Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - Juneau
Ed Schoenfeld is Regional News Director for CoastAlaska, a consortium of public radio stations in Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, Petersburg and Wrangell.
He primarily covers Southeast Alaska regional topics, including the state ferry system, transboundary mining, the Tongass National Forest and Native corporations and issues.
He has also worked as a manager, editor and reporter for the Juneau Empire newspaper and Juneau public radio station KTOO. He’s also reported for commercial station KINY in Juneau and public stations KPFA in Berkley, WYSO in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and WUHY in Philadelphia. He’s lived in Alaska since 1979 and is a contributor to Alaska Public Radio Network newscasts, the Northwest (Public Radio) News Network and National Native News. He is a board member of the Alaska Press Club. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he lives in Douglas.
Many Legislative Seats Uncontested As Deadline Looms
With the filing period nearly over, more than a third of the legislative seats on this year’s ballot remain unchallenged. Candidates have until 5 p.m. Friday to submit their paperwork to the state Division of Elections.
Alaska Airlines Testing New Luggage-Tagging System
Alaska Airlines is trying out a new luggage-tagging system at the SeaTac Airport. It could expand to other airports, including some in Alaska. Customers use new kiosks to weigh their own bags and print out and attach labels. Travelers still must drop off luggage with agents and show identification.
New District Pits Southeast Incumbents Against Each Other
The Supreme Court’s latest redistricting ruling resurrects a contest between two incumbent Southeast lawmakers. Tuesday’s decision puts Wrangell Representative Peggy Wilson in the same election district as Ketchikan Representative Kyle Johansen. They’ll face off against each other, as well as other candidates, in the August 28th Republican primary. The new district matchup is only in place for this year’s elections
Season’s First Cruise Ships Sailing In Southeast
The first cruise ships of the 2012 season have begun sailing through Southeast Alaska. More ships will make port calls this year than last, and some of their passengers will reflect new industry trends. CoastAlaska’s Ed Schoenfeld takes a look at the season from Juneau’s waterfront.
New Book Presents About 3,000 Alaska Native Place Names
What’s in a name? If it’s a beach or a mountain or a stream, it can tell you what it looks like – or who’s been there. It can also document a change of ownership or the movement of a people. A new book from the Sealaska Heritage Institute presents about 3,000 Southeast Alaska Native place names.
Alaska Folk Festival Honors Musicians Buddy Tabor, Barb Kalen
Alaska lost two well-known and much-loved acoustic musicians during the past year. Juneau’s Buddy Tabor and Skagway’s Barb Kalen sang, strummed and put together musical events during their many years in the region.
Sealaska Spring Dividend Highest In Three Years
Sealaska will distribute about $14 million to shareholders and smaller corporations this week.
Sealaska Shareholders Face Term-Limits Measure
A group of Sealaska shareholders want to limit the number of terms corporate board members can serve. They say it would bring change to the regional corporation for Alaska Natives with roots in Southeast. But a similar measure three years ago failed.
Cantwell and Begich Call on Obama Administration to Free Funds to Study Fukushima Debris
Senators Mark Begich and Maria Cantwell Friday called on the Obama administration to free up emergency funding from the National Science Foundation to research the debris floating across the Pacific from the Japan earthquake...
U.S. Senators Want Money For Monitoring Tsunami Debris
U.S. Senators Mark Begich and Washington's Maria Cantwell want the federal government to quickly look into the potential impacts of tsunami-generated debris.
The Democrats held a press conference today (Friday) in Seattle. They called for...
Redistricting Plan Changes Skip Southeast
The Alaska Redistricting Board released the plan Tuesday. And Wednesday, it considered a consultant’s report saying it would significantly reduce Alaska Native influence in one Interior House district and one western Senate district.
Subsistence Board Advised To Wait On Angoon Fishery Changes
A regional group advising the Federal Subsistence Board says it should wait before acting on a petition to change fishery management near Angoon.
Subsistence Board Won’t Release Angoon Decision
The Federal Subsistence Board for Alaska will not release its position on a village corporation’s petition to change management of nearby state fisheries.
Activists Organize To Protect Local Watersheds
Activists across Alaska are organizing to protect local watersheds. They met last week in Juneau to compare notes and make plans for future efforts.
Wood-Pellet Heat Pitched As Money-Saver
Backers of biomass energy pitched wood-pellet heat as a money-saver during a legislative hearing last week.
Fisheries Board Takes Up Southeast Allocation Issues
The Alaska Board of Fisheries addresses Southeast finfish issues starting on Friday.
AK: Volcanoes
If you’ve spent much time in Sitka, you’ve probably seen Mount Edgecumbe. It’s one of Alaska’s most-viewed volcanoes, rising 3,000 feet from the ocean, only 10 miles from the former Russian capital.
Bill Would Expand Geoduck Farms to Gulf of Alaska
Legislation allowing geoduck farming to expand north and west is moving in the state Senate.
Native Groups Oppose Expanded Otter Pelt Sales
Several Alaska Native organizations oppose a legislative effort to increase sea otter harvests. But they support efforts to get Alaskans more involved in federal management of the once-rare marine mammals.
Veteran Employment Measure Passes House, Senate
Alaska’s House and Senate have passed bills aimed at easing veterans’ chances of getting jobs.The measures direct the state to consider military training and experience when granting professional licenses. Alaska licenses about 40 professions, from barbers to contractors to nurses.