News

This image shows a schematic design of the exterior the Municipal Way Building downtown that was recently purchased by the Sealaska Heritage Institute. (Sealaska Heritage Institute)

SHI purchases downtown building for Indigenous teaching program expansion

The building is adjacent to its downtown Walter Soboleff Building.

This image shows a schematic design of the exterior the Municipal Way Building downtown that was recently purchased by the Sealaska Heritage Institute. (Sealaska Heritage Institute)
The three generations of Wileys who have operated the Ben Franklin Store are shown inside the shop. Seated are Fred and Sally Wiley, holding a painting of the 1930s Blomgren Building. Standing are Meagan Wiley Bishop and her father Mike Wiley who currently run the popular downtown Front Street business. (Michael Penn / Downtown Business Association)

Rooted in Community: The Wiley family celebrates 50 years in Front Street’s Blomgren Building

A downtown historic district fire 100 years ago made way for one of Juneau’s most enduring downtown businesses: the Ben Franklin store. After the Heidelberg… Continue reading

The three generations of Wileys who have operated the Ben Franklin Store are shown inside the shop. Seated are Fred and Sally Wiley, holding a painting of the 1930s Blomgren Building. Standing are Meagan Wiley Bishop and her father Mike Wiley who currently run the popular downtown Front Street business. (Michael Penn / Downtown Business Association)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Two teens arrested on burglary charges

Both suspects have been taken to Johnson Youth Center.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Klukwan’s Michael Ganey, center, shoots against Hydaburg’s Ben Young in the C final at the 2019 Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. The tournament returns this March after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

After a 3-year break, Gold Medal basketball is almost here

“This tournament is a generational thing.”

Klukwan’s Michael Ganey, center, shoots against Hydaburg’s Ben Young in the C final at the 2019 Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. The tournament returns this March after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
TMHS junior Lance Nierra (3) races toward the hoop while defended by Palmer senior Chad Landon (22). Nierra finished the game with 6 points. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS wins handily against Palmer

Falcons never looked back after a 26-point first quarter.

TMHS junior Lance Nierra (3) races toward the hoop while defended by Palmer senior Chad Landon (22). Nierra finished the game with 6 points. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Signs supporting Kenai Peninsula Borough mayoral candidates Peter Micciche and Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings are staked in the snow at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Former state Senate president leads in Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor race

A runoff is still possible with 1,700 ballots uncounted.

Signs supporting Kenai Peninsula Borough mayoral candidates Peter Micciche and Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings are staked in the snow at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
People walk the docks as the sun sets in downtown Juneau in August 2022. The City and Borough of Juneau is seeking comments from residents on how they want the city to spend its marine passenger fee money. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)

City seeks comments on how to spend projected $21.5M marine passenger fee funds

More than 25 projects are being recommended.

People walk the docks as the sun sets in downtown Juneau in August 2022. The City and Borough of Juneau is seeking comments from residents on how they want the city to spend its marine passenger fee money. (Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)
The Thunder Mountain High School boys returned from a four-game road trip with a new win and three losses. The Falcons on Thursday were set to start a three-game homestand with a game against Palmer and two conference games against Ketchikan. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

The Falcons have landed: TMHS boys to play three home games after four on the road

Palmer Thursday, Ketchikan on Friday and Saturday.

The Thunder Mountain High School boys returned from a four-game road trip with a new win and three losses. The Falcons on Thursday were set to start a three-game homestand with a game against Palmer and two conference games against Ketchikan. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Fresh snow clings to pine trees in the Mendenhall Valley area Tuesday afternoon.

The worst of recent winter storm is over

Officials say on-and-off rain and snow are expected through the weekend

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Fresh snow clings to pine trees in the Mendenhall Valley area Tuesday afternoon.
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Man arrested on drug charges after suspicious package seized

K-9 Buddy assists JPD and SEACAD.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
TMHS junior Mikah Caradang puts up a 3-point shot in the second quarter Tuesday night during a conference game against JDHS. Caradang would finish the game with a total of 6 points. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

TMHS girls win a close cross-town contest

Both Juneau teams play again on Feb. 21.

