Katie Anastas, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Anchorage School District to make masking optional on Feb. 28
Superintendent Deena Bishop said the change follows a rapid drop in COVID cases in the state and the widespread availability of vaccines.
Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, February 17, 2022
Gov. Mike Dunleavy makes another push for higher permanent fund dividends. A bill to provide state recognition of tribes passes the House, but faces a more difficult path in the state Senate. A Bethel-raised Yup'ik musician receives national awards.
‘A steep downward trajectory’: Alaska sees 50% drop in reported COVID cases this week
Alaska’s downward trend follows other states' declines in case counts.
Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, February 16, 2022
COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to drop. Also, some tribal organizations feel left out of the state's new bycatch task force. And after surviving an avalanche, an Alaskan writer faces post-traumatic stress and grief.
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Police dashcam footage raises new questions around the 2019 shooting of a Black man in Anchorage. Also, a board to revitalize the state's ferry system meets for the first time. And Alaska Native Juneau residents gather to honor missing loved ones.
Alaska News Nightly: Monday, February 14, 2022
Tribal courts could gain more power over domestic violence cases. Alaskan Olympic champion Kikkan Randall reflects on the up-and-coming U.S. ski team. A renewed debate over halibut allocation in Southeast and Southcentral.
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, February 11, 2022
Lawyers make closing arguments over Alaska’s new legislative district map. Also, Ketchikan students respond to allegations of racism at a recent basketball game. And Alaska’s Polynesian community ships donations to Tonga.
Anchorage School District proposes using federal funds to fill next year’s budget gap
While federal funding will allow the district to offset next school year’s budget deficit, there are concerns about the year following.
Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, February 10, 2022
The victim's brother reflects after a Fairbanks jury convicts his sister's killer in a cold case murder. Also, the state ombudsman issues a report critical of Alaska’s only public psychiatric hospital. And for some fishermen, disaster relief funds are too late to help.
Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, February 9, 2022
The omicron wave is starting to recede in Alaska. Also, allegations of racism in the stands at a Ketchikan basketball game are under investigation. And NASA's big new space telescope is calibrating on a star in the Alaska-iconic Big Dipper.
Alaska sees decline in COVID cases, more treatment options available
Previously, certain oral antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments were only recommended for those who were immunocompromised, pregnant, or 65 and older with risk factors.
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, February 8, 2022
A judge hears arguments from university students and the state over higher education funds. Also, jurors begin deliberating in the trial over Sophie Sergie's murder.
Alaska News Nightly: Monday, February 7, 2022
Sen. Murkowski says she supports President Biden's goal for a Supreme Court nominee. Tribal leaders say legal protections for graves and cultural objects often fall short. And mushers face windy weather as they reach the Yukon Quest 350's halfway point.
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, February 4, 2022
Representative Don Young defends the federal infrastructure law. Alaska's office of children's services sees a huge decline in licensed foster families. And how three-time thousand-mile champ Brent Sass prepares for the Yukon
Quest 350.
Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, February 3, 2022
As Alaska's omicron surge begins to wane, case numbers are still high. Also, a historic settlement between Native American and Alaska Native tribes and opioid manufacturers.
2 Alaska infants have died of COVID, the state’s first pediatric deaths tied to the illness
Both Alaskans were infants from Southcentral Alaska. They’re the first COVID-19 deaths of any Alaskan under the age of 20 since the pandemic began, according to health officials.
Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, February 2, 2022
A website for Alaskans to track state spending could come back online. Also, school closures in Fairbanks draw criticism from some community members. And as permafrost thaws, methane explosions make craters in the Arctic.
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Friends of the defendant testify in a cold-case murder trial. And young swimmers in Sitka meet and compete with Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby.
Masking becomes optional at Matanuska-Susitna Borough schools
In a letter to families on Friday, Superintendent Randy Trani said masks would be strongly urged in those cases, but no longer required.
Alaska News Nightly: Monday, January 31, 2022
Alaska has more revenue this year, but will that translate to a larger PFD? Also, Pete Kaiser notches another K300 win and thinks about breaking an all-time record.