Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed the funds state legislators set aside to settle a dispute between Alaska’s education officials and their federal counterparts over whether the state spent pandemic relief equitably. State legislators included $11.89 million in the operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year to allow the state to comply with the federal government’s grant requirements and recover […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Inside the U.S. Coast Guard’s Aleutian encounter with China’s military — and what it means
The Chinese warships weren’t showing up on civilian radar. But the American commercial fishing fleet could still tell that something strange was happening in the Aleutian Islands last weekend. Crew on the fishing vessels picked out a U.S. Coast Guard cutter, the Kimball, steaming through the area at 21 knots, or nearly 25 miles an […]
Posted inThis Week in History
This Week in History: Late waking bears, a predicted population boom in Haines, Don Young weighs in 50 years ago
10 years ago, July 3, 2014 Bruins Not Around Yet Got brown bears? If you do, you may be the exception, as wildlife officials and residents say the numbers of bruins typically spotted around town and at the Chilkoot River are down from previous years. “It’s slow,” said wildlife trooper Ken VanSpronsen, a three-year resident. […]
Posted inCourts, News
Federal judge Joshua Kindred resigns after reprimand for judicial misconduct involving law clerks
Alaska U.S. District Court Judge Joshua Kindred, who resigned Monday following a sudden announcement of his intent to do so last week, has been “publicly reprimanded and admonished” for judicial misconduct “by creating a hostile work environment for his law clerks and by having an inappropriately sexualized relationship with one of his law clerks,” according to […]
Posted inSoutheast News, Business & Commerce
Goldbelt seeks dismissal of $30M lawsuit by medical company
Goldbelt Inc. is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit by a medical company asking for at least $30 million due to losses resulting from a contract to supply hundreds of millions of needles during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Goldbelt arguing the accusations are largely based on alleged oral agreements that cannot meet legal proof standards. A […]
Posted inNews, Education
Precollege program for rural, Alaska Native health students gets reboot and grant after funding gap
Of all the courses offered by the Della Keats precollege program, the three high school students in the University of Alaska Anchorage lobby were most struck by the cadaver lab in their Anatomy and Physiology course. It’s not the kind of opportunity students from rural Alaska usually get, which is the point. Bristol Albrant, a […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted: A celebration for a famed river guide, an informative Yukon trip, and a new baby in town
The Salvation Army’s Food Bank distribution which was originally scheduled for the Fourth of July week has been moved to 11 a.m. on July 11. A memorial for Nels “Nelbert” Niemi took place in Haines on June 22. Nelbert’s son Lars Niemi, daughter-in-law Melissa Niemi, grandchildren Anders Niemi and Erica Niemi, daughter Elise and son-in-law […]
Posted inHaines Herring
Haines Herring: Alaskans gather for annual Parade of Tan Lines
All across the state this week, Alaskans are gathering to parade world-class tan lines up and down the streets of their respective towns. “A classic part of any Alaskan summer is the tan-line parade,” said Bob Burns of an Anchorage-based tourism advocacy company. “We have tan lines that rival any other place in the world, […]
Posted inThank You Letters
Thank you to the Haines Visitor Center staff and volunteers
I would like to take a moment to publicly recognize and express my gratitude to the outstanding staff and volunteers at the Haines Visitor Center. Their unwavering kindness and graciousness towards our visiting guests do not go unnoticed and are truly appreciated. Our team consistently demonstrates what it means to be welcoming hosts, embodying the […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Story on business community pessimism was good, but portions lacked context
Thank you for your story on the report of pessimism in our business community. It’s always good to know what citizens are thinking. I’d just like to clarify that my references to political issues that have hit our town hard pertained to the severe cuts that the State of Alaska has made to our ferry […]