TMHS junior Mikah Caradang puts up a 3-point shot in the second quarter Tuesday night during a conference game against JDHS. Caradang would finish the game with a total of 6 points. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Dr. Emily Kane, CBJ Commission on Aging chair who was a part of the effort to join the network, gives a speech at AARP Alaska’s Valentine’s Day-themed event Tuesday evening to celebrate Juneau’s older adult population along with the city’s recent commitment to ​​AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Aging infrastructure: Juneau commits to its older residents

City commits to nationwide networks to make Juneau more “age-friendly”

Dr. Emily Kane, CBJ Commission on Aging chair who was a part of the effort to join the network, gives a speech at AARP Alaska’s Valentine’s Day-themed event Tuesday evening to celebrate Juneau’s older adult population along with the city’s recent commitment to ​​AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Doug Murray, Former SE MC Coordinator, next to FDMS mathcounts team. From left to right, Caden Morris, Liam Kiessling, Alan Degener (FDMS coach), Dan Degener and Tyler Oudekerk. (Courtesy Photo / Sheila Degener)

Local mathletes have formula for success

Floyd Dryden Middle School Mathcounts mathletes recently won the team competition in the Southeast Region Mathcounts Tournament and will be traveling to the March State… Continue reading

Doug Murray, Former SE MC Coordinator, next to FDMS mathcounts team. From left to right, Caden Morris, Liam Kiessling, Alan Degener (FDMS coach), Dan Degener and Tyler Oudekerk. (Courtesy Photo / Sheila Degener)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire This photo shows the Elizabeth Peratrovich mural at the Downtown Public Library and Marine Parking Garage.. This Thursday, Feb. 16, the state will observes Elizabeth Peratrovich Day to recognize and honor her for her contributions to anti-discrimination in the state.

Ways to observe Elizabeth Peratrovich Day in Juneau

Commemorating the Alaska Native civil rights leader here in the capital city.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire This photo shows the Elizabeth Peratrovich mural at the Downtown Public Library and Marine Parking Garage.. This Thursday, Feb. 16, the state will observes Elizabeth Peratrovich Day to recognize and honor her for her contributions to anti-discrimination in the state.
Mark Rainery poses for photo in downtown Juneau to help celebrate the recent showing of his collaborative DIY snowboarding film, “The Outliers,” which premiered at the Hangar Ballroom on Feb. 11. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Not-so-easy rider: snowboarding movie featuring Southeast backcountry gets local premiere

A Q&A with Mark Rainery.

Mark Rainery poses for photo in downtown Juneau to help celebrate the recent showing of his collaborative DIY snowboarding film, “The Outliers,” which premiered at the Hangar Ballroom on Feb. 11. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Jay Dóosh Tláa Zeller dances in celebration in front of the newly installed mural depicting Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon, on Sept. 1. Zeller served as the Sealaska Heritage Institue project coordinator for the mural, which was done by Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl and her team of apprentices. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Celebration marks completion of mural

A place of “honor, dignity and respect”

Jay Dóosh Tláa Zeller dances in celebration in front of the newly installed mural depicting Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon, on Sept. 1. Zeller served as the Sealaska Heritage Institue project coordinator for the mural, which was done by Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl and her team of apprentices. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Manford Lum (Morgan Gwilym Tso) takes a jump shot during a scene rehearsal performance of Perseverance Theatre’s upcoming play “The Great Leap” opening Friday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A look before the ‘Leap’

Previewing Perseverance Theatre’s latest, which blends basketball, Chinese history and identity.

Manford Lum (Morgan Gwilym Tso) takes a jump shot during a scene rehearsal performance of Perseverance Theatre’s upcoming play “The Great Leap” opening Friday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Juneau Police Department along with first responders on the scene of an accident Tuesday morning involving three vehicles at the intersection of Mendenhall Loop and Mall Road. No injuries were reported.

No major injuries reported following crashes

Week starts with wrecks.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Juneau Police Department along with first responders on the scene of an accident Tuesday morning involving three vehicles at the intersection of Mendenhall Loop and Mall Road. No injuries were reported.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The City and Borough of Juneau expressed support at its Tuesday night Committee of the Whole meeting for the long-term care facility, Wildflower Court, to be acquired by Bartlett Regional Hospital.

City expresses support for hospital acquisition of Wildflower Court

Bartlett Regional Hospital officials say merger can help meet current hospice demand.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The City and Borough of Juneau expressed support at its Tuesday night Committee of the Whole meeting for the long-term care facility, Wildflower Court, to be acquired by Bartlett Regional Hospital.
AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File In this Jan. 18, 2014, file photo, endangered orcas swim in Puget Sound and in view of the Olympic Mountains just west of Seattle, as seen from a federal research vessel that has been tracking the whales.

City takes step toward opposing lawsuit threatening closure of Southeast Alaska king salmon trolling

CBJ follows other Southeast Alaska cities which cite negative economic impacts

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File In this Jan. 18, 2014, file photo, endangered orcas swim in Puget Sound and in view of the Olympic Mountains just west of Seattle, as seen from a federal research vessel that has been tracking the whales.