Sophia Armstrong is a first grade teacher in Haines. She says teaching is her calling; she’s been doing it here for 14 years already, and plans to work in education the rest of her career. But years of poor retirement benefits and low pay are forcing her to rethink whether it’s wise to do so in […]

Skagway’s borough assembly meeting last Thursday was overshadowed by a topic not on the agenda. Mayor Sam Bass announced he had not – and would not – sign correspondence that was approved at the previous assembly meeting. The correspondence included letters concerning recent federal firings and tariffs with Canada. KHNS reporter Melinda Munson attended the […]

Both the Haines and Skagway high school Drama, Debate and Forensics teams drove two days to get to the state championship in Anchorage. They returned home with multiple first place wins. KHNS reporter Melinda Munson spoke to one of the student champions, and a coach, about the gift of gab.

The roughly one million visitors coming to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in Juneau this summer will have less staff monitoring their experience – including their safety. That’s after the U.S. Forest Service fired nearly all the visitor center staff, mostly rangers. Instead of a dozen employees, only two public-facing staff are left ahead of […]

The Trump administration is set to impose tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico on Tuesday. That’s after the White House paused the policy one month ago. And Alaskans – including in the border towns of Skagway and Haines – are bracing for impact. The Alaska Desk’s Avery Ellfeldt has more.

Skagway can be a difficult place to grow old. There is no senior center, no home health care, no hospice. But all that could change through the kind act of a couple and their restoration of a historic building. KHNS reporter Melinda Munson has the details.

The Haines Borough Assembly had a packed agenda for their Feb. 26 meeting, which lasted four hours. They discussed school funding, voted on meeting attendance protocol and discussed the Lutak Dock. And, cell phone and internet problems began Thursday night across Southeast Alaska. Help is on the way, but the repair timeline is uncertain. KHNS […]

Skagway’s last assembly meeting was more divisive than usual. It included an override to the mayor’s veto on a housing ordinance that relaxes setback regulations. The assembly also voted against censuring one of their members. But the body came together to reaffirm the town’s friendship with Canada. KHNS reporter Melinda Munson has more.

Skagway is considering two projects that could add summer housing to the town. One is a 20-unit apartment, the other is a congregate housing barge. The borough’s Planning and Zoning Commission held public hearings on the proposals. KHNS’ Melinda Munson has the story.

Skagway held a protest in support of one person, who represents thousands. Participants rallied against what is believed to be the first Skagway casualty of the National Park Service staff reduction. KHNS reporter Melinda Munson attended the Feb. 17 event, which drew around 30 people outside the local National Park visitor center.