News

Wednesday Legislative recap: Smaller slices for towns and cities

The Alaska Senate has voted to reduce the state’s subsidy of local government.On Wednesday morning, the Senate voted 17-3 to approve Senate Bill 210, which… Continue reading

Volunteer greeters orient visitors to Juneau, one question at a time

Juneau resident Michelle Storer has been a volunteer greeter for the Juneau, Convention and Visitors Bureau for 33 years.“I think it’s a great way to… Continue reading

Copper thief pleads guilty

A man who was arrested last year for burglarizing the home of one of the most well known attorneys in Juneau and stealing several thousand… Continue reading

Bill to ban Planned Parenthood in schools dies in committee

In a 5-2 vote, a House committee put a stop to a bill Tuesday that would have banned abortion providers from teaching sexual education in… Continue reading

Police arrest 2 in Anchorage home invasion, shooting

ANCHORAGE — A 32-year-old man wanted on a felony drug warrant was charged with robbery, assault and burglary Wednesday in the invasion of an east… Continue reading

Around Town

Juneau Gastineau Rotary Club meeting, 7 a.m., The Prospector Hotel.English as a Second Language, 9-10:15 a.m., Gruening Park Learning Connection, 1800 Northwood Dr. Free eight… Continue reading

Alaska woman charged with starving, abusing 3 adopted girls

ANCHORAGE — An Anchorage grand jury has indicted a woman on charges that she starved and abused her three adopted children.State prosecutors say the woman… Continue reading

Police calls for Thursday, April 14, 2016

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction information. Anyone listed… Continue reading

Rescuers dug through 4 feet of snow to reach stranded skiers

ANCHORAGE — Helicopters trying to rescue two skiers trapped on an Alaska ice field for four days waited out whiteout conditions that one pilot said… Continue reading

Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines most likely to be on time, gov’t says

DALLAS — The government says more flights are arriving on time, airlines are canceling fewer flights, but passengers’ complaints are still rising.Meanwhile, a new survey… Continue reading

Report: Chicago police have ‘no regard’ for minority lives

CHICAGO — Police in Chicago have “no regard for the sanctity of life when it comes to people of color” and have alienated blacks and… Continue reading

CDC: Zika causes severe birth defects

NEW YORK — Confirming the worst fears of many pregnant women in the United States and Latin America, U.S. health officials said Wednesday there is… Continue reading

Syrian official rules out Assad departure ahead of talks

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A top Syrian official urged the opposition to let go of its dream of easing President Bashar Assad out of power… Continue reading

Benched Sandoval placed on DL with strained left shoulder

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox hope Pablo Sandoval can get in better shape while he’s on the disabled list.The club placed the benched… Continue reading

  • Apr 14, 2016
  • By KEN POWTAK

Parental rights bill stays alive, for now

While a bill that would have banned abortion providers in schools died in committee, the less controversial elements of the bill continue to live on.Almost… Continue reading

SLAM opening unaffected by dumpster fire

A dumpster fire outside the State Library, Archives, and Museum Tuesday night will not delay the building’s opening day, according to the SLAM deputy director.Bob… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker tells a story during Mudrooms at Northern Light United Church on Tuesday evening. Mudrooms is a monthly storytelling event that has seven community members tell a seven-minute story. The $7 entry fee for the audience goes to local nonprofit organizations. About $57,000 has been raised and given to Juneau charities over the past five years.

Video: Gov. Bill Walker at Mudrooms

Once just a teenager growing up in Valdez in the ‘60s, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker regaled a Juneau crowd at the monthly Mudrooms storytelling event… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker tells a story during Mudrooms at Northern Light United Church on Tuesday evening. Mudrooms is a monthly storytelling event that has seven community members tell a seven-minute story. The $7 entry fee for the audience goes to local nonprofit organizations. About $57,000 has been raised and given to Juneau charities over the past five years.
In this March 2016 photo, work begins on the new park near the Douglas Bridge that will become the home to the life-size bronze sculpture of a breaching humpback whale. Part of the project funding comes from head taxes. The Cruise Lines International Association and its Alaska affiliate filed a lawsuit against the city and borough of Juneau on Tuesday in federal court in Anchorage. They're challenging the legality of so-called head tax fees paid by cruise passengers who visit Alaska's picturesque capital.

Cruise ship group: Statue plans are misuse of fees

JUNEAU — A life-sized whale statue has Juneau in hot water after a cruise ship association alleged it’s a symbol of the Alaska city’s misuse… Continue reading

In this March 2016 photo, work begins on the new park near the Douglas Bridge that will become the home to the life-size bronze sculpture of a breaching humpback whale. Part of the project funding comes from head taxes. The Cruise Lines International Association and its Alaska affiliate filed a lawsuit against the city and borough of Juneau on Tuesday in federal court in Anchorage. They're challenging the legality of so-called head tax fees paid by cruise passengers who visit Alaska's picturesque capital.

Keeping Juneau clean for 100 years

In keeping with a tradition that now spans 100 years, Mayor Ken Koelsch on Monday proclaimed the month of April “Juneau Clean Sweep” and asked… Continue reading

Tuesday recap: House OKs novel energy improvement program

The Alaska House has approved a new program to assist business owners interested in making energy efficiency improvements to their buildings.House Bill 118, brought by… Continue reading