In this newscast: Juneau plans to expand its temporary levee along the Mendenhall River, in part by using money originally intended for a new arts and culture center; A project meant to bring more than 70 units of new workforce housing to downtown Juneau is dead before it could even break ground. The developer blames the city for stopping it. The city says the project was a risk to public safety; The Juneau Assembly approved merit and cost-of-living pay bumps to Juneau’s city manager and city attorney Monday night; It’s been almost three weeks since a storm caused major flooding and erosion damage to infrastructure in Kotzebue and other Northwest Arctic communities. And that was before the remnants of Typhoon Halong made their way through the region.
Clarise Larson
City Government Reporter, KTOO
"My mission is to hold Juneau’s elected officials accountable for their actions and how their decisions impact the lives of the people they represent. It’s rooted in the belief that an informed public has the power to make positive change."
When Clarise isn't working, you can find her skijoring with her dog, Bloon, or climbing up walls at the Rock Dump.
Juneau Assembly approves pay hikes to city manager, attorney
According to city data from 2024, the city manager isn’t the highest-paid employee when it comes to actual earnings. She was outpaced in actual earnings by several Juneau Police Department officers.
Juneau Assembly appoints returning and new members following local election
New member Nano Brooks and incumbents Ella Adkison and Greg Smith gave their oath to the city attorney and will now each serve a three-year term.
Police escort man from Juneau Assembly meeting after allegedly threatening city leaders
KC Kregar was asked to leave the meeting because of his alleged harassment of city officials and Assembly members. He was previously arrested for refusing to leave City Hall earlier this month.
A developer’s plan to build dozens of new downtown apartments failed. He blames the city.
The project was approved by the planning commission despite safety concerns brought up by neighbors, city officials and the fire department because of its hazardous location and the lack of easy access for emergency services.
Newscast – Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025
In this newscast: Local advocates have gathered more than 600 signatures in an effort to pause the looming evictions and demolition of the historic Telephone Hill neighborhood in downtown Juneau; Alaskans will not receive SNAP, or food stamp, benefits for November, according to the state division of public assistance. That’s unless the federal government shutdown ends before then; Dozens of communities in Western Alaska are working to restore essential infrastructure and repair damaged homes after the remnants of Typhoon Halong devastated coastal communities. But one stands out. In Kipnuk, Halong’s high winds and storm surge left a catastrophe. The state Department of Transportation estimates that 90% of the structures in the community were destroyed. Most of Kipnuk’s residents evacuated on military helicopters in the days after the storm; Alaska Congressman Nick Begich has a new challenger. Pastor Matt Schultz of First Presbyterian Church in Anchorage launched his campaign earlier this week.