The C-SPAN bus is making a pit stop in Haines on its quest to visit all 50 state capitals.
Mayor Jan Hill said she was contacted by officials from the television network, in coordination with GCI, about a traveling educational exhibit that will be in Haines on Wednesday, June 20.
The C-SPAN bus, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this November, is a 45-foot vehicle equipped with 11 touchscreen tablets, a 360-degree video station, a selfie station, an onboard studio and interactive quizzes meant to engage students, community members and elected officials on issues important to them, according to a press release. The bus also offers a vast video library of searchable C-SPAN video coverage dating back to 1979.
The efforts are a part of C-SPAN’s social media campaign called “Voices from the States,” capturing videos to share on Twitter and Instagram of people talking about pressing local, state or national political issues like protecting the environment, funding education, changing gun regulations, adjusting tax rates and more.
While in Haines and elsewhere in Alaska, C-SPAN will produce public affairs programming, including segments for its ongoing C-SPAN Cities Tour. That programming, showcasing a variety of Alaska venues, public officials, non-fiction authors and local historians, will be featured on all three C-SPAN networks during the July 21-22 weekend.
The bus left for its 50 Capitals Tour in September and will visit Juneau, the 38th capital city on the tour, before stopping in Haines. It’s the network’s first extended visit to Alaska in 22 years.
The C-SPAN bus will be parked behind the Haines Borough administration building near the library from 2:30-3:45 p.m. June 20 before heading to Fairbanks and Anchorage.