Former state Senator Albert Kookesh’s condition has been upgraded from serious to fair.
He’s recovering from a Feb. 18 heart attack at Providence Alaska Medical Center.
Kookesh chairs the Sealaska regional Native corporation’s board and co-chairs the Alaska Federation of Natives board. The Angoon Democrat served 16 years in the state House and Senate.
Sealaska recently posted an online update saying he has become more awake and alert and has been able to communicate with his family. The website says his strength is slowly returning.
Family members have asked that no flowers be sent, since he is allergic. They have also requested friends and associates wait until he recovers further before trying to contact him.
Ed Schoenfeld is Regional News Director for CoastAlaska, a consortium of public radio stations in Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, Petersburg and Wrangell.
He primarily covers Southeast Alaska regional topics, including the state ferry system, transboundary mining, the Tongass National Forest and Native corporations and issues.
He has also worked as a manager, editor and reporter for the Juneau Empire newspaper and Juneau public radio station KTOO. He’s also reported for commercial station KINY in Juneau and public stations KPFA in Berkley, WYSO in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and WUHY in Philadelphia. He’s lived in Alaska since 1979 and is a contributor to Alaska Public Radio Network newscasts, the Northwest (Public Radio) News Network and National Native News. He is a board member of the Alaska Press Club. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he lives in Douglas.
