Home

Lacey Sanders, director of the state Office of Management and Budget, presents Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s updated budget requests for this fiscal year and next to the Senate Finance Committee on Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Small changes in governor’s proposed budget could mean big moves for Juneau

New plan moves staff from Permanent Fund building, opening space for city to put all employees there

Lacey Sanders, director of the state Office of Management and Budget, presents Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s updated budget requests for this fiscal year and next to the Senate Finance Committee on Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces his proposed FY2025 budget at a news conference in Juneau on Dec. 14, 2023. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Gov. Dunleavy proposes tax breaks for the private sector to address Alaska’s high cost of living

The Dunleavy administration’s proposal to address a crisis of affordability in Alaska is to offer a tax credit to businesses that pitch in to reduce… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces his proposed FY2025 budget at a news conference in Juneau on Dec. 14, 2023. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Smokestack emissions into Fairbanks’ atmosphere are seen on March 1, 2023, from the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska legislators give closer look at bill aimed at storing carbon emissions underground

Bill could enable enhanced oil recovery, sequestration of emissions from new coal-fired power.

Smokestack emissions into Fairbanks’ atmosphere are seen on March 1, 2023, from the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
People rally outside the Alaska State Capitol, Monday, Jan. 29, in support of increased funding for public schools in the state. The rally was set to take place the night of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State speech but the speech was delayed until Jan. 30 after high winds disrupted flights carrying speech guests and Cabinet members. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

A high cost of living and lack of a pension strain teachers in Alaska. Would bonuses help keep them?

Cory Hughes moved to a remote Alaska village to teach and would happily stay and retire there if he could afford to — despite the… Continue reading

People rally outside the Alaska State Capitol, Monday, Jan. 29, in support of increased funding for public schools in the state. The rally was set to take place the night of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State speech but the speech was delayed until Jan. 30 after high winds disrupted flights carrying speech guests and Cabinet members. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Kerra Baxter (#22) tries to penetrate Colony High School’s defense during Saturday’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

No. 4 TMHS girls, hit by injuries and illness, can’t keep up with No. 2 Colony

Falcons recover from 71-31 rout Friday, keep Saturday’s game even until fourth quarter in 57-48 loss.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Kerra Baxter (#22) tries to penetrate Colony High School’s defense during Saturday’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Lisa Pearce (center), a financial analyst for the Juneau School District, explains the deadline officials are facing to take action to resolve a massive deficit during a work session Saturday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Seated next to Pearce are Superintendent Frank Hauser (left) and school board member Britteny Cioni-Haywood. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A plan moving forward: Consolidating grades 7-9 and special programs at JDHS, 10-12 at TMHS

School board, with time running out for budget-slashing decision, seeks more details on lone option.

Lisa Pearce (center), a financial analyst for the Juneau School District, explains the deadline officials are facing to take action to resolve a massive deficit during a work session Saturday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Seated next to Pearce are Superintendent Frank Hauser (left) and school board member Britteny Cioni-Haywood. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A map shows the percentage of residents participating in a survey Feb. 2-5 who favor their state seceding from the U.S., with Alaska topping states with at least 100 respondents at 36%. (Map by YouGov)

36% of Alaskans in survey favor seceding from U.S., highest among 47 states included in results

Poll finds 23% of 35,307 adults in U.S. support secession; Republicans more in favor than Democrats.

A map shows the percentage of residents participating in a survey Feb. 2-5 who favor their state seceding from the U.S., with Alaska topping states with at least 100 respondents at 36%. (Map by YouGov)
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, stands outside a restaurant on May 6, 2022, in Palmer, her home city. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Dr. Anne Zink to leave position as Alaska chief medical officer

Alaska’s ‘top doc’ reflects on nearly five years of work, time in public eye during pandemic.

