Mark Sabbatini

A map shows projected population changes in Alaska between 2023 and 2050. (Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section)

Southeast Alaska’s population expected drop 17% by 2050, by far the most statewide

State expects to lose 15,000 residents, 12,000 of them from Southeast, according to report.

A map shows projected population changes in Alaska between 2023 and 2050. (Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section)
Juneau Assembly Member Ella Adkison (center) helps state Sen. Jesse Kiehl load donated groceries into a van on Saturday during a food drive at Super Bear IGA Supermarket hosted by the Juneau Central Labor Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Nonprofits say need is high as collections for annual Thanksgiving events approach

Food bank, other agencies say number of people seeking help is rising due to cost, other factors.

Juneau Assembly Member Ella Adkison (center) helps state Sen. Jesse Kiehl load donated groceries into a van on Saturday during a food drive at Super Bear IGA Supermarket hosted by the Juneau Central Labor Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
William James (standing) hands plates of Thanksgiving food to family members during a communal holiday meal hosted by The Salvation Army Juneau Corps on Thursday at the Juneau Yacht Club. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Feeling full and thankful among family, friends and strangers

About 300 people indulge in introductions and feast fixings at annual communal Thanksgiving meal.

William James (standing) hands plates of Thanksgiving food to family members during a communal holiday meal hosted by The Salvation Army Juneau Corps on Thursday at the Juneau Yacht Club. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A storm warning for Juneau, extended until noon Monday, shows snow totals expected between 6 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Monday. (National Weather Service Juneau)

CBJ and state closes facilities all day Monday, remote learning day for schools as heavy snowstorm fouls roads

“If you don’t have to be on the road, stay home” due to snowy/icy roads, CCFR warns Monday morning.

A storm warning for Juneau, extended until noon Monday, shows snow totals expected between 6 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Monday. (National Weather Service Juneau)
A person walks along the tideline adjacent to the Airport Dike Trail on Thursday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

First update in 20 years of citywide commercial-use rules for parks and trails proposed in new study

Plan to be discussed Tuesday bans commercial use of Perseverance Trail, Sunshine Cove Natural Park.

A person walks along the tideline adjacent to the Airport Dike Trail on Thursday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
John and Laura Doogan pick up Pakistani soul food from Sara Fatimah, owner of Alaska Desi Aunty, one of the food stands at the Juneau Public Market at Centennial Hall on Friday. The market continues through Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hot start for Juneau Public Market as holiday season begins with frigid, wintry weekend

About 200 clothing, craft, food and other vendors at Public and Indigenous markets through Sunday.

John and Laura Doogan pick up Pakistani soul food from Sara Fatimah, owner of Alaska Desi Aunty, one of the food stands at the Juneau Public Market at Centennial Hall on Friday. The market continues through Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mary McGee, the first U.S. woman to become a professional motorcycle racer, is seen in a documentary of her life that debuted on Thursday, one day after her death. (Promotional photo from ESPN Films)
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‘Motorcycle Mary’ McGee, a Juneau-born woman who became a racing pioneer, dies at age 87

Life of first U.S. woman to race motorcycles captured in documentary released day after her death

Mary McGee, the first U.S. woman to become a professional motorcycle racer, is seen in a documentary of her life that debuted on Thursday, one day after her death. (Promotional photo from ESPN Films)
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The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 23, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 23, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alan Young (left) conducts while John Cooper reads the words to “The Night Before Christmas” during a rehearsal Wednesday for holiday concerts by the Taku Winds brass ensemble at K̠unéix̠ Hídi Northern Light United Church. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Taku Winds takes on challenge of opening “Christmas Wrapped in Brass”

Concerts featuring holiday music from 10 to 1,000 years old scheduled Friday and Saturday

Alan Young (left) conducts while John Cooper reads the words to “The Night Before Christmas” during a rehearsal Wednesday for holiday concerts by the Taku Winds brass ensemble at K̠unéix̠ Hídi Northern Light United Church. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Austin Treston (wearing Santa hat) and Oliver Albrecht, both 11, lead off participants in the mile-long course during the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Thursday along the Airport Dike Trail. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Snow makes things extra flaky for more than 300 people at 11th annual Turkey Trot

Big costumes and big strollers still show up to plunge along the pre-Thanksgiving feast trail.

