Matt Miller, KTOO - Juneau

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Matt Miller is a reporter at KTOO in Juneau.
A man in a black robe on a court bench raises his hand

How Alaska decides if a judge can stay on the bench

Nearly two dozen judges will be on the Nov. 3 state election ballot, but the process of retaining them is a big difference from the elections that take place elsewhere in the country.

Mother of all jökulhlaups reported in Southeast Alaska

Scientists believe a massive glacial dam release - or jökulhlaup - recently occurred in Southeast Alaska.
Two men ride on a snow machine

Census Bureau claims nearly all Alaska households have been counted

But some are doubting the accuracy of that claim.
A blue, green and yellow blop on the cartographic map of Southeast Alaska

Weekend storm brings wind, rain and even lightning to Southeast Alaska

The rare weather event brought winds of up to 68 miles per hour in Sitka.
A man with a broom stands outside his shed , whose entrance is torn apart with debris lying all around.

Juneau’s unsecured garbage and ‘bumper crop of yearling bears’ are a deadly combination

Alaska Department of Fish and Game officials say a bunch of young bears and a dwindling natural food supply are forcing the bruins to search human garbage for food before they hibernate for the winter.
A researcher looks through a microscope with a monitor showing what she's looking at

Mystery seed packets showing up in Alaskans’ mailboxes

The unsolicited seed packets have been showing up around the country, and officials are worried about people planting them.

A glacial dam near Juneau could burst any time

A jökulhlaup - or glacial dam release - could happen any time, but scientists are trying to understand how much flooding could happen.

Taku River turns cold, runs fast after glacial dam release in the Juneau Icefield

This glacial dam release, or jökulhlaup, was relatively small, but there could be more this summer.

UPDATE: California hiker dies after fall near Juneau’s Perseverance Trail

A 36-year-old man died, according to the Juneau Police Department.

There hasn’t been a jury trial in Alaska in 3 months. How has COVID-19 changed the state’s justice system?

There have been no jury trials in state courts for three months, and they won’t resume until at least September.
A courthouse sign

Face coverings now required to enter federal courthouses in Alaska

Anyone entering a federal courthouse in Alaska must wear a mask or face covering or they will not be allowed inside.

Alaska’s courtrooms remain closed to jury trials due to pandemic

Most non-emergency proceedings were first suspended in late March. Now they will be canceled at least until September.
The seal of the state of alaska as seen from below

Alaska Court System suspends new trials in Anchorage, Palmer, Kenai

Jury trials in Anchorage, Palmer and Kenai next week have been suspended to slow the spread of coronavirus, the Alaska Court System said Friday.

He worked briefly for the state in the ’70s. Should he get “gold chain” Tier I retirement benefits?

The Alaska Supreme Court on Thursday heard a case that labor unions say could affect the retirement plans of thousands of former state employees.
A cruise ship seen from behind

Utah man pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder in Alaska cruise ship death

A Utah man arrested for the death of his wife on a Southeast Alaska cruise ship could spend the rest of his life in federal prison.

In Juneau snow and rain, temperature swings are formula for higher avalanche risk

Looking at each snow layer tells a story about the winter.

Meals for Angoon school children hinge on regular ferry service

In many Alaska coastal communities, ferry service is more than just a transportation link. It can also be a form of survival.

Taku Glacier, once the Juneau Icefield’s last advancing glacier, is now in retreat

A soon-to-be-published research paper will show how climate change is responsible for the glacier’s recent about-face into retreat. But scientists, Juneau-area hunters and residents have seen it coming for decades.

AK: Search dogs harness their super-powered noses

If you become lost or injured in Alaska, your best chance of being found may rest in the paws of an unassuming hero: a search dog. Man’s best friend has a super-powered sense of smell that can detect just about anyone, anywhere.

Alaska first responders train up on urban search and rescue techniques

During an exercise in Juneau, members of the Washington National Guard provided expertise on rescuing victims from buildings collapsed by an earthquake, avalanche or mudslide.