News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at a Aug. 16, news conference, announced Thursday he was filing suit against the Biden administration for an Environmental Protection Agency decision to potentially protect Bristol Bay waters under the Clean Water Act. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Gov criticizes Biden admin over Bristol Bay review

Ready for litigation.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at a Aug. 16, news conference, announced Thursday he was filing suit against the Biden administration for an Environmental Protection Agency decision to potentially protect Bristol Bay waters under the Clean Water Act. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This Aug. 5 picture shows Thomas Buzard, who is a candidate for an open seat on the Juneau Board of Education. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Candidate seeks open school board seat

Buzard calls for curriculum changes, end to masking

This Aug. 5 picture shows Thomas Buzard, who is a candidate for an open seat on the Juneau Board of Education. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Bridget Weiss, seen here outside of Harborview Elementary School on Sept. 8, 2021, was named by Time Magazine as one of 29 educators or school staff across the country to be recognized for their exemplary efforts in the face of the pandemic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Time in the spotlight: Juneau school superintendent named as year-saving educator by magazine

The Juneau School District was on of 29 educators and staff named nationwide.

Bridget Weiss, seen here outside of Harborview Elementary School on Sept. 8, 2021, was named by Time Magazine as one of 29 educators or school staff across the country to be recognized for their exemplary efforts in the face of the pandemic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A completed ballot is dropped into the ballot drop box in the Don D. Statter Harbor parking lot on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

WATCH: Municipal candidate forum

School board, Assembly candidates talk issues ahead of Oct. 5 election.

A completed ballot is dropped into the ballot drop box in the Don D. Statter Harbor parking lot on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
In this Juneau Empire file photo, voter Maralee Guiher drops off her ballot during the City and Borough of Juneau Municipal Election on Oct. 6, 2020. The city announced Wednesday it was looking to hire election workers for this year's city elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

City looking to hire workers for election

Variety of jobs.

In this Juneau Empire file photo, voter Maralee Guiher drops off her ballot during the City and Borough of Juneau Municipal Election on Oct. 6, 2020. The city announced Wednesday it was looking to hire election workers for this year's city elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
A woman was arrested Saturday night for multiple charges after a violent vehicle chase in the Mendenhall Valley. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Woman arrested after vehicle chase in the Valley

No injuries were reported, but both vehicles sustained major damage.

A woman was arrested Saturday night for multiple charges after a violent vehicle chase in the Mendenhall Valley. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Army Pfc. Luke McCarty jumps in the water during training for the engineer divers with a Coast Guard dive team on Sept. 6, 2021. (Courtesy photo / MyKenzie Robertson)

Army and Coast Guard divers team up in Juneau

Getting work done in an ocean far from home.

Army Pfc. Luke McCarty jumps in the water during training for the engineer divers with a Coast Guard dive team on Sept. 6, 2021. (Courtesy photo / MyKenzie Robertson)
Unable to hold the usual Labor Day picnic, members of Juneau's Central Labor Council decided to hold a donation drive at Saviko Park instead. According to CLC President Kirk Perisich, seen here at right bringing donated clothes to be sorted on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, donations had piled up within the first 20 minutes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Labor of love: Unions collect for local service organizations

Labor Day donation drive.

Unable to hold the usual Labor Day picnic, members of Juneau's Central Labor Council decided to hold a donation drive at Saviko Park instead. According to CLC President Kirk Perisich, seen here at right bringing donated clothes to be sorted on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, donations had piled up within the first 20 minutes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale, pictured here in November 2020. The school board’s decision to prevent the basketball team from going to the Region V state tournament because of a district policy that precluded traveling to regions with high levels of coronavirus risk is one of the issues that prompted Kyle Scholl to run as a write-in candidate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Write-in candidate seeks school board seat

Board decision on basketball tourney sparks run

Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale, pictured here in November 2020. The school board’s decision to prevent the basketball team from going to the Region V state tournament because of a district policy that precluded traveling to regions with high levels of coronavirus risk is one of the issues that prompted Kyle Scholl to run as a write-in candidate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Mayor Beth Weldon

Get to know a candidate: Beth Weldon

She’s running unopposed for a second term as mayor.

