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A sign at Thunder Mountain Middle School was changed in January 2025 from Thunder Mountain High School to reflect the Juneau School District consolidation that officially took effect July 1, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska House bill raising education funding more than 40% over three years gets first hearing Monday

Juneau school leaders say they’ve done their part, Legislature now needs to uphold state constitution.

A sign at Thunder Mountain Middle School was changed in January 2025 from Thunder Mountain High School to reflect the Juneau School District consolidation that officially took effect July 1, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

66% drop in reported drug crimes first half of ‘24, staffing woes continue, JPD states in annual report

Decline in drugs cases reflects shift to larger cases that take more time to investigate, chief says.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys junior varsity team pose for a photo at Hoonah last week. (Photo courtesy JDHS)

JDHS JV and C teams earn road wins

JV play at Hoonah, C team travels to Petersburg.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys junior varsity team pose for a photo at Hoonah last week. (Photo courtesy JDHS)
Juneau’s flooded Mendenhall Valley is seen on Aug. 6, 2024. The waters pouring from an outburst flood at Mendenhall Glacier reached record levels, surpassing the record set by a similar glacial outburst flood the previous year. Hundreds of homes were damaged, and some were destroyed. (Photo provided by the City and Borough of Juneau)

Researchers embark on five-year study of flood risks at Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier

After two consecutive years when meltwaters burst out of a basin on Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier and devastated neighborhoods in that part of the capital city,… Continue reading

Juneau’s flooded Mendenhall Valley is seen on Aug. 6, 2024. The waters pouring from an outburst flood at Mendenhall Glacier reached record levels, surpassing the record set by a similar glacial outburst flood the previous year. Hundreds of homes were damaged, and some were destroyed. (Photo provided by the City and Borough of Juneau)
Thunder Mountain Middle School grappler Momar Diouf wrestles an opponent from Thorne Bay during the Stikine Wrestling Championships last weekend in Wrangell. (Photo courtesy TMMS)

Thunder Mountain Middle School pins Stikine title

Falcons grapplers dominate wrestling tournament in Wrangell.

Thunder Mountain Middle School grappler Momar Diouf wrestles an opponent from Thorne Bay during the Stikine Wrestling Championships last weekend in Wrangell. (Photo courtesy TMMS)
State Rep. Maxine Dibert (right), a Fairbanks Democrat, confers with Rep. Calvin Schrage (I-Anchorage) about a resolution opposing the change of Denali back to Mount McKinley during the House floor session at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Alaska House majority rejects GOP effort to turn protest of Denali name change into Trump tribute

Resolution opposing restoration of Mt. McKinley name is first legislation to pass House this session.

State Rep. Maxine Dibert (right), a Fairbanks Democrat, confers with Rep. Calvin Schrage (I-Anchorage) about a resolution opposing the change of Denali back to Mount McKinley during the House floor session at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hosts and guests mingle at a fundraising brunch on behalf of the Alaska Cultural Trust at the Rie Muñoz Gallery on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Practicing the art of of seeking funds from lawmakers during a lean year at the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska Cultural Trust seeks $733,000 — $1 per resident — for grants it hopes to start awarding this fall.

Hosts and guests mingle at a fundraising brunch on behalf of the Alaska Cultural Trust at the Rie Muñoz Gallery on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Kerra and Cailynn Baxter work for a loose ball Saturday during the Lynx’ 53-43 win over the Crimson Bears in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls fall in fast-paced game to visiting Dimond squad

Crimson Bears’ old family basketball ties now extend to Lynx.

Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Kerra and Cailynn Baxter work for a loose ball Saturday during the Lynx’ 53-43 win over the Crimson Bears in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Luke Bovitz (4) and Kenai’s Evyn Witt (31) and Cole Langham (28) go for a puck during the Crimson Bears’ 5-1 loss to the Kardinals on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS hockey sets record, but falls twice to visiting Kenai

Friday senior night one to remember, Saturday morning one to forget.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Luke Bovitz (4) and Kenai’s Evyn Witt (31) and Cole Langham (28) go for a puck during the Crimson Bears’ 5-1 loss to the Kardinals on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Layla Tokuoka battle for a ball during Friday’s Crimson Bears 62-48 win over the Lynx inside the George Houston Gymnasium. The teams play Saturday at 7 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls steal Dimond’s shine

Crimson Bears defense leads to offense and stymies Lynx.

Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Layla Tokuoka battle for a ball during Friday’s Crimson Bears 62-48 win over the Lynx inside the George Houston Gymnasium. The teams play Saturday at 7 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Mount McKinley, officially renamed from Denali as of Friday, is seen in the distance. (National Park Service photo)

It’s official: Denali is again Mount McKinley

Interior Department says change effective as of Friday; Gulf of Mexico is also now Gulf of America.

Mount McKinley, officially renamed from Denali as of Friday, is seen in the distance. (National Park Service photo)
President Donald Trump discusses Helene recovery during a visit to Western North Carolina on Jan. 24, 2025. (C-SPAN screenshot)

Trump floats ‘getting rid’ of FEMA as he visits North Carolina to survey Helene damage

Federal agency approved more than $2.6M in aid for Juneau residents affected by 2024 flood.

President Donald Trump discusses Helene recovery during a visit to Western North Carolina on Jan. 24, 2025. (C-SPAN screenshot)
The Juneau Symphony rehearses for its winter mainstage concert in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé auditorium on Jan. 23, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Symphony rehearses for its winter mainstage concert in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé auditorium on Jan. 23, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Katie Kachel (left), a federal lobbyist for the City and Borough of Juneau, talks with Juneau Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Mayor Beth Weldon following a joint meeting of the Assembly and Juneau’s legislative delegation on Thursday at the Assembly Chambers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Katie Kachel (left), a federal lobbyist for the City and Borough of Juneau, talks with Juneau Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Mayor Beth Weldon following a joint meeting of the Assembly and Juneau’s legislative delegation on Thursday at the Assembly Chambers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau residents fill out public comment cards at an open house in the Assembly Chambers on Jan. 22, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Public weighs in on draft tideland lease conditions for private Aak’w Landing cruise dock

Community asks how the waterfront development project will be managed with the growth of tourism.

Juneau residents fill out public comment cards at an open house in the Assembly Chambers on Jan. 22, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 24, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 24, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A dump truck carries away a load of debris during demolition work on the Alaska-Juneau Gold Mine steam power plant Nov. 20, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Going, going…gone: A historic AJ Mine building disappears

Power plant built in 1916 kept Juneau’s economic engine charged for decades before falling into disrepair.

A dump truck carries away a load of debris during demolition work on the Alaska-Juneau Gold Mine steam power plant Nov. 20, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) walks to the Senate chamber ahead of a vote at the Capitol in Washington, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times)

Murkowski says she will vote against Hegseth, making her first GOP senator to oppose a Trump Cabinet pick

Defense Secretary nominee facing barrage of accusations including sexual assault, drinking.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) walks to the Senate chamber ahead of a vote at the Capitol in Washington, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times)
President Trump signed a series of executive orders in the first hours of his term. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Birthright citizenship of Native Americans questioned by Trump administration

Justice Department makes argument defending executive order suspending birthright citizenship.

President Trump signed a series of executive orders in the first hours of his term. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
The future U.S. Coast Guard cutter Storis, the service’s newest icebreaker, near Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 10, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

The Juneau-bound icebreaker has design problems and a history of failure. It’s America’s latest military vessel.

Aiviq builders gave more than $7M in political donations since 2012; Coast Guard purchased vessel under pressure from Congress.

The future U.S. Coast Guard cutter Storis, the service’s newest icebreaker, near Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 10, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)