Robert Woolsey, KCAW, Author at KCAW

With internet down, Sitka’s students go old-school

Student school board member Francis Myers reported that Starlink is available in school offices,...

Rep. Peltola makes a campaign swing through Sitka

Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola (right) speaks with Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association...

Alaska Bar looks to improve diversity, access in state court system

Lawyers in Alaska are hoping to become a more diverse profession, and ideally more accessible. The top officers of the Alaska Bar Association recently visited Sitka, as part of ongoing outreach and education for attorneys in remote areas.

Himschoot’s education bill allows out-of-state teachers to bring more years into state retirement system

A bill to help ease Alaska’s teacher shortage is on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature. House Bill 230, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Himschoot, lowers barriers to bringing in experienced teachers to work in Alaska’s schools. However, the nonpartisan Sitka legislator, and former teacher, says the state has a long way to go to solve the education crisis.

‘Indigenous Futurism’ comes home in Gilbert’s five-part sci-fi odyssey

Author Matt Gilbert has concluded his epic sci-fi series – but it took five books, rather than the trilogy he originally envisioned. The Arctic Village novelist has spent years spinning the tale of Maxwell Wilkes, who, like his creator, is Gwich’in Athabaskan. Now, his hero is home, and Gilbert is looking forward to other creative pursuits.

Casualty Report: In ’23 Sitka charter tragedy, a swell overwhelmed the Awakin, throwing its master overboard, and its passengers into chaos

The loss of a charter vessel in Sitka Sound one year ago was sudden and catastrophic. An investigative team from the US Coast Guard spent the past twelve months reconstructing the final trip of the Awakin, gathering clues that may shed light on what befell the boat and the five people on board. They shared their conclusions at a town hall meeting in Sitka Thursday night (5-16-24).

NSRAA seeks state hatchery permit for Little Port Walter chinook program

The chinook program at the Little Port Walter Hatchery on southern Baranof Island could soon be under the management of the Sitka-based Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association. NSRAA has applied for a state hatchery permit at the site, and hopes to release one million kings at the government-owned hatchery this season.

Despite promise of help from Juneau, Sitka School Board cuts 16 teachers to balance next year’s budget

The Sitka School Board Wednesday night (5-1-24) passed a budget for next year with the most sweeping jobs cut in recent memory. A total of 16 teaching positions are gone, with most unlikely to be restored – even after a pledge by the governor to sign a one-time boost in education funding in the next state operating budget.

With an unexpected ship, Thursday May 2 will be Sitka’s biggest day of the summer cruise season

Thursday (5-2-24) will be the biggest day of the 2024 cruise season in Sitka. The unscheduled arrival of a third ship will put the projected passenger count at 9,300. Disembarking crew members could push the total number of visitors into five figures. During a joint meeting of the Sitka Tribal Council and Sitka Assembly Tuesday evening (4-30-24), Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz said the big day was not part of the city's game plan.

Update: Sitka School Board to vote on 18 staff cuts May 1

Over 150 Sitka teachers, students, and other supporters protested the governor's cuts to education Wednesday afternoon. At a public hearing that evening, teachers pressed the school board for more concrete details about staff and program reductions next year.