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

Ships in Port for the weeks of Oct. 9 and Oct. 16

Here’s what to expect this week for the last two weeks of the season.

A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
FILE - A demonstrator waves a flag with marijuana leaves depicted on it during a protest calling for the legalization of marijuana, outside of the White House on April 2, 2016, in Washington. President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step toward decriminalizing the drug and addressing charging practices that disproportionately impact people of color. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Racial equity in marijuana pardons requires states’ action

By pardoning Americans with federal convictions for marijuana possession, President Joe Biden said he aimed to partially redress decades of anti-drug laws that disproportionately harmed… Continue reading

FILE - A demonstrator waves a flag with marijuana leaves depicted on it during a protest calling for the legalization of marijuana, outside of the White House on April 2, 2016, in Washington. President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step toward decriminalizing the drug and addressing charging practices that disproportionately impact people of color. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
Kelsey Aho holds a jar of clay she collected while fishing for hooligan on Turnagain Arm near Anchorage in 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Kelsey Aho)

Alaska Science Forum: Grains of Alaska made into art

“I can hand a piece of the Yukon River or Mendenhall Glacier to someone thousands of miles away…”

Kelsey Aho holds a jar of clay she collected while fishing for hooligan on Turnagain Arm near Anchorage in 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Kelsey Aho)
Reps. Clavin Schrage, I-Anchorage, left, and David Eastman, R-Wasilla, discuss a bill on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives to enact limits on individual contributions to political campaigns, on Monday, March 14, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The Oath Keepers and Eastman’s political future

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, isn’t on trial with members of one of the two private militias charged with seditious conspiracy related to the Jan. 6… Continue reading

Reps. Clavin Schrage, I-Anchorage, left, and David Eastman, R-Wasilla, discuss a bill on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives to enact limits on individual contributions to political campaigns, on Monday, March 14, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
In this May 24, 2019, photo, teachers and students from Northwest Montessori School in Seattle examine the carcass of a gray whale after it washed up on the coast of Washington's Olympic Peninsula, just north of Kalaloch Campground in Olympic National Park. U.S. researchers say the number of gray whales off western North America has continued to fall over the last two years, a decline that resembles previous population swings over the past several decades. According to an assessment by NOAA Fisheries released Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, the most recent count put the population at 16,650 whales — down 38% from its peak in 2015-16. (AP Photo / Gene Johnson)

Gray whale population off western U.S. continues to decline

The most recent count put the population at 16,650 whales — down 38% from its peak in 2015-16.

In this May 24, 2019, photo, teachers and students from Northwest Montessori School in Seattle examine the carcass of a gray whale after it washed up on the coast of Washington's Olympic Peninsula, just north of Kalaloch Campground in Olympic National Park. U.S. researchers say the number of gray whales off western North America has continued to fall over the last two years, a decline that resembles previous population swings over the past several decades. According to an assessment by NOAA Fisheries released Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, the most recent count put the population at 16,650 whales — down 38% from its peak in 2015-16. (AP Photo / Gene Johnson)
Debby Hudson / Unsplash
Debby Hudson / Unsplash
This screenshot of Google Earth shows Gambell, Alaska. Alaska's senators, Republicans Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, on Thursday said the Russian asylum seekers landed at a beach near the town of Gambell. The Russians said they fled the country to avoid compulsory military service. (Screenshot)

2 Russians seek asylum after reaching remote Alaska island

Russians more commonly try to enter the U.S. through Mexico.

This screenshot of Google Earth shows Gambell, Alaska. Alaska's senators, Republicans Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, on Thursday said the Russian asylum seekers landed at a beach near the town of Gambell. The Russians said they fled the country to avoid compulsory military service. (Screenshot)
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Opinion: Why is a convention referendum on the ballot this fall?

Alaska’s framers understood that the process of ordinary and higher lawmaking should be different.

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This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag. The state on Thursday reported a modest population growth between April 2020 and July 2021. It's the first time since 2016 the state has reported a population increase. (

Opinion: Constitutional convention poses great risk

Join me in voting no on Proposition 1.

This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag. The state on Thursday reported a modest population growth between April 2020 and July 2021. It's the first time since 2016 the state has reported a population increase. (
Laura Rorem (Courtesy Photo)

Living & Growing: Are science and faith compatible?

Open-minded belief in God and science are very compatible.

Laura Rorem (Courtesy Photo)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, gave her annual address to the Alaska State Legislature Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Capitol building in Juneau. Murkowski’s speech emphasized bipartisanship and making Alaska ready for the opportunities brought by the recent infrastructure package. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Murkowski helps Alaska’s present and future

When I think about the future, I think about the children in our state. I want them to live in a state that allows them… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, gave her annual address to the Alaska State Legislature Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Capitol building in Juneau. Murkowski’s speech emphasized bipartisanship and making Alaska ready for the opportunities brought by the recent infrastructure package. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Our freedom, our vote

Bipartisan investigations by the U.S. House Jan. 6 Select Committee have shown that former President Donald Trump and his allies engaged in a conspiracy, knowingly… Continue reading

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Opinion: Simply put, vote no on constitutional conventions

Make time to vote on Nov. 8 and vote against holding a constitutional convention

Artist Rick Kauzlarich, created portraits of each Juneau Artists Gallery member to commemorate our yearly Juneau Appreciation Event Sale. (Courtesy Photo / Rick Kauzlarich)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday

A world premiere, closing exhibitions and so much more.

Artist Rick Kauzlarich, created portraits of each Juneau Artists Gallery member to commemorate our yearly Juneau Appreciation Event Sale. (Courtesy Photo / Rick Kauzlarich)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau Police Department announces technology and reporting updates

Emergency services and direct reporting will not be interrupted.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A developing willow rose shows brilliant red on a background of still-mostly-green willow leaves. (Mary F. Willson / For the Juneau Empire)

On the Trails: Local color in late September

Golden cottonwoods, yellow willow leaves, and the red/pink/yellow leaves of highbush cranberry.

A developing willow rose shows brilliant red on a background of still-mostly-green willow leaves. (Mary F. Willson / For the Juneau Empire)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Opposite sides agree that a constitutional convention is a bad idea

Approving a constitutional convention would be very bad for Alaska.

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

Ships in Port for the week of Oct. 2

Here’s what to expect this week.

A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: An answer to ‘is America losing its mind?’

Personally, I think our motto should be, “Liberty and Justice for All.”

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