News

A crowd of people protesting near the Alaskan State Capitol clap at one of the many speakers at the protest. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘We won’t go back’: Abortion rights protesters rally near the state Capitol

Demonstrators denounce decision.

A crowd of people protesting near the Alaskan State Capitol clap at one of the many speakers at the protest. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Pioneers of Alaska member Ricky Deising lands a hole-in-one as he tries frisbee golf for the first time on Sandy Beach, Douglas.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Give it a shot : Juneau Disc Golf Club teams up with the Pioneers of Alaska for a sunny celebration

Both groups pitched in.

Pioneers of Alaska member Ricky Deising lands a hole-in-one as he tries frisbee golf for the first time on Sandy Beach, Douglas.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Juneau Culture Club Juneau Culture Club poses on the Whitehaven Beach along the Whitsundays Island in Australia on June 15.

Land Down Under goes over well with culture club

After years of waiting, youths take trip to Australia.

Courtesy Photo / Juneau Culture Club Juneau Culture Club poses on the Whitehaven Beach along the Whitsundays Island in Australia on June 15.
Has Du Eetíxʼ Xʼaakeidíx̱ Haa Sitee performs at Pride Outside at Skater’s Cabin, an LGBTQ community event organized by NAMI Juneau on June 5, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Meryl Connelly-Chew)

Local LGBTQ+ advocate receives award for work building community

Community-based work is their focus and their calling.

Has Du Eetíxʼ Xʼaakeidíx̱ Haa Sitee performs at Pride Outside at Skater’s Cabin, an LGBTQ community event organized by NAMI Juneau on June 5, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Meryl Connelly-Chew)
Emily Chapel holds up a sign containing an expletive in protest of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The decision had protected rights to abortion access for nearly 50 years. Following the new decision, states can decide to ban abortion. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Juneau residents weigh in on Supreme Court overturning Roe

Here’s what they said.

Emily Chapel holds up a sign containing an expletive in protest of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The decision had protected rights to abortion access for nearly 50 years. Following the new decision, states can decide to ban abortion. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Peter Froehlich, a retired Juneau district judge who is now a volunteer tour guide, explains the history of the history of the Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building to a group of visitors Thursday. The organ has been idle since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now needs repairs before regular Friday lunchtime concerts and other performances on the 94-year-old instrument can resume.

Historic organ is in need of tuneup

How much it will cost and who will do it remain up in the air.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Peter Froehlich, a retired Juneau district judge who is now a volunteer tour guide, explains the history of the history of the Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the State Office Building to a group of visitors Thursday. The organ has been idle since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now needs repairs before regular Friday lunchtime concerts and other performances on the 94-year-old instrument can resume.
Excess deaths across Alaska rose above predicted numbers as the pandemic continued to hit the state hard through 2021. COVID-19, as an underlying cause, became the third-largest cause of death. (Associated Press photo)

Report: COVID was Alaska’s third-leading cause of death in 2021

Excess deaths were also way up from predicted numbers.

Excess deaths across Alaska rose above predicted numbers as the pandemic continued to hit the state hard through 2021. COVID-19, as an underlying cause, became the third-largest cause of death. (Associated Press photo)
Juneau is on track to beat record high temperatures going into the weekend and following week as a heatwave rolls through the Southeast. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Sun and potentially record-setting heat are in Juneau’s future

Heatwave goodbye to the clouds.

Juneau is on track to beat record high temperatures going into the weekend and following week as a heatwave rolls through the Southeast. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Kobe Rielly grabs a hot dog Wednesday evening at the grand unveiling of the new pavilion at Riverside Rotary Park. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

One in pavilion

Locals celebrate the new pavilion at the Riverside Rotary Park.

Kobe Rielly grabs a hot dog Wednesday evening at the grand unveiling of the new pavilion at Riverside Rotary Park. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. On Wednesday the Juneau Police Department shared the findings of its investigation into an incident in which a dozen children drank floor sealant when it was served instead of milk during a summer program breakfast at the school. There was nothing to obviously suggest criminal charges are appropriate, but the findings have been sent to the district attorney for review, according to JPD. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police: No obvious basis for charges in ‘milk’ incident

Investigation of floor sealant being served at summer youth program being reviewed by prosecutors

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. On Wednesday the Juneau Police Department shared the findings of its investigation into an incident in which a dozen children drank floor sealant when it was served instead of milk during a summer program breakfast at the school. There was nothing to obviously suggest criminal charges are appropriate, but the findings have been sent to the district attorney for review, according to JPD. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Juneau's Salmon Creek Dam. (Courtesy Photo / AEL&P)

Salmon Creek Dam to gain engineering landmark status

It’s not the only Southeast structure to earn the status.

