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.
Southeast economy down, with a few bright spots
Tourism has overtaken fishing as the region’s largest private industry. That’s the word from a new report released in September detailing the region’s economic booms and busts. Listen now
Ferry plan calls for smaller ships, public management
A plan to reform the Alaska Marine Highway System calls for replacing some ferries with smaller, more efficient vessels. Backers want it to be run by an independent corporation and negotiate its own labor contracts. Listen now
Budget glitch could leave ferries without funding
One Southeast senator said that the possibility that the Alaska Marine Highway System could shut down this spring is an intentional attempt to damage the ferries. Listen now
Sitka hatchery’s chum run funds improvements
A strong chum salmon run is helping pay for upgrades to a Sitka hatchery. Returns are also good at a much larger aquaculture operation not far away. Listen now
Ferry Taku sold, will become floating hotel
The Alaska ferry Taku’s next life will be as a floating hotel. Listen now
Can a Southeast mine battle lead to a trade war?
A Southeast Alaska tribal organization is using a trade-sanctions threat to push federal officials into providing stronger protections for regional fisheries. Listen now
Former senator, longtime Native leader Albert Kookesh fighting cancer
A longtime Alaska political and business leader is fighting prostate cancer. Listen now
Feds say Alaska ferry system violates family leave act
The U.S. Department of Labor alleges the Alaska Marine Highway System violates federal leave laws. Listen now
Another mine opens close to the Alaska border
A new gold mine has gone into production near British Columbia’s border with Southeast Alaska, one of several prospects under exploration near creeks or rivers that flow into the region. Listen now
Douglas Indian Association tours T’aaḵu Kwáan territory
The Douglas Indian Association wants you to know its traditional territory stretches far beyond its namesake city and island. A recent boat tour covered some of the T’aaḵu Kwáan’s lands. Listen now
No charges filed in Mount Polley mine disaster
The British Columbia government has decided to not file charges in the Mount Polley Mine disaster. Listen now
Forest Service could delay Wrangell contaminated soil move
The U.S. Forest Service could put the brakes on a state plan to store contaminated soil near a Wrangell recreation area. Listen now
Cruise-ship tourism will expand next summer
More tourists will come to Alaska next summer on cruise ships. Listen now
Late state budget delays fall-winter-spring ferry schedule
Alaskans have until the end of the month to tell the Marine Highway System what they think of its fall, winter and spring sailing plans. Listen now
Newly found disease could threaten Southeast Alaska spruce
A fungus that’s damaged trees in Southcentral and Interior Alaska has been discovered for the first time in Southeast. But there’s a chance its spread could be stopped. Listen now
Wrangell, workers reach new contract agreement
Wrangell has a new agreement with its unionized workers. If approved by the Borough Assembly, it will end three years of sometimes acrimonious talks over wages and benefits. Listen now
Someone may want to buy the ferry Taku, but they need more time
Someone is interested in buying the retired ferry Taku. As a result, the Alaska Marine Highway System is giving interested parties an extra week and a half to submit bids. Listen now
Murkowski speaks with constituents about health care during Senate recess
Senator Lisa Murkowski was one of just four of the Senate's 52 Republicans to make a public appearance over the fourth of July. She spoke with constituents about healthcare. Listen now
Wrangell contract talks end, strike may resume
Wrangell officials have pulled out of contact talks with the union representing municipal workers. Listen now
Tulsequah Chief Mine controversy deepens as it courts new investors
Southeast Alaska tribal groups are calling for cleanup of British Columbia’s long-abandoned Tulsequah Chief Mine. Listen now