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Young halibut fisherman, grandfather, to accept award today

Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) has invited a young Tlingit fisherman and his grandfather to accept an award from the Juneau Economic Development Council and the… Continue reading

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In this May 1, 2017 photo, tourists line up with their selfie sticks in front of the “Welcome to Juneau” sign after arriving by the first cruise ships of the season. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Number of cruise visitors expected to leap in 2019

A record number of cruise visitors came to Alaska in 2017, and that number is expected to make a sizeable jump in the next two… Continue reading

In this May 1, 2017 photo, tourists line up with their selfie sticks in front of the “Welcome to Juneau” sign after arriving by the first cruise ships of the season. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
This diagram shows the two major phases of the 2005 Juneau International Airport Terminal Master Plan. The Airport Board is looking for public comment before demolishing and rebuilding the North Wing in 2019. (Courtesy photo | City and Borough of Juneau)

Airport Board accepting public comment on upcoming demolition project

The Juneau International Airport is becoming more modern, and part of that modernization includes tearing down older parts of the terminal. The Airport Board is… Continue reading

This diagram shows the two major phases of the 2005 Juneau International Airport Terminal Master Plan. The Airport Board is looking for public comment before demolishing and rebuilding the North Wing in 2019. (Courtesy photo | City and Borough of Juneau)

Red Cross looks to prepare volunteers for large fire scenario

If you’ve ever wondered what you’d do if a large fire broke out in Juneau, the American Red Cross is running a workshop this Friday… Continue reading

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Innovation Summit starts today

Progress is always the theme for the Innovation Summit, and it will ring especially true this year. “Driving Innovation through Diversity” is this year’s motto… Continue reading

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Mariyan Aleksiev, of Earthmovers, cuts into the pavement at the intersection of Franklin and Front Streets on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018. A section of Front Street will be closed as remodeling work to replace utilities, pavement, sidewalk and lighting fixtures take place over the next few months. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Street construction begins downtown

This Monday, fences and orange construction signs descended upon downtown Juneau. The second phase of the City and Borough of Juneau’s downtown street improvement plan… Continue reading

Mariyan Aleksiev, of Earthmovers, cuts into the pavement at the intersection of Franklin and Front Streets on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018. A section of Front Street will be closed as remodeling work to replace utilities, pavement, sidewalk and lighting fixtures take place over the next few months. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A halibut hook. (University of Alaska Museum of the North)

Traditional halibut hook inducted into Alaska Hall Of Fame

The hook on the first day of the Juneau Economic Development Council Innovation Summit was exactly that. The halibut hook, a wooden fishing tool created… Continue reading

A halibut hook. (University of Alaska Museum of the North)
A Subaru is towed away after being hit by an SUV that slid on the ice Tuesday morning. Neither driver suffered major injuries, though the driver of the SUV was taken to the hospital as a precaution. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Winter conditions lead to morning crash

Icy conditions continue to plague Juneau drivers. The driver of a Subaru Outback sat in the turn lane on Egan inbound, waiting to turn left… Continue reading

A Subaru is towed away after being hit by an SUV that slid on the ice Tuesday morning. Neither driver suffered major injuries, though the driver of the SUV was taken to the hospital as a precaution. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
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Juneau man sentenced to 22 years for accessing child pornography

This past Friday, a Juneau man was sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison for accessing hundreds of photos of child pornography. Jim Wayne Thornhill,… Continue reading

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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)

Man breaks into middle school, causes $4,500 in damage

A month after a Juneau man was caught breaking into two businesses near the Nugget Mall, he was caught again after breaking into Dzantik’i Heeni… 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)
Two snowboarders finish a run at the bottom of the Ptarmigan chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Better late than never: Eaglecrest runs every lift for just the second time this year

It’s been a frustrating first half of the ski season at Eaglecrest Ski Area as low snow has kept skiers and snowboarders from accessing the… Continue reading

Two snowboarders finish a run at the bottom of the Ptarmigan chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Mercy Ships volunteer Hospital Physician, Dr. Mark Peterson, examines a patient before their admission to the Africa Mercy for surgery. (Shawn Thompson | Mercy Ships)

