Author: Ed Ronco

Alaska is starting to feel the financial pinch of not having Ted Stevens in the U.S. Senate. That’s according to state Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, co-chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee. He says Stevens’ absence had an effect on some capital projects for Sitka.

A charter fishing business in Elfin Cove faces tens of thousands in fines after a state sting operation revealed overfishing.

Former KCAW reporter Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock is among the thousands whose flights have been affected by a volcanic eruption in Iceland. Hitchcock and her daughter are in London, awaiting a flight home to New Zealand.

David Lass's Blatchley 8th grade Art and Choral Exploration students were commissioned to produce the artwork for the 2010 Sitka Summer Music Festival. They unveiled the final product on the Morning Interview with KCAW's Robert Woolsey.

“The Marriage of Figaro” this month will be the first full test of the capabilities of Sitka’s new performing arts center. Juneau’s Opera-to-Go will stage what is arguably one of Mozart’s most popular compositions on two evenings in Sitka, Friday April 30th and Saturday May 1st. Opera-to-Go’s last production in Sitka – Tosca – played to sold-out audiences in the Sheetka-kwan Community House in 2008. In addition to the cast and technical crew, Opera-to-Go will travel to Sitka with a full orchestra for two performances. KCAWs Robert Woolsey recently had a chance to talk with Wade Rogers, the president of Opera-to-Go, Figaro’s producer Kristen Miller, and Figaro’s director, New York opera singer Paul Shipper.

The Alaska Republican Party’s 2010 state convention began today (Thursday) in Juneau. As a result, GOP candidates for office have been touring Southeast, including Sitka. One of them is 47-year-old Sheldon Fisher, a former executive at Alaska Communications Systems, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Don Young for the Republican nomination to Congress. Fisher spoke to KCAW’s Ed Ronco about the Alaska economy, the Sealaska lands selection legislation, and his thoughts on squaring off against Young, who is a 20-term incumbent:

An extension of Sitka’s smoking ordinance advanced to a third reading at last night’s regular meeting of the Sitka Assembly. The city already has a ban on smoking in public places, but bars and private clubs are exempt. The measure under consideration by the Assembly would remove that exemption.

Sitkans for Peace and Justice is holding a tax day "Penny Poll" this Thu, April 15, 10AM - 9PM at Kettleson Library. Participants will place pennies in jars representing federal spending priorities. The results of the poll will be sent to Alaska's congressional delegation.

Susan Michaels is a Los Angeles-based television writer who has turned her interest in history into a passion for contra dance and other forms of American folk dancing. Michaels is in Sitka for two weeks teaching workshops at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary. She'll call a community "barn dance" (hay bales not included) on Saturday, Apr 24, 6:30 PM at Harrigan Centennial Hall. With Dorothy Orbison and KCAWs Robert Woolsey.