Laron Carlton Graham appears in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, for an arraignment on two counts of first-degree murder for the Nov. 15, 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Man pleads not guilty at arraignment for 2015 double murder

Ten days after being indicted for allegedly committing a double murder, Laron Carlton Graham sat in Juneau Superior Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty.… Continue reading

Laron Carlton Graham appears in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, for an arraignment on two counts of first-degree murder for the Nov. 15, 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

St. Vincent de Paul Society purchases Valley Auto building

While one long-standing Juneau local business plans to close its doors after nearly four decades in business, another organization finds a new, and better, space… Continue reading

CBJ extends application deadline for volunteer boards

The City and Borough of Juneau has extended the deadline for applicants to submit for volunteer board positions to Feb. 27. There are more than… Continue reading

The damming of Long Lake south of Juneau allowed for the construction of the Snettisham Hydroelectric project in the 1960s, which has provided low-cost power to the state capital ever since. A pending sale that could allow the dam to become owned by a Canadian utility is drawing objections from across the state and its lone U.S. Rep. Don Young. (Photo/Courtesy/Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority)

AEL&P pledges not to purchase Snettisham unless it benefits ratepayers

After three weeks of negotiations, the major parties involved in the purchase of Juneau’s electric utility pledged to not purchase the Snettisham Hydroelectric Project unless… Continue reading

The damming of Long Lake south of Juneau allowed for the construction of the Snettisham Hydroelectric project in the 1960s, which has provided low-cost power to the state capital ever since. A pending sale that could allow the dam to become owned by a Canadian utility is drawing objections from across the state and its lone U.S. Rep. Don Young. (Photo/Courtesy/Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority)
In this November 2016 photo, Dee Longenbaugh, longtime owner of The Observatory bookstore, talks about operating the store for nearly 40 years. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Remembering Dee Longenbaugh: Readers share their stories

Dee kept up with the history of my family, and I really appreciated our talks when I went to Alaska. I am indebted to her,… Continue reading

In this November 2016 photo, Dee Longenbaugh, longtime owner of The Observatory bookstore, talks about operating the store for nearly 40 years. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
One of four windows that show damage on the backside of Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Principal catches burglar in act from afar

On Saturday, Feb. 17, Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School Principal Molly Yerkes caught a burglar breaking into the school — and Yerkes wasn’t even there. Watching… Continue reading

One of four windows that show damage on the backside of Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Native elder David Katzeek. (Courtesy Image | Colin Arisman and Connor Gallagher)

Doc takes aim at Greens Creek environmental record

Three years after an Angoon subsistence hunter harvested a mercury-laden seal near Greens Creek Mine, a documentary sponsored by local activists has rehashed the debate… Continue reading

Native elder David Katzeek. (Courtesy Image | Colin Arisman and Connor Gallagher)
This illustration in a preliminary drawing of the future “Native Arts Park.” (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects via Sealaska Heritage Institute)

Sealaska is building a Native Art Park in its downtown parking lot

Sealaska Heritage Institute is planning on building an Alaska Native “art park” in the Sealaska Plaza parking lot in downtown Juneau. Rosita Worl, President of… Continue reading

This illustration in a preliminary drawing of the future “Native Arts Park.” (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects via Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Ati Nasiah, prevention outreach director for AWARE, leads a Racial Equity and Liberation meeting at Northern Light United Church on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Confronting Racism: Group gathers for discussions on racial, cultural issues

During a week filled with hot-topic issues from cultural appropriation and racial institutionalization locally and nationwide, it is fitting a group focused in on racism… Continue reading

Ati Nasiah, prevention outreach director for AWARE, leads a Racial Equity and Liberation meeting at Northern Light United Church on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Landslide maps, emergency system need updating, officials say

Southeast Alaska is a vertical, rainy place. Deep glacier-cut fjords give way only to tall, steep mountains blanketed by dense Sitka spruce forests, all of… Continue reading

Juneau police respond to two apparent suicides on same day

Juneau police on Wednesday responded to two apparent suicides on Wednesday, just four hours apart. Police say the two cases (which took place in public)… Continue reading

Students engage is field research at DIPAC as part of last year’s Fish Tech class. (Courtesy Photo)

Celebrate career and technical education

Career and Technical Education prepares students for college and careers by applying academic skills with employability and technical, job-specific skills. CTE is education and training… Continue reading

Students engage is field research at DIPAC as part of last year’s Fish Tech class. (Courtesy Photo)
In this Dec. 5, 2017 photo, lead carver Nicholas Galanin works on the Wolf Totem Pole at Harborview Elementary School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Artist Nicholas Galanin selected for Native Burial Ground Monument

The City and Borough of Juneau and the Douglas Indian Association are constructing a Native Burial Ground Monument at Sayéik Gastineau Community School. Nicholas Galanin,… Continue reading

In this Dec. 5, 2017 photo, lead carver Nicholas Galanin works on the Wolf Totem Pole at Harborview Elementary School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council (JAHC) board listens to community member Catherine Hatch at its Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 board meeting. More than 100 people showed up to speak about the issue of cultural appropriation. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

JAHC: We ‘let the entire community down’ at Wearable Arts Show

The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council Board issued an apology Thursday afternoon to all involved in the fallout from running a piece that some found… Continue reading

The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council (JAHC) board listens to community member Catherine Hatch at its Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 board meeting. More than 100 people showed up to speak about the issue of cultural appropriation. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Three arrested as part of JPD, Troopers, FBI investigations

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alaska State Troopers and Juneau Police Department arrested three people in a Mendenhall Valley neighborhood Wednesday afternoon while serving a… Continue reading

In this June 2008 photo, Becky Iverson sorts her plastic container at the Waste Management site in Lemon Creek. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Lemon Creek recycling building closes but service continues

Juneau residents who use the Lemon Creek recycling facility may be slightly confused when they see the building closed, but should not worry because recycling… Continue reading

In this June 2008 photo, Becky Iverson sorts her plastic container at the Waste Management site in Lemon Creek. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Juneau Police Department is looking for the identity of this woman who was seen vandalizing an ATM on Mall Road in January. (Courtesy photos | Juneau Police Department)

Police looking to identify this ATM vandal

Police are searching for the identity of a woman who vandalized an ATM on Mall Road in mid-January. At about 12:30 a.m. Jan. 12, a… Continue reading

The Juneau Police Department is looking for the identity of this woman who was seen vandalizing an ATM on Mall Road in January. (Courtesy photos | Juneau Police Department)
Elaine Schroeder speaks to the Board of Trustees of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation on divesting from fossil fuel investments during public testimony at its Quarterly Meeting in Juneau on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018.

Climate change activists push Permanent Fund to go green

A Juneau group of climate change activists pushed the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Wednesday to stop investing in fossil fuel companies. The group said it… Continue reading

Elaine Schroeder speaks to the Board of Trustees of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation on divesting from fossil fuel investments during public testimony at its Quarterly Meeting in Juneau on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018.
123rf.com Stock Photo

‘Alaska Food Network’ idea wins Pitch Contest prize

Michael Wheeler, of Anchorage, beat out five other entrepreneurs with goals of expanding or starting their home-grown business in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition during… Continue reading

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Police searching for culprits in Lemon Creek break-in

At least two people conspired to break into a Lemon Creek business in mid-January, and the Juneau Police Department is still searching for them, according… Continue reading