News

Gavel (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Empire file)

Judicial appointments announced

Three of the four presiding Superior Court judges have been reappointed, outgoing Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree announced in a news release.… Continue reading

Gavel (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Empire file)
Male harlequins earn their name with their patchwork colors. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: The colorful world of harlequins

On a cold, windy day in late November, I wandered out to Point Louisa. A strong, cold north wind had a mixed gang of scoters… Continue reading

Male harlequins earn their name with their patchwork colors. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Tuesday, Dec. 6

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

  • Dec 6, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Bill Walker, left, Bill Sheffield, center and Frank Murkowski are among the majority of Alaska governors who failed to win a second term for reasons ranging from unpopularity to scandals. (Credits: Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photos and Al Grillo / AP)

Alaska usually not big on second chances for governors

State has reelected executives at lowest rate in the nation.

Bill Walker, left, Bill Sheffield, center and Frank Murkowski are among the majority of Alaska governors who failed to win a second term for reasons ranging from unpopularity to scandals. (Credits: Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photos and Al Grillo / AP)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the audience during his inauguration ceremony Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy, a Republican, last month became the first Alaska governor since Democrat Tony Knowles in 1998 to win back-to-back terms. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy sworn in for second term

Says his goal is to “work with everybody to create an Alaska for the next 50 years.”

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the audience during his inauguration ceremony Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy, a Republican, last month became the first Alaska governor since Democrat Tony Knowles in 1998 to win back-to-back terms. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Juneau crowds flock to Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday to enjoy the official opening of the ski season. The mountain was limited to only utilizing the Porcupine Chairlift, but additional lifts are expected to open in the coming months, according to staff. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest Ski Area successfully lands soft opening

Additional lifts to open soon.

Juneau crowds flock to Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday to enjoy the official opening of the ski season. The mountain was limited to only utilizing the Porcupine Chairlift, but additional lifts are expected to open in the coming months, according to staff. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
People and dogs traverse the frozen surface Mendenhall Lake on Monday afternoon. Officials said going on to any part of Mendenhall Lake can open up serious risks for falling into the freezing waters. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Officials warn residents about the dangers of thin ice on Mendenhall Lake

Experts outline what to do in the situation that someone falls through ice

People and dogs traverse the frozen surface Mendenhall Lake on Monday afternoon. Officials said going on to any part of Mendenhall Lake can open up serious risks for falling into the freezing waters. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Aurora forecast

Forecasts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute for the week of Dec. 3

  • Dec 5, 2022
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Eric Schmalz gives a lecture at the Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building Thursday afternoon. The lecture examined Alaska newspaper coverage of the American response to Nazism, racism, xenophobia and antisemitism during the 1930s and 1940s.

‘It isn’t long ago history’: Presentation focuses on Alaska newspaper coverage of the Holocaust

Event part of ongoing visiting exhibition at local library branch.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Eric Schmalz gives a lecture at the Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building Thursday afternoon. The lecture examined Alaska newspaper coverage of the American response to Nazism, racism, xenophobia and antisemitism during the 1930s and 1940s.
Multidisciplinary artist Mary McEwen talks about her experience learning to weave during her Artist Talk Saturday morning about her exhibition, “Hit & Miss: Adventures in Textile Reuse,” at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Weaving a new narrative out of repurposed goods

Local artist shares her journey of learning to weave and the importance of reusing

Multidisciplinary artist Mary McEwen talks about her experience learning to weave during her Artist Talk Saturday morning about her exhibition, “Hit & Miss: Adventures in Textile Reuse,” at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Sun lights up a foggy morning in the Tongass National Forest. (Courtesy Photo / Amanda Ristau, Untamed Majesty Photography)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos.

Sun lights up a foggy morning in the Tongass National Forest. (Courtesy Photo / Amanda Ristau, Untamed Majesty Photography)
A crow harasses a juvenile eagle during its flying lesson above Channel Heights on July 5. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carooll)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

A crow harasses a juvenile eagle during its flying lesson above Channel Heights on July 5. (Courtesy Photo / Denise Carooll)
This photo shows the Dec. 19 sunrise. (Courtesy Phoyo / Lauren Verrelli)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

This photo shows the Dec. 19 sunrise. (Courtesy Phoyo / Lauren Verrelli)
Lambs Sienna Mueca, Minuet Cryderman, Ari Bay rehearse for "The Nutcracker" ahead of Juneau Dance Theatre's annual production of the ballet. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Juneau Dance Theatre is ready to get cracking

“The Nutcracker” is set to run Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Lambs Sienna Mueca, Minuet Cryderman, Ari Bay rehearse for "The Nutcracker" ahead of Juneau Dance Theatre's annual production of the ballet. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Even the Grinch got into the holiday spirit at Juneau's Gallery Walk 2022 on Friday, Dec. 2. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

‘It’s just a good time and a special thing’: Grins and the Grinch greet Gallery Walk

Dozens of business joined in for the holiday themed event

Even the Grinch got into the holiday spirit at Juneau's Gallery Walk 2022 on Friday, Dec. 2. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
An array of stickers awaits voters on Election Day 2022. With votes tallied and certified, the Empire reviewed how Juneau and nearby communities voted precinct by precinct. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

With the ballots counted, here’s how our districts voted

A post-certification precinct-by-precinct breakdown of statewide race results.

An array of stickers awaits voters on Election Day 2022. With votes tallied and certified, the Empire reviewed how Juneau and nearby communities voted precinct by precinct. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire People walk the docks as the sun sets in downtown Juneau on Monday night. The City and Borough of Juneau recently signed a memorandum of agreement with member companies of Cruise Lines International Association to come to an agreement on a number of tourism management issue in Juneau.

City accepting proposals for marine passenger fee projects

Residents and local business have until Jan. 2 to submit ideas to the city.

Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire People walk the docks as the sun sets in downtown Juneau on Monday night. The City and Borough of Juneau recently signed a memorandum of agreement with member companies of Cruise Lines International Association to come to an agreement on a number of tourism management issue in Juneau.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire At Wednesday evening’s special Assembly meeting, the Assembly appropriated nearly $4 million toward funding a 5.5% wage increase for all CBJ employees along with a 5% increase to the employer health contribution. According to City Manager Rorie Watt, it doesn’t necessarily fix a nearly two decade-long issue of employee retention concerns for the city.

City funds wage increase amid worker shortage

City Manager says raise doesn’t fix nearly two decade-long issue of employee retainment

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire At Wednesday evening’s special Assembly meeting, the Assembly appropriated nearly $4 million toward funding a 5.5% wage increase for all CBJ employees along with a 5% increase to the employer health contribution. According to City Manager Rorie Watt, it doesn’t necessarily fix a nearly two decade-long issue of employee retention concerns for the city.
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police calls for Saturday, Dec. 3

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

  • Dec 2, 2022
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A chart shows non-genital syphilis cases in Alaska have risen about 1,340% between 2017 and 2021, reflecting an enormous increase in cases nationwide. But Alaska is among the states with the highest rates of increase, with the third-highest rates of syphilis and chlamydia in 2020, the most recent year state-by-state comparisons are available. (Alaska Department of Health)

Syphilis cases still skyrocketing statewide

1,340% increase between 2017 and 2021 largely due to state’s relative youth and health care access

A chart shows non-genital syphilis cases in Alaska have risen about 1,340% between 2017 and 2021, reflecting an enormous increase in cases nationwide. But Alaska is among the states with the highest rates of increase, with the third-highest rates of syphilis and chlamydia in 2020, the most recent year state-by-state comparisons are available. (Alaska Department of Health)