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Locals gathered for a whale of a time near Tahku, the Alaska Whale Sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Juneau celebrates the Fourth of July

Bright lights in the big city.

Kathy Benner, former manager of the Juneau Raptor Center, trades looks with Phil, a gyrfalcon. (Courtesy photo / Kathy Benner)

News

Friend of the feathers: Longtime Juneau Raptor Center member and manager departs

She’s been with the organization on and off since the ’90s.

Hill Lewis, aka Rolland and Paul Caldwell, aka Alberic Hawk, duel to the death (sort of) for spectators during Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

News

Go ‘Fourth’ into battle: Historical re-creators spend Independence Day at the park

Ever seen a knight fight a samurai?

Rachel Hurst hands her son Benjamin, 4, a beach ball to throw to the crowd from the Hawaiian-themed Juneau Urgent Care float during the July 4 parade in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Juneau, the state of the union is festive

Melting pot of states, cultures and colors join in healthy unity for July 4 parade in unique times.

Mia Halloway (6) grabs a cotton candy with her dad in Savikko Park. A long string of kids stood in line to grab a cotton candy from the Twhrly Whrliy Cotton Candy stand on a bright and sunny Fourth of July afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Fun and sun mark holiday in Douglas

Hot dogs and panting pups present for festivities.

Runners pound up Fish Creek Road towards the ski area during the Eaglecrest Road and Ridge Race on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Sports

Up with the sun: runners tackle Eaglecrest

Onward and upward, up the rising road.

Aoibhinn Reetz executes her creative vision for her bike during the Douglas Fourth of July Committee’s annual Bicycle Decorating session held at the Douglas Public Library on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

All the trimmings: Douglas kids ready for holiday

Streamers, flags and reflectors, all in.

Iryna Hrynchenko and her 18 year old son, Ivan Hrynchenko, 18, Joyanne Bloom and Bridget Smith toast to the Ukrainians’ arrival Saturday at Juneau Airport. Bloom and Smith are part of a five-person group of residents who raised funds to bring the Hrynchenkos to Juneau, and is helping them with housing, education and job opportunities, and in other ways. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

Spirit of America: Mother and son arrive as Juneau’s first Ukrainian refugees after four-month journey

“It’s just so beautiful.”

Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File) Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

News

What you need to know for this fourth of July

Check out the scheduled events here.

This photo shows fireworks. Local officials asked that people celebrating the Fourth of July enjoy the holiday safely and abide by the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks ordinance. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

News

Statewide firework ban omits Southeast Alaska —authorities still urge caution

Stay safe and fire aware.

A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

News

Ships in Port for the week of July 3

Here’s what to expect this week.

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho spoke about rank choice voting at the Chamber of Commerce's weekly luncheon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

The 411 on ranked choice voting

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho gives the lowdown.

Petty Officer 2nd Class William Peters tips Matthew Shockley into Twin Lakes on June 30, 2022 as part of a boating safety class. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Boating safety — better lake than never

Up the creek, with a paddle.

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

News

Board takes steps toward probe of ‘milk’ incident

There is debate about whether local or national experts are preferred for investigation.

A man bikes past the Assembly Building, located just across the street from the Alaska State Capitol. The building is set to be renovated into a 33-unit multi-family apartment complex to house legislative staff. (Clarise Larson /Juneau Empire)

News

Extra leg room: Commission OKs plan to make legislative apartments

It is set to become a 33-unit apartment complex designated for legislative staff

Photos by Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Reef Shark replaced the USCGC Liberty as the cutter for Sector Juneau earlier in June, stationed at Don D. Statter Harbor.

News

Tropical shark, Alaska home: Reef Shark replaces cutter Liberty

The new cutter has big boots to fill, but brings the enthusiasm to do it.

Rachel Hightower and Ben Burns present a board showing homes, other buildings and activities near a proposed marijuana dispensary in Douglas, during a Juneau Planning Commission meeting Tuesday. The couple argued the dispensary, which was unanimously approved by the commission, is inappropriate for a neighborhood where there are families with small children and a school. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

News

First marijuana dispensary in Douglas clears early hurdle

Proposed shop approved by Planning Commission despite opposition from neighbors

This photo shows the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

News

Glory Hall’s housing hopes survive

Plan turning downtown homeless shelter into apartments gets 2nd reprieve from Planning Commission

Courtesy Photo / Arena Stage Molly Smith directs Brad Oscar and the cast of “Damn Yankees” in 2005 at Arena Stage.

News

Americana exceptionalism: Perseverance Theatre founder Molly Smith to retire from Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

Perseverance Theatre founder Molly Smith retiring at Arena Stage after 25 years in Washington, D.C.

The question of whether to exempt unprepared foods from sales tax is likely to be posed to Juneau residents via poll instead of on municipal ballots after Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting. (Unsplash / nrd)

News

Food tax exemption to get a survey instead of a vote

Advisory vote during fall election nixed by Assembly members, who say poll will provide better data