Henry Leasia, KHNS - Haines

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As complaints increase, Norwegian Cruise Lines agrees to pay for emissions monitoring in Skagway

Norwegian and many other cruise lines have installed “scrubbers” to help their ships comply with international emissions requirements that will be implemented next year.
The sun sets Sunday, Aug. 6, over the Chilkat River in Haines. (Photo by Emily Files, KHNS-Haines)

Hunter mauled by bear near Haines

The attack occurred near 25 mile on the Haines Highway.

Skagway to issue RFP for port development

White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad has leased the parts of the port since 1968 — now that lease is coming to an end, and the Municipality of Skagway is examining options for developing and preserving the port going forward.

Proposed state regulations could prevent brewers and distillers from hosting events

Alaska’s Alcohol and Marijuana Control Board recently proposed a regulation change that would prevent breweries and distilleries from hosting social gatherings that are advertised to the public. Brewers and distillers worry what the proposal could mean for their businesses.

Haines water department works to keep water flowing from Lily Lake amid drought

Dry weather and low snowpack have reduced the amount of water in Lily Lake to historically low levels this summer. The lake is one of the main drinking water sources for Haines.

Ferry strike disrupts travel to and from Southeast Alaska State Fair

Some visitors who arrived in Haines on the ferry before the strike began are stuck. But some regional transportation services and tour companies are trying to pick up the slack.

ADEC approves waste management permit for tunnel excavation at the Palmer Project

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has approved a waste management permit for a controversial mineral exploration project near the communities of Klukwan and Haines.
A ferry parked at a dock, a mountain in the background.

Draft ferry schedule shows long gaps in service to coastal communities

The Alaska Department of Transportation has released a draft winter schedule for the Alaska Marine Highway System with long gaps in service to coastal communities across the state.
The Disney Wonder cruise ship docks near the ship loader at Skagway’s ore terminal. (Photo by Henry Leasia, KHNS - Haines)

Following the purchase of Minto Mine, Yukon ore may be shipped from Skagway once again

The Yukon’s Minto Mine is expected to resume ore production in the near future. That means that Skagway’s ore terminal may begin loading ships with ore after months of inactivity. However, this may complicate the other needs of Skagway’s port.

Constantine releases Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Palmer Project

Constantine has been exploring minerals at the Palmer Project for over a decade. The main mineral deposits that have been discovered contain copper, zinc, gold, silver and barite.

Spruce pollen blooms look ominous but are nothing to sneeze at

For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, spring means red eyes, mucus and fits of sneezing. This year, the Lynn Canal has seen a remarkable tree pollen bloom.
A ferry parked at a dock, a mountain in the background.

Skagway looks into developing a local ferry authority

As the Alaska Marine Highway System faces deep budget cuts, Skagway’s Marine Highway Ad Hoc Committee has been examining the potential to create a locally governed ferry service for the Upper Lynn Canal.

House Resources Committee considers making Tier 3 water protection a legislative process

The House and Senate are considering bills that would make the state Legislature responsible for approving Tier 3 nominations for federal waters.

AK: Keeping the Tlingit language alive with youth

Officially there are 20 Alaska Native languages in the state. But fluent speakers continue to decline. That led then-Gov. Bill Walker to declare a linguistic emergency last year. Now, Tlingit elders are teaching young children early in a home-like environment, and they’re finding it more effective than the classroom.

State DHSS suspends thousands of senior benefits payments

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has suspended payments for some recipients of the state’s Senior Benefits Program due to a lack of funding.

Coast Guard rescues 7 and dog from Chilkat River sandbar

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued seven people and a dog from a sandbar on the Chilkat River near Haines on Saturday.

Public divided over process for establishing federal water quality protections

Several communities across Alaska have nominated their local waters for a federal Tier 3 designation, which is the Environmental Protection Agency’s highest water quality standard.

Skagway mayoral election too close to call

The results of Tuesday’s special mayoral election in Skagway are too close to call.

Court rules against Klukwan, conservation groups in permitting lawsuit

On Friday, a federal court ruled that the Bureau of Land Management does not have to consider future impacts of mine development before approving activities for mineral exploration in the Chilkat Valley.

Tlingit code talkers recognized by state legislature for their efforts during WWII

The state legislature adopted a citation Wednesday recognizing the contributions of Tlingit code talkers during World War II. During floor sessions, representatives and senators spoke about the outsized role that Alaska Natives have played in the military.