News

Revelers watch a sound and light show projected on the Arc de Triomphe as they celebrate the New Year on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Time zone by time zone, another new year sweeps into view

NEW YORK — New Year’s celebrations are sweeping across the globe, ushering in 2023 with countdowns and fireworks — and marking an end to a… Continue reading

  • Dec 31, 2022
  • By Bobby Caina Calvan Associated Press
Revelers watch a sound and light show projected on the Arc de Triomphe as they celebrate the New Year on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
FILE - A pedestrian carries an umbrella while crossing a street in San Francisco, Thursday, April 14, 2022. A variety of new laws take effect Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 that could have an impact on people's finances and, in some cases, their personal liberties. (AP Photo / Jeff Chiu)

Taxes fall, wages rise and jaywalking OK’d by new state laws

Taxes will fall and minimum wages rise for residents in numerous states…

  • Dec 31, 2022
  • By David A. Lieb and Geoff Mulvihill Associated Press
  • Nation-World
FILE - A pedestrian carries an umbrella while crossing a street in San Francisco, Thursday, April 14, 2022. A variety of new laws take effect Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 that could have an impact on people's finances and, in some cases, their personal liberties. (AP Photo / Jeff Chiu)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Saturday, Dec. 31

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

  • Dec 31, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau’s biggest news stories of 2022 ranged from historic victories (and Celebrations) to severe struggles due to shortages of workers and housing. Virtually all were connected by overlapping factors to other top stories. (Juneau Empire staff)

The stories that shaped our 2022

Unprecedented elections, record rain and much more.

Juneau’s biggest news stories of 2022 ranged from historic victories (and Celebrations) to severe struggles due to shortages of workers and housing. Virtually all were connected by overlapping factors to other top stories. (Juneau Empire staff)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The privately owned 107-foot tugboat named Tagish sits partially below the water next to the National Guard dock south of the downtown cruise ship docks Thursday morning. Recovery plans by the owner are now underway, but are expected to come at a steep price.

Planning for removal of sunken tugboat underway

The owner said the effort could cost between $150,000 to $500,000

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The privately owned 107-foot tugboat named Tagish sits partially below the water next to the National Guard dock south of the downtown cruise ship docks Thursday morning. Recovery plans by the owner are now underway, but are expected to come at a steep price.
This map from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management shows the sale area for a recently concluded oil and gas lease sale.

U..S. gets 1 bid for oil and gas lease in Alaska’s Cook Inlet

Hilcorp Alaska LLC submitted the sole bid — $63,983 for an area covering 5,693 acres.

This map from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management shows the sale area for a recently concluded oil and gas lease sale.
William Dall’s sketch of the mouth of what is now called the Melozitna River, which enters the Yukon River near the village of Ruby, from “Alaska and its Resources.”

Alaska Science Forum: A scientist’s view of Alaska, 150 years ago

One year before Alaska became part of America, 21-year old William Dall ascended the Yukon River on a sled, pulled by dogs. The man who… Continue reading

William Dall’s sketch of the mouth of what is now called the Melozitna River, which enters the Yukon River near the village of Ruby, from “Alaska and its Resources.”
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Ketchikan police chief charged with assaulting man

A police chief in Ketchikan pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he assaulted an intoxicated man while he was off-duty at a resort restaurant,… Continue reading

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Free At-home test kits are available in Juneau at City Hall and all Juneau public libraries, masks and kits are available to patients experiencing symptoms at Bartlett Regional Hospital and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

COVID-19 tests still available amid New Year’s celebrations

Respiratory viruses remain at high levels, officials say.

Free At-home test kits are available in Juneau at City Hall and all Juneau public libraries, masks and kits are available to patients experiencing symptoms at Bartlett Regional Hospital and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Friday, Dec. 30

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

  • Dec 30, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau’s Telephone Hill neighborhood is seen at center right, beneath the State Office Building, on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. The neighborhood, owned by the state of Alaska, is being transferred to the City and Borough of Juneau. (James Brooks / Alaska Beacon)

Historic neighborhood, once envisioned for new Alaska Capitol, is given away by the state

Order signed transferring Telephone Hill to the capital city.

Juneau’s Telephone Hill neighborhood is seen at center right, beneath the State Office Building, on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. The neighborhood, owned by the state of Alaska, is being transferred to the City and Borough of Juneau. (James Brooks / Alaska Beacon)
President Joe Biden arrives at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, late Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. Biden on Thursday signed a $1.7 trillion spending bill that will keep the federal government operating through the end of the federal budget year in September 2023, and provide tens of billions of dollars in new aid to Ukraine for its fight against the Russian military. (AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Biden signs $1.7 trillion bill funding government operations

It includes $15.3B lawmakers sought for their home states and districts.

