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Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Bridget Weiss, superintendent of the Juneau School District, speaks during a rally seeking an increase in public school funding Jan. 23 at the Alaska State Capitol. Weiss, who is stepping down as superintendent June 30, is scheduled to take on a broader statewide role as the new liaison for the University of Alaska College of Education Consortium starting July 1.

Weiss tapped to be first-ever liaison for UA program that recruits, trains teachers

It’s a new role for the departing Juneau superintendent.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Bridget Weiss, superintendent of the Juneau School District, speaks during a rally seeking an increase in public school funding Jan. 23 at the Alaska State Capitol. Weiss, who is stepping down as superintendent June 30, is scheduled to take on a broader statewide role as the new liaison for the University of Alaska College of Education Consortium starting July 1.
A school bus drives past the entrance of The University of Alaska Southeast on Tuesday afternoon. Pat Pitney, president of the statewide university system, highlighted ongoing and new efforts to by campuses including UAS to lure students into the teaching programs and subsequently remain as public school teachers in the state. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Sky’s the limit for recovering UA, president says

“State of the University” highlights fiscal and enrollment stability, unique programs such as drones

A school bus drives past the entrance of The University of Alaska Southeast on Tuesday afternoon. Pat Pitney, president of the statewide university system, highlighted ongoing and new efforts to by campuses including UAS to lure students into the teaching programs and subsequently remain as public school teachers in the state. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau addresses a crowd during a recent rally outside the Alaska State Capitol. Hannan is the sponsor of a bill that would ban licensed practitioners from performing “conversion therapy” in the state.

Lawmaker says ban on conversion therapy can help address LGBTQ+ youth suicide

The bill, sponsored by Juneau Rep. Sara Hannan, awaits a House committee hearing.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau addresses a crowd during a recent rally outside the Alaska State Capitol. Hannan is the sponsor of a bill that would ban licensed practitioners from performing “conversion therapy” in the state.
Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014.

Aurora Forecast

Forecasts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute for the week of Feb. 19

  • Feb 21, 2023
Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014.
Killdeer can be seen in winter and nest here in spring. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Breaking out the snowshoes

Surprise! A starlit night, a nice day, lower temperatures, and then some lovely snow.

Killdeer can be seen in winter and nest here in spring. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023

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

  • Feb 21, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as it sets Monday evening. Tuesday is the last day for the public to submit comments to the U.S. Forest Service on proposed changes to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Mendenhall Glacier area comment period closing soon

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public input on seven plans that vary in impact on the area.

The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as it sets Monday evening. Tuesday is the last day for the public to submit comments to the U.S. Forest Service on proposed changes to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A ConocoPhillips oil rig operating during winter on Alaska’s North Slope is featured on the cover of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s report recommending approval of the Willow oil project ConocoPhillips is seeking to develop. The Alaska State House on Monday approved a resolution asking the Biden administration to give final approval to a project allowing three drilling pads with the possibility of a fourth (compared to the five pads the oil company originally sought), as recommended by the BLM. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

Alaska House unanimously OKs Willow resolution

Supporters say North Slope oil project overwhelmingly favored by locals, addresses opponents’ worries.

A ConocoPhillips oil rig operating during winter on Alaska’s North Slope is featured on the cover of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s report recommending approval of the Willow oil project ConocoPhillips is seeking to develop. The Alaska State House on Monday approved a resolution asking the Biden administration to give final approval to a project allowing three drilling pads with the possibility of a fourth (compared to the five pads the oil company originally sought), as recommended by the BLM. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Three arrested, $1.1M in drugs seized

SEACAD was in charge of the investigation.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
An excavator on a barge scoops floating debris near the shore of Gastineau Channel on Monday morning. The effort was a part of the recovery process of a 107-foot tugboat that sank at a dock south of the cruise ship docks in late December. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Tagish out of water: Sunken tugboat destroyed after more than a weeklong recovery effort

Recovery and pollution cleanup expected to be complete in coming days, Coast Guard official says

