News

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteers release a seal pup rehabilitated at the Alaska SeaLife Center into the wild. (Courtesy photo / ASC)

Social creatures: Wildlife groups use internet to spread reach

A global audience for America’s wildest wildlife.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteers release a seal pup rehabilitated at the Alaska SeaLife Center into the wild. (Courtesy photo / ASC)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Local calls to require 10-digit dialing

People placing calls will need to dial all 10 digits in order for the call to go through.

(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives during a floor debate on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, over an appropriations bill during the Legislature’s third special session of the summer. Multiple organizations reported on Wednesday that Eastman is a lifetime member of the far-right organization the Oath Keepers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Data leak shows state rep is member of far-right organization

Wasilla area lawmaker said he joined when Oath Keepers first started.

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives during a floor debate on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, over an appropriations bill during the Legislature’s third special session of the summer. Multiple organizations reported on Wednesday that Eastman is a lifetime member of the far-right organization the Oath Keepers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This screen capture from surveillance footage released by the Anchorage Police Department shows a masked man vandalizing the Alaska Jewish Museum in Anchorage in May. (Courtesy photo / APD)

Museums statewide condemn antisemitic vandalism

Two incidents, one in May, one in September, have marred the museum this year.

This screen capture from surveillance footage released by the Anchorage Police Department shows a masked man vandalizing the Alaska Jewish Museum in Anchorage in May. (Courtesy photo / APD)
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City reports 87 new COVID cases, mostly 18 and younger

Majority of deaths in Sept, Oct.

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A screenshot from the Alaska Redistricting Board website shows the latest version of proposed revisions to Juneau's legislative districts. Under this proposal, Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, would lose her seat without election. (Screenshot/ Alaska Redistricting Board)

Redistricting board to take call-in comments

Wednesday and Saturday.

A screenshot from the Alaska Redistricting Board website shows the latest version of proposed revisions to Juneau's legislative districts. Under this proposal, Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, would lose her seat without election. (Screenshot/ Alaska Redistricting Board)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. An Alaska state lawmaker was cited for driving with an open can of beer in his vehicle that another lawmaker said was actually his. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Lawmaker cited for open beer fellow legislator says was his

Republican Sen. Josh Revak plans to challenge the $220 ticket.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. An Alaska state lawmaker was cited for driving with an open can of beer in his vehicle that another lawmaker said was actually his. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This 2011 photo shows the Taku and Malaspina ferries at the Auke Bay Terminal. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Costs add up as ferry idled nearly 2 years

The cost to the state for docking an Alaska ferry that has been idled for nearly two years is close to $900,000 a year, with… Continue reading

This 2011 photo shows the Taku and Malaspina ferries at the Auke Bay Terminal. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This October 2020 file photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast Campus, which doesn’t currently have a broad COVID-19 vaccine mandate but UA President Pat Pitney said Monday one would have to come eventually. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

UA president: No systemwide mandate for now, but vaccine requirement coming

It’s coming.

This October 2020 file photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast Campus, which doesn’t currently have a broad COVID-19 vaccine mandate but UA President Pat Pitney said Monday one would have to come eventually. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Juneau Huskies quarterback Noah Chambers, a senior, celebrates after moving through a tunnel of fans and cheerleaders following Juneau’s second-round playoff win. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Huskies are heading to state

Huskies dominate in home win.

Juneau Huskies quarterback Noah Chambers, a senior, celebrates after moving through a tunnel of fans and cheerleaders following Juneau’s second-round playoff win. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, heads to a briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington. She reported raising almost $1.1 million last quarter. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Reports show Murkowski with fundraising lead

Tshibaka reported raising just over $465,000.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, heads to a briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington. She reported raising almost $1.1 million last quarter. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Informal floor sessions were held this week at the Alaska State Capitol, shown in this September photo, but committee meetings were held remotely as many lawmakers have returned home. But only the House of Representatives was busy as the Senate was stalled by COVID-positive senators.

