President Joe Biden will formally apologize on Friday for the U.S. government’s role in forcibly assimilating Indigenous children through boarding schools, a system where thousands suffered abuse and loss of cultural identity. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who spearheaded an investigation into these schools, will join him in Arizona for this historic address. The investigation documented at least 18,000 children removed from their families, many never returning, with close to 1,000 known deaths. This apology marks the first official acknowledgment of federal wrongdoing during this era, aligning with similar apologies by Canada and Australia.
The Norwegian Jewel departed Juneau last night, marking the end of a nearly 200-day cruise season. This season saw the rejection of a proposed limit on Saturday cruise ship visits and the announcement of a new port on Douglas Island by Goldbelt, Inc. and Royal Caribbean. With 1.6–1.7 million visitors this year, a new passenger cap starting in 2026 will limit daily visitors to 16,000 on most days and 12,000 on Saturdays, reducing current highs. The season for large ships will also shorten, excluding April and October.
Alaska’s Board of Education has directed the education department to draft a policy limiting cellphone use during school hours. This comes after success stories from schools like Palmer High, where a cellphone ban has increased student focus, reduced cyberbullying, and improved engagement. Principal David Booth reported fewer disciplinary issues and better student well-being, with similar results noted in other schools across Alaska. Governor Mike Dunleavy praised the Board’s decision, and research nationwide shows positive outcomes from reducing in-class cellphone access.
Juneau Trail and Road Runners is hosting the Halloween Half Scare-A-Thon and 5k