A map shows the location of Suicide Basin, an ice dam which since 2011 has released water into the Mendenhall Lake and River in an annual cycle known as a jökulhlaup. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Bomb the glacier? City leaders say they’re willing to evaluate all options after flood

Drastic measures for Suicide Basin appear impractical, river protection more likely, officials say.

A map shows the location of Suicide Basin, an ice dam which since 2011 has released water into the Mendenhall Lake and River in an annual cycle known as a jökulhlaup. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
The ferry Tustumena is seen July 20, 2021, in southwestern Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks)

After a false start, Alaska prepares to solicit bids for new mainline ferry

DOT expects to issue new request for proposals from U.S. shipyards next month to replace Tustumena.

The ferry Tustumena is seen July 20, 2021, in southwestern Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks)
A painting by MK MacNaughton, whose works will be on display along with artist Patti Jouppi during a First Friday event from 4:30-8 p.m. at Spice Cafe and Gallery. (Courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in September

Sounds of Áak’w Rock, a gut check for Indigenous voices and an artists’ quintet market.

A painting by MK MacNaughton, whose works will be on display along with artist Patti Jouppi during a First Friday event from 4:30-8 p.m. at Spice Cafe and Gallery. (Courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Friday, Aug. 25, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
From left to right, students Kelby Randall, KC Abad and Sage Chavez smile as they sit outside during a lunch break Monday afternoon at the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau on the first day of the 2023 fall semester. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

UAS fall semester kicks off with a sunny start and increased enrollment

New chancellor reports 4% increase in overall enrollment, 87% increase in Indigenous programs.

From left to right, students Kelby Randall, KC Abad and Sage Chavez smile as they sit outside during a lunch break Monday afternoon at the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau on the first day of the 2023 fall semester. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The project manager for the Centennial Hall ballroom renovation, Lisa Eagan-Lagerquist, points out new features of the ballroom set to open its doors again for the first time on Saturday after nearly nine months under construction. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Centennial Hall ballroom opening back up with a new look

Saturday marks the first event since its closure in December for renovations.

The project manager for the Centennial Hall ballroom renovation, Lisa Eagan-Lagerquist, points out new features of the ballroom set to open its doors again for the first time on Saturday after nearly nine months under construction. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of the fluke of “Tango,” a humpback whale calf that was found dead on an island near Juneau Friday evening. (Courtesy / Bri Pettie)

Humpback whale calf found dead near Juneau

Body of young male named “Tango” found near Hump Island with injuries.

This is a photo of the fluke of “Tango,” a humpback whale calf that was found dead on an island near Juneau Friday evening. (Courtesy / Bri Pettie)
President Joe Biden speaks on the anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden to observe 9/11 anniversary in Alaska

Stop in Anchorage will be first time a president has not visited one of the sites attacked

  • Aug 28, 2023
  • By Darlene Superville Associated Press
President Joe Biden speaks on the anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Brandon and Jackson Kessler, at front of boat, haul the first-place duck worth $5,000 in a net after it was snagged from among 5,768 others dropped over Twin Lakes on Saturday during the Glacier Valley Rotary Duck Derby. Will Fischer was the purchaser of the lucky duck. (Photo by Kelly Moore)

After four years on the ground, Duck Derby flies anew

Glacier Valley Rotary fundraiser raises nets about $40,000

Brandon and Jackson Kessler, at front of boat, haul the first-place duck worth $5,000 in a net after it was snagged from among 5,768 others dropped over Twin Lakes on Saturday during the Glacier Valley Rotary Duck Derby. Will Fischer was the purchaser of the lucky duck. (Photo by Kelly Moore)
People explore the vendor tents in the parking lot of the Juneau Arts & Culture Center during the Annual Food Festival & Farmer’s Market on Saturday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Annual Food Festival features more and varied vendors

Popular JAHC event fills parking lot and interior.

People explore the vendor tents in the parking lot of the Juneau Arts & Culture Center during the Annual Food Festival & Farmer’s Market on Saturday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior racer Oliver Zigmund leads a pack of runners as they charge up a hill during the Sayeik Invitational on Douglas Saturday morning. Zigmund finished the race 10th with a time of 18 minutes and 18 seconds. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau cross-country teams have successful start at first home meet

Alumni and high school runners go neck-and-neck on their home turf.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior racer Oliver Zigmund leads a pack of runners as they charge up a hill during the Sayeik Invitational on Douglas Saturday morning. Zigmund finished the race 10th with a time of 18 minutes and 18 seconds. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Workers load cars aboard the Columbia ferry during a stop in mid-July. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire File)

State ferry board pushes for measures to boost hiring

Motion calls on Dunleavy and Legislature to grant marine director more power.

Workers load cars aboard the Columbia ferry during a stop in mid-July. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire File)
The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Ships in Port for t​​he Week of Aug. 27

Here what to expect this week

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Kelly Tshibaka speaks at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in October 2022. A group led by the former Republican U.S. Senate candidate has been accused of violating state campaign finance laws. (Photo by Yereth Rosen./Alaska Beacon)

Report from Alaska campaign regulator says Tshibaka-linked group violated state law

Staff for the Alaska Public Offices Commission have recommended a $16,450 fine against Preserve Democracy, a group led by former U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka.… Continue reading

Kelly Tshibaka speaks at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in October 2022. A group led by the former Republican U.S. Senate candidate has been accused of violating state campaign finance laws. (Photo by Yereth Rosen./Alaska Beacon)
This photo of the bar on the Columbia ferry was taken in July. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)

Columbia bar soon to be back online after minor fire

11 people, two of them crew, were treated in Wrangell and returned to the ship

This photo of the bar on the Columbia ferry was taken in July. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
Neil Steininger, appointed director of the state Office of Management and Budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020, testifies before the House Finance Committee at the Alaska State Capitol in January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Governor’s budget director departing

Neil Steininger, head of OMB since 2020, latest in series of staff moves by Dunleavy.

Neil Steininger, appointed director of the state Office of Management and Budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020, testifies before the House Finance Committee at the Alaska State Capitol in January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This is a picture of a half-pipe at the Pipeline Skate Park in the Mendenhall Valley. The City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation Department is looking for residents to drop in some ideas about what they’d like to see that would improve or enhance Jackie Renninger Park in a survey. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Big changes could be on deck for Pipeline Skate Park and surrounding land

City opens survey seeking input about possible improvements to Jackie Renninger Park.

This is a picture of a half-pipe at the Pipeline Skate Park in the Mendenhall Valley. The City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation Department is looking for residents to drop in some ideas about what they’d like to see that would improve or enhance Jackie Renninger Park in a survey. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Jerry Adams (right) discusses what being a hospice and home care volunteer means to him while being filmed by Gabe Strong in a pop-up video booth in a hallway at Bartlett Regional Hospital. The filming, where people offering and receiving such services were invited to participate, was part a celebration of the hospital resuming hospice and home care services after they were discontinued by Catholic Community Service last fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Caretakers and families celebrate Bartlett’s resumption of hospice and home care services

Hospital takes over end-of-life programs nearly a year after they was halted locally.

Jerry Adams (right) discusses what being a hospice and home care volunteer means to him while being filmed by Gabe Strong in a pop-up video booth in a hallway at Bartlett Regional Hospital. The filming, where people offering and receiving such services were invited to participate, was part a celebration of the hospital resuming hospice and home care services after they were discontinued by Catholic Community Service last fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)