No matter what any crowd-pleasing elected official says, Alaska cannot afford a long-deserved increase in state funding for schools and a large Permanent Fund dividend. There just isn’t enough money in the state checkbook to do both this year — not unless Alaskans want to start paying an income tax or a state sales tax, […]
Posted inLocal News, Arts & Culture
Sitka clan house project gets support in the Chilkat Valley
When Skeenyáa Tláa Nancy Keen, a Lingít Chilkat Valley resident, decided to create and donate a beaded wool octopus bag to fundraise for a clan house revitalization project, she didn’t expect to end up at a rock concert. But last weekend, she found herself on the dance floor of the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall in Juneau […]
Posted inLocal News, Haines Borough
Assembly briefs: A new clerk, Jake brakes again, executive sessions, a code of conduct, nonprofits and taxes
A new clerk The assembly decided to offer professional pilot Mike Denker the open borough clerk position, pending a background check. The move comes after Denker and Margarette Jones interviewed for the role last week. Denker is currently on a biweekly schedule with a medevac company and said last week that he would not be […]
Posted inSoutheast News, Government & Elections
Nonacceptance and the rationale behind the Wrangell clans’ response to the U.S. Army
During a break in the U.S. Army apology ceremony, Sik’nax̲.ádi clan leader John Martin walked over to a table in the audience, turned and handed U.S. Army Chaplain Phillip Rittermeyer a book. It was “The Sea Runners,” by Ivan Doig, a novel about four indentured servants and their quest for freedom in a stolen canoe. […]
Posted inNews, Economy
Yukon government warns that Trump tariffs will make Alaska life more expensive
Seven years ago, heavy tariffs levied by President Donald Trump against China triggered a trade war that crimped Alaska’s seafood exports and left fishermen with less money for their catches. On Saturday, a second round of Trump tariffs took effect, and the impact on Alaska is expected to be even bigger than it was in his first term. Trump’s new […]
Posted inEnvironment & Natural Resources, Local News
State visit to Tsirku River revives local discussion about proposed Chilkat Ridge timber sales
Long-discussed timber harvest sites on the east side of Chilkat Lake have received renewed attention. Last fall, state agencies visited the possible location of a bridge that would be required to access the projects. The Alaska Division of Forestry’s proposed 2024-2028 five-year Forest Management Schedule for the Haines State Forest includes the Chilkat Ridge timber […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Urge Murkowski to confirm Robert F. Kennedy as Health and Human Services head
No one likes to be sick, especially with a chronic condition. Good health for our family is a universal goal. For that, Americans need a Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) who courageously places patients over corporate profits and is determined to find root causes and end our country’s chronic disease epidemic. Dr. Robert […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Thank you, Haines, for being such a wonderful place
Thank you from my heart, Haines, for being my home. I can’t imagine living or dying anywhere else. My husband, Gene, told me often as we neared the end of his life what a great one he’d had, and since most of it was lived right here, I thank you all on his behalf. Our […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
AP&T donation to Becky’s Place helps those in need.
We would like to thank Alaska Power & Telephone for their recent donation to Becky’s Place. We appreciate your support over the past few years, helping us to help those in abusive situations. Your giving touches many lives. Thank you. Jackie & Stan Mazeikas
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Where is the golden rule in national politics?
High praise for the remarks Episcopalian Bishop Mariann Budde made at the president-elect’s inauguration asking him to have mercy on gay, lesbian and transgender children as well as immigrants. She was not the only religious leader to challenge Trump’s executive orders. The day before the inauguration Pope Francis called Trump’s deportation plan (the third time […]