A celebrated Alaska musician is a contestant in what has become an Arctic version of the international music competition known as Eurovision. Qacung Blanchett, who with his brother, founded the award-winning band Pamyua, is one of nine artists or groups from the circumpolar north scheduled to perform Saturday in Pan-Arctic Vision, a musical event that was launched last year. […]
Posted inNews
Alaska ranked choice voting repeal effort outraised by a hundredfold, campaign finance filings show
A group opposing the ranked choice voting repeal initiative, No on 2, has raised more than $12 million, according to its latest financial disclosure with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Phillip Izon II, whose campaign to repeal the state’s open primary and ranked voice voting system raised only $120,000, said he is still confident that […]
Posted inNews, State of Alaska
Alaska again lags in processing food stamp applications
Alaska’s Department of Health is again slipping into a backlog of food stamp applications. The news comes from state data included in a filing from the Northern Justice Project in its class action lawsuit against the state. The suit asks the court to make sure the state issues food stamp benefits on time after years of chronic delays. […]
Posted inNews, Elections
What Alaska voters should know as they consider a repeal of open primaries and ranked choice voting
Alaska was the second state to adopt ranked choice voting in federal and statewide elections, but it may be the first to abandon it. A citizen’s initiative ballot measure that would repeal the state’s open primary and ranked choice voting system made it to the November ballot after legal challenges. As a result, Alaskans will be asked […]
Posted inLocal News, Photos of the Week
Photos of the week: A weekend fire, zombie run, and fall colors in the upper valley
(Photos by Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) A fire on Oct. 5 burned four businesses and apartments in a building owned by Mike Ward. As community members banded together to help the people who suddenly lost their homes, Ward has been working to shift operations of the Quick Shop and its neighboring liquor store and outdoor […]
Posted inSoutheast News
Skagway borough manager resigns, heads for Seward
Borough manager Brad Ryan submitted his resignation to the Skagway Assembly on Sept. 27. His last day will be in the beginning of January 2025. Ryan accepted the Skagway borough manager position in 2019, starting his tenure on Sept. 1 for a three-year contract. Before he moved to Skagway, Ryan served as Haines’ facilities director […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Family of Natalie Benassi thank community for its support
We would like to express our deepest gratitude, admiration and thanks for the amazing quality of care and response to our family’s (Natalie’s) need in a medical emergency. The love and support that the community has extended to us at this time is unparalleled, there really are no words to fully express how we feel, […]
Posted inLocal News
After stroke and months in Anchorage, Haines couple could be home by late October
By Oct. 3, it had been 72 days since longtime Haines resident Natalie Benassi had a stroke and had to be life flighted to Anchorage. She, and husband Mario Benassi, have been living there ever since. “I almost feel like we were abducted by aliens,” Mario said. “Plucked out of our lives.” Natalie Benassi has […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted: Wolves, baby, Bears!
Darren Schweinefus had a close encounter with a wolf in late September. He was headed to take a tree stand down at a spot across the Chilkat River from about Mile 12 of the Haines Highway. Schweinefus, who has a video of the incident, was in the woods at about 11 a.m. and when he […]
Posted inThis Week in History
This Week in History: A boat fire, a payout, and a resignation
10 years ago Assembly member injured in boat fire (Oct. 2, 2014) Haines Borough Assembly member George Campbell is “fine” and will likely return to town early next week after treatment at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for burns on his face and arms suffered in a boat fire Sept. 26. “He’s doing as good […]