Abbey Collins, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
UA Regents defer consideration of Haines timber sale plan
The University of Alaska Board of Regents is delaying a decision on whether to approve the plan for a Chilkat Valley timber sale. Listen now
Rock strike suspends White Pass train service in Skagway
White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad suspended service after a rock struck a bridge about seven miles up the railroad track from town. Listen now
Late bill amendment allows distillery cocktails to continue
The Alaska Legislature gave distilleries the green light to continue serving cocktails last week. Listen now
49 Voices: Bruce Schindler of Skagway
This week we're hearing from Bruce Schindler from Skagway. Schindler moved to Alaska in the 90s and is a mammoth ivory carver. Listen now
Haines School Board re-names high school gym
The Haines Borough School Board renamed the high school gym. The facility, known for decades as the Karl Ward Gymnasium, will now be called the Haines High School Gymnasium. Listen now
Skagway residents sell barbecue sandwiches in fundraising effort for Florida shooting victims
Last week, 17 people, including students and staff, were killed in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Many others were injured. Thousands of miles away, in Skagway, Alaska, one family wanted to help those affected. Listen now
New state rules prohibit cocktails at Alaska distilleries
On Tuesday, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board adopted new regulations banning distilleries from serving cocktails – at least in the traditional sense.
Harris Air lands in Haines
Almost a year after Haines was left with only one option for flying in and out, there’s a new airline in town: Harris Air. Listen now
Talking Trash: The garbage that doesn’t make it to the dump
About 25 miles out the Haines Highway, there’s a pullout. From the road, a large sand pile obstructs trails leading to the Chilkat River. In the summer they provide a short route down to the water. In the winter, a popular cross-country ski track. Over the years, the area has also become an informal and illegal dump. Listen now
Haines Assembly to University: timber sale would go against local code
The Haines Assembly is pushing back on a proposed timber sale on the Chilkat Peninsula. The University of Alaska is offering up 400 acres of land for harvest. But at a meeting Monday, the local government said it will explore its legal options if a contract is awarded.
Haines residents, representatives push back on local government drone use
The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or drones, by the Haines Borough has raised concerns about privacy and local government overreach. Listen now
State publishes new land use plan for proposed 855-acre timber sale near Haines
The Baby Brown Timber Sale, about 35 miles northwest of Haines, offers up 20 million board feet of old-growth spruce and hemlock. Astoria Forest Products offered $270,000 for the timber last year. They were the only bidder. But the sale hasn’t gone forward. Listen now
Alaska distilleries keep serving cocktails as the state reconsiders regulations
The fate of toddies, sours and mules at Alaska distilleries is still uncertain. The state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is struggling to decide whether the businesses should be allowed to serve cocktails.
E. Coli present in popular Haines water source, but residents continue to fill up
This summer, a popular water source in Haines tested positive for E. coli. The Mud Bay spring is not regulated by the borough and is not regularly tested. But it’s where a lot of people get their drinking water. And some residents are not planning to stop. Listen now
Sport fishing for king salmon to reopen in Southeast, except near Haines and Skagway
Restrictions on king salmon sport fishing will be lifted soon for most of Southeast, except Haines and Skagway. Sport fishing for king salmon in the region has been nearly non-existent for the last few months. Listen now
Mixed drinks in question at Alaska distilleries
Craft distilleries in Alaska are reeling after a decision that could change the part of their businesses most accessible to the public: tasting rooms. Distilleries have been operating tasting rooms since 2014 legislation allowing that practice. But now, state officials are saying distilleries aren’t allowed to serve mixed drinks.
NTSB releases preliminary report of investigation into Juneau-area commuter flight accident
Some new information is available about an August commuter flight accident in the Juneau area. The Haines-based pilot made an emergency water landing and he, along with four passengers, swam safely to shore. An investigation into the accident takes a close look at the aircraft’s fuel sources. Listen now
State Department of Public Safety reaches out to fishermen in effort to combat opioid abuse
Earlier this year, Governor Bill Walker issued a disaster declaration to combat opioid abuse in Alaska. Since then, more time and resources have been dedicated to the issue. This summer, some of those efforts are aimed at getting the attention of the fishing community. Listen now