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Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gwen Nizich (11) shoots from past the arch against Chugiak during the Crimson Bears 51-38 win over the Mustangs in the girls championship game at the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls win big over Chugiak for Capital City Classic championship

Crimson Bears’ 51-38 victory over Mustangs caps undefeated tournament on home court.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gwen Nizich (11) shoots from past the arch against Chugiak during the Crimson Bears 51-38 win over the Mustangs in the girls championship game at the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) shoots a three-pointer as Federal Way seniors Jacob Hurskin (10), Saxon Niles (15) Geron White (1) and Angelo Williams (2) defend during the Crimson Bears 61-48 loss to the Eagles in the boys championship game at the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Federal Way boys stretch past JDHS in Capital City Classic title game

Eagles’ height and length result in 61-48 win over Crimson Bears in finale of three-day Juneau tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Joren Gasga (12) shoots a three-pointer as Federal Way seniors Jacob Hurskin (10), Saxon Niles (15) Geron White (1) and Angelo Williams (2) defend during the Crimson Bears 61-48 loss to the Eagles in the boys championship game at the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Soldotna senior Easton Hawkins spins away from Cordova senior Thomas Nothstine during the Stars 56-52 overtime win over the Wolverines during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Soldotna senior Easton Hawkins spins away from Cordova senior Thomas Nothstine during the Stars 56-52 overtime win over the Wolverines during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kenai junior Ellsi Miller (33) attempts a shot against Klawock seniors Kaiya Marvin (12) and Lea Armour in the Cardinals 45-27 win over the Chieftains during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic, Day 3: Kenai girls defeat Klawock for third place

Kenai and Klawock were looking for their first win in the George Houston Capital City Classic on Sunday and the Cardinals got their wish 45-27… Continue reading

Kenai junior Ellsi Miller (33) attempts a shot against Klawock seniors Kaiya Marvin (12) and Lea Armour in the Cardinals 45-27 win over the Chieftains during Sunday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Former President Jimmy Carter and wife Roselynn Carter talk with Debbie Miller during a 1990 camping trip in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Miller, an Alaska teacher and author, helped found the Alaska Wilderness League. The organization this week gave a special lifetime award to the former president for his advocacy on behalf of Alaska public lands, including the Arctic refuge. (Photo provided by the Alaska Wilderness League)

Former President Jimmy Carter, honored for ANILCA and other Alaska environmental work, dies at 100

39th U.S. president died Sunday at his home in Plains, Ga.

Former President Jimmy Carter and wife Roselynn Carter talk with Debbie Miller during a 1990 camping trip in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Miller, an Alaska teacher and author, helped found the Alaska Wilderness League. The organization this week gave a special lifetime award to the former president for his advocacy on behalf of Alaska public lands, including the Arctic refuge. (Photo provided by the Alaska Wilderness League)
Juneau-related stories about tourism and flooding from The Guardian, The Washington Post and The New York Times were typical of most global coverage about Alaska’s capital city during 2024. (Screenshots from mobile websites of the respective publications)

Global warping: How the world saw Juneau in 2024

An “amusement park” for cruise tourists; site of “Titanic moment”; on Chick-fil-A fan’s bucket list.

Juneau-related stories about tourism and flooding from The Guardian, The Washington Post and The New York Times were typical of most global coverage about Alaska’s capital city during 2024. (Screenshots from mobile websites of the respective publications)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cheer squad leads the Crimson Bears boys onto the floor before their game against Soldotna during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys battle in extra time with Soldotna

Crimson Bears fall 62-60 to Stars in last-second overtime “Classic”

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cheer squad leads the Crimson Bears boys onto the floor before their game against Soldotna during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Cambry Lockhart (3) pressures Kenai sophomore Gracee Every (10) in the Crimson Bears 57-13 win over the Cardinals during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic Day 2: 4A Crimson Bears girls topple 3A Cardinals

JDHS scores second straight dominating win during hometown tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Cambry Lockhart (3) pressures Kenai sophomore Gracee Every (10) in the Crimson Bears 57-13 win over the Cardinals during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Federal Way senior Jacob Hurskin (10) scores over Cordova senior John Itliong (1) in the Eagles 64-31 win over the Wolverines during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic, Day 2: Federal Way wins against Cordova

Eagles from Washington trap Wolverines from Alaska

Federal Way senior Jacob Hurskin (10) scores over Cordova senior John Itliong (1) in the Eagles 64-31 win over the Wolverines during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Chugiak senior Emily Desmond secures a rebound as Klawock senior Kaiya Marvin (12) and junior Taylor White (24) go for the ball in the Mustangs 45-25 win over the Chieftains during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. Chugiak freshman Kaitylyn Farr (3) and Klawock eighth grader Jayla Edenshaw and senior Lea Armour look on.(Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic, Day 2: Chugiak girls defeat Klawock

4A Mustangs 2-0 as 1A Chieftains continue to stuggle in tournament at JDHS.

