Site Logo
People attend a candlelit vigil that was held at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to honor Paul Rodriguez Jr., pictured, who drowned while kayaking on Mendenhall Lake in July. The search for his body has been called off following the record flooding from Suicide Basin during the weekend, officials say. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Search for body of missing kayaker will not resume following flood

It will remain suspended unless new leads are discovered, trooper says.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg gives a speech in Washington in early May. Buttigieg is expected to arrive in Juneau next Wednesday a part of a three-day tour traveling to several communities in Alaska. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

News

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to arrive in Juneau next week

This visit is a part of a three-day tour of Alaska communities and infrastructure.

A statue of William Henry Seward stands outside the Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau. The family of a Juneau man who died after suffering a blunt-force neck injury filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Carver Construction LLC, arguing it breached its duty to ensure the family’s residence was reasonably safe amid ongoing renovations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Family files wrongful death suit against Juneau construction company

Fatal fall in 2021 the result of company’s breach of duty, lawsuit states.

City and Borough of Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon (far left), Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski (middle) and Assembly member Michelle Bonnet Hale listen during a special Assembly meeting Monday night where members OK’d a resolution to seek state and federal funding following record flooding over the weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

City seeks state, federal assistance in aftermath of record Suicide Basin flooding

Assembly votes in special meeting to OK resolution requesting state action.

Rows of houses line roads near Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

City considers funding boost to accessory dwelling grant program

Assembly move forward in committee to extend the program, increase grant amount.

Debris from one partially destroyed house lies on the bank of the Mendenhall River while a large portion of an adjacent house hangs over the riverbank at midday Sunday following record flooding Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Cleanup begins as city declares Suicide Basin flooding a local emergency

Salvage efforts are underway Sunday as water rapidly recedes.

April Rezendes (left) and Jenna Wiersma (right) embrace at the finish line after completing the Aukeman Triathlon at the University of Alaska Southeast campus on Sunday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

The race must go on: Athletes compete in Aukeman Triathlon despite flood disruptions

A quick change of course meant a successful and safe race Sunday morning, officials say.

Hospital CEO David Keith speaks to residents and hospital officials who gathered at Bartlett Regional Hospital’s new behavioral health and crisis stabilization center unveiling in June. On Tuesday hospital officials announced his resignation after less than a year in the position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Hospital to consider interim CEO options in the coming week

The plan follows resignations of Bartlett Regional Hospital’s CEO and CFO announced this week.

A bear hangs out on a rock during a sunny evening in the Amalga Harbor area in late July. (David Rigas / Juneau Empire)

News

Two bears in Juneau are breaking into cars again

However, overall incidents in the capital city have been minimal, officials say.

Bradley Earl Reger, a former Echo Ranch Bible Camp volunteer, has been arrested and is suspected of sexually abusing numerous boys on religious trips across the globe, including Alaska, for more than a decade. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Former Echo Ranch volunteer pleads not guilty in California for alleged sex abuse of boys

“We are grieved by the reports about sexual abuse by Bradley Reger,” the camp’s parent ministry states.

Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, calls out an order while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 closed on Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

J&J Deli and Asian Mart closes its doors after more than four decades

The business was greeted with a final flood of customers during the Monday lunch hour.

City Public Works and Engineering Director Katie Koester smiles for a photo downtown Wednesday evening. Koester was selected by the Assembly to serve as the next city manager following the retirement of Rorie Watt in September. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

City selects familiar face to serve as next manager

Public Works and Engineering’s Katie Koester will take over the role from outgoing Rorie Watt.

U.S. Coast Guard personnel conducts a rescue of a man aboard a commercial fishing vessel that began taking on water in Gastineau Channel Tuesday morning. (Courtesy / Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska)

News

Coast Guard: No injuries reported after fishing vessel nearly sinks in Juneau

No environmental impacts reported at this time, spokesperson says

Bartlett Regional Hospital CEO David Keith listens during a city Assembly meeting in February. On Tuesday hospital officials announced his resignation after less than a year in the position. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Bartlett Regional Hospital CEO, CFO resign after less than a year in positions

The departure of David Keith and Sam Muse comes in wake of alleged behavioral health care crisis.

Longtime Juneau Board of Education member Brian Holst listens during a board meeting in May. Holst rescinded his run for candidacy for a fourth term on the board late last week. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Longtime school board member rescinds candidacy

Brian Holst pulls from race days after submitting, set to step away after nine years.

A construction worker uses machinery Monday afternoon while working on the construction site of Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s revived Haven House. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Revived Haven House means safety and stability for women after incarceration

The construction of the non-congregate shelter is expected to be completed in spring 2024.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Juneau Chief of Police Ed Mercer speaks to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon ahead of his retirement slated for Monday, July 31.

News

Police chief talks recruitment woes, threat of illegal drugs ahead of retirement

Ed Mercer gives his final talk to the Chamber days before his departure from department.

A section of safety rail ends into a bull rail along the downtown cruise ship docks in July. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

Dock and Harbors moves forward with proposed $2M installation of Seawalk safety railings

Safety concerns cited as reason for potential project.

This is a photo of humpback whales surfacing near a Juneau Tours and Whale Watch boat. (Courtesy / Juneau Tours and Whale Watch)

News

Unlimited numbers of whale watching boats causing wave of concern

Local operators and industry officials create committee to address impacts, potential limits.

Roald Simonson, a longtime resident of Juneau’s Telephone Hill, walks down Dixon Street in the Telephone Hill area on Wednesday evening. He said he plans to attend the upcoming city hosted meeting to discuss possible redevelopment plans for the area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

City to hold open house to discuss future fate of Telephone Hill

The meeting next Wednesday invites residents to share their ideas for the downtown land.