The Skagway Borough Assembly picked a plan to remove an unstable rock mass that looms above its busiest cruise ship berth. The plan would remove 40,000 cubic yards of rock, or what’s 40,000 washing machines full, as described by the engineers. The nearly $30 million plan would be largely funded by the federal government and […]

The agenda for the June 9 Haines Borough Assembly meeting is dense. The body could approve the 27 Fiscal Year Budget, will review the Assembly Code of Conduct and discuss helping Skagway pay for the legal fight against a power rate increase. The Chilkat Valley News’ Will Steinfeld paid a visit to the KHNS studio […]

Democratic incumbent Rep. Andi Story now has an opponent in the race for her current seat in the state House: Annette Kreitzer, Haines’ former borough manager. And, an unusual partnership is sailing Alaska’s waters this summer. A cruise line is teaming up with an international whale advocacy organization to host a marine mammal observer on […]

Three canoes carrying some two dozen people departed Haines on Saturday for the Celebration festival in Juneau. The group was made up of people from the local area. Plus, some from Canada, other parts of Alaska and even the Lower 48. As Avery Ellfeldt reports for the Alaska Desk, the three boats were among more than a […]

Two Skagway locals with a background in construction teamed up to make recommendations to the borough to help increase housing in Skagway. Those suggestions are working their way through the Planning and Zoning Commission. The comprehensive list includes decreasing setbacks and eliminating the conditional use permit process for triplexes and accessory dwelling units. KHNS’ Melinda […]

About a decade ago, humpback whale populations near Glacier Bay National Park plummeted amid a widespread marine heatwave. Ongoing research shows that the recovery has begun. But a new report published this spring underscores that population growth has been slow. A long-time biologist in the park says that’s due to lower reproduction rates – and […]

Some cruise companies in Southeast Alaska say customers are concerned about the Hantavirus. An outbreak on a cruise ship from Argentina this spring sickened multiple passengers and eventually killed three people. But as KHNS’ Melinda Munson reports, state health officials are more worried about other illnesses.

The Haines Borough banned plastic shopping bags years ago, but they’re still being given out around town. The borough assembly last week considered a proposal to change the language of the ban to make it stricter and more enforceable. As Will Steinfeld reports for KHNS, the idea drew a lot of public attention – but […]

After a process that lasted over a year, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska has ruled that a power company’s proposed rate increase for the Upper Lynn Canal is unjustified. Customers will likely get a rebate, and any final rate increase will be lower than requested. Melinda Munson with KHNS has more.

A federally funded program aims to install thousands of heat pumps across southern Alaska by late 2029.  But the program’s first year has been slow. As Avery Ellfeldt reports for the Alaska Desk, the groups managing the effort are ramping up advertising in hopes of boosting interest, and reducing energy bills.