Mayor Beth Weldon
Charlie Smith, a National Guard first lieutenant at the time of the 1971 airline crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 1866, talks about the recovery efforts on Aug. 9, 2021, fifty years later. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Half a century on, National Guardsman recalls 1971 airline crash

“They said, we have a job to do and we’ll do it.”

Charlie Smith, a National Guard first lieutenant at the time of the 1971 airline crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 1866, talks about the recovery efforts on Aug. 9, 2021, fifty years later. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Kelly Fishler

Get to know a candiate: Kelly Fishler

She’s running for the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly District 1 seat.

Kelly Fishler
Michelle Bonnet Hale

Get to know a candidate: Michelle Bonnet Hale

She’s seeking reelection to her District 1 seat.

Michelle Bonnet Hale
People grab drinks and sun at the Flight Deck, May 21, 2020. Restaurants are among the businesses subject to a 5% sales tax in the City and Borough of Juneau. In October, voters will be asked to reauthorize the 3% of the tax that is deemed “temporary” and used for street maintenance and general city and borough operations. Voters weigh in on the matter every five years. (Michael S. Lockett /Juneau Empire File)

Temporary portion of sales tax is on the ballot

Voters to decide fate of 3%

People grab drinks and sun at the Flight Deck, May 21, 2020. Restaurants are among the businesses subject to a 5% sales tax in the City and Borough of Juneau. In October, voters will be asked to reauthorize the 3% of the tax that is deemed “temporary” and used for street maintenance and general city and borough operations. Voters weigh in on the matter every five years. (Michael S. Lockett /Juneau Empire File)
Barbara ‘Wáahlaal Gíidaak Blake

Get to know a candidate: Barbara Blake

She’s running for the District 1 City and Borough of Juneau Assembly seat.

Barbara ‘Wáahlaal Gíidaak Blake
Troy Wuyts-Smith

Get to know a candidate: Troy Wuyts-Smith

He’s running for the District 1 City and Borough of Juneau Assembly seat.

Troy Wuyts-Smith
Paul Kelly

Get to know a candidate: Paul Kelly

He’s running for the District 1 City and Borough of Juneau Assembly seat.

Paul Kelly
An ICU nurse, moves electrical cords for medical machines, outside the room of a patient suffering from COVID-19, in an intensive care unit at the Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a nurse staffing crisis that is forcing many U.S. hospitals to pay top dollar to get the help they need to handle the crush of patients this summer. (AP Photo/ Gerald Herbert)

Gov amends session to allow lawmakers to tackle COVID

‘Move at the speed of trust.’

An ICU nurse, moves electrical cords for medical machines, outside the room of a patient suffering from COVID-19, in an intensive care unit at the Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a nurse staffing crisis that is forcing many U.S. hospitals to pay top dollar to get the help they need to handle the crush of patients this summer. (AP Photo/ Gerald Herbert)
People walk past commercial properties in downtown Juneau on June 3. Earlier this year, the city increased the base land value throughout the borough by 50% as part of the annual assessment process — a move that increased the tax bill for commercial property owners and generated more than 200 appeals. Wednesday night, Jeff Rogers, finance director for CBJ, said that despite complaints, the city’s process was sound and the adjustment was needed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Commercial tax assessments under review

City finance director updates committee

People walk past commercial properties in downtown Juneau on June 3. Earlier this year, the city increased the base land value throughout the borough by 50% as part of the annual assessment process — a move that increased the tax bill for commercial property owners and generated more than 200 appeals. Wednesday night, Jeff Rogers, finance director for CBJ, said that despite complaints, the city’s process was sound and the adjustment was needed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, Sector Juneau’s new commander, speaks during the change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Friends in damp places: Sector Juneau CO talks partnerships, future plans

A new set of eyes can examine old plans, the new commander said.

Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, Sector Juneau’s new commander, speaks during the change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)