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Juneau Assembly members confer with Bartlett Regional Hospital leaders during a break in an Assembly Finance Committee meeting Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Assembly begins annual budget process with school district exiting crisis, hospital facing one

Bartlett has lost millions annually since ‘20, will be broke in three years without fixes, CFO says.

Juneau Assembly members confer with Bartlett Regional Hospital leaders during a break in an Assembly Finance Committee meeting Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Buddy Tabor performs at Resurrection Lutheran Church in January 2009. Albert McDonnell and his daughter Hazel are shown at left. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Capital City Weekly

Buddy Tabor’s folk music hits global streaming platforms

Online re-release of Juneau musician’s 1998 album occurring during this week’s Alaska Folk Festival.

Buddy Tabor performs at Resurrection Lutheran Church in January 2009. Albert McDonnell and his daughter Hazel are shown at left. (Juneau Empire file photo)
About 20 people gather in Marine Park at midday Tuesday for a rally calling for a ban on large cruise ships on Saturdays in Juneau. Some of the participants are members of a committee planning to gather signatures for a petition to put the question on the ballot for local voters. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Activists hoping to put Saturday ban on large cruise ships on local ballot

Proposed initiative would also make July 4 a ship-free day in Juneau.

About 20 people gather in Marine Park at midday Tuesday for a rally calling for a ban on large cruise ships on Saturdays in Juneau. Some of the participants are members of a committee planning to gather signatures for a petition to put the question on the ballot for local voters. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Construction workers work on retaining walls and other infrastructure Tuesday in preparation for an expanded three-season food court on South Franklin Street. The Juneau Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the project, some of which occupies the space where the historic Elks Lodge stood until it was demolished last year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Expanded three-season food court on Franklin Street gets unanimous OK from Planning Commission

More food options, seating, a bar and restrooms among plans that include former Elks Lodge site.

Construction workers work on retaining walls and other infrastructure Tuesday in preparation for an expanded three-season food court on South Franklin Street. The Juneau Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the project, some of which occupies the space where the historic Elks Lodge stood until it was demolished last year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, stares at a pile stack of budget amendments on Tuesday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House digs into budget — and a developing gap between expenses and revenue

Financial estimates show may not be enough revenue to cover the Legislature’s draft spending plan.

Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, stares at a pile stack of budget amendments on Tuesday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The voting board in the Alaska House of Representatives displays the total votes for and against Senate Bill 45 on Monday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska lawmakers OK rules for subscription-style basic health care

The Alaska Legislature has voted to approve a health care approach likened to a gym membership. In a 28-12 vote on Monday, the state House… Continue reading

The voting board in the Alaska House of Representatives displays the total votes for and against Senate Bill 45 on Monday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski meets with Thunder Mountain High School senior Elizabeth Djajalie in March in Washington, D.C., when Djajalie was one of two Alaskans chosen as delegates for the Senate Youth Program. (Photo courtesy U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office)

Neighbors: Juneau student among four National Honor Society Scholarship Award winners

TMHS senior Elizabeth Djajalie selected from among nearly 17,000 applicants.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski meets with Thunder Mountain High School senior Elizabeth Djajalie in March in Washington, D.C., when Djajalie was one of two Alaskans chosen as delegates for the Senate Youth Program. (Photo courtesy U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office)
The 1,094-foot-long Norwegian Bliss docks in Juneau early Tuesday morning to begin this year’s cruise ship season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

First cruise ship of the season arrives to welcomes, planned protest

Passengers get warm reception at dock, may encounter midday rally seeking ship-free Saturdays.

The 1,094-foot-long Norwegian Bliss docks in Juneau early Tuesday morning to begin this year’s cruise ship season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Gustavus band Tramwreck performs on the main stage in the ballroom at Centennial Hall during the opening night of the 49th annual Alaska Folk Festival on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

49th annual Alaska Folk Festival celebrates a homecoming on opening night

Weeklong event will feature about 130 acts performing music, dances and workshops.

The Gustavus band Tramwreck performs on the main stage in the ballroom at Centennial Hall during the opening night of the 49th annual Alaska Folk Festival on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
The House Education Committee hears public testimony on a multipart education bill on Monday. Members of the public chided lawmakers for a dysfunctional meeting. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Committee advances Alaska education bill with Gov. Dunleavy priorities, historic funding increase

The meeting was dysfunctional enough that the public scolded lawmakers in testimony.

