Robert Woolsey, KCAW, Author at KCAW

Afternoon forum to review Sitka’s economic picture

The Sitka Economic Development Association will paint a broad picture of the community’s economy Wednesday afternoon, April 24, at 3 p.m. in Harrigan Centennial Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.

McGrath pleads not guilty, trial set for summer

A Sitka doctor charged with sexually assaulting a patient has pleaded not guilty, and will stand trial this summer at the earliest.

Insurance relief restores 8 positions to Sitka school budget

An unexpected break from the city’s insurance carrier has left the Sitka School District with some extra cash -- enough to preserve 4 teaching jobs, and 4 staff and admin jobs that were due to be cut.

‘We can’t let this happen’: Budget cuts threaten Sitka’s education institutions

Gov. Dunleavy's proposed budget cuts -- if passed -- could ripple through the Alaskan economy in harmful ways. Last week, educators, nonprofit administrators, and health care officials met at the UAS Sitka Campus to consider their futures. In Part 1 of a three-part series, KCAW revisits the education panel.

Sitka schools unveil plan for 15 staff cuts next year, with more possible

The Sitka School District will be down over eight full-time teaching positions next year, and another seven staff and administrators -- and that’s the conservative outlook. School officials unveiled their plan to reduce the district work force at a budget work session last week (4-12-19).

Sitka Fine Arts Camp offers to absorb PAC management costs

The nonprofit Sitka Fine Arts Camp has agreed to take on a major share of running the Sitka Performing Arts Center. The deal is intended to ease the school district’s budget deficit, and also to take the multimillion dollar facility off the table politically.

‘Carbon Dividend’ a cash incentive to halt climate change

Environmental advocates are working on new policy to lower the nation’s carbon emissions, and it should sound familiar to Alaskans: Paying citizens a dividend. Citizens' Climate Lobby representative Barbara Bingham explained the program to the Sitka Chamber of Commerce.

Advocates speak out for continued cultural education in Sitka

At this year's Impact Aid hearing at the ANB Founders' Hall, the Sitka School Board heard a powerful message calling for continued support of cultural education.

Sitka doctor charged on eight counts of sexual assault

A Sitka grand jury last Thursday (4-4-19) indicted 75-year old Richard W. McGrath on eight counts of sexual assault in the second degree, for alleged sexual touching without consent. The charges stem from incidents involving only one female victim, in McGrath's medical practice, at the Hames Center, and in his home.