Lab results are expected to return over the weekend for a potential measles exposure in Sitka. Measles is a highly contagious virus spread through coughing, sneezing and close contact. 

The Sitka Medical Center closed abruptly on Thursday (5-14-26) due to a “potential measles exposure.” As of mid-day Friday there is still no confirmed measles case in Sitka, according to the Alaska Department of Health. In an email to KCAW, spokesperson Mirna Estrada said the local health clinic and urgent care notified the department that they are testing a specimen in their laboratory today (5-15-26) for the virus. Estrada said they expect to have the results back tomorrow. She did not provide further details about the exposure.

The clinic is operated by the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, or SEARHC. In an email to KCAW, SEARHC representative Matt Carle said the organization is still working through its protocols related to Thursday’s incident, and is closely working with the state department, which oversees the testing and confirmation of potential measles cases.

As of noon Friday, Carle wrote there was no additional information regarding the status of the test results.

He said, in the meantime, SEARHC is focused on providing awareness and practical guidance for communities, to make sure patients understand what symptoms to watch for and what steps to take if they believe they had a possible measles exposure or are experiencing symptoms consistent with the virus. He said they would be sharing additional guidance on their social media channels. 

Rural Alaska Community Action Program, or RurAL CAP, supports Alaska’s aging population by providing volunteer opportunities for people age 55 and older. Two key programs include the Senior Companion Program, which pairs up older adults aged 55 and over to help them maintain their independence, stay socially connected, and navigate daily life with dignity, and the Elder Mentor Program, which pairs older adults with children who may need extra support, whether that’s help in reading, building confidence, or having a steady, caring presence in their lives. The statewide nonprofit is currently recruiting volunteers in Southeast Alaska. Volunteers receive stipends, mileage reimbursement, and training. Ashley Snyder, a volunteer coordinator with RurAL CAP, joined KCAW on the Morning Interview to discuss the organization’s mission to improve the quality of life for low-income Alaskans.

A health clinic in Sitka closed mid-day today (5-14-26) after a possible measles exposure.

In a post on social media shortly after 2 p.m., the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) announced that the Sitka Medical Center would be closed for the remainder of the day, “out of an abundance of caution due to a potential measles exposure.” 

It said they were contacting patients directly to reschedule appointments, and that they would provide additional updates as more information becomes available.  KCAW reached out to SEARHC and the Alaska Department of Epidemiology for more information on the potential exposure.

According to the release, SEARHC currently plans to reopen the clinic on Friday (5-15-26).

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story, and will be updated.

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Sitka Community Land Trust’s executive director Randy Hughey is stepping down. When he retires next year, 14 houses and six apartments will stand in the neighborhood where the nonprofit first broke ground in 2019, testing out a model for affordable housing as one solution to Sitka’s housing crisis.

He spoke with KCAW’s Katherine Rose about his time, what they’re looking for in a new leader, and what the stakes are for the organization that is ready to build many more homes, as long as it can secure the land.

A dozen entrepreneurs will soon have a shot at $20,000 and all of the mentorship and resources that come with Spruce Root’s annual Path to Prosperity program. Spruce Root, a regional economic development organization that supports small businesses in Southeast, has been hosting the four-day entrepreneur camp for the past 12 years. Spruce Root’s Director of Events Izzy Haywood and 2025 competition winner Robert Miller joined KCAW for the Morning Interview to discuss the program. Listen to the conversation here:

Applications for the P2P business competition are open until May 31. Learn more here.

This summer, Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) will host several outdoor camps for youth and adults, from kayaking and adventure camps, to first aid and babysitting camp. Sitka program director Joel Hanson joined KCAW for the Morning Interview to discuss this summer’s opportunities. Listen here:

View the full list here:

In January, the assembly greenlit $25,000 to pay the Southeast Childhood Collective to conduct the study as part of an effort to address the growing issue of childcare in Sitka. 

The regional nonprofit says the report provides a data-informed analysis of the island’s childcare system and outlines three investment options to “improve stability, strengthen the workforce, and expand access to care.” 

The report lays out three main childcare constraints: supply and demand imbalance, workforce constraints, and affordability. It estimates Sitka has a demand of approximately 485 young children who require regular childcare, and that the licensed system has the capacity to serve less than half of that. The report also says the local childcare workforce faces a persistent wage gap that limits recruitment to the field. Furthermore, the report estimates monthly tuition in Sitka far exceeds the federal threshold for affordable childcare. 

The assembly will consider accepting the report and directing staff on next steps at its meeting tonight. The report suggests several program options that could cost anywhere from $277,000 to $2 million. 

In other business, the assembly will consider adopting the city’s operating budget and capital improvement plan. In a memo, Municipal Administrator John Leach said the gap between what the city brings in and what it costs to operate has continued to narrow, which has shaped every decision reflected in the draft budget. 

The Sitka Assembly meets at 6 p.m. tonight. Raven News will broadcast the meeting live, following Alaska News Nightly. 

This Friday (5-15-26), representatives from Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium and Wayfinder Wealth will be presenting on Social Security, Medicare, and retirement at the Sitka Public Library at 11 a.m. Susan Briles, patient health benefits manager with SEARHC, joined KCAW on the Morning Interview to explain the different parts of Medicare, how to decide when to start collecting Social Security retirement benefits, and what to expect at the upcoming event. Listen to the conversation here:

For the past few years, engineers, electricity, and sustainability experts have been developing Sitka’s Community Renewable Energy Strategy after determining key values from the community. The City & Borough of Sitka’s Sustainability Coordinator Bri Gabel joins KCAW for the Morning Interview to share more about a collaborative planning workshop this upcoming Monday (5-11-26) where Sitkans can provide public comment before they begin the strategy development process.