The Associated Press
Most Alaskans who died of COVID had at least one underlying medical condition, state report says
Of the 551 individuals for which past medical history was known, 529 “had at least one underlying medical condition associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19,” the report said.
Former Alaska Senate president Giessel to seek office again
Former Alaska Senate President Cathy Giessel lost her primary last year to Republican Roger Holland, who went on to win the seat.
Alaska expecting infrastructure funds for broadband efforts
Alaska could receive more than $1 billion from the recently passed federal infrastructure package for high-speed broadband networks, which an official with the Alaska Telecom Association said would be “transformational.”
Russian River campground, road to close for improvement work
A popular Kenai Peninsula recreation spot near Cooper Landing will be closed for nearly a year to partially rebuild a road and reinforce parts of the hillside along the Kenai River.
Alaska ends extra unemployment benefits as more enter workforce
The state of Alaska says it will end extended unemployment benefits on Dec. 11 because more people are employed.
70 West Point graduates call on Alaska lawmaker to resign
Dozens of West Point graduates have demanded Wasilla Republican Rep. David Eastman resign from office over his ties to a right-wing extremist group, saying his affiliation has betrayed the values of the U.S. Military Academy he attended.
‘Baked Alaska’ charged with damaging Hanukkah display in Arizona
Far-right social media personality Tim Gionet, who calls himself “Baked Alaska,” has been charged with misdemeanors over allegedly damaging a Hanukkah display in December 2020 outside the Arizona Capitol.
Alaska jobs are up from 2020 but still trail pre-pandemic levels
Job numbers in Alaska were up last month compared to October 2020 but still below pre-pandemic levels for most industries, the state labor department reported Friday.
Alaska reports 20 virus-related deaths, 12 from October
The state health department Friday reported 20 additional resident deaths related to COVID-19 dating to April, though more than half occurred last month.
The announced deaths followed death certificate reviews, said Elizabeth Manning, a department...
Alaska health officials say virus case numbers trending down
State health officials expressed cautious optimism Thursday about lower COVID-19 case numbers in Alaska following an extended surge in cases that strained hospital capacity.
Homer City Council to weigh accepting funds for little libraries
The Homer library director said one lesson learned during that pandemic was that some people “depend on physical access to the building to be able to come in and read, and if they can’t have that, like when we had to close our doors, then we need another way to get materials into their hands.”
EPA sets timeline to weigh next steps related to Pebble Mine
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday it is extending through May a timeline to decide how or whether to proceed with proposed restrictions on mining in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region, which is known for its salmon runs.
Mediator to solve dispute over Anchorage teachers’ contracts
A federal mediator is expected to help resolve differences over key terms of contracts for Anchorage teachers after the union and the state’s largest school district declared an impasse.
“We’ve been able to resolve quite...
Alaska doctors seek COVID-19 misinformation investigation
Alaska doctors plan to ask the State Medical Board to investigate concerns about the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and treatments by other physicians.
Sesame Street makes history with the debut of its first Asian American muppet
What's in a name? Well, for Ji-Young, the newest muppet resident of "Sesame Street," her name is a sign she was meant to live there.
Alaska hospital leader hopeful about virus hospitalizations
The leader of Alaska's hospital association cited a recent decline in hospitalizations related to COVID-19 as a possible turning point following a prolonged period in which resources at health care facilities in the state were stretched thin.
Fairbanks police say gunman killed a man outside Safeway before opening fire inside
Joshua Eric Butcher, 41, who turned himself into police minutes after Sunday’s shooting in Fairbanks, has been charged with first-degree murder and was being held at the Fairbanks Correctional Center.
Alaska is among more than 2 dozen states suing over Biden’s vaccine mandate for businesses
More than two dozen Republican-led states, including Alaska, filed lawsuits Friday challenging President Joe Biden’s vaccine requirement for private companies, setting up a high-stakes legal showdown pitting federal authority against states’ rights.
Alaska US Senate candidate announces Trump fundraiser plans
Kelly Tshibaka, who is running for the Alaska U.S. Senate seat held by fellow Republican Lisa Murkowski, announced plans Wednesday for a fundraiser hosted by former President Donald Trump.
Soldotna seeks to create new ‘main street’ along Kenai River
Currently, there is no road or trail that offers developed public access or views of the Kenai River between the highway bridge and state-owned land.