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Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Lavinia Ma’ake serves in a game against Wasilla earlier this season. Ma’ake was chosen player of the game on Thursday in the Crimson Bears opening loss to Service in the 2024 ASAA Volleyball State Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Crimson Bears volleyball team drops first match at state tournament

JDHS will play an elimination match at 11:45 a.m. Friday against Soldotna.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Lavinia Ma’ake serves in a game against Wasilla earlier this season. Ma’ake was chosen player of the game on Thursday in the Crimson Bears opening loss to Service in the 2024 ASAA Volleyball State Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
Nick Begich, center, the Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks with supporters during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at the Southeast Alaska Real Estate office near the Nugget Mall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Begich, repeal of ranked choice voting still lead in latest vote counts, by slightly smaller margins

All precincts have reported, but up to 35,000 ballots still uncounted with final results due Nov. 20.

Nick Begich, center, the Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks with supporters during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at the Southeast Alaska Real Estate office near the Nugget Mall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Maple the dog leads Kerry Lear and Stephanie Allison across the newly completed Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei (also known as the Brotherhood Bridge Trail) over Montana Creek Monday, November 11. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Reconnected: New bridge over Montana Creek reopens portion of Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei

People again able to walk a loop on what’s commonly known as the Brotherhood Bridge Trail.

Maple the dog leads Kerry Lear and Stephanie Allison across the newly completed Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei (also known as the Brotherhood Bridge Trail) over Montana Creek Monday, November 11. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
City officials pose with a gold shovel at the location of a new marine haulout Friday at the Gary Paxton Industrial Site. Pictured are, from left, Assembly member Kevin Mosher, GPIP Board of Directors members Chad Goeden and Lauren Howard Mitchell (holding her son, Gil Howard), Municipal Engineer Michael Harmon, Assembly member Thor Christianson, Municipal Administrator John Leach, Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz, Sitka Economic Development Association Executive Director Garry White, and GPIP Board of Directors Chair Scott Wagner. (James Poulson / Sitka Sentinel)

Sitka Assembly approved memorandum of understanding on cruise ship passenger limits by 4-3 vote

MOA sets daily limit of 7,000, guidelines for docking bans for ships that would exceed that total.

City officials pose with a gold shovel at the location of a new marine haulout Friday at the Gary Paxton Industrial Site. Pictured are, from left, Assembly member Kevin Mosher, GPIP Board of Directors members Chad Goeden and Lauren Howard Mitchell (holding her son, Gil Howard), Municipal Engineer Michael Harmon, Assembly member Thor Christianson, Municipal Administrator John Leach, Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz, Sitka Economic Development Association Executive Director Garry White, and GPIP Board of Directors Chair Scott Wagner. (James Poulson / Sitka Sentinel)
A map shows Alaska had the largest increase in drug overdose deaths among the five states reporting increases during the 12-month period ending in June. Overdoses nationally declined for a second straight year. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map)

Drug overdose deaths in Alaska jump 38.68% in a year as nationwide rate drops 14%

National experts see hope in second annual decline as Alaska officials worry about ongoing crisis.

A map shows Alaska had the largest increase in drug overdose deaths among the five states reporting increases during the 12-month period ending in June. Overdoses nationally declined for a second straight year. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map)
Wrangell’s Artha DeRuyter is one of 300 volunteers from around the country who will go to Washington, D.C., later this month to help decorate the White House for the Christmas season. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)

Wrangell florist invited to help decorate White House for Christmas

For Artha DeRuyter, flowers have always been a passion. She’s owned flower shops in Fairbanks and now Wrangell. Sometimes she operates seasonally — other times,… Continue reading

Wrangell’s Artha DeRuyter is one of 300 volunteers from around the country who will go to Washington, D.C., later this month to help decorate the White House for the Christmas season. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 14, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 14, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Hunter Lingle, junior Nolan Cruz and sophomore Stahly Sheehan work the ice Wednesday at Treadwell Arena before a JDHS practice. The Crimson Bears varsity hosts the North Pole Patriots Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears welcome Patriots to first home rink battle of the season

Treadwell Ice Arena will feature rematch of last year’s final JDHS game at state tournament

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Hunter Lingle, junior Nolan Cruz and sophomore Stahly Sheehan work the ice Wednesday at Treadwell Arena before a JDHS practice. The Crimson Bears varsity hosts the North Pole Patriots Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Students arrive at Thunder Mountain Middle School on the first day of school Thursday, Aug. 15. The school now houses all students in grades 7-8, who were in two middle schools last year, and the students at Thunder Mountain last year when it was a high school have been consolidated into Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Report: 11 high school fights during first quarter of school year, up from 3 each of past two years

Consolidation seen as possible factor; middle school incidents more typical compared to recent years

Students arrive at Thunder Mountain Middle School on the first day of school Thursday, Aug. 15. The school now houses all students in grades 7-8, who were in two middle schools last year, and the students at Thunder Mountain last year when it was a high school have been consolidated into Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy poses with then-President Donald Trump during a refueling stop by Air Force One at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in February of 2019. (Official White House photo)

Update: Dunleavy and Dahlstrom plan, cancel live Tuesday night announcement as Trump post for governor rumored

Dunleavy being considered for Interior secretary; also backs Trump on eliminating Dept. of Education

Gov. Mike Dunleavy poses with then-President Donald Trump during a refueling stop by Air Force One at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in February of 2019. (Official White House photo)
A sign welcomes visitors to Hoonah on Aug. 7, 2021 just outside the Icy Strait cruise ship port. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

State commission approves new Xunaa Borough government in northern Southeast Alaska

Area would include Hoonah and much of Glacier Bay National Park, exclude three nearby small towns.

