Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire
Nick Nelson passes out paper copies of a notice of appeal to school board members Tuesday night regarding the district’s decision on a racism complaint at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé he filed in early December.

Douglas Indian Association condemns district’s handling of racist insults complaint

Members “demand accountability,” say inaction could affect tribal consultations with the district.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire
Nick Nelson passes out paper copies of a notice of appeal to school board members Tuesday night regarding the district’s decision on a racism complaint at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé he filed in early December.
President Donald Trump’s name is seen on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, on April 23, 2020, in San Antonio. The IRS announced Friday. Feb. 10, 2023, that most relief checks issued by states last year aren’t subject to federal taxes, providing 11th hour guidance as tax returns start to pour in. (AP Photo / Eric Gay, File)

IRS won’t tax most relief payments made by states last year —including Alaska’s supplementary energy relief payment

That also applies to supplementary energy relief payments included with PFD.

President Donald Trump’s name is seen on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, on April 23, 2020, in San Antonio. The IRS announced Friday. Feb. 10, 2023, that most relief checks issued by states last year aren’t subject to federal taxes, providing 11th hour guidance as tax returns start to pour in. (AP Photo / Eric Gay, File)
Joey Tillson, a state Division of Public Assistance employee in Ketchikan, addresses a state employees’ rally while wearing what she called a warrior hat in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. Participants are trying to convince lawmakers to remedy staffing shortages allegedly caused by problems such as poor wages and poor treatment. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

State employees sound the horns on food stamp crisis during rally

Staff and union leaders hope food stamp crisis gets lawmakers to remedy workforce issues, threats.

Joey Tillson, a state Division of Public Assistance employee in Ketchikan, addresses a state employees’ rally while wearing what she called a warrior hat in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. Participants are trying to convince lawmakers to remedy staffing shortages allegedly caused by problems such as poor wages and poor treatment. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Supporters of a bill that would allow child care providers to participate in collective bargaining with the state’s Department of Health and establish a state fund to provide grants to childcare providers stand outside the Alaska State Capitol early Friday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Child care providers rally outside Capitol in support of increased funding

Supporters say new bill would provide necessary support and resources

Supporters of a bill that would allow child care providers to participate in collective bargaining with the state’s Department of Health and establish a state fund to provide grants to childcare providers stand outside the Alaska State Capitol early Friday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Jen Winkelman, commissioner-designee for the Alaska Department of Corrections, discusses staffing and other challenges the prison system is facing with state Sen. Matt Claman, R-Anchorage, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday following her confirmation hearing. The committee voted to send her nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. (Mark Sabbatini /Juneau Empire)

DOC commissioner-designee has nomination advanced

She emphasized staffing improvement and inmate reentry goals.

Jen Winkelman, commissioner-designee for the Alaska Department of Corrections, discusses staffing and other challenges the prison system is facing with state Sen. Matt Claman, R-Anchorage, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday following her confirmation hearing. The committee voted to send her nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. (Mark Sabbatini /Juneau Empire)
A raven vocalizes on the west side of Fairbanks in April 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Hannah Foss)

Alaska Science Forum: Making sense of raven talk

Do we really want to know what ravens are saying about us?

A raven vocalizes on the west side of Fairbanks in April 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Hannah Foss)
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Pentagon shoots down unknown object flying off Alaska coast

An F-22 fighter aircraft based at Alaska’s Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson shot down the object.

  • Feb 10, 2023
  • By Zeke Miller, Colleen Long and Tara Copp Associated Press
  • Nation-World
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
The Columbia ferry, which was grounded in 2019 to save costs, is scheduled to return to Juneau next weekend as it resumes service between Alaska and Bellingham, Washington, due to a more-extensive-than-expected overhaul of the Matanuska. The ferry system is by far the biggest recipient to date of funds from the 2021 federal infrastructure bill in terms of Southeast Alaska impacts. (Carey Case / Alaska Marine Highway)

Trillion dollar maybes: Coordinated approach aims to untangle complicated federal funding web

State, tribal and local governments using “hub” plans to simplify and maximize Alaska’s share.

The Columbia ferry, which was grounded in 2019 to save costs, is scheduled to return to Juneau next weekend as it resumes service between Alaska and Bellingham, Washington, due to a more-extensive-than-expected overhaul of the Matanuska. The ferry system is by far the biggest recipient to date of funds from the 2021 federal infrastructure bill in terms of Southeast Alaska impacts. (Carey Case / Alaska Marine Highway)
This photo shows K-9 Buddy who alerted authorities to a suspicious package. Two people were arrested on felony drug charges after a search found 177 grams of methamphetamine in the package, according to police. (Courtesy Photo / JPD)

Police: 2 arrested after $26,500 of meth found in package

K-9 alerted authorities to suspicious package.

This photo shows K-9 Buddy who alerted authorities to a suspicious package. Two people were arrested on felony drug charges after a search found 177 grams of methamphetamine in the package, according to police. (Courtesy Photo / JPD)
Two students face off for a match at the 2020 Southeast Alaska Middle School Wrestling Championship at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. The Juneau School District Board of Education on Tuesday accepted a donation that will provide the middle school with a new wrestling mat. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Floyd Dryden Middle School wrestling gets a surprise donation

The school received a donation of up to $15,000 to pay for a new wrestling mat.

