State Sen. Löki Tobin (right), D-Anchorage, discusses possible impacts of a freeze on federal grants and loans during a press conference with other members of the Senate majority including Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Judge blocks Trump’s freeze on federal grants and loans until Monday

Alaska lawmaker says disruption “could be catastrophic” for education, homeless, other programs.

Guests ride the Porcupine chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest to open Ptarmigan lift to top of ski area on Wednesday

Hooter lift providing access to lower part of eastside terrain scheduled to open on Saturday.

Mike Satre (left), chair of Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors, talks about the resort’s plans with Mayor Beth Weldon and Juneau Assembly Member Neil Steininger following an Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly members say they’re willing to loan Eaglecrest money until gondola is ready

Report criticizing ski area’s finances and maintenance also contains enough promise for city leaders.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

66% drop in reported drug crimes first half of ‘24, staffing woes continue, JPD states in annual report

Decline in drugs cases reflects shift to larger cases that take more time to investigate, chief says.

President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington on Thursday, Jan., 23, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

White House freezes all federal grants and loans

Juneau leaders say city should be able to cope, but express concern about smaller towns and uncertainty.

State Rep. Maxine Dibert (right), a Fairbanks Democrat, confers with Rep. Calvin Schrage (I-Anchorage) about a resolution opposing the change of Denali back to Mount McKinley during the House floor session at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Alaska House majority rejects GOP effort to turn protest of Denali name change into Trump tribute

Resolution opposing restoration of Mt. McKinley name is first legislation to pass House this session.

Juneau’s flooded Mendenhall Valley is seen on Aug. 6, 2024. The waters pouring from an outburst flood at Mendenhall Glacier reached record levels, surpassing the record set by a similar glacial outburst flood the previous year. Hundreds of homes were damaged, and some were destroyed. (Photo provided by the City and Borough of Juneau)

Researchers embark on five-year study of flood risks at Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier

After two consecutive years when meltwaters burst out of a basin on Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier and devastated neighborhoods in that… Continue reading

  • 1 day ago
A male northern flicker shows his red mustache mark, identifying him as the red-shafted type. (Photo by Detlef Buettner)

On the Trails: Northern flickers visit Juneau

There are over a dozen species of flicker, living in various parts of the Americas. The species we see here Continue reading...

  • 2 days ago
A person walks along the tideline adjacent to the Airport Dike Trail on Thursday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Capital City Weekly

Gimme A Smile: Help me up

I fell on the ice the other day. One minute, I was carefully picking my way along the slippery trail, Continue reading...

  • 4 days ago
Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Juneau. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: Imagine the comfort of Jesus’ promise of heaven

Earlier this month, former president Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100. While factors like double-digit inflation, high unemployment Continue reading...

  • 5 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...

  • 2 days ago
News
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Aurora forecast through the week of Jan. 25

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute and available online, along with more data, at… Continue reading

  • 1 week ago

 

Guests ride the Porcupine chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest to open Ptarmigan lift to top of ski area on Wednesday

Hooter lift providing access to lower part of eastside terrain scheduled to open on Saturday.

 

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Sports
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys junior varsity team pose for a photo at Hoonah last week. (Photo courtesy JDHS)

JDHS JV and C teams earn road wins

JV play at Hoonah, C team travels to Petersburg.

 

Thunder Mountain Middle School grappler Momar Diouf wrestles an opponent from Thorne Bay during the Stikine Wrestling Championships last weekend in Wrangell. (Photo courtesy TMMS)

Thunder Mountain Middle School pins Stikine title

Falcons grapplers dominate wrestling tournament in Wrangell.

 

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Neighbors
A person walks along the tideline adjacent to the Airport Dike Trail on Thursday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Capital City Weekly

Gimme A Smile: Help me up

I fell on the ice the other day. One minute, I was carefully picking my way along the slippery trail,… Continue reading

  • 4 days ago

 

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Juneau. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: Imagine the comfort of Jesus’ promise of heaven

Earlier this month, former president Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100. While factors like double-digit inflation, high unemployment… Continue reading

  • 5 days ago

 

More Neighbors 
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

  • 3 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

  • 3 months ago

 

More Outdoors 
Events
Juneau-based qayaq (kayak) maker Lou Logan works on his exhibit that will be at the Alaska State Museum during First Friday in January. (Photo provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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

A trio of ongoing exhibitions at the Alaska State Museum, an exhibit… Continue reading

  • 4 weeks ago

 

Jeff Campbell moves a Santa figurine into the front yard of his annual Christmas-themed holiday house on West 11th Street in the downtown neighborhood known as The Flats on Thursday, Nov. 28. Campbell begins the decorating after removing Halloween fare and usually turns on the lights in December. Campbell has created this masterpiece annually for over 30 years. Besides Santas, the display includes candy canes, drummer boys, nativity scenes, reindeer and Disney and Winnie the Pooh characters and some of his own creations. He also has thousands of lights and speakers wired to play Christmas music and his electricity bill doubles over the display’s longevity. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

An icebreaker, a world-premiere play, a new ski season and holiday events galore arriving at week’s end

Gallery Walk, landmark anniversary for “Nutcracker,” Mexican holy feast day among seasonal celebrations.

 

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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...

  • 2 weeks 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...

  • 10 months 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...

  • 12 months 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
Web

Have something to say?

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

  • 2 years ago

 

(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: In the spirit of McKinley, a new name for Juneau

Here is a modest proposal for making Juneau great again. As we all know, our town was named after a… Continue reading

  • 1 day ago

 

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Marketplace
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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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