Author: Sage Smiley

Barge rates have gone up in the new year across Southeast Alaska. But the rising cost of hauling goods into coastal communities isn’t the only reason a trip to the grocery store might be more expensive. 

The board voted 2-4 against moving the meeting back to Ketchikan, despite dozens of comments from Southeast’s fishermen, Tribal entities, elected officials and others urging it to hold the meeting inside the region that would be affected by more than 150 proposals. 

Some see the force as a possible turning point, but others say they’re skeptical of what it can accomplish.