A sign welcomes visitors to Hoonah on Aug. 7, 2021 just outside the Icy Strait cruise ship port. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Letters of support are posted to the window of the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, following a shooting incident on Monday, Nov. 11 at 5:45 a.m. in Homer. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Man arrested for three shooting incidents at reproductive clinic, recovery organization in Homer

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic was targeted twice Monday, suspect cites “religious beliefs.”

Letters of support are posted to the window of the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, following a shooting incident on Monday, Nov. 11 at 5:45 a.m. in Homer. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Juneau Douglas’s Colton Cummins pins Wrangell’s Copper Powers during the Bill Weiss Wrestling Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium at Ketchikan High School on Friday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

JDHS grapplers work the mats at Ketchikan

Crimson Bears in the final mix for team title in Bill Weiss Invitational

Juneau Douglas’s Colton Cummins pins Wrangell’s Copper Powers during the Bill Weiss Wrestling Tournament at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium at Ketchikan High School on Friday. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Amy Liddle leads Kenai junior Abigail Price and Palmer junior Kylie Benner en route to winning the girls 200 freestyle title during the ASAA Swim & Dive State Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Bartlett High School pool. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Liddle is big at Alaska high school state swim and dive championships

JDHS sophomore earns 200 free title, girls relay wins, Plang leads boys

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Amy Liddle leads Kenai junior Abigail Price and Palmer junior Kylie Benner en route to winning the girls 200 freestyle title during the ASAA Swim & Dive State Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Bartlett High School pool. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Eaglecrest Ski Area Board President Mike Satre (right) points Megan Behnke toward a checkout person during the annual Juneau Ski Sale at Centennial Hall on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Anticipation and anxieties accumulating with Eaglecrest’s scheduled opening less than a month away

Big turnout at annual ski sale despite loss of a main lift at resort; more critical crowd at public forum.

Eaglecrest Ski Area Board President Mike Satre (right) points Megan Behnke toward a checkout person during the annual Juneau Ski Sale at Centennial Hall on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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)

Alaska Capitol’s ‘worst-kept secret’ is that Gov. Dunleavy may leave office to join Trump

Some lawmakers believe governor may not be in office when new Legislature convenes in January.

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 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé volleyball team celebrates scoring the winning point in Saturday’s game against Ketchikan High School at JDHS to win the Region V title and advance to the state tournament next week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears going to state tournament after sweeping Ketchikan in two games for Region V title

JDHS roars to two-set lead, regains footing after Kings show some spark to earn 3-1 win Saturday.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé volleyball team celebrates scoring the winning point in Saturday’s game against Ketchikan High School at JDHS to win the Region V title and advance to the state tournament next week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Boney Courthouse building in Anchorage holds the Alaska Supreme Court chambers. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Three nominated for upcoming vacancy on Alaska Supreme Court

Dunleavy has 45 days to make final selection; will make the court majority female for first time.

The Boney Courthouse building in Anchorage holds the Alaska Supreme Court chambers. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Neela Thomas (12) tips a shot against Ketchikan as senior teammate Tatum Billings and Kayhi junior Genevieve Halbert (10) and sophomores Mariah Pechay-Austin (22) and Avah Bittle (11) react during the Crimson Bears 20-25, 25-9, 25-11, 25-18 match win Friday during the Region V Volleyball Championships at Juneau’s George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears win first round of Region V volleyball series against Kayhi

Region V Championship will be decided Saturday in the George Houston Gymnasium.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Neela Thomas (12) tips a shot against Ketchikan as senior teammate Tatum Billings and Kayhi junior Genevieve Halbert (10) and sophomores Mariah Pechay-Austin (22) and Avah Bittle (11) react during the Crimson Bears 20-25, 25-9, 25-11, 25-18 match win Friday during the Region V Volleyball Championships at Juneau’s George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Karen Brewer-Tarver, a partner with the Juneau-based accounting firm Elgee Rehfeld, presents results from a third-party audit of the Juneau School District for past fiscal year to the Juneau Board of Education’s Finance Committee on Thursday night. (Screenshot from Juneau School District livestream)

Positive ending: School district emerges from fiscal crisis with first audit without a deficit in years

Report finds lingering problems with “internal controls,” recommends more staff and refining procedures.

Karen Brewer-Tarver, a partner with the Juneau-based accounting firm Elgee Rehfeld, presents results from a third-party audit of the Juneau School District for past fiscal year to the Juneau Board of Education’s Finance Committee on Thursday night. (Screenshot from Juneau School District livestream)