Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Kavitha George is Alaska Public Media’s climate change reporter. Reach her at kgeorge@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Kavitha here.
How a rise in oil prices could impact this year’s PFD
With a recent rise in oil prices, the governor is again pushing for a higher PFD, plus an additional payment to boost last year's PFD. Legislators have other ideas.
Think you have supply chain woes? Try building in rural Alaska, where prices are high and the season is short.
Every step of the supply chain, from manufacturing to shipping to distribution, has lost any sense of a normal rhythm.
An Anchorage restaurant operator says the pandemic is still hitting the industry hard
Uncertainty with staffing and COVID outbreaks are causing daily headaches in the industry, says restaurant operator Jack Lewis.
State job vacancies lead to unplowed roads and other service gaps
Critical state jobs are going unfilled this year. That’s led to unplowed roads, ferries tied up at dock and slowdowns in the court system.
Anchorage retailers hope for spending rebound fueled by higher wages and ‘revenge shopping’
At Anchorage’s Dimond Mall, some retailers are reporting that sales have surpassed pre-pandemic levels thanks to pent-up demand and supply chain shortages that are vexing online shoppers.
Oil prices plunge amid omicron variant concerns
After months of increases and a short plateau, oil prices in Alaska and worldwide have plunged in the last week. A barrel of Alaska North Slope crude was about $71 on Monday, $11 less than the week of Thanksgiving.
Supply chain bottlenecks are holding up winter gear in Anchorage
Across Anchorage, with snow covering the ground and temperatures dropping, waitlists for fat-tire bikes and skis are common. The demand for winter outdoor gear is high.
How Pel’meni dumplings became a Juneau staple and expanded beyond Southeast Alaska
The restaurant is an Alaska take on a classic Russian comfort food. It started in Juneau and recently expanded to Anchorage.
Alaska’s vaccine sweepstakes aimed to get more people vaccinated. It’s unclear whether it worked.
The Alaska Chamber gave out nearly $1 million in a vaccine sweepstakes program, but it's unclear how effective the program has been at increasing Alaska's vaccination rate.
Global supply shortages are driving up Alaska oil prices
Alaska North Slope crude has been trending up for most of 2021. On Tuesday it closed at more than $87 a barrel.
If you signed up for direct deposit, yes, your PFD is coming this week
Alaskans are starting to see $1,114 PFDs hit their bank accounts this week, with some already reporting “pending” deposits scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 14, according to the state Department of Revenue.
Forty-eight unit affordable housing development to open in Spenard next summer
The first phase of Spenard East, a 48-unit development at the corner of 36th Avenue and Spenard Road, will include three buildings arranged around a small park, with a mix of senior and family housing.
Without citywide mask rules during COVID surge, Anchorage businesses feel the pressure
As COVID-19 case rates in Alaska continue to lead the nation, Alaska’s largest city has no municipal health measures like a mask mandate or gathering restrictions in place. That’s left businesses to navigate which prevention steps to take on their own, which can get complicated for owners trying to weigh the health risks of doing business.
Alaska’s economic recovery lags behind most states
As of July, Alaska had made up less than half of COVID-related job losses.
Providence CEO backs Anchorage Assembly’s proposed mask mandate
The Chief Executive of Providence Alaska Medical Center says the hospital supports a proposed masking ordinance in Anchorage in a letter to the Assembly sent on Wednesday. The letter also disputed Anchorage mayor Dave Bronson’s claims about hospital capacity and staffing shortages.
Alaskans have until Friday to apply for pandemic rental assistance
Renters who make 80% or less of area median income for their community are eligible for rental assistance until Friday, Oct. 1.
Here’s when Alaskans can expect to get this year’s PFD
Permanent fund dividends will likely hit Alaskans' bank accounts in the middle of October, says the state Department of Revenue.
Rent up, vacancy down: How the pandemic impacted Alaska’s rental market
The biggest increase was in Ketchikan, where the median rent went up more than 10% between 2020 and 2021. In Anchorage, rent rose 2.8%.
Anchorage business owners fear worker burnout as hiring struggles persist
One business owner is closing her ice cream shop one day a week to give workers a break. Another has raised wages in hopes of not losing her staff.
After a missed year, Alaska State Fair vendors say things feel almost normal, despite pandemic risk
The 2020 Alaska State Fair was canceled due to COVID-19 risk. This year, you’d hardly know there’s a pandemic, said some vendors.