"Rain Coast Data"

A memo from the state of Alaska asks that child care facilities remain open if they can do so safely.

Canada has closed its ports to large cruise ships until July 1 in response to the spread of coronavirus. The restriction applies to vessels carrying 500 people or more.

The Southeast community of Haines has the reputation of being polarized. It lived up to that reputation last week with two vastly different events about a potential metals mine.

One of the biggest unknowns is what the epidemic will mean for Alaska’s summer tourism.

A state operating budget is now on its way to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s desk. The question is whether it will be enough to prevent a government shutdown on July 1.

In 1980, seniors were only 6 percent of the Juneau population, now they are over a quarter. Housing is short for older residents. But a new apartment complex that opened in September has added nearly a third more independent living units to Juneau’s capacity.

The loss of state jobs is hitting Southeast Alaska hard. And tourism has overtaken fishing as the region’s largest private industry, according to a new report.

Observers note the state has largely stopped funding its own construction projects. Now most of the capital budget comes from federal spending.

“We’re all expecting to see this fiscal contraction and a reduction in economic indicators. But the reality is that what’s going on at the state level hasn’t hit the communities yet. It hasn’t hit Juneau yet,” local analyst Meilani Schijvens says.

Southern Southeast’s Inter-Island Ferry Authority contributes about $50 million to the region’s economy, according to a new report.