climate change

“The whole idea is providing people with tools and empowering people.”

Concept art from the U.S. Forest Service's draft environmental impact statement should what a proposed expansion at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center could look like. The Forest Service is currently taking public comment on the expansion and will hold an open house at the visitor center on March 15. (Courtesy Image / U.S. Forest Service)

News

Forest Service presents revised Mendenhall expansion plans

Four alternatives.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
The Mendenhall Wetlands, among the lowest parts of Juneau, are still considerably higher out of the water than the area used to be, said the city’s port engineer.

News

Sea levels projected to rise nationwide, but Juneau faces different changes

The uplift of the land is actually outsripping sea level rise here in Juneau

Alaska Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce selects Edie Grunwald to be his running mate at a campaign event at Paradisos restaurant in Kenai on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

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Pierce taps Grunwald, former parole board chair, as running mate

KENAI —Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, a hopeful for the Alaska governor’s seat, has tapped Edie Grunwald…

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News

Masking requirement dropped for most city facilities

Schools, the hospital, the airport and public transit are subject to different rules.

A man involved in a fatal accident at the Glory Hall has been indicted for murder. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

News

Man involved in fatal fall indicted for murder

He’s currently being held at Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire 
Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corporation, to divest itself from any Russian investment.

News

Protesters, politicians call for cutting financial ties to Russia

The governor issued a statment directing state agencies to identify and divest, if appropriate.

U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Andrew Britten
Two Avenger Air Defense Systems sit on a flatbed trailer Feb. 25 at the Port of Anchorage for exercise Arctic Edge 2022.

News

Military holds major Arctic exercise across Alaska

From Juneau to the Arctic Circle, servicemembers will be practicing their cold-weather warfare.

Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, spoke to the Senate Education Committee on Thursday, March 3, 2022, regarding a bill that would prevent transgender athletes from competing as the sex they identify with. (Screenshot)

News

Hearing held for restrictive transgender sports bill

Opponents say courts will strike it down.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé basketball teams will face Thunder Mountain High School one last time in regular season play this weekend, as the school also hosts Senior Night and a suicide prevention event. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Sports

JDHS prepares to end regular basketball season with eventful weekend

Senior Night and suicide prevention

Team Forget-Me-Not poses with the 2nd place trophy for the Ice Sports Industry 2022 Winter Classic in San Jose, California. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Skating Club)

Sports

Juneau Skating Club ices 2nd in travel tournament

Against bigger teams with significantly easier commutes, they carved to a solid second.

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly recently passed amendements linking all harbor fees to the consumer price index and raising the dockage fees, which applies primarily to large vessels reserving mooring at city piers, such as the Don D. Statter Harbor breakwater. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Amendment passes increasing dockage fee

Harbor fees are now linked to consumer price index.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney stopped by the Empire offices in Juneau on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, to talk about the system's future. Mostly recovered from budget cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic, Pitney said the university is ready to start building Alaska's workforce. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

News

Pitney: UA ready to train Alaska’s workforce

‘Getting people through the pipeline.’

In this Jan. 6, 2017 photo, Juneau residents participate in the World’s Largest Lesson at Eaglecrest Ski Area. On Monday, CBJ Assembly conditionally approved acquisition of a new gondola for the ski area. Before it can come to town, the lift system will need to be inspected and a further report will be given to city officials. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

City takes big step toward acquiring $2M gondola

A split vote breaks in favor of buying the lift system.