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.
Sitka’s hospitals consider integrating operations
A consultant’s plan released this month recommends Sitka’s two hospitals combine operations.
Bent Columbia propeller shrinks Southeast ferry service
The Alaska Marine Highway System’s largest ferry needs work on one of its propellers.
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The 500-passenger Columbia will soon head to a Portland, Ore., shipyard for repairs.
As a result, most of Southeast Alaska’s larger...
Missing Sitka man last seen hiking Verstovia Trail
Searchers continued looking Wednesday for a Sitka man last seen Monday on the Mt. Verstovia Trail.
Transboundary mine developer shutting down
The company trying to reopen the controversial Tulsequah Chief Mine, upstream from Juneau, is being taken over by an investor that’s owed millions of dollars. Listen now
Plan expands rural cell, broadband service
More Alaskans will have affordable access to mobile phones and broadband internet, thanks to a change in federal communication rules and funding. Listen now
Enhanced IDs help some tribal members cross borders
Enrolled members of Alaska’s largest tribal government are getting enhanced photo IDs. They can be used for border crossings and some other situations where official identification is necessary. Listen now
Tribal assistance, employment programs run out of money
Southeast Alaska's regional tribal government is temporarily ending programs that provide food, clothing and shelter to its most needy clients. Listen now
Winter ferry schedule better than last year
This winter’s Alaska Marine Highway schedule offers more sailings than the previous season’s. It also eliminates five-week service gaps for some communities. Listen now
Tribal leader optimistic after State Department, EPA meeting
Southeast Alaska’s largest tribal organization said this month’s meetings with the U.S. State Department and Environmental Protection Agency were productive. Listen now
Pioneer homes won’t take new residents, at least for now
Alaska’s Pioneer Homes have stopped accepting new residents, at least for a while. It’s one more impact of state budget cuts. Listen now
No Southeast candidates eliminated in Primary election
Tuesday’s primary election didn’t eliminate any Southeast candidates for state House or Senate.
State Department to hear transboundary mine concerns
U.S. State Department officials are in Southeast Alaska this week to talk about transboundary mines. The Environmental Protection Agency also has sent representatives. Listen now
Summit kicks off ferry management study
An effort to restructure the Alaska Marine Highway System begins this month with a summit in Anchorage.
Bill would speed Tongass-Mental Health Trust land trade
A bill before Congress would speed a timberland trade between the federal government and the Alaska Mental Health Trust. It’s part of a larger legislative effort to increase logging in the Tongass National Forest. Listen now
Timber bill signed, but will it make a difference?
Gov. Bill Walker has signed legislation he says will provide more timber for Alaska’s mills. But it probably won’t be that much of an increase. Listen now
Cruise industry grows, global share shrinks
Alaska’s cruise industry is on track to hit the magic million-passenger mark this year. Listen now
Stedman, nine others, face no election challenges
A fifth of Alaska legislators running for re-election this year face no opposition. That begs the question: Why, in such a politically active state, does anyone run unopposed. Listen now
Partnership to boost Alaska trail, cabin repairs
Alaska’s national forests will see more cabin and trail improvements under a new public-private partnership. A nonprofit group long involved in Juneau maintenance work is increasing its role in the Tongass and Chugach National Forests.
Sealaska critic Mick Beasley elected to board of directors
One of Sealaska’s most vocal critics is now a member of the Southeast regional Native corporation’s board of directors. Download Audio
Hoonah’s Native corporation names new CEO
The Native corporation for the Southeast village of Hoonah will soon have its first shareholder CEO. Download Audio