Two students face off for a match at the 2020 Southeast Alaska Middle School Wrestling Championship at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. The Juneau School District Board of Education on Tuesday accepted a donation that will provide the middle school with a new wrestling mat. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The privately owned 107-foot tugboat, the Tagish, sits partially below the water south of the downtown cruise ship docks Thursday morning as recovery efforts begin by the Coast Guard. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Recovery efforts are underway for sunken tugboat

Coast Guard is leading the operation, says it could take multiple days to complete

The privately owned 107-foot tugboat, the Tagish, sits partially below the water south of the downtown cruise ship docks Thursday morning as recovery efforts begin by the Coast Guard. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Senate pages Jenna Carpenter and Zaxon Tomaszewski play “Off To The Races” outside the Senate Chambers exactly 15 minutes before the start of the floor session. Pages then perform the tones alerting senators the session is about to start on all floors of the Capitol where the legislators have offices. The House relies on an electronic bell notification that plays the famous clock chime “Westminster Quarters.” (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

The ABCs of the 33rd Legislature

Legislative business isn’t always as simple as 1-2-3.

Senate pages Jenna Carpenter and Zaxon Tomaszewski play “Off To The Races” outside the Senate Chambers exactly 15 minutes before the start of the floor session. Pages then perform the tones alerting senators the session is about to start on all floors of the Capitol where the legislators have offices. The House relies on an electronic bell notification that plays the famous clock chime “Westminster Quarters.” (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023

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

  • Feb 9, 2023
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
President Joe Biden speaks about his economic agenda at LIUNA Training Center, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in DeForest, Wis. (AP Photo / Patrick Semansky)

Medicare, Social Security plans get renewed attention after State of the Union

As U.S. budget negotiations move ahead, expect to hear more.

  • Feb 8, 2023
  • By Lisa Mascaro, Zeke Miller and Fatima Hussein Associated Press
  • Nation-World
President Joe Biden speaks about his economic agenda at LIUNA Training Center, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in DeForest, Wis. (AP Photo / Patrick Semansky)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. On Wednesday, a trio of bills seeking to increase penalties for sex and drug crimes was introduced by by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Governor targets sex and drug crimes

Bills increase penalties for sex trafficking and fatal overdoses, but effectiveness questioned

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. On Wednesday, a trio of bills seeking to increase penalties for sex and drug crimes was introduced by by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
At the Tuesday night Juneau School District board of education meeting, board member Amber Frommherz listens to Superintendent Bridget Weiss, who is also the acting director of student services, share a report that revealed the Juneau School District has seen a 59% increase in the number of students experiencing homelessness this year compared to this time last year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Report: Juneau schools see sharp uptick in students experiencing homelessness

The district saw a 59% increase compared to this time last year.

At the Tuesday night Juneau School District board of education meeting, board member Amber Frommherz listens to Superintendent Bridget Weiss, who is also the acting director of student services, share a report that revealed the Juneau School District has seen a 59% increase in the number of students experiencing homelessness this year compared to this time last year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Investigator Markus Bressler, defendant John Stapleton, and public defender Eric Hedland sit in court on Jan. 13, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Man sentenced to 20 years in Yakutat murder

A man was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of second-degree murder following a fatal stabbing in Yakutat. [Jury returns mixed… Continue reading

Investigator Markus Bressler, defendant John Stapleton, and public defender Eric Hedland sit in court on Jan. 13, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows one of two F-35 fighter jets that many saw (and heard) landing and departing from Juneau International Airport on Tuesday. (Courtesy Photo / Jonathan Broga)

Pair of F-35s make their presence known at airport

“It’s not at all uncommon for us to see that here.”

This photo shows one of two F-35 fighter jets that many saw (and heard) landing and departing from Juneau International Airport on Tuesday. (Courtesy Photo / Jonathan Broga)
The Juneau student ensemble Aurora Strings warm up on the stage at Carnegie Hall before their 30-minute performance as part of the Sounds of Summer International Music Festival in June of last year. (Photo courtesy of World Projects)

Crushing it at Carnegie

Juneau student ensemble, among four in U.S. to play in NYC last summer, perform tribute show Sat.

The Juneau student ensemble Aurora Strings warm up on the stage at Carnegie Hall before their 30-minute performance as part of the Sounds of Summer International Music Festival in June of last year. (Photo courtesy of World Projects)
During a Wednesday rehearsal at KTOO studios for the Alaska Theater Festival: Radio Plays, Shaakindustoow Ed Littlefield, seen here, is joined by the cast of Vera Starbard’s, “The Beginning of Eagle” which is an adaptation from stories shared by DaaXKu dein Tommy Jimmie. “The Beginning of Eagle” will be performed Saturday live in-person at KTOO studios as well as on-air at KTOO News 104.3 and 91.7, and online at ktoo.org/listen. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Theater takes to airwaves in collaborative festival

Theater Alaska, KTOO and Juneau Ghost Light Theatre present radio plays.

During a Wednesday rehearsal at KTOO studios for the Alaska Theater Festival: Radio Plays, Shaakindustoow Ed Littlefield, seen here, is joined by the cast of Vera Starbard’s, “The Beginning of Eagle” which is an adaptation from stories shared by DaaXKu dein Tommy Jimmie. “The Beginning of Eagle” will be performed Saturday live in-person at KTOO studios as well as on-air at KTOO News 104.3 and 91.7, and online at ktoo.org/listen. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)