Austin Treston (wearing Santa hat) and Oliver Albrecht, both 11, lead off participants in the mile-long course during the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Thursday along the Airport Dike Trail. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A profile of a South African model is seen on the surface of Sandy Beach on Nov 18. (Photo by Elliot Welch shared by Juneau Parks and Recreation)

So…who is that woman that’s been stretched out on Sandy Beach all month?

Artist Blake Byers uses nearby rocks to depict South African model as part of “exhibit” of people on shores.

A profile of a South African model is seen on the surface of Sandy Beach on Nov 18. (Photo by Elliot Welch shared by Juneau Parks and Recreation)
President Donald Trump and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy pose for a photo aboard Air Force One during a stopover at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage in 2019. (Sheila Craighead / White House photo)

With virtually all of the top Trump spots filled, Dunleavy says he’s staying as governor

Governor, who has two years remaining in his second term, makes announcement on talk radio Monday

President Donald Trump and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy pose for a photo aboard Air Force One during a stopover at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage in 2019. (Sheila Craighead / White House photo)
The village of Kake on Kupreanof Island. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development photo)

Group of residents and a flock of frozen turkeys catch catamaran to Kake in time for Thanksgiving

Hosts of community celebrations on boat Tuesday after weekend ferry mishap strands them in Juneau.

The village of Kake on Kupreanof Island. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development photo)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
The Hubbard state ferry docks at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Auke Bay on Monday, June 26.

Break in Kake’s ferry dock mooring fouls Thanksgiving plans for dozens of people stranded in Juneau

Ship loaded with vehicles and food forced back to Juneau after wind damage to village’s dock Saturday.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
The Hubbard state ferry docks at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Auke Bay on Monday, June 26.
Ann Stepetin (left) and Marion Dau (center) talk to Pauline Duncan about her woven aprons and other items for sale at the Indigenous Artists and Vendors Holiday Market on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau Public Market expected to be biggest since 2019 — and online shoppers can start browsing now

41st annual three-day event starts Friday, along with Indigenous Artists and Vendors Holiday Market.

Ann Stepetin (left) and Marion Dau (center) talk to Pauline Duncan about her woven aprons and other items for sale at the Indigenous Artists and Vendors Holiday Market on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ranked choice votes in Alaska’s U.S. House race are tallied Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the state Division of Election’s office. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Recount of defeated ranked choice repeal ballot measure faces long odds — but has an ardent attorney

Lawyer for other “election integrity” efforts argued Supreme Court should overturn Trump’s 2020 defeat.

Ranked choice votes in Alaska’s U.S. House race are tallied Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the state Division of Election’s office. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, listens to a presentation during a House Education Committee meeting May 3, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. Story has been named co-chair of the committee for the upcoming legislative session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

State Rep. Andi Story to co-chair House Education Committee under new Democrat-led majority

Sara Hannan remains on Finance Committee as Juneau representatives look to play bigger roles

Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, listens to a presentation during a House Education Committee meeting May 3, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. Story has been named co-chair of the committee for the upcoming legislative session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Larry Gamez and Rachel Ceja collect items for a Thanksgiving food basket to deliver to a house in the Mendenhall Valley on Saturday morning as part of St. Vincent de Paul’s annual distribution program. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Matching those hungry to help with those hungry to feast carries on as pre-Thanksgiving ritual

Food baskets delivered to hundreds of homes, food bank hosts annual drive on Saturday before holiday.

Larry Gamez and Rachel Ceja collect items for a Thanksgiving food basket to deliver to a house in the Mendenhall Valley on Saturday morning as part of St. Vincent de Paul’s annual distribution program. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JPD’s daily incident reports getting thinner and vaguer. Why and does it matter?

Average of 5.12 daily incidents in October down from 10.74 a decade ago; details also far fewer.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 19, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 19, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)