Juneau doctor helps treat patients in Africa aboard hospital ship

Stationed on a floating hospital off the coast of Cameroon, Dr. Mark Peterson witnesses extreme transformations on a regular basis. Peterson is a longtime Juneau… Continue reading

Mercy Ships volunteer Hospital Physician, Dr. Mark Peterson, examines a patient before their admission to the Africa Mercy for surgery. (Shawn Thompson | Mercy Ships)

Mumps confirmed in Juneau for first time in 20 years

For the first time in 20 years, doctors have confirmed the presence of mumps in Juneau. As of Thursday, there has been one confirmed case… Continue reading

Laron Carlton Graham is seen in Juneau Superior Court in June 2016. Graham represented himself on 14 counts of allegedly assaulting a woman and stealing a car in the Lemon Creek area. On Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, Juneau police announced they arrested him in connection to an unsolved double murder in Douglas in 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Man indicted for 2015 double murder

More than two years after a double murder on Douglas Island, authorities believe they’ve identified the killer. A Juneau grand jury on Friday indicted Laron… Continue reading

Laron Carlton Graham is seen in Juneau Superior Court in June 2016. Graham represented himself on 14 counts of allegedly assaulting a woman and stealing a car in the Lemon Creek area. On Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, Juneau police announced they arrested him in connection to an unsolved double murder in Douglas in 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Native Sisterhood President Kevin Allen, left, escorts Keynote speaker Joaqlin Estus to the podium during the Elizabeth Peratrovich Day Celebration at the University of Alaska Southeast on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Haa daat has nák, haa léelk‘u hás: Elizabeth Peratrovich Day celebration honors lesser-known figures

Elizabeth Peratrovich’s most famous quote is by now the stuff of legend. Speaking before the territorial government of Alaska on Feb. 5, 1945, the Alaska… Continue reading

Alaska Native Sisterhood President Kevin Allen, left, escorts Keynote speaker Joaqlin Estus to the podium during the Elizabeth Peratrovich Day Celebration at the University of Alaska Southeast on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City considering having YMCA run Juneau’s pools

The YMCA might be coming to Juneau. Max Mertz, chair the Aquatics Board, spoke at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday detailing the options… Continue reading

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Hoonah man arraigned for selling thousands of opioid pain pills

A Hoonah man is facing charges of trafficking thousands of opioid pain pills throughout Alaska and beyond. Nickolas Cakmis, 39, was arraigned in Anchorage on… Continue reading

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Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, right, speaks alongside Marc Luiken, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities during a breakout session on Alaska Marine Highway System Reform at Southeast Conference at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Backers of ferry reform seek backing from Alaska Legislature

The movement to reform the Alaska Marine Highway System is reaching a critical point as proponents meet with legislators this week. The plan for reforming… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, right, speaks alongside Marc Luiken, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities during a breakout session on Alaska Marine Highway System Reform at Southeast Conference at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue firemen pack up fire hoses after responding to a house fire at 4513 Kanata Street on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Neighbors band together to stop dryer fire

Dawn Houston was watching a movie about wildfires, “Only the Brave,” around noon Wednesday when a fire broke out in her home. Houston, 52, heard… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue firemen pack up fire hoses after responding to a house fire at 4513 Kanata Street on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this June 2016 photo, David R. Boxley gives an acceptance speech for winning “Best of Show” in the Northwest Coast Juried Art Show during the awards ceremony in the Walter Soboleff Building’s clan house. (Lisa Phu | Juneau Empire File)

Initiative looks to promote Native art, make it economic driver for Southeast

Watching the Winter Olympics this past week, Sealaska Heritage Institute Senior Research Fellow Rick Harris saw something that surprised him. The Canadian snowboarding team was… Continue reading

In this June 2016 photo, David R. Boxley gives an acceptance speech for winning “Best of Show” in the Northwest Coast Juried Art Show during the awards ceremony in the Walter Soboleff Building’s clan house. (Lisa Phu | Juneau Empire File)