Home

Pins supporting the repeal of ranked choice voting are seen on April 20, 2024, at the Republican state convention in Anchorage. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska ranked choice voting repeal effort outraised a hundredfold, campaign finance filings show

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Lesil McGuire’s name and note that campaign finance disclosures are made to the Alaska Public… Continue reading

Pins supporting the repeal of ranked choice voting are seen on April 20, 2024, at the Republican state convention in Anchorage. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Produce is on display at a Juneau market on Wednesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska again lags in processing food stamp applications, new court filings show

Alaska’s Department of Health is again slipping into a backlog of food stamp applications. The news comes from state data included in a filing from… Continue reading

Produce is on display at a Juneau market on Wednesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28, 2024, in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Approximately six feet of debris piled on the bridge from Lake Lure to Chimney Rock, blocking access. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Alaska sends National Guard, other help to hurricane-hit states in the Lower 48

The state of Alaska is sending 50 National Guardsmen to Florida to help that state recover from hurricanes Helene and Milton. The latter hurricane is… Continue reading

The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28, 2024, in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Approximately six feet of debris piled on the bridge from Lake Lure to Chimney Rock, blocking access. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)
Jackie Bryant, director of the city’s cold-weather emergency shelter during its first season, inspects cots after people staying there depart on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Cold-weather shelter in Thane to open for second year Tuesday with indoor bathrooms and other changes

Shelter officials, surrounding businesses plan more active monitoring to safeguard against problems.

Jackie Bryant, director of the city’s cold-weather emergency shelter during its first season, inspects cots after people staying there depart on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A view of Gastineau Channel, where a second crossing between Juneau and Douglas north of the current bridge is in the evaluation stage. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Flood protection, second Juneau-Douglas crossing top Planning Commission’s legislative wish list

Draft 19-item list also includes housing, other projects Assembly will rank and seek funds for.

A view of Gastineau Channel, where a second crossing between Juneau and Douglas north of the current bridge is in the evaluation stage. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé tennis team. Seated left to right: Aurora Madsen, Isabella Reyes-Boyer, Milina Mazon, Maya Breedlove, Madeline Gibson, Lydia Heidemann, Hazel McWilliams and Maggie Fairchild. Middle L-R: Daniela Lamas, Shakti Tellez-Perez, Skylar Hayes, Dan Degener, Jaime Snedden, Riley Dale and Katharine Hieb. Standing L-R: Paige Kirsch, Isaac Hill, Elliot Welch, Kajson Cunningham, Hayden Soboleff, Alex Rehfeldt, Taliesin Paul, Riley Soboleff and Ainsley Mallott. (Photo courtesy JDHS Tennis)

JDHS tennis team hits Anchorage courts for state tournament

Milina Mazon, Alexander Rehfeldt are #1 seed in mixed doubles for competition that starts Thursday.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé tennis team. Seated left to right: Aurora Madsen, Isabella Reyes-Boyer, Milina Mazon, Maya Breedlove, Madeline Gibson, Lydia Heidemann, Hazel McWilliams and Maggie Fairchild. Middle L-R: Daniela Lamas, Shakti Tellez-Perez, Skylar Hayes, Dan Degener, Jaime Snedden, Riley Dale and Katharine Hieb. Standing L-R: Paige Kirsch, Isaac Hill, Elliot Welch, Kajson Cunningham, Hayden Soboleff, Alex Rehfeldt, Taliesin Paul, Riley Soboleff and Ainsley Mallott. (Photo courtesy JDHS Tennis)
Juneau Huskies linemen (left-to-right) senior Ricky Tupou, senior Gunnar Tarver, junior Walter Haube-Law, junior Jonah Mahle, junior Kyle Carter, senior Merrick Hartman, senior Stefano Rivera and junior Hyrum Fish. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s unsung heroes tasked with holding the line in state football playoffs at West Anchorage

Sixth-seeded Huskies face third-seeded Eagles at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Juneau Huskies linemen (left-to-right) senior Ricky Tupou, senior Gunnar Tarver, junior Walter Haube-Law, junior Jonah Mahle, junior Kyle Carter, senior Merrick Hartman, senior Stefano Rivera and junior Hyrum Fish. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, Nick Begich, Republican candidate for U.S. House; Alaskan Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe and Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, hold up paddles indicating their opposition to finfish farming in Alaska. Howe had jokingly looked at Begich’s paddle before making a decision. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

At U.S. House debate in Kodiak, candidates differ on future of Alaska fisheries

Begich emphasizes fighting for the state, Peltola focuses on building support in Congress.

From left to right, Nick Begich, Republican candidate for U.S. House; Alaskan Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe and Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, hold up paddles indicating their opposition to finfish farming in Alaska. Howe had jokingly looked at Begich’s paddle before making a decision. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Tyson Duckworth (left) and Marco Reina face off in the main event at AK Beatdown 36 on Saturday night at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Fight night returns to Juneau after five years with a 10-count of boxing and MMA bouts

AK Beatdown 36 reunites brawlers from Southeast and beyond, with some eyeing bigger dreams.

