Michael S. Lockett

The Juneau School District prepares hundreds of meals each weekday to feed children in Juneau as seen here at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 21.

Juneau union pays off school district meal balances

The union donated more than $7,000 to clear the ledgers.

The Juneau School District prepares hundreds of meals each weekday to feed children in Juneau as seen here at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 21.
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)

Coalition files lawsuit against Trump Administration over Roadless Repeal

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

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)
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)

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 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)
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)

Storm delays Kennicott sailing

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

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)
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)

Feds, state monitor for adverse reactions as vaccinations ramp up

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

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)
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)

Adverse reaction to vaccine reported in Juneau

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

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)
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.

Alaska man charged in Canada for smuggling firearms

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

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.
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)

Cruise control: Activists voice goals for cruise industry reform

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

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

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

Law group launches free coronavirus legal advice hotline

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

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)
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)

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

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

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

Weavers celebrate new robe with first dance

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

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

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

Leasing and further construction are both possibilities.

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)
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.

Alaskans celebrate Supreme Court decision protecting LGBTQ+ rights

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

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

Seattle cruise operations postponed indefinitely

This follows the closing of Vancouver to cruise ships.

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

Juneau asked to hunker down as second case confirmed

Juneau is steeling itself against a coming storm.

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)
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.

Advocacy groups, lawmakers introduce and push for Red Flag laws

House Bill 62 now has a companion in the Senate.

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.
Hundreds gather to honor Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich
Hundreds gather to honor Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich

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.
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.