"Alaska Marine Highway"

Hundreds of Juneau residents flocked to the downtown waterfront Saturday to celebrate two major components of Southeast Alaska’s economy – the Alaska Marine Highway System and the fishing industry. Alaska Marine Highway ferries haven’t been a regular sight in downtown Juneau for about 30 years. But early Saturday morning, the Malaspina quietly sailed into a…

Sen. Bert Stedman calls this year’s rollback of state taxes a “gift” to the oil industry. And while he’s not unhappy with many of the structural changes to the oil tax scheme in Senate Bill 21, he says the numbers just don’t make sense.

As the Alaska Marine Highway System approaches its 50th anniversary, the ferry is struggling with its identity. Under intense pressure to cut costs, the ferry’s managers are trying to get back to basics — transporting Alaskans and their freight.

Wrangell Republican Rep. Peggy Wilson got some of what she wanted this session, including the oil tax cut and a good number of capital projects.

Some lawmakers are questioning plans for a pair of shuttle ferries that will provide service in northern Southeast Alaska.

The ferry Malaspina will take a celebratory trip through Southeast Alaska in early May.

Legislators called the hearing to find out why Governor Sean Parnell recently pulled the plug on the so-called Alaska Class Ferry.

Juneau’s Reuben Yost is the new chief of the state ferry system. But he’ll spend only about half his time on that job.

The Alaska Marine Highway has a new logo. The blue-and-white “retro” image includes a ferry surrounded by a circle with the system’s name, plus an orange anniversary banner.

New federal air-pollution restrictions will affect cruise and some other vessels sailing Alaska waters.
But they will not impact state ferries.