Tyson Duckworth (left) and Marco Reina face off in the main event at AK Beatdown 36 on Saturday night at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Republican challenger Nick Begich III and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are on the stage at the beginning of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s candidate forum on Aug. 28, 2024. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska’s U.S. House candidates face each other three times in three days this week

Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, and her leading challenger, Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich, will appear on stage at three election forums and debates this… Continue reading

Republican challenger Nick Begich III and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are on the stage at the beginning of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s candidate forum on Aug. 28, 2024. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area may be closed throughout the 2024-25 ski season due to mechanical problems. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Eaglecrest facing rocky ski season due to loss of Black Bear lift, problems with snowmaking system

One of two mountaintop lifts may close all season; report says snowmaking needs “immediate safety upgrades.”

The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area may be closed throughout the 2024-25 ski season due to mechanical problems. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
June Troxel (left), a sophomore for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity volleyball team, sets up a teammate during Saturday’s game against Mountain City Christian Academy in an elimination game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at JDHS. Pictured on the court with Troxel are Amelia Elfers (13), Lavinia Ma’ake (11) and Braith Dihle (2). Head Coach Jody Levernier is standing behind them holding a clipboard. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS volleyball teams find their new groove hosting JIVE tournament

Varsity built from 91 players seeking spots after consolidation settles in; two JV teams face off in semifinal.

June Troxel (left), a sophomore for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity volleyball team, sets up a teammate during Saturday’s game against Mountain City Christian Academy in an elimination game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at JDHS. Pictured on the court with Troxel are Amelia Elfers (13), Lavinia Ma’ake (11) and Braith Dihle (2). Head Coach Jody Levernier is standing behind them holding a clipboard. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An early voting station is set up in the atrium of the State Office Building on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, the first day of early voting for the 2024 Alaska primary election. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska records show no evidence of widespread noncitizen voting or registration

Trump and in-state Republicans have falsely claimed that noncitizens are voting in large numbers.

An early voting station is set up in the atrium of the State Office Building on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, the first day of early voting for the 2024 Alaska primary election. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Four businesses and four apartments in a building owned by Mike Ward burn on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Haines. It’s not yet clear exactly how the fire started, but Ward and others on the scene said it appeared to have been set in one of the apartments. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)

Building fire destroys four businesses and four apartments in Haines

“I feel like I’m losing part of my life here,” Haines Quick Shop owner Mike Ward says.

  • Oct 6, 2024
  • By Rashah McChesney, Chilkat Valley News
  • Fire
Four businesses and four apartments in a building owned by Mike Ward burn on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Haines. It’s not yet clear exactly how the fire started, but Ward and others on the scene said it appeared to have been set in one of the apartments. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)
The Division I girls begin their first loop during the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears leave large paw prints at state cross-country running championships

Meyer places second for Division I girls, Thompson second among Division I boys.

The Division I girls begin their first loop during the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Petersburg junior Gaje Ventress (413) leads classmate Alex Holmgrain (407) to the finish of the Division III boys 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Petersburg boys and girls sweep Division III State XC team titles

Craig’s Nelson defeats state boys field, Unalakleet’s Busk defends girls championship.

Petersburg junior Gaje Ventress (413) leads classmate Alex Holmgrain (407) to the finish of the Division III boys 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Sitka senior Clare Mullin defends her Division II state championship as she approaches the finish of the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Division II state cross-country harriers fed to the Wolves and Lions

Sitka’s Clare Mullin, Grace’s Robbie Annett defend their crowns.

Sitka senior Clare Mullin defends her Division II state championship as she approaches the finish of the 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
A person seen at an entrance sign to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is being sought by the Juneau Police Department following several instances of swastikas being spray painted at locations in the Mendenhall Valley in recent days. (Juneau Police Department)

Man sought following multiple incidents of swastika graffiti in the Mendenhall Valley

Several incidents of swastikas being spray painted at locations in the Mendenhall Valley have been reported since Wednesday, with the Juneau Police Department publishing photos… Continue reading

A person seen at an entrance sign to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is being sought by the Juneau Police Department following several instances of swastikas being spray painted at locations in the Mendenhall Valley in recent days. (Juneau Police Department)
Juneau Huskies’ senior Jayden Johnson (4) runs for a 51-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter of Friday night’s game against Colony High School in Palmer. Johnson scored five touchdowns in the first half as Juneau defeated Colony 42-6. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Jayden Johnson puts on super-hot show on frigid night as Huskies run over Colony 42-6

Juneau senior runs for 5 TDs, more than 150 yards in first half; Huskies enter playoffs as likely sixth seed.

Juneau Huskies’ senior Jayden Johnson (4) runs for a 51-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter of Friday night’s game against Colony High School in Palmer. Johnson scored five touchdowns in the first half as Juneau defeated Colony 42-6. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Museum is seen in the fall sun on Wednesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Grant increases museum access for Alaska Native artists and culture bearers

The Access to Alaska Native Collections grant is part of a broader movement.

The Alaska State Museum is seen in the fall sun on Wednesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)