Headline History: A tale of two long-ago Juneau Independent newspapers
- Laurie Craig
- Jun 18, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 3, 2025
Each of the two previous versions of a local newspaper titled the Juneau Independent were startups created by professional journalists in the Juneau community who believed readers were not being served as well as they could have been by the dominant media outlet.
In 1952, a trio of local businessmen supported an alternative to the then-named Daily Alaska Empire which had been started in 1912. The key issue was statehood and the various pros and cons of that discussion. For seven years the Independent provided typical news stories of the time: local government, business, territorial politics, features and the social scene as it was delivered at that time: personal goings on with residents. This included who traveled on the Canadian Pacific Railway steamships plying the Inside Passage, patients who were recovering in St. Ann’s hospital and announcements of new babies born there. Today’s privacy rules prevent such public divulgence.
The second issue of the original Juneau Independent covered one of Juneau’s major shipwrecks: the Princess Kathleen which ran aground on Lena Point on Sept. 7, 1952, four days after the newspaper’s inaugural edition. The wreck was a dramatic incident with good news coverage due to broadcast radio communications with the public, photographers on scene to document all passengers saved — although chilled, wrapped in blankets and huddled on the beach — until rescuers arrived in buses, taxis and private vehicles to transport them to warm, comfortable accommodations. The town responded well in caring for the passengers.
Within a short time of grounding and safely evacuating passengers and crew, the Princess Kathleen slipped off the rocks at Lena Point to a watery grave where it still lies. In 2010, a major reclamation of stored fuel in the old ship prevented an oil spill from occurring in Favorite Channel where humpback whales feed and entertain whale watchers during summer. An oil sheen was spotted by the marine scientists in the NOAA lab on the hillside above. A serious and successful cleanup ensued while across the nation in the Gulf of Mexico the Deepwater Horizon gushed oil from a drill pipe underwater.
The first Juneau Independent ceased publication in 1959, soon after a statehood bill passed U.S. Congress (June 30, 1958.)
Prior to the separation of 1950s Empire and the first Juneau Independent, personalities clashed and tempers flared. Before statehood, governors were appointed by presidents. There was a revolving door of political appointees and newspapermen during the early 1900s that elections resolved after statehood.
Juneau Independent version 2.0 launched in 1975 and operated for less than a year. It is characterized by more light-hearted content featuring stories about people more closely considered gossip today. Despite that, many full-page advertisements filled the bulk of the paper. The 1975 version, led by former Empire editor John Stringer, seems to have been well-supported by local businesses.
The Juneau Independent starting today harkens back to the serious journalistic style of the 1950s. Former Juneau Empire Editor Mark Sabbatini saw the need for full coverage of issues confronting Juneau today with hard-choice decisions: Mendenhall River glacier outburst flooding and mitigation, school board challenges, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly meetings and their public evaluations of funding, taxation, housing, homelessness, child care, tourism, Eaglecrest, federal and state job cuts, and continuing discussions of balancing needs and wants in the community of 32,000.
Despite these challenges, Juneau is a thriving community in many ways. The town hosts frequent popular music events, theater, museum exhibits, dance, art openings, as well as a wide variety of sports for kids and adults. Reporting on all these attractive venues takes time, skill and mobility to reach all the offerings. Adding healthcare and University of Alaska coverage can spread a reporter’s energy thin.
To broaden perspectives for readers, the new Juneau Independent has invited a variety of contributors to share their views. The list of invitees is growing. Different voices help residents understand the variety of solutions otherwise not considered. Democracy builds on variety and that is one of the goals of the new Independent.
The business format will be a nonprofit news organization. This is a trend seen across the United States as traditional local print media has disappeared. The country is in a period of major news transition. However, reporting always needs to be fact-based, fair and represent different viewpoints.
Much has changed in the journalistic landscape since Juneau Independent v1.0 and v2.0. The (earth-shattering) introduction of digital platforms, photos and videos, audio and podcasts and instant content delivery makes news media accessible to everyone, often at no cost. Streaming programming, “influencers” on different digital delivery systems by some who may be paid (and potentially affected by advertisers) raise questions of neutrality.
Regardless of new distractive options, costs to produce legitimate content exist and rise. Salaries, travel for news coverage, computers, WiFi and internet support, as well as healthcare, vacations and benefits for employees need to be funded even if a paywall is removed. Sabbatini intends the new “Indy” to be free. But costs remain.
Most nonprofit news outlets now rely on some grants and donations. The most important element, however, is paid reader subscriptions. In other locales nonprofit news outlets have been well supported monetarily by readers. The new Independent will be asking its readers to voluntarily subscribe following the successful pattern of similar media organizations.
To maintain journalistic standards a news entity requires educated, professional reporters otherwise trust is lost. While anyone with a smartphone and camera can capture a moment — some of which have been critical to timely alerts in many instances — reporters must verify facts and confirm sources to present an accurate story.
The new Juneau Independent strives to address local issues using local reporters. I hope to contribute historical features as I have done for the Empire with the goal of writing respectfully for the people and about the people who live here.
For more in-depth review of the first and second iterations of the Juneau Independent readers can view microfilm reels of the 1950s editions and microfiche copies of the brief 1975-76 effort at the state library downtown. The Library of Congress has older newspapers digitized and viewable at Chronicling America online.
• Laurie Craig is a former naturalist and interpreter at the U.S. Forest Service’s Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, artist and historical writer.
