John Boyle, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, abruptly resigned his position on Friday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced the appointment of his deputy, John Crowther, as acting head of the agency that regulates Alaska’s agriculture, mining, oil and gas. The governor’s office declined Monday to answer questions about the resignation, which had not […]
Posted inLocal News, Haines Borough, Economy
Listen: Assembly to take up taxes, ambulance billing this week
The composition of the Haines Borough Assembly will change at its next meeting when election results are certified, and assembly member Richard Clement makes way for newly elected Eben Sargent. Chilkat Valley News reporter Will Steinfeld joined KHNS’ Melinda Munson to discuss what else is on the agenda for Tuesday’s borough Assembly meeting. Will Steinfeld: […]
Posted inLocal News
Chilkoot Indian Association seeks traditional food donations for evacuees
The Chilkoot Indian Association is accepting food donations for Western Alaska residents displaced by the remnants of Typhoon Halong. The drive is specifically focused on locally harvested or preserved foods, to provide for evacuees who have been “cut off from their traditional foodways,” said Chilkoot Indian Association’s Liam Cassidy. While the drive will also accept […]
Posted inNews, Business & Commerce
Billionaire seeks controlling interest in GCI, regulatory filings show
Alaska’s largest residential internet provider may soon come under the control of billionaire businessman John Malone, one of America’s biggest private landowners and wealthiest people. On Oct. 3, Malone filed paperwork with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska asking for permission to take majority ownership of GCI Liberty Inc., the parent company of GCI Communications, Alaska’s largest internet […]
Posted inSoutheast News
Haines musicians in Wrangell for Honor Music Festival
Six Haines musicians are among the more than 100 band and choir students in Southeast Alaska gathering in Wrangell for the 2025 Honor Music Festival Oct. 26-28. Sophia Hedden, Brody Ferrin, JC Davis, Maddox Rogers, Wade Lloyd, Bugg Hunter, are at the 51st Southeast music festival, which moves around the region. Last year’s event was […]
Posted inNews, Arts & Culture
New online art directory seeks to promote, connect Alaska Native artists across the state
A new online statewide directory has been launched to showcase and connect Alaska Native artists across disciplines. The Alaska Native Arts Directory is the work of the nonprofit Alaska Native Arts Foundation. Listing is free. The directory went live last week, timing that coincided with the Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention in Anchorage. As of Monday, about 200 […]
Posted inNews
Social Security payments to rise 2.8%, a tick below inflation rate
The 75 million Americans who receive Social Security benefits will see a 2.8% increase in payments next year, the Social Security Administration said Friday. The cost-of-living adjustment is just below the inflation rate of 3% announced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, also on Friday. The adjustment is lower than the average over the past decade, but higher […]
Posted inNews, Climate
State begins distributing disaster aid to residents of Western Alaska, federal aid also approved
The State of Alaska has begun distributing disaster relief payments, totaling over $217,000 as of Friday, to residents of western Alaska impacted by storm damage from ex-Typhoon Halong. The state has received more than 940 applications for state individual assistance, according to a statement from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Applications are open on […]
Posted inLocal News
Letnikof float replacement moves forward, but remains unfunded
The Letnikof Dock rebuild passed a major design checkpoint this month, but there is not yet funding for the construction. The dock float has been out of operation since it broke almost a year ago. The float had been at the end of its projected lifespan, and was recommended for closure in 2023 by then-harbormaster […]
Posted inLocal News
Reams to fill vacant Planning Commission seat
Members of the Haines Borough Planning Commission on Thursday appointed Nathanael Reams to fill a vacant seat on the commission. The seat was vacated by Eben Sargent, who resigned from the planning commission after being elected to the borough assembly in this month’s municipal election. Sargent had two years remaining in his planning commission term, […]