Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - Juneau
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.
Native Brotherhood, Sisterhood Meet in Klawock
The Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood are celebrating a big anniversary.
Timber Task Force Meets in Coffman Coves
A state-sponsored economic development panel wants suggestions for creating new timber industry jobs.
Biomass Heat Catches on in Southeast
More and more Southeast government buildings and businesses are turning to woody biomass for heat. Some experts say the region is close to having enough demand to justify building a pellet mill. But it won’t be easy.
Southeast Power Project Needs More Funding
Haida Energy is starting to build Prince of Wales Island's next hydropower plant. But as CoastAlaska's Ed Schoenfeld reports, the Southeast Alaska project needs more funding.
Road, Line Work Starts at Reynolds Creek Hydroproject
Haida Energy is starting to build Prince of Wales Island’s next hydropower plant. But it still needs more funding.
SE Votes on Plastic Bags, Hydro, Alcohol Tax
Alaskans in communities across the state head to the polls on Tuesday, October 4th. They will choose city and borough leaders and voice opinions on a variety of ballot measures.
Marine Highway Doesn’t Want Mat-Su Ferry
Some legislators are suggesting the Alaska Marine Highway System take over the ferry Susitna. The $78-million vessel was built to connect Anchorage and the lower Matanuska-Susitna Borough. But there’s no place for it...
State Wants Court to Force Ferry Builder to Replace Engines
Alaska’s Marine Highway System wants a court to order the fast-ferry builder to provide new engines for the ships. State officials say engines on the Fairweather and Chenega are wearing out far faster than their warranties promised.
Metlakatla Fisheries Certified as Sustainable
Metlakatla’s fisheries have been certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. That should help the southern Southeast community maintain salmon sales overseas. Officials say it’s the first tribal fishery to earn the certification.
Ferry Engine Problems Continue
Time could be running out for the fast ferry Fairweather. It’s been plagued with engine problems, which are the subject of a lawsuit against the ship’s builder.
Southeast Cruise Line Plans 2012 Expansion
Sitka’s home-grown cruise company has wrapped up its first season. And it’s already planning to expand, with sailings to southern Southeast starting next year. Several other small lines also plan to increase capacity in 2012.
Groups Celebrate Stream Restoration
Government and nonprofit groups gathered on Prince of Wales Island recently to celebrate a pair of restoration projects. The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited and the U.S. Forest Service worked together on the Harris River and Fubar Creek. Both were damaged by logging in past decades.
Pilots Awarded for Saving Damaged Jet
Two Alaska Airlines pilots are being recognized for safely handling a jet last year after one of its engines exploded while taking off from Sitka.
Small Cruise Lines Send More Ships to Alaska
A pair of small, high-end cruise lines are expanding their Alaska fleets. The Seattle-based companies are filling some of the void left when Cruise West went out of business about a year ago.
Fast Ferry Fairweather Out Until September
The fast ferry Fairweather will be out of service until early September. The ship has been tied up in Juneau since a small oil leak was discovered Thursday evening in one of its four water jets, which power the ship.
Mine Drilling OK’d in Two Roadless Areas
Tuesday, the Forest Service OK’d exploratory drilling at two Southeast Alaska mine sites.
The work will be done in roadless areas of the Tongass National Forest. That means they needed approval from agency Chief Tom Tidwell.
Mine Drilling OK’d in Two Roadless Areas
Tuesday, the Forest Service OK’d exploratory drilling at two Southeast Alaska mine sites.
The work will be done in roadless areas of the Tongass National Forest. That means they needed approval from agency Chief Tom Tidwell.
State Ferry Fairweather Back in Service After Mechanical Problem
The state ferry Fairweather is back in service after it had to cancel its run to Sitka Wednesday due to a mechanical problem involving steering and staffing. The problem was corrected with a new component in the control system and the Coast Guard cleared the vessel to proceed on Thursday.
Point Baker Considers Post Office Loss
What’s a post office mean to a small community? Just ask folks in Point Baker, a Southeast fishing town threatened with the loss of one of its few institutions.
Bill Would Allow Gull Egg Harvest in Glacier Bay
A bill just heard by a Congressional committee would allow Tlingits from Hoonah to harvest seagull eggs in Glacier Bay. It would resume a tradition that ended when the former Native homeland became a national park. But it faces opposition from a nationwide environmental group.