Rachel Waldholz, Alaska's Energy Desk - Anchorage
Rachel Waldholz covers energy and the environment for Alaska's Energy Desk, a collaboration between Alaska Public Media, KTOO in Juneau and KUCB in Unalaska. Before coming to Anchorage, she spent two years reporting for Raven Radio in Sitka. Rachel studied documentary production at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, and her short film, A Confused War won several awards. Her work has appeared on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Marketplace, among other outlets.
rwaldholz (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8432 | About Rachel
AK: Fortress of the Bear
In 2003, a Sitka couple proposed creating a bear rescue center from the remains of the town’s decommissioned pulp mill – a plan that raised some local hackles. Ten years later, the Fortress of the Bear is home to five brown bears and two new black bear cubs – and it has converted some skeptics, including a local biologist.
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New Map Shows Likely Tsunami Flood Zones
In the back of most Sitkans’ mind is this question: When the big wave comes, will my house be under water? Researchers at the Alaska Earthquake Information Center have an answer, of sorts. This month, they released a new map outlining which parts of Sitka would be affected by a major tsunami.
Sitka Named Alaska’s First ‘Walk-Friendly’ Community
Sitka has been named one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in America. The city gets about 86 inches of rain each year and nearly half of the city’s incorporated area sits under water – a pair of statistics that, to an outsider, might not suggest a community built for travel by foot. But this year, Sitka became the first city in Alaska to be named a “walk friendly” community.
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Sitka’s New Bear Cub Settles In
The orphaned black bear cub who recently became famous in the virtual world is settling into her new home in the real world. Over 300,000 people viewed Smokey’s story on Facebook when she was captured two weeks ago in Seward. Now, Sitka’s bear habitat, the Fortress of the Bear, is writing her next chapter.
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Sitka Prepares To Replace ANB Harbor
ANB harbor is usually packed with commercial fishing vessels, but this week, it’s empty. Its regular occupants have moved to other harbors around Sitka, as the city prepares to demolish all of the existing structures and replace the harbor entirely. Construction is scheduled to start in early November.
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USCG Cutter Maple Commander Removed For ‘Poor Command Climate’
The commander of the Sitka-based Coast Guard cutter Maple has been temporarily removed from command after officials received reports of problems on board.
AK: Hot Springs
For many residents of Tenakee Springs, in Southeast Alaska, life revolves around the community bath house, which is fed by the hot springs that give the town its name. Now, this old local institution is receiving a very 21st century renovation, as local people have raised money to convert the building to geothermal heat, putting a modern spin on the town’s ancient resource.
Following in the Footsteps of Ricketts and Calvin
Nearly 80 years ago, the tide pools around Sitka inspired a pair of naturalists – Ed Ricketts and Jack Calvin – who went on to transform the way we think about marine biology. Last week, a new set of researchers arrived in the community to explore the same beaches, and remind Sitka of its place in the history of science.
Sitka Resident Using Facebook To Catch A Thief
You may use Facebook to share photos from your summer vacation or goof off at work. But Sitka resident Rick Armstrong has found a different use for the social network – he’s using Facebook to try to catch a thief.
Small businesses Worry About Health Law’s Unknowns
When the Supreme Court decided to uphold most of the Affordable Care Act, it raised a whole batch of new questions about how the legislation will play out -- and it's those unknowns that have some small businesses on edge.
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Forest Service, Conservation Groups Bet On River Restoration
Over 30 years ago, the Sitkoh River watershed on Chichigoff Island was logged, damaging the local salmon habitat. Now, the US Forest Service is partnering with environmental groups to restore the river – and they say the project is a perfect example of broader changes taking place on the Tongass.