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U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) transits the waters of Puget Sound near Seattle on Dec. 4, 2020. The crew is deploying on rare wintertime mission to the Arctic Circle. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)

News

Coast Guard needs more focus on Alaska bases and ships, Sullivan says

Recent Russian exercises and America’s sole functional icebreaker are all cause for concern, the senator opined.

A lawsuit against the Trump Administration for removing protections on the Tongass National Forest, seen here on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, was filed in U.S. District Court on Dec. 23, 2020. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

Coalition files lawsuit against Trump Administration over Roadless Repeal

The lawsuit, formed with 21 plaintiffs, was filed in U.S. District court Wednesday.

This photo composite shows Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Don Young, all Republicans. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

Sullivan announces intent to override Trump’s defense budget veto

The bill to provide Americans with $600 is also in danger of a Trump veto.

This October photo shows the MV Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. The ferry's schedule has been changed due to predicted storms. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

News

Storm delays Kennicott sailing

A winter storm will alter the schedule for the next two weeks.

Krischelle Batac, a pharmacy technician with Bartlett Regional Hospital, prepares the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Katie Bausler)

News

Feds, state monitor for adverse reactions as vaccinations ramp up

Juneau played reluctant host to the country’s first adverse reaction on Tuesday.

This photo shows vials of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. BRH immediately began vaccinating its personnel upon receipt of the vaccine. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

Adverse reaction to vaccine reported in Juneau

Health officials said it was the first reported instance in the U.S.

Courtesy photo / Canada Border Services Agency An Alaska man will appear in Canadian court on Monday after border security officers seized the 14 firearms, pictured above, alongside loaded magazines, ammunition, and other paraphernalia, at a crossing southeast of Vancouver.

News

Alaska man charged in Canada for smuggling firearms

There were fourteen firearms, many illegal in Canada, seized in a July incident.

The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. Emissions are among the many grievances raised by the Global Cruise Activist Network against the cruise industry. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

Cruise control: Activists voice goals for cruise industry reform

Pollution, human rights and community determinism are all on their agenda.

The Pacific Spaceport Complex- Alaska is Alaska’s only spaceport, located near Kodiak, Alaska. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Aerospace Corporation)

News

Eyes on the stars: Launches continue as Alaska’s spaceport thinks expansion

Next week will see one of the six launches that was initially scheduled for 2020.

The Alaska Bar Association and Alaska Legal Services Corporation will offer a free hotline for noncriminal legal advice for coronavirus related issues on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6-8 p.m. (Courtesy photo | Nordwood Themes)

News

Law group launches free coronavirus legal advice hotline

The noncriminal advice hotline will be available three days a week.

The governor and Department of Public Safety condemned Google in a news release after the company would not allow Alaska State Troopers to pay for further distribution of an ad, July 17, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

News

Governor, Department of Public Safety blast Google after company cancels ad

Google says advertising company needs to be verified for the U.S.

Irene Lampe dances a robe for its First Dance ceremony at the Sealaska Heritage Institute on Monday, June 22, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Annie Bartholomew)

Life

Weavers celebrate new robe with first dance

The event is part of a resurgent trend for traditional weaving.

The USCGC Healy, the Coast Guard’s only medium icebreaker, lies moored to the pier in Juneau as it returns to Seattle at the end of deployment, Oct. 27, 2019. The Healy is one of two U.S. icebreakers, but perhaps that will change, as a White House memorandum directs the government to look at options for expanding the icebreaker fleet. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

News

White House examining more options for expanding U.S. icebreaker fleet

Leasing and further construction are both possibilities.

Manuel Balce Ceneta / associated press file Supporters of LGBTQ+ rights hold placards in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 8, 2019.

News

Alaskans celebrate Supreme Court decision protecting LGBTQ+ rights

The 6-3 decision is a resounding victory for the LGBTQ+ community.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File A cruise ship passenger photographs a ship in Juneau’s downtown harbor in August 2017.

News

Seattle cruise operations postponed indefinitely

This follows the closing of Vancouver to cruise ships.

No cruises till July at the earliest mean these tourist-targeted shops downtown will likely remain shuttered for months longer, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

News

Juneau asked to hunker down as second case confirmed

Juneau is steeling itself against a coming storm.

Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire Portia Carney, Justina Sullivan, and Pearl Temple pose in the Capitol before soliciting lawmakers for their support of House Bill 62, or the ability to temporarily take guns away from people who have made threats or are having a mental health crisis.

News

Advocacy groups, lawmakers introduce and push for Red Flag laws

House Bill 62 now has a companion in the Senate.

Hundreds gather to honor Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich

News

Hundreds gather to honor Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich

Her face will appear on the U.S. $1 coin this year.

News

Phishing scam posing as Alaska USA credit union targets Alaskans

With a little care, you can avoid a major headache.

U.S. Navy | Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony J. Rivera The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt transits the Gulf of Alaska on May 24.

News

Experts, military officers testify about rising importance, threat in Arctic

The Great Game will be played in the Arctic, expert says.