Hope McKenney, Author at KCAW

Rising in ranks, Sitka police lieutenant steps up to lead department

Sitka is getting a new full-time police chief. The Sitka Assembly approved the promotion of Lieutenant Mike Hall to the position at its meeting Tuesday night.

Sitka police host community conversation on use of force

One of six indictments issued by a Sitka Grand Jury last month involved police use of force. Sitka’s interim police chief Chad Goeden said during a recent community conversation that fortunately, use of force is uncommon in Sitka.

‘It’s one of the cornerstones of our diet’: researchers document changes in black seaweed across Southeast Alaska

Researchers are documenting black seaweed across seven communities in Southeast Alaska. They are trying to get a baseline for the seaweed, and are looking at whether the important cultural resource should be considered a keystone species.

Sitka schools close following heavy weekend snowfall

Sitka schools were closed Monday following heavy snowfall over the weekend. It’s the first time in nearly a decade that the district closed due to inclement weather, according to school officials.

Electric rates may stay fixed, while other rates rise for Sitkans

Rates for most city utilities this year are likely to increase, with one exception. At a special budget meeting on Feb. 27, the Sitka Assembly reviewed the city’s electric, water, wastewater, solid waste and harbor funds.

City of Sitka moves towards online platform after public records requests quadruple

The number of public records requests for the City and Borough of Sitka has quadrupled in the past decade, and staff are calling for more support with that process.

Assembly approves body camera funds for Sitka police

Sitka’s police force may finally be equipped with body cameras soon. On Tuesday, the Sitka Assembly approved funding for the program.

Sitka Assembly upholds permit denial for downtown bus depot

Sitka’s cruise bus stop is staying put, at least for now. When the Sitka Assembly met Tuesday, it upheld a permit denial for a new bus depot in downtown Sitka.

February 24, 2026: How to listen to tonight’s Sitka Assembly meeting

At its meeting tonight (2-24-26), the Sitka Assembly will convene as the Board of Adjustment, a quasi-judicial body, to consider an appeal for a conditional use permit to operate a bus depot in downtown Sitka.

‘A way of life’: Southeast residents weigh in on federal subsistence review

The deadline to comment on the U.S. Interior Department’s review of federal subsistence management has been extended to the end of March. Hundreds of Alaskans have submitted comments so far on the proposed changes, and the City of Sitka and residents of rural communities throughout Southeast Alaska are no exception.