Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower (R-Wasilla), right, explains why he is changing his vote on a compromise education bill during Wednesday’s floor session at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Compromise education bill passes Legislature by veto-proof margin despite Dunleavy administration threats

Education commissioner tells school districts to support governor’s policy goals or risk losing funds.

JDHS junior Gwen Nizich, shown hitting a home run against Lathrop last Saturday, had two dingers over the center field fence at Sitka’s Moller Field on Wednesday as the Crimson Bears split with the Wolves, winning 18-9 and falling 10-9. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Crimson Bears devour Wolves 18-9, get nipped 10-9

Nizich home run highlights JDHS “rap sheet” in two game series.

A dropoff box for ballots at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library during Juneau’s 2024 municipal election. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Petitions for mill rate cap, sales tax exemptions and in-person elections certified for signatures

Supporters have until May 30 to get 2,720 signatures to put measures on local fall ballot.

Sunlight gleams through the Tongass National Forest in Juneau on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Threads of the Tongass: Opinions split on whether there is a market for mass logging in Southeast

Some support revival of timber industry and jobs; others seek preservation of culture and ecosystem.

Geoff Kirsch and students from Sayéik Gastineau Community School sing during a rally for early education funding at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Spend more for programs or PFDs? Legislators say reality may mean less money for both.

As protesters plea for reverse to program cuts, Senate budget leader says PFD may shrink to $1,000.

Glacier Swim Club senior Lucia Chapell (Colorado College signee), coach Lisa Jones, senior Pacific Ricke (Bates College signee), Coach of the Year Scott Griffith, Female Athlete of the Year Emma Fellman (University of Minnesota signee) and coach Seth Cayce are shown Friday at the 2025 Alaska State Swimming Championships in Anchorage. (Photo courtesy GSC)

Emma Fellman named Alaska Female Athlete of the Year

Glacier Swim Club captain and JDHS senior honored.

State Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage) reviews an amendment on an education bill with other senators during a break in floor debate Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Effort to rush compromise education bill through Legislature hits snag due to ‘drafting error’

Bill returned to Senate, which passed it 19-1, to fix error in amendment; House vote expected by Wednesday

(Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Should food be taxed in Juneau?

Why have Juneau city leaders supported an extensive list of municipal sales tax exemptions over the years, but are unable Continue reading...

  • 1 day ago
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Morristown Airport in Morristown, N.J., on Sunday, April 27, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

My Turn: The cost of chaos

Argentina was a 20th-century economic powerhouse, considered too modern and successful to fail. A series of incompetent government leaders and Continue reading...

  • 3 days ago
Golden-crowned sparrows come through town on their way to alpine nesting areas. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On The Trails: Spring arrives

Spring is happening, very slowly but surely. Purple mountain saxifrage has been blooming, salmonberry flowers appear, yellow violets are starting Continue reading...

  • 3 days ago
(Juneau Empire File)

Community calendar of upcoming events

This is a calendar updated daily of upcoming local events during the coming days provided by the Juneau Arts and Continue reading...

  • 3 days ago
News
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ships in port for the week of April 27

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2024 schedule. Capacity figures in parenthesis were pulled from cruise… Continue reading

  • 4 days ago

 

Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower (R-Wasilla), right, explains why he is changing his vote on a compromise education bill during Wednesday’s floor session at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Compromise education bill passes Legislature by veto-proof margin despite Dunleavy administration threats

Education commissioner tells school districts to support governor’s policy goals or risk losing funds.

 

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Sports
JDHS junior Gwen Nizich, shown hitting a home run against Lathrop last Saturday, had two dingers over the center field fence at Sitka’s Moller Field on Wednesday as the Crimson Bears split with the Wolves, winning 18-9 and falling 10-9. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Crimson Bears devour Wolves 18-9, get nipped 10-9

Nizich home run highlights JDHS “rap sheet” in two game series.

 

Glacier Swim Club senior Lucia Chapell (Colorado College signee), coach Lisa Jones, senior Pacific Ricke (Bates College signee), Coach of the Year Scott Griffith, Female Athlete of the Year Emma Fellman (University of Minnesota signee) and coach Seth Cayce are shown Friday at the 2025 Alaska State Swimming Championships in Anchorage. (Photo courtesy GSC)

Emma Fellman named Alaska Female Athlete of the Year

Glacier Swim Club captain and JDHS senior honored.

 

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Neighbors
Tortilla “dry soup” ready to consume. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Capital City Weekly

Cooking For Pleasure: Tortilla ‘dry soup’ (sopa seca de tortillas)

This recipe is based upon one in an old Mexican cookbook I’ve had for ages. Over the years I changed… Continue reading

  • 7 days ago

 

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: It is all about the resurrection

This past weekend Christians celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. His resurrection from the dead is the hinge pin of the… Continue reading

  • 1 week ago

 

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Alaska Outdoors
The Dalton Highway, built in 1974 to construct the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, allows the public to access the Brooks Range and North Slope like the author did in 2022. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: The theater is over, let the work begin

The election is over. It’s time to catch our collective breath and… Continue reading

  • 6 months ago

 

Natural hydrogen gas may be trapped under the surface of Alaska in many areas, such as here in the Brooks Range. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Geologic hydrogen may be an answer

The internal combustion engine is less than 100 years old. Same for… Continue reading

  • 6 months ago

 

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Events
Works by artist Alec Dye will be featured at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center’s gallery as part of First Friday in May. (Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in May

A museum’s interactive exhibition featuring the works of a range of local… Continue reading

  • 2 days ago

 

Art by Christine Kleinhenz of Tide Watcher will be featured at The Bear’s Lair as part of First Friday in April. (Juneau Arts and Humanities Council photo)

Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in April

A poster tribute leading up to the 50th Alaska Folk Festival and… Continue reading

  • 1 month ago

 

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
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...

  • 4 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...

  • 1 year 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...

  • 1 year ago

 

A tiny tree bears a great weight along the Montana Creek Trail on Jan. 21. (Photo by Deana Barajas)

Wild Shots

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

  • 1 year ago

 

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Opinion
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  • 3 years ago

 

(Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Should food be taxed in Juneau?

Why have Juneau city leaders supported an extensive list of municipal sales tax exemptions over the years, but are unable… Continue reading

  • 1 day ago

 

More Opinion 
Marketplace
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Vigilance – Pride – Dedication: Alaska Correctional Officers
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Save money with incentives for home heating and efficiency!
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With a modern refresh, Little Women comes to Juneau this April
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