Jacob Resneck, CoastAlaska - Juneau
Jacob Resneck is CoastAlaska's regional news director in Juneau.
Tug and barge owner to pay $2.2 million in B.C. fuel spill
The owner of a tug and barge that grounded and spilled diesel in Canadian waters on its return from Southeast Alaska will pay about $2.2 million in fines.
Forest Service chief makes quiet visit to Tongass National Forest
Sen. Lisa Murkowski recently hosted the U.S. Forest Service’s top official in a flying visit to Tongass National Forest. The delegation kept a low profile during its visit to Southeast Alaska.
Gov. Dunleavy vetoes funding for Alaska’s local emergency planners
A line item veto deleted $225,000 to be distributed among 21 Local Emergency Planning Committees: local officials and volunteers who plan for disasters and train others in an emergency.
Cuts to universities could threaten Alaska’s unified library catalog
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s cuts to Alaska’s university system could dismantle a statewide library system that allows patrons to easily request more than 3 million titles from libraries across the state.
Australian mining firm explores potential vanadium deposit near Juneau
An Australian mining firm looking for a rare mineral used for high-capacity batteries seeks a permit to drill this summer in Tongass National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service is reviewing its application.
Governor vetoes funding for Ocean Rangers cruise ship inspectors
Funding for Alaska’s on-board cruise ship inspectors has been eliminated by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The Ocean Rangers program was created by a ballot initiative and is paid for by cruise ship passengers.
AIDEA approves loan fund for Alaska shipyards
Alaska’s investment fund is creating a $10 million loan program designed to make Ketchikan’s shipyard more competitive.
Alaska considers $10 million loan fund to prop up Ketchikan’s shipyard
With the future of Alaska’s ferry system in question, the state may offer short-term financing to incentivize work at Ketchikan’s shipyard.
Cost-cutting will take Alaska’s flagship ferry out of service
The cash-strapped Alaska Marine Highway System plans to tie up its flagship ferry to save money. State transportation officials confirm that the M/V Columbia will not sail past Sept 4th.
Appellate court rejects Alaskans appeal in Carnival pollution case
If successful, the appeal would’ve effectively delayed the cruise giant’s recent settlement with the Justice Department for multiple violations of its felony probation.
Rare species of North Pacific right whale carries a tune across the Bering Sea
Federal researchers in the Bering Sea have released recordings of songs by some of the rarest whales in the world.
Alaska fishermen appeal Carnival’s $20 million pollution settlement
Three Alaskans are appealing a deal reached between Carnival Corporation and federal prosecutors after the world’s largest cruise company recently admitted to violating its felony probation.
Border senators urge more oversight from B.C. in transboundary mining
U.S. senators from Alaska and three other border states have written to British Columbia’s premier expressing concern over transboundary mining.
Hoonah taps federal funds to ease cruise visitor congestion
Hoonah is planning a $4.77 million pedestrian project to improve the walkability of its harbor area and make it possible to walk to the community’s cemetery on Pitt Island.
Juneau icefield researchers resurrect ‘Gorgon Spire’ — a name nearly lost in obscurity
An unnamed peak in the Juneau Icefield may get a cool-sounding name dreamt up a half-century ago — but then nearly forgotten.
Governor’s top staff directed Alaska’s rollback of PFAS regulations
The Dunleavy administration’s decision to defer to the EPA over safe levels of PFAS chemicals in drinking water came at the direction of the governor’s top aides. That’s according to dozens of redacted emails released following records requests.
Alaskans weigh in over Carnival Corporation’s deal with federal prosecutors
As Carnival Corporation executives appeared Monday in a federal courtroom in Miami to answer for felony probation violations, Southeast Alaskans penned letters to the court urging the judge to take tough action.
Kake tribe urges renaming Saginaw Bay over ‘Kake War’ connection
The body of water off Kuiu Island was named for the U.S. warship that laid waste to three Tlingit villages near present-day Kake in 1869.
Alaska officially parting ways with fast ferries
Selling off the fast ferries was anticipated after the Alaska Marine Highway System removed the Fairweather from service earlier this year. Its sister ship Chenega has been tied up since 2015.
Yakutat officials in the dark over PFAS contamination
Yakutat is a coastal community of 600 people halfway between Anchorage and Juneau. (CoastAlaska file photo)
State officials say they’ll soon begin shipping water to Yakutat after PFAS...