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.
Trump tariffs could jack up boat prices
The general manager of Bay Weld Boats in Homer says he’s seen in some cases 50 to 60 percent increases the purchasing prices of aluminum as aluminum users stocked up ahead of the tariff announcement. Listen now
Forest Service official says fighting Lower 48 wildfires is cutting into Alaska forest services
“We’ve seen 8,000 positions across the agency that we have essentially shifted from either providing services, forest management (or) recreation management to fire suppression,” said U.S. Forest Service Associate Deputy Chief Chris French. Listen now
Can Southeast share the wealth of tourism growth?
Passenger fees total about $45 million a year statewide, said John Binkley, president of Cruise Lines International Association Alaska. He said pooling that would allow other cities to boost their industries, too. Listen now
Industry leaders say salmon initiative would hinder development
Industry representatives are telling Southeast leaders they need to oppose the Stand for Salmon initiative and related legislation.
Mallott lambasts Juneau’s annexation bid
Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott said Juneau is not behaving like a good neighbor. During a Wednesday speech to the Southeast Conference Mid Session Summit, he lambasted officials for trying to annex parts of nearby Admiralty Island. Listen now
Storm, steering problem hit Southeast ferry service
Rough weather and a mechanical breakdown are affecting Alaska Marine Highway service in Southeast Alaska. Listen now
Ferry Taku sale set for Jan. 19, but its future is uncertain
The state ferry Taku will keep its name – and possibly its job – after it leaves Alaska. But it could also be cut up for scrap. Listen now
Feds jump into transboundary mining dispute
A recent letter from the U.S. State Department acknowledges Alaskans’ concerns about pollution from current and potential British Columbia mines. Listen now
Kake hydro gets boost in governor’s budget
A hydroelectric plant for a small Southeast Alaska community is a step closer to reality. Gov. Bill Walker included funding for Kake’s Gunnuk Creek project in his capital budget proposal. Listen now
Walker budget proposes fix for spring ferry funding foul-up
Gov. Walker’s budget fills a gap that could have shut the ferry system down for much of the spring. It also provides nearly level funding for the next year. Listen now
Two really, really big cruise ships headed to Alaska
Cruise ships sailing to Alaska are getting bigger and bigger. One planned for 2019 is twice the size of many of the ships already sailing here. Listen now
Canada rejects transboundary mine permit protest
An Alaska environmental group has lost its appeal of a large Canadian mine planned for just across the border. Listen now
State ferry Taku won’t become a Portland hotel after all
The state ferry Taku is not hip enough for Portland. A company based there that submitted the winning bid earlier this fall withdrew. The new top bidder is from Dubai. Listen now
Some of Southeast’s recycling is headed to the landfill
China is limiting the type and quality of recyclable materials it will import. That could affect Alaska, since most of our recycling ends up there.
Talking Trash: Follow the garbage Southeast ships south
When you toss a candy wrapper in the trash in five Southeast Alaska communities, you’re sending it on a thousand-mile journey to a Lower 48 landfill. Listen now
State, delegation push feds on transboundary mining
Alaska leaders want Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to push Canadian officials to better protect Southeast fisheries from British Columbia mine projects. Listen now
State challenges national forest roadless rule again
The state is again trying to overturn the U.S. Forest Service’s roadless rule. Officials appealed a court decision that threw out an earlier state challenge. Listen now
Sealaska Corp. expands Seattle-area seafood investments
Sealaska is increasing its investments in Seattle’s seafood-processing industry, as part of the corporation’s effort to boost revenues and dividends. Listen now
Sealaska to pay $11 million in dividends
Sealaska’s 22,950 shareholders will receive payments from $596 to $186 for those with 100 shares. The amount depends on the shareholder class.
Alaska Native tribes unite to oppose mega-mines
Tribal groups from opposite ends of the state have formed an alliance to fight mines they say threaten traditional fisheries. Listen now