The House Education Committee hears public testimony on a multipart education bill on Monday. Members of the public chided lawmakers for a dysfunctional meeting. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Juneau Board of Education President Deedie Sorensen (left) and Vice President Emil Mackey, holding his son Emil Mackey IV, listen to discussion about next year’s budget for the school district during a meeting March 14 at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Both are the targets of recall petitions expected to begin circulating this week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Recall effort targets school board president, vice president due to district’s budget crisis

Deedie Sorensen, Emil Mackey failed to act on previous concerns about fiscal woes, petitioners say.

Juneau Board of Education President Deedie Sorensen (left) and Vice President Emil Mackey, holding his son Emil Mackey IV, listen to discussion about next year’s budget for the school district during a meeting March 14 at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Both are the targets of recall petitions expected to begin circulating this week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Maddy Fortunato, a Chickaloon middle school student, sets to attempt the one-hand reach by touching a suspended ball while remaining balanced on the other hand during the Traditional Games on Sunday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Striving for the perfect balance of competition, camaraderie at seventh annual Traditional Games

More than 250 participants pursue personal goals while helping others during Indigenous events.

Maddy Fortunato, a Chickaloon middle school student, sets to attempt the one-hand reach by touching a suspended ball while remaining balanced on the other hand during the Traditional Games on Sunday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer and co-chair of the House Finance Committee, signs the committee’s version of the state operating budget on Friday. Looking on is Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, and at background is Rep. Frank Tomaszewski, R-Fairbanks. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House prepares to consider budget changes, including money for homeless shelter and ferries

$12.3 billion spending plan includes PFD of more than $2,700, but lawmakers expect changes.

Rep. DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer and co-chair of the House Finance Committee, signs the committee’s version of the state operating budget on Friday. Looking on is Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, and at background is Rep. Frank Tomaszewski, R-Fairbanks. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Tourists wait at a Capital Transit bus stop about 1.5 miles from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on July 19, 2023. Large numbers of cruise ship visitors taking city buses to get near the glacier last year meant there often wasn’t space for local residents going to other locations. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

First cruise ship of season expected to match last year’s record-high traffic arrives Tuesday

Officials say new five-ship daily limit will reduce passengers compared to busiest days last year.

Tourists wait at a Capital Transit bus stop about 1.5 miles from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on July 19, 2023. Large numbers of cruise ship visitors taking city buses to get near the glacier last year meant there often wasn’t space for local residents going to other locations. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
A security gate installed at Harris Harbor is scheduled to be locked from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily starting in early May, with access to boaters provided by key fobs or other means. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Harris Harbor to be protected at night by electronic security gate starting in early May

Barrier is believed to be the first at a public dock in Alaska; boaters will access via key fobs

A security gate installed at Harris Harbor is scheduled to be locked from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily starting in early May, with access to boaters provided by key fobs or other means. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Visitors to the Denver Art Museum look at “Drum (Gaaw),” a cultural item from the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, on display in the Northwest Coast and Alaska Native Art Galleries on March 27. The tribes, from Southeast Alaska, have been trying to reclaim their cultural items from the Denver Art Museum for more than 30 years. (RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Tlingit and Haida delegation came to Denver to reclaim their cultural heritage. They left empty-handed.

Tribal representatives say city museum has historic objects that should be returned under 1990 law.

Visitors to the Denver Art Museum look at “Drum (Gaaw),” a cultural item from the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, on display in the Northwest Coast and Alaska Native Art Galleries on March 27. The tribes, from Southeast Alaska, have been trying to reclaim their cultural items from the Denver Art Museum for more than 30 years. (RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police: Death of man from gunshot wound near glacier not suspicious

Body discovered along roadside on Wednesday morning, with weapon next to him.

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
Laurie Lewis, a California bluegrass musician who has been performing for nearly four decades, is the featured guest artist at the 49th annual Alaska Folk Festival that starts Monday. (Photo courtesy of Laurie Lewis)

49th annual Alaska Folk Festival returns to its familiar roots at Centennial Hall

More than 130 acts scheduled to perform during week of concerts, dances and workshops.

Laurie Lewis, a California bluegrass musician who has been performing for nearly four decades, is the featured guest artist at the 49th annual Alaska Folk Festival that starts Monday. (Photo courtesy of Laurie Lewis)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 4, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week ending April 6

Three decades of capital city coverage.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 4, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Cerys Hudson, winner of the Juneau Symphony’s Youth Solo Competition, rehearses for this weekend’s performance with the ensemble at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Frankenstein join on stage for Juneau Symphony’s spring concert

Youth solo winner Cerys Hudson featured on cello concerto notable for its splicing of parts.

Cerys Hudson, winner of the Juneau Symphony’s Youth Solo Competition, rehearses for this weekend’s performance with the ensemble at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)