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Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, center, House Majority Leader Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, right, and House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, talk to Rep. Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla, about his request to have a bill discharged from the House Judiciary Committee chaired by Vance. The request was the second for a bill during Friday’s floor session, based on the belief Vance would not allow the bills to advance beyond her committee, following a floor vote when a bill she sponsored related to boycotts involving Israel failed by a 20-20 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Tie vote on Israel discrimination bill sets off fury in House

Ban on public agencies contracting with companies boycotting Israel fails, may get revote Saturday.

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, center, House Majority Leader Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, right, and House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, talk to Rep. Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla, about his request to have a bill discharged from the House Judiciary Committee chaired by Vance. The request was the second for a bill during Friday’s floor session, based on the belief Vance would not allow the bills to advance beyond her committee, following a floor vote when a bill she sponsored related to boycotts involving Israel failed by a 20-20 vote. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, Senate Rules Chair Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, and Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, discuss late-session budget negotiations with the House during a press conference late Thursday afternoon.

Legislature running out of time as big budget differences persist

“I’m not real optimistic that we can get something done by 121 days,” House Speaker says

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, Senate Rules Chair Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, and Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, discuss late-session budget negotiations with the House during a press conference late Thursday afternoon.
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Saturday, May 13, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Members of the Juneau Police Department stand at attention to honor fallen officers on Friday during the Alaska Peace Officers Association’s annual memorial service at Evergreen Cemetery. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

First responders gather to honor fallen officers

Alaska Peace Officers Association holds annual memorial service.

Members of the Juneau Police Department stand at attention to honor fallen officers on Friday during the Alaska Peace Officers Association’s annual memorial service at Evergreen Cemetery. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Alaska Airlines Juneau artist Crystal Kaakeeyáa Worl, who is Tlingit and Athabascan, poses with an Alaska Airlines 737-800 aircraft decorated with Worl’s latest work, Xáat Kwáani (Salmon People). Alaska Airlines held a unveiling ceremony on Friday, May 12 to welcome the plane into service.

Formline meets airline: Crystal Worl’s salmon-inspired design takes to the skies

Xáat Kwáani makes its inaugural flight.

Courtesy Photo / Alaska Airlines Juneau artist Crystal Kaakeeyáa Worl, who is Tlingit and Athabascan, poses with an Alaska Airlines 737-800 aircraft decorated with Worl’s latest work, Xáat Kwáani (Salmon People). Alaska Airlines held a unveiling ceremony on Friday, May 12 to welcome the plane into service.
The Mendenhall Glacier, Photo Point and Nugget Falls are seen under cloudy skies Friday morning. The trails and recreation area around these heavily visited destinations are poised to change following the release of a final environmental impact statement. The U.S. Forest Service’s preferred alternative would nearly double the recreation area’s capacity in anticipation of demand over the next 30 years. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Plan for Mendenhall Glacier area ditches motorboats

Forest Service’s preferred alternative outlined in new report.

The Mendenhall Glacier, Photo Point and Nugget Falls are seen under cloudy skies Friday morning. The trails and recreation area around these heavily visited destinations are poised to change following the release of a final environmental impact statement. The U.S. Forest Service’s preferred alternative would nearly double the recreation area’s capacity in anticipation of demand over the next 30 years. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Artist Liza McElroy of Seward, Alaska, recently sketched two moose in their summertime aquatic environment to illustrate this story. (Courtesy Image / Liza McElroy)

Alaska Science Forum: Why is a moose’s nose so big?

The more you nose.

Artist Liza McElroy of Seward, Alaska, recently sketched two moose in their summertime aquatic environment to illustrate this story. (Courtesy Image / Liza McElroy)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Friday, May 12, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The author's wife waits for a steelhead to hit. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: A solid skunking

But learning never stops and often happens best when reflecting upon failure.

The author's wife waits for a steelhead to hit. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Residents and community leaders fill the Assembly chambers during the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night. The Assembly made decisions on what community funding requests would receive funding and what would not. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Asked and answered: Assembly decides on community funding requests

Millions OK’d in the process.

Residents and community leaders fill the Assembly chambers during the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night. The Assembly made decisions on what community funding requests would receive funding and what would not. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
State House members with wide-ranging views on a so-called “fentanyl bill,” including both of Juneau’s representatives, discuss proposed amendments during Wednesday’s floor session. Standing from left to right are Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, David Eastman, R-Wasilla, Andi Story, D-Juneau, and Alyse Galvin, D-Anchorage. The bill passed by a 35-5 vote Thursday, with Story voting in favor and Hannan against.

‘Fentanyl bill’ passes House

Some drug offenders causing death can be charged withg murder under governor’s proposal.