This photo shows Juneau's Salmon Creek Dam. (Courtesy Photo / AEL&P)
This photo shows Helping Hands Food Bank as it faces potential closure due to a decline in financial assistance and donations. (Courtesy Photo / Helping Hands Food Bank)

They’re banking on community support

Local food banks say donations needed now more than ever.

This photo shows Helping Hands Food Bank as it faces potential closure due to a decline in financial assistance and donations. (Courtesy Photo / Helping Hands Food Bank)
Gigi Monroe, the event organizer, performs during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Packed houses, back to back: GLITZ a roaring success

Sold out sets and heavy-hitting headliners.

Gigi Monroe, the event organizer, performs during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
An array of “I voted” stickers awaits voters Juneau’s municipal election in October 2020. Residents interested in running for Assembly and Juneau Board of Education seats in this year’s election can start getting schooled with a “toolkit” and workshop scheduled this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

School’s in for aspiring candidates

Assembly and school board members offer wise words as toolkit and workshop for local races arrive

An array of “I voted” stickers awaits voters Juneau’s municipal election in October 2020. Residents interested in running for Assembly and Juneau Board of Education seats in this year’s election can start getting schooled with a “toolkit” and workshop scheduled this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Pharmacist Kaitlin Harring, left, administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination to three year-old Fletcher Pack, while he sits on the lap of his mother, McKenzie Pack, at Walgreens pharmacy Monday, June 20, 2022, in Lexington, S.C. Today marked the first day COVID-19 vaccinations were made available to children under 5 in the United States. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Clinics readying to vaccinate new age group of children

CDC clearance for the new age group went out Tuesday.

Pharmacist Kaitlin Harring, left, administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination to three year-old Fletcher Pack, while he sits on the lap of his mother, McKenzie Pack, at Walgreens pharmacy Monday, June 20, 2022, in Lexington, S.C. Today marked the first day COVID-19 vaccinations were made available to children under 5 in the United States. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
This 2018 photo shows downtown Juneau. Commercial property owners filed in 2021 a record number of appeals of a property assessments. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Commercial property sees record appeals

The reason for the uproar is assessments for all commercial property were increased 50% for 2021.

This 2018 photo shows downtown Juneau. Commercial property owners filed in 2021 a record number of appeals of a property assessments. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Hali Hall, 4, holds Heidi Hall's hand Saturday afternoon as they walk past a sign honoring to Dr. George Brown at Project Playground. Ben Brown, son of the longtime children's advocate, said during a short dedication ceremony that he was pleased to see the park being enjoyed by children. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘A wonderful, positive person’: Plaque dedication honors much-admired doctor

Impact extends well beyond Juneau.

Hali Hall, 4, holds Heidi Hall's hand Saturday afternoon as they walk past a sign honoring to Dr. George Brown at Project Playground. Ben Brown, son of the longtime children's advocate, said during a short dedication ceremony that he was pleased to see the park being enjoyed by children. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association in Juneau, looks out as the group sold sweet potato pies as a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneteenth celebrated with food and friendship

The event was a celebration and a fundraiser for their college scholarship fund.

Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association in Juneau, looks out as the group sold sweet potato pies as a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Volunteers reset a gravel pile during the men’s hand mucking event of Juneau Gold Rush Days in Savikko Park on Saturday.

Sun and fun greet return of Gold Rush Days

Good weather and good turnouts welcomed the first day of the event.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Volunteers reset a gravel pile during the men’s hand mucking event of Juneau Gold Rush Days in Savikko Park on Saturday.
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduates toss their caps during graduation last month. The Juneau School District Board of Education approved on Friday a policy formally allowing students to wear regalia during graduation. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cultural regalia OK’d for big school events

School board OKs wearing of Native items, and those from other cultures, at public events

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduates toss their caps during graduation last month. The Juneau School District Board of Education approved on Friday a policy formally allowing students to wear regalia during graduation. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)