  • Dec 29, 2022
  • By Darlene Superville Associated Press
  • Nation-World
President Joe Biden arrives at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, late Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. Biden on Thursday signed a $1.7 trillion spending bill that will keep the federal government operating through the end of the federal budget year in September 2023, and provide tens of billions of dollars in new aid to Ukraine for its fight against the Russian military. (AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The privately owned 107-foot tugboat named Tagish sits partially below the water next to the National Guard dock south of the downtown cruise ship docks Thursday morning. Officials were at the at the scene to assist cleanup mitigation and recovery efforts.

Tugboat sinks near cruise ship docks

Owner says he is unsure of next steps for recovery efforts

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The privately owned 107-foot tugboat named Tagish sits partially below the water next to the National Guard dock south of the downtown cruise ship docks Thursday morning. Officials were at the at the scene to assist cleanup mitigation and recovery efforts.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Fireworks from the finale of Juneau’s Fourth of July celebration light up the sky earlier this year. No such official celebration is planned New Year’s Eve, and both restrictions on personal fireworks use and stormy winter weather will mean a darker hue to the celebrations welcoming in the year 2023.

Weather drops the ball on New Year’s Eve

Personal fireworks again available for limited locations, but wet and windy night may dampen spirits

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Fireworks from the finale of Juneau’s Fourth of July celebration light up the sky earlier this year. No such official celebration is planned New Year’s Eve, and both restrictions on personal fireworks use and stormy winter weather will mean a darker hue to the celebrations welcoming in the year 2023.
Many hands help to get the work done. Participants of the Alaska Youth Stewards program in Kake install a Lingít/English road sign, a project in partnership with community elders and the U.S. Forest Service.
Capital City Weekly

Resilient Peoples & Place: A year of building and reconnection

Investing in Southeast Alaska by continuing to place relationships first.

Many hands help to get the work done. Participants of the Alaska Youth Stewards program in Kake install a Lingít/English road sign, a project in partnership with community elders and the U.S. Forest Service.
Traffic passes by Fred Meyer in Juneau in November 2019. Many Juneau residents may need — or at least want — to get their prescriptions somewhere other than Fred Meyer as of Jan. 1, since its parent company Kroger has announced the termination of an agreement with a pharmacy benefit manager that works with insurers such as Cigna and Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Insured prescriptions from Fred Meyer may end for many Jan. 1

Corporate parent severing contract with company that reimburses city, military, other local workers

Traffic passes by Fred Meyer in Juneau in November 2019. Many Juneau residents may need — or at least want — to get their prescriptions somewhere other than Fred Meyer as of Jan. 1, since its parent company Kroger has announced the termination of an agreement with a pharmacy benefit manager that works with insurers such as Cigna and Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau Police Department responds to motor vehicle crash on Egan Drive near Fred Meyer on Monday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Plans in place to improve site of recent crash

Only minor injuries reported.

Juneau Police Department responds to motor vehicle crash on Egan Drive near Fred Meyer on Monday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This photo was taken after the Alaska Peace Officers Association’s annual Guns and Hoses hockey game and fundraiser in 2018. This year’s game will be at the Douglas Treadwell Arena at 6:30 p.m. Friday. (Courtesy / Shawn Phelps)

Paired-on-ice city: Guns and Hoses hockey fundraiser is coming up

Take my down to the capital city where the rink is clean and the fundraiser names are witty.

This photo was taken after the Alaska Peace Officers Association’s annual Guns and Hoses hockey game and fundraiser in 2018. This year’s game will be at the Douglas Treadwell Arena at 6:30 p.m. Friday. (Courtesy / Shawn Phelps)
Capital City Fire/Rescue (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

CCFR fights fire and propane leak off Glacier Highway

No injuries reported.

Capital City Fire/Rescue (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A readiness hearing was held Wednesday afternoon at the Juneau State Courthouse for the man accused of killing a Juneau woman in late September. The suspect declined to participate, automatically waiving his rights to a speedy trial. The next readiness hearing is scheduled for early March, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Readiness hearing held for suspect in killing of Juneau woman

The next hearing is set for early March, 2023.

A readiness hearing was held Wednesday afternoon at the Juneau State Courthouse for the man accused of killing a Juneau woman in late September. The suspect declined to participate, automatically waiving his rights to a speedy trial. The next readiness hearing is scheduled for early March, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)