Local News

Land swap removes Sitka’s Indian River from Trust’s logging list

by KCAW News | Jan 17, 2019

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority board approved its largest land exchange to date earlier this month (1-3-19), sparing over 400 acres in Sitka's Indian River valley from future logging. Through the deal, up to 40,000 acres of land in and around Southeast communities will change hands between the Trust and the U.S. Forest Service.

Group seeks to join lawsuit between Sitka Tribe and state

by Katherine Rose | Jan 17, 2019

A non-profit group wants to join the Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s subsistence herring lawsuit -- as an opponent. The Southeast Herring Conservation Alliance represents commercial herring interests. The organization filed a motion to intervene in the Tribe’s lawsuit against the state Department of Fish & Game and the Board of Fish on Monday

‘Canary Tree’ explores the human relationship to a dying forest

by Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska's Energy Desk | Jan 16, 2019

Climate change has been linked to killing at least a million acres of trees across the Pacific Northwest. So one ecologist wondered, for the yellow cedar forests and the people who care about them, what comes after environmental loss?

Amid government shutdown, Sitka businesses step up

by Katherine Rose | Jan 16, 2019

January 15th should have been payday for many government employees, but in Sitka and elsewhere federal workers woke up to no deposit in their bank accounts. Local businesses and organizations have been preparing for this moment, and are stepping up in an attempt to offset the economic impact of a zero-dollar payday from one of Sitka’s biggest employers.

Job Openings

Picture yourself as the KCAW reporter

Jan 8, 2019

Raven Radio is hiring a full-time reporter. Alaska is an amazing place for a journalist, and Sitka is in the sweet spot with dynamic municipal and tribal politics, a rich arts and cultural life, a diverse community, awesome natural resources, and a stunning environment. News happens here in an extraordinary way. Just ask Brian Mann (NCPR/NPR), Ed Ronco (KNKX Seattle), Rachel Waldholz (Bosch Fellow, Germany), Emily Kwong (John Alexander Fellow, NPR), or the many other reporters who honed their skills here.

The Morning Interview

Sitka Jazz Fest features new artists, swing dance party

Jan 17, 2019

Mike Kernin joined KCAW's Erin Fulton in the studio to discuss the festival, featuring a three-hour swing dance party at Harrigan Centennial Hall, student workshops, and multiple concerts featuring artists from all over the state and country.

Project Homeless Connect links Sitkans in need to services and resources

Jan 16, 2019

Project Homeless Connect, sponsored by Sitka Outreach and Support (SOS), provides support to Sitkans who are homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness by connecting them to goods and services they need. The event will take on January 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Salvation Army.

Sentinel Sports: Crossover basketball sharpens skills for tournament play

Jan 15, 2019

Early season crossover play can make a difference for high school basketball teams in small regions, like Sitka and Mt. Edgecumbe high schools -- which are the only 3A teams in Region V. 4A Ketchikan will visit in February to take on the Braves. Sentinel Sports editor Klas Stolpe discusses the weekend's basketball results, and previews this week's Mt. Edgecumbe Invitational tournament.