The Alaska School Activities Association may accept esports as a sanctioned sport soon. Over 30 schools in the state already have esports teams starting up this fall.
Southeast
Alaska delegation urges Pompeo to take up transboundary mining concerns
Alaska’s congressional delegation and Gov. Bill Walker signed a joint letter urging Washington to hold Canadian mining companies responsible for any downstream impacts in Alaska.
B.C. tribe sues U.S. barge company over 2016 spill
A Canadian tribe seeks damages from a U.S. barge company over a 2016 fuel spill in B.C. waters. The tribe claims the accident demonstrates the risk posed by fuel shipments to Alaska via the Inland Passage.
Regulations could be coming for rental boats used for fishing
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council took a step toward regulating unguided boats that anglers pay to use for halibut fishing. The council may require those boats to be registered and may also impose more restrictive charter bag limits on the customers that utilize them.
Red Mountain B.C. gold mine nears approval
Another B.C. metals mine in a transboundary watershed is nearing regulatory approval. Critics worry about long-term storage of tailings upstream from Portland Canal.
Ketchikan celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day
Ronny Robert Pungowiyi is Siberian Yupik. To him, Indigenous Peoples Day means learning where he came from.
Sitka research partnership wins $2.1 million for landslide prediction
The “Smart and Connected Communities” grant has the goal of using relatively inexpensive sensor technology — and existing social networks — to create a realtime warning system in Sitka and other communities at risk of slides.
Roadless advocates pack Tongass hearing
Gov. Walker’s advisory panel is looking at where roads could be built inside the Tongass National Forest. But more than two dozen people testified at a hearing in Juneau against the idea.
Gardentalk – It’s sugar time for veggies
Cool, dry weather will actually boost the sugar content of plants, especially root vegetables.
General’s Sitka visit signals a more robust National Guard in rural Alaska
“We need everybody’s help,” said Major General Laurie Hummel. “We need veterans to talk about their experiences, and to mentor young people, and to help keep them on the right path.” Hummel and her staff were in Sitka last week as part of a new rural engagement initiative.