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.
"Tongass transition"
Tongass in Transition: Striking a chord with old growth trees
Alaska Specialty Woods uses salvaged trees to make instrument tops. But this sustainable company still wants the timber industry to stick around.
Tongass in Transition: An uncertain future for Alaska’s last big mill
Logging old growth trees in the Tongass National Forest was supposed to be phased out. The owner at Viking Lumber has struggled to see a future where the business could survive. But this past year has restored some hope.
Southeast’s largest lumber mill may close
Owners of Southeast Alaska’s largest remaining lumber mill say it could close next year. It’s part of an ongoing battle over logging in the Tongass National Forest.