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.
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.
U.S. Senate bill could cut Alaska ferry funding
A federal funding battle could affect the future of the Alaska Marine Highway System. Ferry chief Mike Neussl says formula changes in the U.S. Senate’s version of a transportation bill would reduce the amount of money available to fix Alaska ships.
Alaska drafts transboundary mine agreement with BC
Alaska officials have drafted an agreement with British Columbia aimed at protecting transboundary waters. They say it will address concerns about pollution from mines on rivers that flow into Alaska. But critics say it may not make any difference, because it has no teeth.
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BC tells Tulsequah mine to control leakage
British Columbia is telling owners of a leaky mine that it’s time to stop polluting a river that flows into Alaska.
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Alaska Native leader Bob Loescher dies at 68
Former Sealaska CEO and longtime Native-rights activist Robert “Bob” Loescher has died at the age of 68.
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KSM mine developers say they’ve found more gold
Developers of a controversial British Columbia mine say they’ve found more gold. That could increase the value of the Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell deposit and help attract investors.
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Yup’ik artist harvests his own skins, crafts his own style
A Southeast Alaska skin-sewer is one of four Alaska artists recently chosen for out-of-state residencies.
Southeast conservation leader steps down
Southeast Alaska’s largest environmental organization is advertising for a new executive director.
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Can Alaska’s ferry system be more reliable?
Port community leaders worry next summer’s Alaska Marine Highway System schedule will be as unreliable as this summer’s. Budget cuts and mechanical breakdowns left many of this year’s passengers stranded, dropping destinations or switching to air travel. Town leaders say that hurt tourism, especially small-town excursions, restaurants and bed-and-breakfasts.
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Sealaska dividends funded by other Native corporations
Sealaska will distribute $17.5 million in dividends to its 22,000 shareholders on Dec. 3. More than 60 percent will receive $1,050. Most of the rest will get around $130.
Alaskans say ferry system worth every penny
Coastal Alaskans told state officials why the ferry system needs to be maintained during a meeting Oct. 23 in Sitka.
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State cuts could close one Sitka harbor
Sitka will have to close one of its five boat harbors if a state matching-grant program is eliminated. The 10-year-old program funds half the cost of local harbor replacement or repair.
State cuts could close one Sitka harbor
Sitka will have to close one of its five boat harbors if a state matching-grant program is eliminated.
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Drilling for gold: Inside the KSM’s exploration project
British Columbia’s Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell mining project wrapped up its 2015 exploration season in late September. The KSM, about 30 miles east of the Alaska border, is the largest of 10 or so such projects near waterways that flow into Southeast. The mine's owner has spent close to $200 million searching for ore. In this segment, we take a boots-on-the-ground tour of the exploration process.
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Scientists stumble over active underwater volcano in Southeast
Scientists have found another underwater volcano in Southeast Alaska waters. And this one is active.
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Tourists spent more in Southeast this season
About a million cruise-ship passengers from around the world sailed through Southeast’s Inside Passage this season. Some ships continued on to Whittier, Kodiak and even Unalaska. The overall numbers are around the same as the previous two years. But destinations and businesses saw visitors willing to spend more, due to the improving national economy.
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Tourists spent more in Southeast this season
About a million cruise-ship passengers from around the world sailed through Southeast’s Inside Passage this season. Some ships continued on to Whittier, Kodiak and even Unalaska. The overall numbers are around the same as the previous two years. But destinations and businesses saw visitors willing to spend more, due to the improving national economy.
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B.C. meeting with Tulsequah Chief Mine owner
A top British Columbia official is meeting with owners of the Tulsequah Chief Mine, which is leaking pollution into a river that flows into Alaska.
Can B.C. stop Tulsequah Chief Mine pollution?
Can British Columbia stop polluted water from leaking out of a long-closed mine upstream from Juneau? The issue came up last month when the Canadian province’s top mining official traveled to the Capital City.
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BC official says they’re open to more mine treaty talks
British Columbia’s top mining official says he’s open to involving his federal government in transboundary mine conflicts. That’s a change from earlier statements.
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State ferries to increase cancellation fees
The Alaska Marine Highway System will soon charge more for canceling reservations.