By THE ALASKA STORY
May 23, 2026 – The Alaska Story has launched a new section devoted entirely to news, commentary, and developments out of Juneau, filling what many readers see as a growing gap in the Capital City’s media landscape.
The new Juneau tab on The Alaska Story website will focus on local government, politics, schools, business, community issues, culture, and the day-to-day stories shaping Alaska’s capital city.
The move comes at a time when Juneau’s news environment is changing rapidly. The longtime daily newspaper, the Juneau Empire, has struggled in recent years with ownership changes, staffing, and responsiveness, while a newer entrant, Juneau Independent, has developed a distinctly left-leaning editorial tone that does not appeal to all readers in the community.
That leaves a sizable audience of Juneau residents looking for an alternative voice, one that is timely, independent, and willing to publish a broader range of perspectives.
“This is going to take a bit of a group effort,” said The Alaska Story publisher Suzanne Downing. “There are plenty of people in Juneau who see stories unfolding every day that deserve attention, but they may not feel represented by the current media options.”
Readers are encouraged to send news tips, story ideas, photos, opinion pieces, and commentary related to Juneau to:
The new section will rely in part on citizen contributors, local observers, and readers who want to help expand coverage of the capital city.
Downing is no stranger to Juneau journalism. A longtime Alaska journalist, she is from Juneau (JDHS Class of 1972) and previously served as editor of the Juneau Empire, giving her deep familiarity with the community and its political and civic culture and history.
The Alaska Story, launched in late 2025, has quickly grown into one of Alaska’s largest independent digital news platforms, with tens of thousands of newsletter subscribers and millions of page views in its first months online.
The Juneau section is expected to evolve over time as contributors step forward and coverage expands.
For now, the goal is simple: More local news, more local voices, and faster coverage of the stories shaping Alaska’s capital.
7 thoughts on “The Alaska Story launches dedicated Juneau news section, as local media landscape shifts”
Juneau? Isn’t that part of Washington?
Long-known as “North Seattle”.
And how would you characterize Anchorage?
Hopefully your next expansion is a Fairbanks News Section as the only news publication here is far left, behind a paywall and publishes very few conservative view points.
Yes, but when I visit mom, it can be interesting to catch up on local flavor:
Obituaries, crime blotter, today in history (my dad was in there once dating to 1955, I think), local sports (fun to read about kids/grandkids of those I went to school with) and more. No paywall, but for the cost of paper. At 94, mom isn’t much on digital snooze. Oh, don’t forget the comic strips!!
This development is a ray of hope in a landscape in dire need of logical perspectives.
So glad to hear this, Suzanne. JDHS 1972. You were a Crimson Bear back then. The Bavard brothers were basketball stars. Where are they now? The Hildre brothers. Remember them? How about Bruce Lockwood? Maybe a couple years older, but a heartthrob back in the day. Anyway, besides politics alone, Juneau has had interesting characters. So glad you are doing this.