An excavator on a barge scoops floating debris near the shore of Gastineau Channel on Monday morning. The effort was a part of the recovery process of a 107-foot tugboat that sank at a dock south of the cruise ship docks in late December. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Family and friends of Daniel Sargent shoot flaming arrows into Auke Bay on Saturday during Sargent’s memorial at Raven Shelter. Sargent was one of the founding members of the Juneau Archery Club and was survived by his wife Lavena and daughter Tiffany Sargent Hallquist. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Keeping his flame alive: Family remembers archery club founding member with volley of fire

Family remembers archery club founding member with volley of fire

Family and friends of Daniel Sargent shoot flaming arrows into Auke Bay on Saturday during Sargent’s memorial at Raven Shelter. Sargent was one of the founding members of the Juneau Archery Club and was survived by his wife Lavena and daughter Tiffany Sargent Hallquist. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Point Louisa at Auke Recreational Area. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Superb reader-submitted photos of wildlife, scenery and/or plant life.

This photo shows Point Louisa at Auke Recreational Area. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
University of Alaska Southeast students run out of the freezing water after jumping into the waters of Auke Bay on Saturday afternoon for the 25th UAS Polar Plunge. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Freezin’ for a reason: UAS students and Juneau residents take a plunge at Auke Bay

According to officials, the water temperature was 37 degrees during the time of the plunge.

University of Alaska Southeast students run out of the freezing water after jumping into the waters of Auke Bay on Saturday afternoon for the 25th UAS Polar Plunge. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man arrested in Fred Meyer burglary

Security footage

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the ten-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

COVID-19 stable in AK; flu and RSV in steep decline

KENAI — Flu and respiratory syncytial virus have both seen a steep decline in Alaska, health officials said on a recent Public Health ECHO, held… Continue reading

Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the ten-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
CCFR Captain Cheyenne Sanchez poses for a photo on Wednesday during his promotional ceremony where his badge was pinned by friends and family. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

CCFR celebrates captain’s induction

Cheyenne Sanchez recently promoted to captain.

CCFR Captain Cheyenne Sanchez poses for a photo on Wednesday during his promotional ceremony where his badge was pinned by friends and family. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023

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

  • Feb 18, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Professor of Alaska Native languages at the University of Alaska Southeast, X’unei Lance Twitchell, analyses a ChatGPT story in Lingít while teaching his Intermediate Tlingit II class Thursday evening.

Does AI have a place in Tlingit language revitalization?

UAS professor weighs in.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Professor of Alaska Native languages at the University of Alaska Southeast, X’unei Lance Twitchell, analyses a ChatGPT story in Lingít while teaching his Intermediate Tlingit II class Thursday evening.
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. It was the first speech to the Legislature by Alaska’s lone U.S. House member since her predecessor Don Young did so in 1992, declaring in subsequent years it was an unproductive use of time until his death last year. Peltola, who served in the Legislature from 1999 to 2009, noted Young did make regular visits to the state capitol to meet individually and with groups of lawmakers, which she did as well during her visit this week. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A Mary Friday at the Alaska State Capitol

Kuspuks abound as Peltola invokes “Alaska model” of cooperation in congressional speech to Legislature

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. It was the first speech to the Legislature by Alaska’s lone U.S. House member since her predecessor Don Young did so in 1992, declaring in subsequent years it was an unproductive use of time until his death last year. Peltola, who served in the Legislature from 1999 to 2009, noted Young did make regular visits to the state capitol to meet individually and with groups of lawmakers, which she did as well during her visit this week. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This image shows a schematic design of the exterior the Municipal Way Building downtown that was recently purchased by the Sealaska Heritage Institute. (Sealaska Heritage Institute)

SHI purchases downtown building for Indigenous teaching program expansion

The building is adjacent to its downtown Walter Soboleff Building.

This image shows a schematic design of the exterior the Municipal Way Building downtown that was recently purchased by the Sealaska Heritage Institute. (Sealaska Heritage Institute)