A mineral exploration project north of Haines has changed hands twice in the last year. That included earlier this month, when Viszla Copper purchased the Palmer Project with  $15 million of its company stock. Steve Masterman currently serves as deputy director of the Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Before that, […]

Skagway Borough Assembly’s last meeting was more emotional than usual, with two former mayors making passionate remarks. One criticized the professionalism of the sitting body, and was asked to be removed by an assembly member. The other former mayor raised concerns about a Canadian news article. The article quoted the Yukon’s new premier in regards […]

Starting last Thursday, Juneau residents don’t have to pay local sales tax on essential food and residential utilities. Voters in Juneau approved exempting them during this fall’s recent municipal election. KTOO’s Clarise Larson reports what that will look like for residents and businesses.

The Skagway Traditional Council spent five years searching for records related to the Pius X Mission Resident School for Native Children. It’s unclear how many Native youth attended the former school, located in Skagway, and run by the Catholic Church. So far, the Tribe has located records of around 500 children. Skagway Traditional Council has […]

The Haines Borough Assembly tackled wildlife protection, infrastructure safety and litigation strategy at Tuesday night’s meeting that stretched for over four hours. The Assembly also honored a harbor employee and debated accountability for federal lobbyists. KHNS’ Brandon Wilks reports.

You may have heard before that Alaska imports 95% of food purchased by residents. The figure has been around for decades. But there’s a problem with it: food security experts say it isn’t real – or backed by data As Avery Ellfeldt reports for the Alaska Desk, that reality underscores how hard it is to track […]

The Skagway Borough Assembly voted to approve the 2023 Comprehensive Trail Plan at its last meeting – two years after it was completed. It’s a working document that the municipality will use to make decisions for trail planning and maintenance, and hopefully, to obtain grants. At the same time, the Parks and Recreation Committee changed […]

The deadline for Haines to meet its grant requirements to rebuild its failing cargo dock is fast approaching. Now, the borough needs to come up with a new plan after ending its contract with the original dock contractor. The Assembly met as a Committee of the Whole last week to discuss how to move forward. […]

A controversial mineral exploration project near Haines is changing hands again – just one year after the last shakeup. Vizsla Copper Corporation is the new owner. The company says one of its key priorities is earning local support. But at least for one local tribe, that’s not in the cards. The Alaska Desk’s Avery Ellfeldt […]

Biologists use fancy microphones to study the many sounds humpback whales make beneath the surface in the waters of southeast Alaska. But they’re also increasingly interested in sounds whales make above water. And one researcher thinks Alaskans themselves – many of whom spend their days and nights near or on the ocean – have a lot […]