Greg Kim, KYUK - Bethel
Illegal Facebook gambling in Y-K Delta draws scrutiny
Regulators and some community members fear that the illegal bingo and pulltab games could be drawing money away from nonprofits who rely on revenue from legal gambling. A moderator says it's a COVID-safe pastime that raises money for unofficial charities.
Bill for tribal recognition would put relationship with state on firmer foundation, supporters say
The state of Alaska already has agreements with tribes, but sponsors say without formally recognizing tribes as sovereign, those deals are on a broken foundation.
Some Bethel families consider moving due to district’s COVID safety policies
The district says it is working to bring back in-person school five days a week, but the major roadblock so far is that children under 16 years old aren't currently approved for the COVID-19 vaccine.
House lawmaker introduces bill changing definition of consent to better prosecute rape, sexual assault in Alaska
The bill would change the definition of consent to make it easier to convict people accused of rape. Statistics indicate that in 2015, more than 90% of the reported felony-level sex offenses did not result in a conviction.
3-year-old girl medevaced after dog attack in Chevak
The girl’s mother is planning to press charges against the neighbors who she says own the dogs and is calling on the city to put down the animals.
Western Alaska village puts up vaccine requirement to enter store
Around the same time that the Bethel fitness center reopened to fully vaccinated individuals, Kongiganak started allowing only fully vaccinated people into stores and businesses.
Yup’ik engineers team up to build Yugtun language learning apps
Two Yup’ik engineers are trying to push the Yugtun language into the future using technology. Their latest project opens the door for Yugtun autocorrect, grammar checkers and automatic subtitles on Yup’ik videos.
Domestic violence shelters face ‘terrible choices’ from looming federal cuts
In a letter sent on April 1, CDVSA Executive Director Diane Casto wrote that Victims of Crimes Act funding would decrease by 34.6% from the previous year.
Bethel votes to hire investigator to review city’s handling of sexual assault cases
Bethel City Council took action in response to a Bethel woman’s protest regarding her sexual assault case. On Tuesday, the city council voted to hire an independent investigator to review the city’s response to reports of sexual assault.
Bethel woman reported she was raped; Months later, she protested police and prosecutors’ inaction
A Bethel woman protested outside the Bethel courthouse in early March. She said that she was raped, and she wanted to draw attention to what she claimed was the criminal justice system’s slow response in investigating her case. The protest has ignited community dialogue on how local rape cases are handled, and if victims are receiving timely justice.
Bethel woman arrested for killing 2-year-old daughter told police she ‘lost control’
Stephanie Olrun told an officer that she “lost control” because her child wasn’t listening to her, according to a police affidavit.
Bethel Woman Arrested For Killing 2-Year-Old Daughter
A Bethel woman has been arrested for murder after her 2-year-old daughter died of traumatic injuries March 12.
Heavy winter snowfall may become more common in Y-K Delta
Recent storms have battered the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta coast and dumped many feet of snow in various places. Some are saying this is more snow than they’ve seen in decades. Scientists say that heavy snowfall may become more common in Alaska in the future.
Grant Aviation plane goes off runway in Chevak
The incident occurred on Friday, March 12 shortly after 5:00 p.m.
State files action to take Native allotment to build road in Bethel
The Alaska Department of Transportation wants to pave a road that passes through a Native allotment owned by three Polk brothers.
Body of Kasigluk woman found south of Bethel
Troopers say that the body has been identified as 44-year-old Kasigluk resident Minnie Kalila, and that the family has been notified.
Satellite internet promises fast, cheap service in rural Alaska, but remains out of reach so far
Questions remain about technologies made by Elon Musk's company about whether the satellite internet service will work in inclement weather that is common in some parts of Alaska.
With $350 monthly internet bills, Y-K Delta residents face high hurdle for connectivity
The pandemic has exacerbated the problem of limited and expensive connectivity in Western Alaska, and residents are hoping that infrastructure investments can bridge the digital divide.
Buddies Richie Diehl and Pete Kaiser lead local mushers’ domination of Kusko 300
For two best friends from the Y-K region, a one-two finish in the Kuskokwim 300 was especially sweet this year. Richie Diehl beat Pete Kaiser to Bethel by 43 minutes for his first ever K300 win.
Aniak’s Richie Diehl reaches first Kuskokwim 300 win in record time
On his thirteenth K300, Diehl got his his first win, set a new record and earned $25,500.