A recent letter from the U.S. State Department acknowledges Alaskans’ concerns about pollution from current and potential British Columbia mines.
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska
Southeast’s year: Taku sold, Chinooks crash, mines petitioned and a Tongass turnaround
Southeast Alaska saw some major trends and events in 2017. They ranged from cruise ship passenger increases to budget decreases to labor battles to murder investigations.
Kake hydro gets boost in governor’s budget
A hydroelectric plant for a small Southeast Alaska community is a step closer to reality. Gov. Bill Walker included funding for Kake’s Gunnuk Creek project in his capital budget proposal.
Can an Alaska lawmaker restore net neutrality in the state?
Alaska could join the ranks of states fighting to restore net neutrality. The Walker-Mallott administration has no immediate plans, but one lawmaker does.
Walker budget proposes fix for spring ferry funding foul-up
Gov. Walker’s budget fills a gap that could have shut the ferry system down for much of the spring. It also provides nearly level funding for the next year.
Two really, really big cruise ships headed to Alaska
Cruise ships sailing to Alaska are getting bigger and bigger. One planned for 2019 is twice the size of many of the ships already sailing here.
Summer ferry schedule adds Cordova sailings
The Alaska Marine Highway System summer schedule released Monday fills in a few sailing details that weren’t in an earlier draft.
Canada rejects transboundary mine permit protest
An Alaska environmental group has lost its appeal of a large Canadian mine planned for just across the border.
Business leaders call for medical bill transparency
Ketchikan business leaders are calling on the city’s medical providers to share more information about their bills. It’s part of a larger discussion that’s attracting attention around the state and nation.
State ferry Taku won’t become a Portland hotel after all
The state ferry Taku is not hip enough for Portland. A company based there that submitted the winning bid earlier this fall withdrew. The new top bidder is from Dubai.