Chugiak senior Emily Desmond secures a rebound as Klawock senior Kaiya Marvin (12) and junior Taylor White (24) go for the ball in the Mustangs 45-25 win over the Chieftains during Saturday action at the George Houston Capital City Classic in Juneau. Chugiak freshman Kaitylyn Farr (3) and Klawock eighth grader Jayla Edenshaw and senior Lea Armour look on.(Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Columbia state ferry is the first to provide Wi-Fi service to passengers. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)

AMHS debuts passenger Wi-Fi aboard Columbia, releases schedule for next summer

No cross-Gulf sailings planned until at least 2027 due to ongoing maintenance issues, officials say.

The Columbia state ferry is the first to provide Wi-Fi service to passengers. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Brandon Casperson hits a three-point shot over Cordova senior Noah Pearson (14) during the Crimson Bears 62-39 win over the Wolverines in the nightcap game of the opening day of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic Day 1: JDHS boys beat Cordova in nightcap

Crimson Bears topple Wolverines in Juneau tournament that continues through Sunday

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Brandon Casperson hits a three-point shot over Cordova senior Noah Pearson (14) during the Crimson Bears 62-39 win over the Wolverines in the nightcap game of the opening day of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears sophomore Layla Tokuoka takes the ball from Klawock senior Lea Armour during the Crimson Bears 71-21 win over the Chieftains on the opening day of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

4A Crimson Bears girls topple 1A Chieftains

JDHS too strong in Capital City Classic opener

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears sophomore Layla Tokuoka takes the ball from Klawock senior Lea Armour during the Crimson Bears 71-21 win over the Chieftains on the opening day of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Federal Way senior Brayden McVey (4) passes around Soldotna senior defender Izaiah Gilbert (21) during the Eagles 63-40 win over the Stars in the opening game of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Capital City Classic, Day 1: Federal Way gets past Soldotna 63-40

Eagles from Washington use second half against Stars.

Federal Way senior Brayden McVey (4) passes around Soldotna senior defender Izaiah Gilbert (21) during the Eagles 63-40 win over the Stars in the opening game of the George Houston Capital City Classic on Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Chugiak freshman Kaitlyn Farr (3) checks Kenai freshman Bryleigh Williams (22) during the Mustangs 43-34 win over the Cardinals in the opening game of the George Houston Capital City Classic Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Chugiak girls run past Kenai to win opening game of Capital City Classic

Tournament featuring seven high schools continues through Sunday at JDHS.

Chugiak freshman Kaitlyn Farr (3) checks Kenai freshman Bryleigh Williams (22) during the Mustangs 43-34 win over the Cardinals in the opening game of the George Houston Capital City Classic Friday in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
An American bald eagle perched in a tree on Buttons Creek, which is part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, June 14, 2022. The bald eagle became the national bird of the United States on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Once an endangered species in the U.S., the bald eagle represents “independence, strength, and freedom,” according to the bipartisan bill signed by President Biden. (Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)

The bald eagle is (finally) the national bird of the United States

The bald eagle received a title this week that many may have assumed it already had: the national bird of the United States. For centuries,… Continue reading

  • Dec 27, 2024
  • By Sara Ruberg ©2024 The New York Times Company
  • Birds
An American bald eagle perched in a tree on Buttons Creek, which is part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, June 14, 2022. The bald eagle became the national bird of the United States on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Once an endangered species in the U.S., the bald eagle represents “independence, strength, and freedom,” according to the bipartisan bill signed by President Biden. (Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)
Firearms and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl seized by law enforcement agents in Alaska are shown in this undated photo. The volume of drugs seized this year at Anchorage's airport was nearly twice that seized last year. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Troopers)

Alaska agencies seized 317 pounds of drugs at Anchorage airport this year, nearly doubling 2023

State’s fatal overdose numbers continued to climb, a contrast with decreases nationally.

Firearms and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl seized by law enforcement agents in Alaska are shown in this undated photo. The volume of drugs seized this year at Anchorage's airport was nearly twice that seized last year. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Troopers)
Officials prepare to move Ashley Rae Johnston from the street where she was fatally shot by police on Wednesday near the Mendenhall Valley Breeze In. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Woman with hatchet shot by police on Christmas Day has long been in ‘a very dark place,’ mother says

Ashley Rae Johnston, 30, suffered early family hardship, first lived on the streets at the age of 12.

Officials prepare to move Ashley Rae Johnston from the street where she was fatally shot by police on Wednesday near the Mendenhall Valley Breeze In. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Voters at Anchorage City Hall wait in line to cast their ballots on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. City Hall, in downtown Anchorage, was one of the designated early voting sites in the state’s largest city. The director of the Alaska Division of Election answered some pointed questions at a legislative hearing last week. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska legislators, citing some citizen complaints, probe management of 2024 election

State elections director defends process as secure, trustworthy and fair, despite some glitches.

Voters at Anchorage City Hall wait in line to cast their ballots on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. City Hall, in downtown Anchorage, was one of the designated early voting sites in the state’s largest city. The director of the Alaska Division of Election answered some pointed questions at a legislative hearing last week. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Juneau Police Department officers close off an area around the intersection of Glacier Highway and Trout Street on Wednesday morning following an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a woman believed to be experiencing homelessness. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Update: Woman wielding hammer, hatchet dies in officer-involved shooting near valley Breeze In

Woman threatened person at convenience store with hammer, officers with hatchet, according to JPD

Juneau Police Department officers close off an area around the intersection of Glacier Highway and Trout Street on Wednesday morning following an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a woman believed to be experiencing homelessness. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)