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Alaska’s minimum wage to remain unchanged in 2022

$1 more than the federal wage.

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Industries related to cruise ships, like this one docked in downtown Juneau on July 26, 2021, were the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic according to a report from the McKinley Research Group. Senior economist at McKinley Jim Calvin says he’s concerned about businesses ability to hire enough workers going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Report: Labor challenges likely to impact pandemic recovery

Tourism troubles.

Industries related to cruise ships, like this one docked in downtown Juneau on July 26, 2021, were the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic according to a report from the McKinley Research Group. Senior economist at McKinley Jim Calvin says he’s concerned about businesses ability to hire enough workers going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Juneau residents gathered around the statue of William H. Seward in downtown Juneau on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, for the local version of a national rally for abortion rights. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau rallies for abortion rights

Tension over Texas.

Juneau residents gathered around the statue of William H. Seward in downtown Juneau on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, for the local version of a national rally for abortion rights. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School on April 18. Earlier this fall, vandalism including stolen soap dispensers and toilets clogged with foreign objects such as paper towel rolls were a problem at schools nationwide and in Juneau. But, principals say the local situation is improving. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

After brief surge, vandalism subsiding at local high schools

Principals say internet trends, stress likely behind incidents.

Thunder Mountain High School on April 18. Earlier this fall, vandalism including stolen soap dispensers and toilets clogged with foreign objects such as paper towel rolls were a problem at schools nationwide and in Juneau. But, principals say the local situation is improving. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Stephen White took over the executive directorship of the Marine Exchange of Alaska in September following his retirement from the Coast Guard in July. (Michael S. Lockett/ Juneau Empire)

Smooth sailing as new director helms Marine Exchange of Alaska

The organization will continue to chart its course towards the future as the maritime economy grows.

Stephen White took over the executive directorship of the Marine Exchange of Alaska in September following his retirement from the Coast Guard in July. (Michael S. Lockett/ Juneau Empire)
Police are working to identify a body found near the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police working on identifying body found near ferry terminal

It appears to be male but it’s been outdoors for a significant period of time.

Police are working to identify a body found near the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Bartlett Regional Hospital on Oct. 4. Jerel Humphrey will step into the top job at the hospital on Oct. 18. He’s the fourth Chief Executive Officer—and the third person to hold the position on an interim basis at the hospital this year. (Michael S. Lockett/Juneau Empire)

Bartlett names interim CEO

Jerel Humphrey starts Oct. 18

Bartlett Regional Hospital on Oct. 4. Jerel Humphrey will step into the top job at the hospital on Oct. 18. He’s the fourth Chief Executive Officer—and the third person to hold the position on an interim basis at the hospital this year. (Michael S. Lockett/Juneau Empire)
Alaska Native artists Lily Hope, left, and Stephen Qacung Blanchett, right, were selected as two of the fifteen Indigenous artists to receive $100,000 grants for upcoming projects by the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation. (Photo credit: @SydneyAkagiPhoto for Hope and Joy Denmert for Blanchett)

Foundation awards $100k to Indigenous artists and partnering organizations

Two artists living in Juneau were named as awardees.

Alaska Native artists Lily Hope, left, and Stephen Qacung Blanchett, right, were selected as two of the fifteen Indigenous artists to receive $100,000 grants for upcoming projects by the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation. (Photo credit: @SydneyAkagiPhoto for Hope and Joy Denmert for Blanchett)
Judy Carmichael, of the Judy Carmichael Trio, greeted well-wishers and autographed merchandise at the Heritage Coffee shop’s downtown location on Oct. 1. She visited Juneau to perform as part of the Juneau Jazz & Classics Fall Festival. (Instagram)

Jazz trio finds adventure in Juneau

A storm, a glacier and sold-out shows

Judy Carmichael, of the Judy Carmichael Trio, greeted well-wishers and autographed merchandise at the Heritage Coffee shop’s downtown location on Oct. 1. She visited Juneau to perform as part of the Juneau Jazz & Classics Fall Festival. (Instagram)
The Juneau Police Department is investigating a body found in the woods across from the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Police investigating body found near ferry terminal

The body was recovered Tuesday afternoon

The Juneau Police Department is investigating a body found in the woods across from the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
From left to right: Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, and House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, discuss messages from the Senate in the hall of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. A plan to hold the special session mostly from afar was hampered by demands from Republican Senators. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Plan for remote session stalled by lawmakers

Next meeting is Friday.