State House members with wide-ranging views on a so-called “fentanyl bill,” including both of Juneau’s representatives, discuss proposed amendments during Wednesday’s floor session. Standing from left to right are Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, David Eastman, R-Wasilla, Andi Story, D-Juneau, and Alyse Galvin, D-Anchorage. The bill passed by a 35-5 vote Thursday, with Story voting in favor and Hannan against.
File photo Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Man arrested after suspected ‘serious’ face and head assault to known woman

Alcohol appeared to be a factor, according to police.

File photo Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
An illustration by Alaska’s Lucas Elliott of characters in the mountains above Juneau is featured in a poster advertising this year’s Alaska Robotics MiniCon, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museum. Elliott is among more than 50 visiting artists who will present their works in a variety of events. (Illustration by Lucas Elliott courtesy of Alaska Robotics)

A big return for a mini-con

Annual comic convention is back with award-winning artists.

An illustration by Alaska’s Lucas Elliott of characters in the mountains above Juneau is featured in a poster advertising this year’s Alaska Robotics MiniCon, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museum. Elliott is among more than 50 visiting artists who will present their works in a variety of events. (Illustration by Lucas Elliott courtesy of Alaska Robotics)
A Transportation Security Administration officer checks luggage at the Juneau International Airport in March. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Washington man arrested on drug charges at airport

Police seize narcotics with an estimated value of $110,000.

A Transportation Security Administration officer checks luggage at the Juneau International Airport in March. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Waahlaal Giidaak Barbara Blake (left) fans herself while sitting next to Carole Triem (right) during a warm Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday evening. The City and Borough of Juneau narrowly approved funding for a plan that could offer up to six weeks of paid-parental leave to city employees. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City funds parental leave incentive for employees

A current proposal suggests six weeks of leaves for municipal parents.

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Waahlaal Giidaak Barbara Blake (left) fans herself while sitting next to Carole Triem (right) during a warm Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday evening. The City and Borough of Juneau narrowly approved funding for a plan that could offer up to six weeks of paid-parental leave to city employees. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, May 11, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Angela Harris (center) gives testimony Wednesday on Senate bill 53 to the House Judiciary Committee while she sits next to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Matt Claman, an Anchorage Democrat (right) and a member of his staff, Emma Potter (left) Harris survived a stabbing by a known offender who was released because of his incompetence to face criminal charges. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bill allowing up to 2 years of involuntary commitment in psychiatric facilities advances in Legislature

Senate passed the bill 14-6 on Monday, House heard testimony on Wednesday.

Angela Harris (center) gives testimony Wednesday on Senate bill 53 to the House Judiciary Committee while she sits next to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Matt Claman, an Anchorage Democrat (right) and a member of his staff, Emma Potter (left) Harris survived a stabbing by a known offender who was released because of his incompetence to face criminal charges. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
On a visit to Pokai Bay, Cruz shares the significance of the ancestral lands where she lives, on the Waianae coast of O’ahu. Cruz speaks to the battle that her community is enduring to protect their lands and leads prayers with the visitors from Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Lauren Tanel)
Capital City Weekly

Resilient Peoples & Place: Cultural healing mission bonds Indigenous peoples across the Pacific

Tucked amongst the endless array of fog-coated islands that make up the Tongass National Forest, on the northwest edge of Kupreanof Island, is the small… Continue reading

On a visit to Pokai Bay, Cruz shares the significance of the ancestral lands where she lives, on the Waianae coast of O’ahu. Cruz speaks to the battle that her community is enduring to protect their lands and leads prayers with the visitors from Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Lauren Tanel)
Firefighters respond Monday evening to the site of a structure fire on Meander Way. Three people and a dog made it out of the residence without suffering injuries, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue Fire Marshal Dan Jager, but a cat was determined to be deceased as a result of the blaze. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Investigation continues into structure fire

3 people and a dog escaped the blaze, but a cat did not.

Firefighters respond Monday evening to the site of a structure fire on Meander Way. Three people and a dog made it out of the residence without suffering injuries, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue Fire Marshal Dan Jager, but a cat was determined to be deceased as a result of the blaze. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Virginia Behrends, a parent of four student in the Juneau School District, sits next to Ted Wilson, district director of Teaching and Learning Support, as she share’s public testimony as the board of education discussed a proposal for a once-weekly change to school start times beginning in the fall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

District considers late start on Wednesdays starting next school year

The 30-minute delay will allow for teacher’s to meet together for professional development.

Virginia Behrends, a parent of four student in the Juneau School District, sits next to Ted Wilson, district director of Teaching and Learning Support, as she share’s public testimony as the board of education discussed a proposal for a once-weekly change to school start times beginning in the fall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)