Alaska saw its 8th hottest year on record last year, with temperatures coming in a degree and a half warmer than the last three decades on average. That’s according to a 2025 annual report by the Alaska Climate Research Center released in January. Also in the news: Community members, leaders and experts from across Southeast […]

The Haines Assembly voted in January to change how it collects sales tax. Now, cruise ships docked in Haines will be required to charge local sales tax on onboard purchases.  And, Skagway held a peace walk last Thursday, in solidarity with similar marches across the United States and Canada. A large group gathered and didn’t […]

COVID-19 was, in many ways, Skagway’s worst nightmare. The pandemic shuttered the town’s tourism-based economy for one full season and much of a second one. That left most families and businesses without income for nearly two years. A new documentary chronicles that period in southeast Alaska’s northernmost town – and raises key questions about the […]

Former mayor and local business owner Doug Olerud is trying something new. He launched a podcast called “Doug Has Questions”  in November. His interviews highlight Haines locals and are available in both audio and video format. Olerud sat down with Chilkat Valley News’ Rashah McChesney to talk about what he hopes to accomplish and how […]

Haines is starting over with the design process to replace its deteriorating freight dock, after cutting ties with its former contractor. The borough held an owner-representative kickoff meeting for the Lutak Dock last week to collect comments and ideas. The borough stressed community collaboration and introduced a new web page to facilitate communication and provide […]

The cruise and shipping industries for years have slashed air pollution by using seawater to scrub pollutants out of their exhaust. While some ships dispose of the pollutants on land, many release them into the sea. As Avery Ellfeldt reports for the Alaska Desk, the situation is fueling a global push to protect marine environments. […]

Cell tower opposition dominated public comment at Tuesday’s Haines Borough Assembly meeting. The Assembly unanimously backed hiring a project manager for the Lutak Dock replacement and passed a resolution urging the state to restore federal food reimbursements for licensed childcare providers. KHNS’ Brandon Wilks has this summary.

The Alaska Department of Transportation has faced intense scrutiny in recent months over its plan to build a new ferry terminal between Juneau and Haines. Now, the agency is drawing fire from a panel of lawmakers charged with overseeing it. Members of the House Transportation committee accused the agency this week of pursuing a project that […]

The Haines Borough Assembly, the Haines Planning Commission and the Haines Code Review Commission all met last week to discuss an ordinance that would govern cell phone towers. The meeting was at times difficult to follow and sometimes, tense. KHNS reporter Melinda Munson has more.

​​The Haines Borough Assembly meets this Tuesday to discuss childcare food reimbursements and the possible hiring of a state lobbyist. Will Steinfeld of the Chilkat Valley News visits the KHNS studio to help listeners get prepped.