From left to right: Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, and House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, discuss messages from the Senate in the hall of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. A plan to hold the special session mostly from afar was hampered by demands from Republican Senators. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Tuesday, Oct. 5, is the last day to vote in the City and Borough of Juneau’s 2021 municipal election. This photo shows a ballot for the races that will be decided this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Today is election day. Here’s how to vote if you haven’t yet cast a ballot

Election centers will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 5, is the last day to vote in the City and Borough of Juneau’s 2021 municipal election. This photo shows a ballot for the races that will be decided this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Agencies and family members are searching for a man reported missing on Sept. 29, 2021, whose truck was found near Perseverance Trail. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)

Authorities, family searching for missing man

His truck was found near Perseverance Trail.

Agencies and family members are searching for a man reported missing on Sept. 29, 2021, whose truck was found near Perseverance Trail. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)
This photo shows Bartlett Regional Hospital on Oct. 4, 2021. As hospitals across the state move to crisis standards of care due to surging COVID-19 cases, local hospital officials say that Bartlett Regional Hospital is not at a crisis point. (Michael S. Lockett/Juneau Empire)

Bartlett Hospital services are stable

Hospital officials say no need to delay care

This photo shows Bartlett Regional Hospital on Oct. 4, 2021. As hospitals across the state move to crisis standards of care due to surging COVID-19 cases, local hospital officials say that Bartlett Regional Hospital is not at a crisis point. (Michael S. Lockett/Juneau Empire)
A Juneau resident receives the booster shot for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at Centennial Hall on Oct. 2, 2021. More than 1,300 Juneau residents received booster shots at the clinic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

More than 1,300 receive booster shots over weekend

More than 700 doubled down and also got their flu shot for the year.

A Juneau resident receives the booster shot for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at Centennial Hall on Oct. 2, 2021. More than 1,300 Juneau residents received booster shots at the clinic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Electric Vehicle Association held its 8th annual meet up for National Drive Electric Week on Oct. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Leafs of autumn: Juneau Electric Vehicle Association holds meet-up

Owners and enthusiasts had the event as the skies briefly cleared.

The Juneau Electric Vehicle Association held its 8th annual meet up for National Drive Electric Week on Oct. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This screenshot from the National Weather Service website shows a low pressure system coming ashore from the Gulf of Alaska hit Juneau hard on Oct. 1, 2021, downing trees and causing widespread power outages. (Screenshot)

High winds and heavy rain makes for a busy night for firefighters, power company crews

AEL&P responding to widespread tree downings and outages.

This screenshot from the National Weather Service website shows a low pressure system coming ashore from the Gulf of Alaska hit Juneau hard on Oct. 1, 2021, downing trees and causing widespread power outages. (Screenshot)
A man stands in the doorway of a downtown shop on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, the day after the City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance requiring masks in public places. When passed, the rules included a $25 fine for non-compliance. This week, assembly members reinstated the fine, after they had voted to drop it earlier this summer. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire File)

City officials explain why COVID fines are back

City officials share why they matter

A man stands in the doorway of a downtown shop on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, the day after the City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance requiring masks in public places. When passed, the rules included a $25 fine for non-compliance. This week, assembly members reinstated the fine, after they had voted to drop it earlier this summer. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire File)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire More than a hundred gathered at an Orange Shirt Day event near Sandy Beach on Sept. 30, 2021, a remembrance of the Indigenous children killed in North America in the residential school system.

Passionate crowd turns out for Orange Shirt Day event

More than a hundred braved driving rain for remembrance of missing children.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire More than a hundred gathered at an Orange Shirt Day event near Sandy Beach on Sept. 30, 2021, a remembrance of the Indigenous children killed in North America in the residential school system.
Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire Several people participated in a protest in front of City Hall on Sept. 29, before the CBJ Assembly considered extending the current COVID-19 mitigation measures. At the meeting, assembly members voted to extend the measures through March 1, 2022.

City extends COVID mitigation measures, restores fines for violations

Decision generates intense public input

Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire Several people participated in a protest in front of City Hall on Sept. 29, before the CBJ Assembly considered extending the current COVID-19 mitigation measures. At the meeting, assembly members voted to extend the measures through March 1, 2022.