Alaska Grown-labeled salad greens are offered for sale on Jan. 14, 2025, at Natural Pantry, a health food store in Anchorage. Grocery shoppers are willing to pay a premium for locally sourced lettuce, researchers have found. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Grocery shoppers willing to pay more for Alaska Grown produce, study finds

How much are Alaskans willing to pay for produce that is homegrown? A newly published study has some answers: a significant premium, especially when they… Continue reading

 

Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (right) listens to Katherine George-Byrd ahead of Saturday’s bombardment apology ceremony. George-Byrd, a Kiks’adi clan mother, talked to the senator about the at.óow on the table before them. At.óow are clan items that provide a connection between current clan members and their ancestors. (Sam Pausman / Wrangell Sentinel)

U.S. Army delivers historic apology for 1869 Wrangell bombardment; three of six clans accept

Unlike Kake and Angoon apologies, some in Wrangell reject military’s words and seek further reparations.

 

In an undated image provided by Chris Miller, an image of the northern lights in Juneau shows what a camera with a longer exposure captures. As astrotourism booms, the northern lights get a boost from digital photography. (Chris Miller via The New York Times)

Is the aurora borealis really that mind-blowing? Or is it just your cellphone photos?

In August, over a calm Michigan lake, Karl Duesterhaus, 34, of Chicago, was treated to an unusual phenomenon: the northern lights, which appeared as hazy… Continue reading

 

The Juneau School District administrative office inside Thunder Mountain Middle School on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau School District, after further review, says it was affected by PowerSchool data breach

Information at risk may include parents, student and staff contact information and addresses.

The Juneau School District administrative office inside Thunder Mountain Middle School on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A map shows where five proposed totem poles would be placed at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (U.S. Forest Service)

Five new totem poles proposed at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as part of stewardship agreement

Open house Wednesday to discuss project intended to “represent several Tlingit and Haida clans.”

A map shows where five proposed totem poles would be placed at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (U.S. Forest Service)
Kristin Garot asks a question to members of Juneau’s legislative delegation at a town hall in the Dzantik’i Heeni school commons on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Expect tighter budget, but more say in how the money is spent, local legislators say

Juneau lawmakers cite familiar issues of education, pensions as priorities at pre-session town hall

Kristin Garot asks a question to members of Juneau’s legislative delegation at a town hall in the Dzantik’i Heeni school commons on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The Stikine River Flats area in the Tongass National Forest viewed by helicopter. The nearby community of Wrangell has received federal funding, through the Secure Rural Schools Act program, designed to assist communities impacted by the declining timber industry. (Alicia Stearns/U.S. Forest Service)

Rural schools in Southeast Alaska face funding shortfall after U.S. House fails to pass bipartisan bill

Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act is aimed at schools near federal lands.

The Stikine River Flats area in the Tongass National Forest viewed by helicopter. The nearby community of Wrangell has received federal funding, through the Secure Rural Schools Act program, designed to assist communities impacted by the declining timber industry. (Alicia Stearns/U.S. Forest Service)
Mike Bethers and his wife, Astrid, turn over two fish to Alysha Reeves, dock chair at the Auke Nu weighing station during the final day of the 78th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dozens of Board of Fisheries proposals affecting Southeast Alaska reviewed by Upper Lynn Canal AC

159 proposals for meeting between Jan. 28 and Feb. 9 involve hatcheries, crabs, rockfish and more.

Mike Bethers and his wife, Astrid, turn over two fish to Alysha Reeves, dock chair at the Auke Nu weighing station during the final day of the 78th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Saturday, Jan. 11, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Friday, Jan. 10, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Rep. Sara Hannan (left) and Rep. Andi Story, both Juneau Democrats, talk during a break in floor debate Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bans on cellphones for students, abortion, styrofoam food containers among Legislature’s first prefiled bills

Two members of Juneau’s delegation reintroduce bills for students, public employees, crime victims.

Rep. Sara Hannan (left) and Rep. Andi Story, both Juneau Democrats, talk during a break in floor debate Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Aurora forecast through the week of Dec. 29

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute and available online, along with more data, at www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast. The listings below will… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Commercial fishing boats are lined up at the dock at Seward’s harbor on June 22, 2024. A legislative task force has come up with preliminary recommendations to help the ailing Alaska seafood industry. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Legislative task force offers possible actions to rescue troubled Alaska seafood industry

Boosting international marketing, developing new products, more support for workers, other steps.

Commercial fishing boats are lined up at the dock at Seward’s harbor on June 22, 2024. A legislative task force has come up with preliminary recommendations to help the ailing Alaska seafood industry. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A combined crew from the Yakutat City and Borough and Tongass National Forest began pilot treatment of willows to improve moose browsing habitat in August of 2023. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

Tongass Forest Plan Revision draft released, starting clock on 45-day comment period

Plan seeks to balance range of tribal, environmental, industrial and climate goals.

A combined crew from the Yakutat City and Borough and Tongass National Forest began pilot treatment of willows to improve moose browsing habitat in August of 2023. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
Kids take part in ski lessons this week at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest’s new GM: “Something drastic needs to happen or that team is going to crumble from the inside”

Employees’ struggles acknowledged as leaders responding to critical report say future holds promise.

Kids take part in ski lessons this week at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Snotty Nose Rez Kids rappers Yung Trybez and Young D sing to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Áak’w Rock canceled due to lack of staff, organizers say Indigenous music festival will return in 2027

Event with virtual debut in 2021 and first in-person fest in 2023 alternates years with Celebration.

Snotty Nose Rez Kids rappers Yung Trybez and Young D sing to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Students arrive at Thunder Mountain Middle School on Aug. 15, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau School District not impacted by nationwide PowerSchool data breach

The Juneau School District was notified on Friday by PowerSchool, the company that provides its student information system, that the company experienced a potential national… Continue reading

Students arrive at Thunder Mountain Middle School on Aug. 15, 2024. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
An aerial view of downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau Affordable Housing Fund approves two apartment projects

Guidelines have been refined since Ridgeview sold at market price.

An aerial view of downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a fatal fire on Aspen Avenue on Jan. 4. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Recent fires cast light upon CCFR’s staffing shortages

Juneau’s firefighters are the city’s problem-solvers, but union says they need support too.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a fatal fire on Aspen Avenue on Jan. 4. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)