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, stands outside a restaurant on May 6, 2022, in Palmer, her home city. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A framed picture of Alaska Native civil rights leader Elizabeth Peratrovich is seen in the lobby outside of Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Friday. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

On Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, Alaska Native leaders teach continuing advocacy

On Feb. 16, 1945, Alaska legislators signed the nation’s first anti-discrimination law. Historical records show that the words of an Alaska Native woman named Elizabeth… Continue reading

A framed picture of Alaska Native civil rights leader Elizabeth Peratrovich is seen in the lobby outside of Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Friday. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Steve Bradford (left) and Mark Kissel, both vice presidents of the Riverside Condominiums Homeowners Association, discuss repairs to two of the complex’s buildings on Aug. 9 as a bulldozer places rock fill under a corner of one building exposed by erosion during record flooding of the Mendenhall River on Aug. 5. Repairs to both buildings ultimately were successful. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bill increasing state disaster aid for individuals to $50K, up from $21K, introduced by Kiehl

Legislation also expands eligibility for condos as part of remedies sought after Suicide Basin flood

Steve Bradford (left) and Mark Kissel, both vice presidents of the Riverside Condominiums Homeowners Association, discuss repairs to two of the complex’s buildings on Aug. 9 as a bulldozer places rock fill under a corner of one building exposed by erosion during record flooding of the Mendenhall River on Aug. 5. Repairs to both buildings ultimately were successful. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
An empty classroom at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on July 20, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)

With deadline looming, more than half of Alaska’s relief funds for homeless students are unspent

Alaska legislators and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski consider push for an extension

An empty classroom at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on July 20, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)
Cast members of “Indecent” rehearse Wednesday at Perseverance Theatre in preparation for the play’s scheduled debut on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

‘Indecent’ features cast of multiple personalities retelling tale of controversial historic play

Actors take on many emotions, accents and personas in play debuting this weekend at Perseverance.

Cast members of “Indecent” rehearse Wednesday at Perseverance Theatre in preparation for the play’s scheduled debut on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Feb. 16, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Feb. 18

Three decades of capital city coverage.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Feb. 16, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Brenda William-See attempts a fast-break layup for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Thursday’s game against Colony High School at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls take early lead, but lose at home to No. 2 Colony 73-20

No. 4 THMS plays visting Knights at home Friday and Saturday.

Brenda William-See attempts a fast-break layup for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Thursday’s game against Colony High School at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, delivers her annual address to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday as Senate President Gary Stevens and House Speaker Cathy Tilton watch. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Murkowski expresses hope for Alaska overcoming difficulties in annual speech to state lawmakers

Senator also denounces Biden, Trump and an “unproductive Congress” during time of major challenges.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, delivers her annual address to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday as Senate President Gary Stevens and House Speaker Cathy Tilton watch. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Samuel Lockhart (#14) of Thunder Mountain High School tries to get past Sean Oliver of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Wednesday night’s game at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

TMHS, JDHS boys’ basketball teams get dominant victories on each other’s courts

Crimson Bears win 64-45 on Tuesday, Falcons rebound to prevail 56-35 on Wednesday.

Samuel Lockhart (#14) of Thunder Mountain High School tries to get past Sean Oliver of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Wednesday night’s game at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Traffic at the Fred Meyer intersection, formally known as Egan and Yandukin drives, in November 2019. Proposed safety upgrades at the intersection may be impacted by the federal government’s rejection of the State Transportation Improvement Program for 2024-27. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Statewide transportation projects at risk as federal government rejects 2024-27 improvement plan

Cascade Point terminal, numerous ferry upgrades among local projects potentially impacted.

Traffic at the Fred Meyer intersection, formally known as Egan and Yandukin drives, in November 2019. Proposed safety upgrades at the intersection may be impacted by the federal government’s rejection of the State Transportation Improvement Program for 2024-27. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Lauren Stichert, a senior at Thunder Mountain High School, testifies before the Juneau Board of Education during a meeting about the school district’s budget crisis Tuesday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

District leaders focus on least, most dramatic school consolidation options to cope with budget crisis

All proposals consolidate both middle schools into one, leave sizable remaining deficit.

Lauren Stichert, a senior at Thunder Mountain High School, testifies before the Juneau Board of Education during a meeting about the school district’s budget crisis Tuesday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Jan. 18. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

For third year, Alaska’s top-paid public executive is the gas pipeline boss

The head of the state corporation in charge of a long-planned trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline is once again Alaska’s top-paid public executive. Frank Richards, president… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen on Jan. 18. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
This photo shows a Capital Transit bus en route along Glacier Highway in the Mendenhall Valley in June of 2022. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire file photo)

City looks at increasing buses between downtown and Mendenhall Glacier area during peak tourist season

Proposal would use marine passenger fees for extra buses after locals stranded at stops last year.

This photo shows a Capital Transit bus en route along Glacier Highway in the Mendenhall Valley in June of 2022. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire file photo)