Emily Kwong, KCAW - Sitka
Board bans spotter planes, holds off on Chinook conservation plans
Following a 4-3 vote, commercial salmon fishermen are now banned from using spotter planes in Southeast waters. Listen now
Among 100-plus proposals, Sitka’s sac roe herring fishery a top issue
The parking lot at Harrigan Centennial Hall in Sitka is packed to the gills. That’s because the Alaska Board of Fisheries is in town reviewing over 100 finfish proposals. If passed, a proposal can changes the rules of the game for fishing and one of the major battles concerns the future of the Sitka sac roe herring fishery. Listen now
A flurry of private donations for Sitka’s historic cathedral
A historic landmark in the center of downtown Sitka was the subject of fierce debate at the Assembly table two weeks ago over the separation of church and state.
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Talking Trash: Once a bear attractant, Yakutat’s dump now award-winning
As far as dump make-overs go, Yakutat has the ultimate Cinderella story. The remote fishing community is hundreds of miles from any other city. Barging trash away is too expensive. So, as the dump filled to the brim, what was Yakutat to do? Listen now
Sitka installs LED lights for a brighter, safer skate park
Sitka recently installed overhead lights at the Turnaround Skate Park, a popular hang-out spot for skaters and scooter riders looking to catch some air. Listen now
AK: Various looks at the controversial Alaska Day
The holidays are a time of tradition, but also reflection for why we celebrate the way we do. And in Sitka, no holiday is as much of a lightning rod for cultural debate as Alaska Day. Listen now
Sitka’s Alaska Day soundtrack includes pipes and drums
With Alaska Day comes a flurry of visitors — some carrying musical instruments. The Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drums landed in Sitka on Saturday and their first stop was the historic cable house, home to Raven Radio, for a live performance. Listen now
Assembly approves expansion to Sitka Hospital’s clinic
Sitka Community Hospital is getting the office extension it asked for, but not without some big picture questions from the Sitka Assembly Tuesday night on how it will stay financially solvent into the future. Listen now
100+ Sitkans attend candlelight vigil for Charlottesville
The events in Charlottesville continued to ripple across the country, with protests to condemn racism and to mourn the counter-protester who was killed on Saturday. About 50 people gathered over the weekend in Homer, and some 300 came out Sunday in downtown Anchorage. On Monday, dozens of people joined a candlelight vigil in Sitka. Listen now
After signing wastewater bill, Governor Walker celebrates salmon
Governor Bill Walker put pen to paper last Thursday afternoon, signing a bill at a shipyard in Sitka. The measure means big savings for small ships — especially those that ferry passengers around Southeast. On Alaska Wild Salmon Day, he also received a gift from local fishermen.
Global warming makes expedition to ice-locked North Pole possible
Two specially-equipped sailboats are attempting a voyage that’s never been done before - a trip to the North Pole. Led by a British explorer, the international crew has moved the boats from their home in Sitka up to Nome, where they’re hoping to launch for their journey to the Pole this weekend. Melting sea ice in the Arctic could make their voyage possible for the first time in history. Listen now
Murkowski in Sitka hours after critical health care vote
Less than 24 hours after casting a critical vote on healthcare, Senator Lisa Murkowski was back in her home state of Alaska. She had choice words about voting her conscience, despite pressure from the GOP and President Donald Trump himself. Listen now
Oprah’s short visit to Sitka and lasting impact on fans
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey set foot in Sitka today. She was ferried here on a Holland America cruise ship, with additional stops in Juneau and Ketchikan. On board were hundreds of loyal fans seeking adventure, inspiration and if they were lucky – a chance to chat with the queen of daytime television. Listen now
Despite uncertainty, Sitka Hospital maps out a future
Sitka Community Hospital is in the early stages of a make-over. Building upon the recommendations of an outside consultant, Stroudwater Associates, hospital leadership is directing changes to make Sitka Community a standalone operation. Listen now
Shareholder unrest shapes Shee Atiká meeting
Tension between a Native village corporation and its shareholders has reached a boiling point. Shee Atiká called Sitka police to their annual meeting, saying threats had been made against staff and the board. But shareholders have a different story: one of raising their voices against a corporation in financial free-fall and calling for new leadership. Listen now
Sitka considers code changes in landslide zones
The state is currently mapping the potential risk for landslides in Sitka. This time next year, the Sitka Assembly will be presented with a community-wide map. Listen now
Sitka homeowners appeal new flood map lines
Sitka has been involved with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1981. That qualifies homeowners for flood insurance, at the discretion of their lender, so long as the city maps out which areas are prone to flooding. With the appeal period for Sitka’s new maps now closed, both the city and a handful of citizens are contesting newly drawn flood lines. Listen now
With tug still underwater, Samson develops salvage plan
A Sitka tugboat that sank at the Samson Tug & Barge dock four weeks ago remains underwater at Starrigavan Bay. Listen now
For the sake of the herring egg harvest, Sitka Tribe calls for smaller fishery
A decades-old debate is gaining traction over the stability of Sitka’s herring population. Listen now
Artist gives visual voice to domestic violence
Putting a topic like domestic violence into words is difficult, so artist Carmel Anderson has another approach. Her traveling exhibit, “Unheard Voices, Unheard Wisdom,” conveys the unspoken truths about abuse – of both women and children – through fabric. Listen now