Jirdes Winther Baxter, the last living survivor of the 1925 serum run credited with inspiring the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, died Monday at Bartlett Regional Hospital at the age of 101. “This is kind of an end of an era for that period of time,” Fred Baxter, one of her sons, said in an interview […]
Posted inLocal News, Photos of the Week
In photos: Plunging into 2026
On Sunday, with the temperature hovering around six degrees, seven people ran into Portage Cove for the annual Polar Bear Dip in Haines.
Posted inSoutheast News
Negative job growth forecast for Southeast Alaska in 2026
Southeast Alaska gained no jobs in 2025 and is expected to see a drop in 2026, due to President Donald Trump’s downsizing of the federal government as well as a long-term population decline that has resulted in mostly flat job numbers for many years, according to a new state report. Strong growth in cruise tourism […]
Posted inCommentary
2025’s words of the year reflect a year of digital disillusionment
Which terms best represent 2025? Every year, editors for publications ranging from the Oxford English Dictionary to the Macquarie Dictionary of Australian English select a “word of the year.” Sometimes these terms are thematically related, particularly in the wake of world-altering events. “Pandemic,” “lockdown” and “coronavirus,” for example, were among the words chosen in 2020. At […]
Posted inLocal News, Photos of the Week
The Chilkat Valley News’ top photos of 2025
The Chilkat Valley News’ annual year in photos is a look back at the images that inspired us, surprised us and made us laugh. We focused on the moments and images that gave us a more intimate view of the daily lives of Chilkat Valley residents. Coupled with our reader’s favorites of the more than […]
Posted inNews, Energy
Pipeline deal and disasters were highlight and low point of 2025, Alaska governor says
Framed by the fireplace in Alaska’s governor’s mansion earlier this month, Gov. Mike Dunleavy shook hands and posed for pictures in the final holiday open house of his two terms as Alaska’s top elected official. Dunleavy is prohibited from running for another term, and 14 candidates have already signed up to run for his office […]
Posted inNews, Health
Alaska could see up to $1.36 billion for rural health over the next 5 years
Alaska was awarded more federal money than any state besides Texas for a federal rural health initiative, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced on Monday. The money will come from the Rural Health Transformation Fund, a $50 billion program set up as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and intended to counteract the effects […]
Posted inSoutheast News, Transportation
Pelican has gone without plane or ferry service since Nov. 28, due mostly to record-setting weather
Ajax Eggleston says he’s canceled a couple of medical trips scheduled in Juneau because of chest pains, as well as a family Christmas celebration with his parents in Sitka. Instead, the holiday feast at his home in Pelican was deer from a hunt earlier this year and his Christmas wish is hoping the town’s month-long […]
Posted inCommentary
Alaska’s governor said he texts Trump. I asked for copies.
A couple of months ago, I was reporting on the typhoon that hit Western Alaska and stopped by a news conference convened by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. I was there to ask him about long-term plans for protecting vulnerable coastal villages. But the governor diverted my focus by talking about Donald Trump and the president’s concern. […]
Posted inSoutheast News
Indigenous nation to get $7,250-per-person payments as a mine advances upstream of Alaska
This story is co-published by the Wrangell Sentinel and Northern Journal. An Indigenous community is locked in a debate about the pros and cons of a major new mine on their traditional lands — and a big cash payment promised by the developer. There is strong support, and fierce opposition. A lot of money to be made, and […]