KRBD Evening Report

The Ketchikan City Council approves an 8% utility rate increase for the city’s electricity services. Plus, the numbers are in for Southeast Alaska’s commercial Dungeness crab season, and Alaska youth and advocates are calling on lawmakers to create a statewide fund for suicide prevention.

The state ferry Lituya will soon begin 7-day-a-week ferry service between Ketchikan and Annette Bay. Plus, Alaska Seaplanes announces it will implement a temporary fuel surcharge due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. And, this winter in Juneau differs from a trend that climate change has caused winter in Alaska’s largest cities to warm more dramatically than other major U.S. cities.

The U.S. Coast Guard identifies two people who died while working on a freight barge near Ketchikan. Plus, a proposal that would make it easier for out-of-state nurses to practice in Alaska is facing fierce pushback in the Legislature, and a bill meant to protect Alaskans from contaminated drinking water has its first committee hearing.

Over 50 community members speak out about the proposed healing center north of Ketchikan.  The Sitka school board asks for community input on how to trim over a million dollar deficit. 

Many Juneau residents say they don't believe the city is doing enough to mitigate tourism impacts on residents. Plus, Sitkans have voted on the Sitka Sound Science Center’s newest Giant Pacific Octopus.

The Ketchikan school board delays approval of a reduction in force plan. A nonprofit is proposing building a second public use cabin in Haines.  

An interview with gubernatorial candidate Tom Begich.  Plus, the Juneau school board selects its superintendent.

The Ketchikan School Board will vote on a reduction in force plan that includes the closure of two schools and cutting over 40 staff positions. Plus, social service providers in Juneau say they’re worried about fallout of Juneau's most critical social services.

The state’s transportation department and a Southeast Alaska nonprofit are partnering in a new way to help the region plan for its future. Plus, more than 100 people from around the world will arrive in Haines for a backcountry ski competition this week.

Craig Public Library receives a grant to improve accessibility for disabled patrons. Plus, tribal members speak out against the Cascade Point ferry terminal.

The City of Craig is asking residents how they would like to see tourism exist in the community. Plus, the Alaska Supreme Court hears arguments on whether prisoners can be forcibly medicated with psychiatric drugs without a court hearing, and a new cost estimate to install a gondola at Juneau’s Eaglecrest Ski Area is more than three times higher than originally expected.

The Borough Mayor gave his State of the Community Address. Plus, Canada wants to limit U.S.-based Tribes from government consultations related to environmental projects. 

Police find the body of an 18-year-old woman underneath a former Ketchikan building supply store. Plus, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District will have to make major changes to pay off over $5 million in debt, and this year’s guest artist at the Alaska Folk Festival shares what he thinks makes the annual event special.

The state expands a fishing closure for shrimp in Southeast Alaska. Plus, Wrangell could soon be home to Southeast’s largest shipyard, and two popular Sitka restaurants are nominated to be within the top 10 in Alaska.

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board holds its first budget planning session for the district’s upcoming fiscal year. Plus, Alaska lawmakers introduce legislation that aims to crack down on water pollution from major ships, and a group of Sitka-based volunteers develop a project that connects students with cultural arts education, one stitch at a time.

The Ketchikan school district works to maintain air quality several months after the Point Higgins Elementary oil spill.  And a new Masters in Teaching program for teaching Indigenous languages is introduced in Southeast.

A group of Kayhi students spend months of their free time learning about maritime culture. Plus, 10 high school students from around the globe are in Alaska right now as part of federal programs that build cultural connections, and a lecture at the Sealaska Heritage institute explores clan crests and their cultural significance.

The Ketchikan City Council approves a rate increase for all city harbor use fees. Plus, a bill working its way through the legislature could ban on duty law enforcement officers from wearing face masks on duty in Alaska, and a look at how some cyclists manage to bike to work every day, even in winter.

The Ketchikan City Council updates its municipal code relating to homelessness. Plus, Alaska sees its 8th hottest year on record, and tariffs are a reason you're paying more for a cup of coffee.

The Ketchikan Borough Assembly will apply for a contest that could build a tunnel from the city to Gravina Island, free of charge. Plus, an Alaska lawmaker is working to bring the issue of ship-caused seawater pollutants to the statehouse, and state lawmakers are considering a bill that would require insurance companies to increase coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices.

The city will receive 6 million federal dollars to upgrade the wastewater treatment facility. And a Ketchikan man was found dead at a Klawock gas station.

An interview with gubernatorial candidate Matt Claman. Plus, the summer schedule for the Alaska Marine Highway opened for booking last week.

A food pantry program that helps pet owners in need expands to Prince of Wales Island and Metlakatla. Plus, a Juneau author speaks about civil rights activist Elizabeth Peratrovich’s influence, and a Petersburg couple talks about what it takes to build a marriage that lasts more than three-quarters of a century.

The Ketchikan school board selects the next superintendent. Plus, the end of the public comment period for the federal subsistence management review is extended.

Landline phone service in Thorne Bay is mostly restored. Plus, the Federal Subsistence Board listens to hours of public testimony following a controversial proposal to reform the board, and members of the state’s House Transportation committee accuse DOT of pursuing a ferry terminal project they say benefits private interests.