Hope McKenney, Author at KCAW

City hires lieutenant with police chief potential

Sitka has its sights set on a new police chief, but it could be awhile until he can actually fill the role.

City will bid to run paid parking program at Sitka’s airport

Sitkans are one step closer to paying for parking at the local airport. That’s after the Sitka Assembly directed the city to submit a bid to the state to lease a lot for paid parking at the Rocky Gutierrez Airport at its meeting Tuesday night (10-14-25).

Christianson secures sixth term on the Sitka Assembly following absentee ballot count

Incumbent Thor Christianson has narrowly scored the second open seat on the Sitka Assembly, following the city’s count of absentee ballots Friday afternoon (10-10-25).

Sitka police have body cameras. But will they get to use them?

The Sitka Police Department has body cameras to equip its officers in its possession, but doesn’t yet have the funding to implement them. The city has been considering the issue since 2022, and after a donation they received earlier this year, funding the program is again a priority.

Municipal election winners reflect on 2025 race

Sitkans elected three candidates for seats on the assembly and school board in Tuesday’s (10-7-25) municipal election, but one race is still too close to call.

Industry leaders say fisheries must modernize for long-term sustainability

At Southeast Alaska’s annual economic conference that took place in Sitka in mid-September, industry leaders talked about the importance of modernizing the industry to ensure economic resilience and sustainability.

Sitka Assembly puts $3.2 million toward future infrastructure expenses

The Sitka Assembly transferred $3.2 million on Tuesday (9-23-25) to the city’s Public Infrastructure Sinking Fund — that’s money set aside for future infrastructure projects.

Assembly approves agreement between city and union representing Sitka’s electrical workers

The Sitka Assembly unanimously approved a negotiated agreement between the city and the union that represents Sitka’s electrical workers at its meeting on Tuesday (9-23-25).

Bears on Baranof? Researchers count ‘em up in first-ever state study

Biologists have launched the first-ever state study of brown bear numbers on Sitka’s Baranof Island.

Sitka philanthropic organization to manage city’s nonprofit grant program

Starting next year, a local philanthropic organization will manage the city’s nonprofit grant program. When the Sitka Assembly met on Tuesday (9-9-25), it unanimously voted to outsource the administration of the program to the Sitka Legacy Foundation.