Senate is stalled while House gets to work

Two weeks left.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Informal floor sessions were held this week at the Alaska State Capitol, shown in this September photo, but committee meetings were held remotely as many lawmakers have returned home. But only the House of Representatives was busy as the Senate was stalled by COVID-positive senators.
Then-Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, left, and former Juneau Representative Bill Hudson, right, speak with John Torgerson, chairman of the Alaska Redistricting Board during a break in hearing public testimony at the Capitol Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Alaska’s state flags were lowered Thursday for longtime Alaska lawmaker, Hudson, who died Oct. 11. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

‘A large legacy’: Hudson remembered for dedication to Juneau and the state

Alaska’s state flags were lowered Thursday for longtime Alaska lawmaker Bill Hudson.

Then-Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, left, and former Juneau Representative Bill Hudson, right, speak with John Torgerson, chairman of the Alaska Redistricting Board during a break in hearing public testimony at the Capitol Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Alaska’s state flags were lowered Thursday for longtime Alaska lawmaker, Hudson, who died Oct. 11. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska Capitol is shown on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. There is interest among lawmakers and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy in settling a dispute over the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend program, but no consensus on what the program should look like going forward. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Alaskans get annual boost of free money from PFD

Checks of $1,114 are expected to be paid to about 643,000 Alaskans, beginning this week.

The Alaska Capitol is shown on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. There is interest among lawmakers and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy in settling a dispute over the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend program, but no consensus on what the program should look like going forward. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)
The Federal Aviation Administration released an initiative to improve flight safety in Alaska for all aviation on Oct. 14, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

FAA releases Alaska aviation safety initiatives

The recommendations, covering five areas, range from improvements in hardware to data-gathering.

The Federal Aviation Administration released an initiative to improve flight safety in Alaska for all aviation on Oct. 14, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
An Alaska State Trooper was arrested on Wednesday in Soldotna for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor, said the Department of Public Safety commissioner James Cockrell in a news conference. (Juneau Empire File)

State trooper arrested on child sex abuse charges

The suspect has been a trooper for two years.

An Alaska State Trooper was arrested on Wednesday in Soldotna for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor, said the Department of Public Safety commissioner James Cockrell in a news conference. (Juneau Empire File)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk, like the one shown in this June photo, rescued a man from a stricken vessel in the Gulf of Alaska on Oct. 11, 2021.

Coast Guard rescues man from disabled vessel

The sailboat was southbound in the Gulf of Alaska

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk, like the one shown in this June photo, rescued a man from a stricken vessel in the Gulf of Alaska on Oct. 11, 2021.
Several members of the Alaksa House of Representatives were absent form a floor session Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, but after a quiet first week lawmakers are scheduled to hold committee meetings through the end of the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

COVID cases delay Senate

Still slow going.

Several members of the Alaksa House of Representatives were absent form a floor session Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, but after a quiet first week lawmakers are scheduled to hold committee meetings through the end of the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In 1980, U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and cutters, assisted by the U.S. Air Force and the Canadian armed forces as well as civilian rescue and relief organizations, rescued more than 500 passengers and crew from the cruise ship Prinsendam in the Gulf of Alaska. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Rescuers recall Prinsendam fire following 41st anniversary

It’s been four decades since the Coast Guard’s biggest and most successful rescue.

In 1980, U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and cutters, assisted by the U.S. Air Force and the Canadian armed forces as well as civilian rescue and relief organizations, rescued more than 500 passengers and crew from the cruise ship Prinsendam in the Gulf of Alaska. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
This map from the U.S. Cencsus Bureau highlighting Alaska's indigenous populations. A ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska formally recognize the state's already federally recognized tribes took a step forward Monday, when it was certified by the Division of Elections. (Courtesy image/ Wikicommons)

Tribal recognition initiative moves ahead

Mending divisions.

This map from the U.S. Cencsus Bureau highlighting Alaska's indigenous populations. A ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska formally recognize the state's already federally recognized tribes took a step forward Monday, when it was certified by the Division of Elections. (Courtesy image/ Wikicommons)