Wire Service

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai man sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexual abuse of 2 nieces

Bobby Alexie found guilty in April on 9 counts of sexual abuse of a minor

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Vessels in the Bering Sea commercial crab fishing fleet are seen in Dutch Harbor in October of 2020 as they undergo preparations for that year’s harvest. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is scheduled this week to discuss the condition of snow crab and king crab stocks and make harvest recommendations, but a federal government shutdown may interfere with that and other council work. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Holly Hugunin/U.S. Coast Guard)

Challenges and shutdowns force changes for North Pacific Fishery Management Council

The council, which manages fisheries in federal waters off Alaska, shifted to an online-only October meeting and now may postpone some of its planned work

Vessels in the Bering Sea commercial crab fishing fleet are seen in Dutch Harbor in October of 2020 as they undergo preparations for that year’s harvest. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is scheduled this week to discuss the condition of snow crab and king crab stocks and make harvest recommendations, but a federal government shutdown may interfere with that and other council work. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Holly Hugunin/U.S. Coast Guard)
A man holds an American flag at a vigil for Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 at Mariner Park on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
A man holds an American flag at a vigil for Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 at Mariner Park on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Scoring political points from murder is killing the country

Far too many are eager to turn murder into a motivating sound bite for their own purposes.

(Juneau Empire file photo)
The author's puppy, Ruthie, is seen in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Meredith Harber)

Minister’s Message: Prayer for peace

People are hurting — deep in our bones hurting.

The author's puppy, Ruthie, is seen in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Meredith Harber)
Items at a makeshift memorial for Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot last week, on the campus at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Sept. 16, 2025. (Loren Elliott/The New York Times)

Opinion: Criticizing Kirk doesn’t mean you condone his murder

We will not be denied our First Amendment rights under the guise of false moral superiority.

Items at a makeshift memorial for Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot last week, on the campus at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Sept. 16, 2025. (Loren Elliott/The New York Times)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, to discuss his decision to veto an education bill. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy: A tribute to Charlie Kirk and the First Amendment

Today, I write this as not only your governor, but as a citizen of our great country who is mourning the passing of Charlie Kirk.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, to discuss his decision to veto an education bill. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Graduates of Kenai Peninsula College listen to speakers during the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Point of View: University of Alaska Anchorage: A foundation for success

UAA provided me with more than just a degree.

Graduates of Kenai Peninsula College listen to speakers during the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Alaska Capitol is photographed Friday, July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Alaska needs to be a smart shopper for taxes

One of the easiest taxes to fill the cart is more money from the oil industry.

The Alaska Capitol is photographed Friday, July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire)
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Minister’s Message: Coasting

Winning at work but losing at home is still losing.

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Minister’s Message: Seeing the invisible

Jesus is on the lookout for those who walk through life unnoticed.

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(Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Life would be better if AI knew the difference between good and evil

Whereas HAL’s crimes were movie make-believe, real technology today is helping crooks really steal from a growing number of people.

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Image courtesy Alaska News Coalition

Opinion: Stand with local journalism

Alaska’s print and digital newsrooms, particularly in small communities and regional hubs, are under unprecedented strain

Image courtesy Alaska News Coalition
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Minister’s Message: The Lord’s spiritual treasures are available to us all

The Bible says the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in Christ.

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Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Reimagining Alaska’s energy future: Extend the railroad to the north slope

It’s a project with far greater long-term economic benefit than a single purpose gas line.

Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This April 12, 2022, photo shows former Alaska Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Building Alaska’s future by putting education first

This is why I am running for governor.

This April 12, 2022, photo shows former Alaska Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The U.S. Capitol as seen in Washington, April 2. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
The U.S. Capitol as seen in Washington, April 2. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
Dr. Cheryl Siemers (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: UAA: Right here. Right now.

Our campuses across Southcentral Alaska are vibrant hubs of opportunity.

Dr. Cheryl Siemers (Courtesy photo)
COVID vaccine doses at a vaccination site at a shopping mall in Bayamn, Puerto Rico, Jan. 7, 2022. The FDA has approved updated Covid vaccines for the fall 2025 season that limit who can get the shots, the federal government’s most restrictive policy since the vaccines became available. (Erika P. Rodriguez/The New York Times)

FDA approves COVID shots with new restrictions

The policy is the federal government’s most restrictive since the vaccines became available

COVID vaccine doses at a vaccination site at a shopping mall in Bayamn, Puerto Rico, Jan. 7, 2022. The FDA has approved updated Covid vaccines for the fall 2025 season that limit who can get the shots, the federal government’s most restrictive policy since the vaccines became available. (Erika P. Rodriguez/The New York Times)
Haiyun Jiang / The New York Times
A container ship docks at Dutch Harbor in Unalaska, Aug. 13. Threatened by the president with political retribution, Republicans agreed to defund public broadcasting, imperiling a lifeline of communication in rural Alaska.

Public broadcast cuts hit rural areas, revealing a political shift

245 public broadcasting grantees in rural communities — including 27 stations in Alaska — are at risk of going off the air.

Haiyun Jiang / The New York Times
A container ship docks at Dutch Harbor in Unalaska, Aug. 13. Threatened by the president with political retribution, Republicans agreed to defund public broadcasting, imperiling a lifeline of communication in rural Alaska.