Robert Woolsey, KCAW, Author at KCAW

Sitka approves emergency repairs for downtown water main

The Sitka Assembly has authorized up to $400,000 to repair a critical water main, but also has strong reservations about whether the problem is a true emergency.

Post-Graduate Fellowship in Community Journalism

The application period is now open for KCAW's Post-Graduate Fellowship in Community Journalism. This 30-week program is an opportunity for a recent Journalism school graduate or established print reporter to build a portfolio in broadcasting. The application deadline is Sunday, August 4, 2019. The Fellowship starts in mid-September.

Sitkan denied permission to visit children detained on US border

Tory O’Connell spent the weekend outside a US Customs and Border Protection detention center in Clint, Texas. The center holds children under the age of 18 whose parents are seeking asylum in the United States.

Governor’s veto ends all funding for Alaska’s public radio, tv stations

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy today (Friday 6-28-19) announced 168 line-item vetoes to the state operating budget next year. At the top of the list: Public Broadcasting. Local stations like KCAW, already operating on lean budgets, will have to do more fundraising within their communities to survive.

With no management contract, is it game over for Sitka’s Community Schools?

Sitka’s Community Schools are closing at the end of the month (June 30). The school district hasn’t been able to find new management for the after-school and weekend activity program for kids and adults, after cutting back the budget by 75-percent.

Sitka man indicted in bloody assault with baseball bat

A Sitka grand jury on Thursday (6-27-19) indicted 39-year old Azureus North Stamets on one count of assault in the first degree, and one count of assault in the second degree, for allegedly assaulting another man in the head with a baseball bat.

Five questions with Rich McClear

Regular morning listeners will have noticed that Rich McClear has stepped in to host Morning Edition this June. Rich brings a unique energy to radio with his expertise, depth of experience, and gift for telling stories. And it's not limited to public radio: McClear has also been hosting Problem Corner on KIFW, Sitka's commercial AM station.

$4 million renovation makes ‘everything limitless’ for Sitka chamber festival

Artistic director Zuill Bailey announced at the Sitka Chamber of Commerce this week (6-13-19) that a $4 million restoration of the festival’s home -- Stevenson Hall, on the Sheldon Jackson Campus -- will get underway this July.

Dismayed by healthcare costs, a doctor explores run for US Senate

The first candidate to test the waters of the 2020 election in Alaska is not a politician by trade, but he may have some of the deepest political roots in the race. Al Gross says "Jay Hammond was like an uncle to me."

Community Schools’ future uncertain after contractor announces closure

The future of Sitka’s Community Schools is uncertain, now that the contractor who manages the after-school program has announced he’s closing down at the end of the month. And while no one’s offered to replace him, the school district hopes to find a way to keep the program going past July 1.