Jacob Resneck, CoastAlaska - Juneau
Jacob Resneck is CoastAlaska's regional news director in Juneau.
Alaska considers $10 million loan fund to prop up Ketchikan’s shipyard
With the future of Alaska’s ferry system in question, the state may offer short-term financing to incentivize work at Ketchikan’s shipyard.
Cost-cutting will take Alaska’s flagship ferry out of service
The cash-strapped Alaska Marine Highway System plans to tie up its flagship ferry to save money. State transportation officials confirm that the M/V Columbia will not sail past Sept 4th.
Appellate court rejects Alaskans appeal in Carnival pollution case
If successful, the appeal would’ve effectively delayed the cruise giant’s recent settlement with the Justice Department for multiple violations of its felony probation.
Rare species of North Pacific right whale carries a tune across the Bering Sea
Federal researchers in the Bering Sea have released recordings of songs by some of the rarest whales in the world.
Alaska fishermen appeal Carnival’s $20 million pollution settlement
Three Alaskans are appealing a deal reached between Carnival Corporation and federal prosecutors after the world’s largest cruise company recently admitted to violating its felony probation.
Border senators urge more oversight from B.C. in transboundary mining
U.S. senators from Alaska and three other border states have written to British Columbia’s premier expressing concern over transboundary mining.
Hoonah taps federal funds to ease cruise visitor congestion
Hoonah is planning a $4.77 million pedestrian project to improve the walkability of its harbor area and make it possible to walk to the community’s cemetery on Pitt Island.
Juneau icefield researchers resurrect ‘Gorgon Spire’ — a name nearly lost in obscurity
An unnamed peak in the Juneau Icefield may get a cool-sounding name dreamt up a half-century ago — but then nearly forgotten.
Governor’s top staff directed Alaska’s rollback of PFAS regulations
The Dunleavy administration’s decision to defer to the EPA over safe levels of PFAS chemicals in drinking water came at the direction of the governor’s top aides. That’s according to dozens of redacted emails released following records requests.
Alaskans weigh in over Carnival Corporation’s deal with federal prosecutors
As Carnival Corporation executives appeared Monday in a federal courtroom in Miami to answer for felony probation violations, Southeast Alaskans penned letters to the court urging the judge to take tough action.
Kake tribe urges renaming Saginaw Bay over ‘Kake War’ connection
The body of water off Kuiu Island was named for the U.S. warship that laid waste to three Tlingit villages near present-day Kake in 1869.
Alaska officially parting ways with fast ferries
Selling off the fast ferries was anticipated after the Alaska Marine Highway System removed the Fairweather from service earlier this year. Its sister ship Chenega has been tied up since 2015.
Yakutat officials in the dark over PFAS contamination
State officials say they’ll soon begin shipping water to Yakutat after PFAS contamination was found in wells near the Southeast city’s state-owned airport.
But local officials say state agencies have so far kept the community...
Legislators approve $46M for Alaska ferries to avert fall shutdown
The state ferries will likely run through the winter months, avoiding a potential shutdown proposed by the Dunleavy administration.
Feds demand armed backup to keep Prince Rupert ferry terminal open
Alaska’s cash-strapped ferry system may soon pay the wages of Canadian police in order to maintain its connection to British Columbia. The arrangement is in response to a demand by U.S. customs agents for armed back up.
Unangax cemetery at former WWII internment camp may be added to Funter Bay park
Alaska lawmakers are considering expanding a state park to include historic graves of Alaska Natives who were among those who died in World War II internment camps.
Dissent at DEC emerges over roll-back of PFAS regulations
The Dunleavy administration’s decision to redefine PFAS levels considered safe in drinking water has caused dissension among a senior staffer working on contaminated sites. Lawmakers are scheduled to hold a hearing on the issue later this week.
Dunleavy administration dismisses Alaska ferries chief
The Alaska Marine Highway System’s top official lost her job this week to cost-cutting, according to Department of Transportation officials.
Icy Strait Point to add megaship dock as Hoonah readies for hundreds of thousands of cruise visitors
Hoonah’s Icy Strait Point is positioning itself as one of Alaska’s top cruise ship destinations. Roughly one in three cruise ship tourists will visit the entertainment complex on the outskirts of the small Southeast community next year.
House Fisheries urges pressure on B.C. over transboundary mining
A legislative committee heard from mine critics on both sides of the border during a Tuesday hearing in Juneau. It’s part of an effort to pressure British Columbia to tighten its mining regulations to reduce the threat of pollution from transboundary mines.