The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities drops explosives via helicopter to trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road in February 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

DOT&PF reduces avalanche hazard over Thane, Mount Juneau remains a risk

They flew over the snowpack above Thane in a helicopter Thursday to test for controlled avalanche.

A whale tale sculpture on the downtown docks glows on New Year’s Day 2026. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

January’s First Friday: Here’s what to see

Juneau Arts Humanities Council announced a preview of community events on First Friday.

  • 2 days ago
Mendenhall Glacier, Governor Mike Dunleavy, and glacial outburst flooding are pictures in this collage of news stories from 2025. (Juneau Empire file photos, credits left to right: Jasz Garrett, Jasz Garrett, Chloe Anderson)

Juneau’s 2025 year in review

The Empire revisited eight major topics as their headlines progressed.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, contracting with Coastal Helicopters, works to reduce avalanche risk on Thane Road by setting off avalanches in a controlled fashion on Feb. 5, 2021.(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)

DOT&PF has a plan to reduce avalanche hazard near Juneau amid record snowfall

They’re set to fly over the snowpack above Thane in a helicopter at about noon to trigger a controlled avalanche.

A truck with a snowplow drives along Douglas Highway on Dec. 31, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Warnings pile up under record-breaking snowfall in Juneau

December 2025 is the snowiest December in the city’s history.

Alaska's Department of Transportation and Public Facilities issue a warning of increased avalanche hazard along Thane Road. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Avalanche advisory in effect for Thane, Downtown

The alert is not an evacuation notice, but officials urge residents to stay informed.

Dense, wet snowpack piles up beneath a stop sign on Great Western street. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

More heavy, wet snow forecast for the Juneau area this week

Capital City Fire and Rescue cautioned residents without four wheel drive from taking on the roads.

Photo by James Brooks / Alaska Beacon Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy greets a child during the governor’s annual holiday open house on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2022 at the Governor’s Mansion in Juneau.

Pipeline deal and disasters were highlight and low point of 2025, Alaska governor says

Alaska’s traditional industries got a boost from the Trump administration, but more drilling and mining are likely years away

  • 4 days ago
A page of the Juneau Empire from a Nov. 29, 1915 edition. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for Dec. 27 & 28

1915 Juneau reporters reflect on holiday celebrations and look forward to the New Year.

The whale sculpture at Overstreet park breaches at sunrise on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)

Weekly events guide: Juneau community calendar for Dec. 22-28

Visit Juneau Arts and Humanities Council at JAHC.org for more details on this week’s happenings.

  • 2 weeks ago
News
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities drops explosives via helicopter to trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road in February 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

DOT&PF reduces avalanche hazard over Thane, Mount Juneau remains a risk

They flew over the snowpack above Thane in a helicopter Thursday to test for controlled avalanche.

 

A whale tale sculpture on the downtown docks glows on New Year’s Day 2026. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

January’s First Friday: Here’s what to see

Juneau Arts Humanities Council announced a preview of community events on First Friday.

  • 2 days ago

 

More News 
Neighbors
Fred La Plante is the pastor of the Juneau Church of the Nazarene. (Photo courtesy Fred La Plante)

Living and Growing: You are not alone

Those words can pull us back toward hope, especially when we’ve just heard painful news.

  • 3 days ago

 

The whale sculpture at Overstreet park breaches at sunrise on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)

Weekly events guide: Juneau community calendar for Dec. 22-28

Visit Juneau Arts and Humanities Council at JAHC.org for more details on this week’s happenings.

  • 2 weeks ago

 

More Neighbors 
Alaska Outdoors
Hiking down from Dan Moller cabin in mid-January 2025. (photo courtesy John Harley)

Sustainable Alaska: Skiing on the edge

The difference between a great winter for skiing and a bad one can be a matter of a few degrees.

  • 2 weeks ago

 

Jeff Lund photo The author heard what he thought was a squirrel. It was not a squirrel.

I Went into the Woods: A change of plans

It was only a 30-hour trip but it’s always better to bring more food than you count on eating.

  • 4 weeks ago

 

More Outdoors 
Events
A whale tale sculpture on the downtown docks glows on New Year’s Day 2026. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

January’s First Friday: Here’s what to see

Juneau Arts Humanities Council announced a preview of community events on First Friday.

  • 2 days ago

 

The Seward-based band Blackwater Railroad Company plays onstage ahead of their New Year’s concert in Juneau at Crystal Saloon. (photo courtesy Blackwater Railroad Company)

Transience and adventure: Alaska band returns to Juneau for New Year’s concerts

The Blackwater Railroad Company talks about their ‘Alaska Music’ ahead of their shows.

 

More Events 
Video
The student band performs at Thunder Mountain High School. (Screenshot from student film “Digging a Hole in the School Budget”)
Capital City Weekly

Thunder Mountain High School graduates win film festival award

Documentary by Jade Hicks, Hayden Loggy-Smith portrays human impacts of school consolidation plan.

 

An entangled humpback whale seen from above on Oct. 10 near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. (Photo by Sean Neilson, NOAA MMHSRP Permit No. 24359)

Juvenile whale caught in heavy fishing apparatus freed by team effort

Rescue follows the loss of a whale calf to a vessel strike in August

 

Juneau’s Anthony Garcia (22) carries the ball deep into West Anchorage High School territory to set up the Huskies’ first touchdown early in the third quarter during Saturday’s game in Anchorage. (Screenshot from Juneau Huskies football livestream video)

Depleted Huskies lose at West Anchorage 59-21

JV players make up one-third of Juneau’s squad during matchup against top team in conference.

 

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (left) views the Mendenhall River on Tuesday as Juneau Assembly member Wade Bryson explains changes that occurred to the riverbank due to record flooding from Suicide Basin last Saturday. Juneau state representatives Sara Hannan and Andi Story were among the other officials taking part in the trip. (Tom Mattice / City and Borough Of Juneau)

Flood cleanup, fundraising events planned this weekend

As state and federal officials consider large-scale actions, residents can offer immediate help.

 

More Video 
Photography
James Edens looks at 35mm film he had just developed. Photo by By Jonathon Dawe/ Wrangell Sentinel)

Father and son share love for old-school film photography

For photographers like James Edens, film photography never lost its allure

  • 4 months ago

 

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, Continue reading...

  • 12 months ago

 

A harbor seal lazily floats in the calm cool downtown harbor waters on March 21. (Photo by Denise Carroll)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots Continue reading...

  • 2 years ago

 

Mendenhall Glacier and Mendenhall Lake on Jan. 28. (Photo by Deana Barajas)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots Continue reading...

  • 2 years ago

 

More Photography 
Opinion
Web

Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

  • 3 years ago

 

A demonstrator holds a sign in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as arguments are heard about the Affordable Care Act, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)

My Turn: The U.S. is under health care duress

When millions become uninsured, it will strain the entire health care system.

  • 2 days ago

 

More Opinion 
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