Krysti Shallenberger, Alaska's Energy Desk - Bethel
Alaska Division of Public Health short on nurses in Bethel
Three public health nurses left Bethel in the past four months, and it’s taking a while to train and bring new ones up to speed.
At the moment, Donlin Gold isn’t building a mine. But it is building a church
The company that wants to build one of the world’s biggest gold mines is currently renovating a church in Chuathbaluk in the middle Kuskokwim River. Donlin says that investing in communities near the mine is being “a good neighbor.”
Quinhagak opposes Donlin Gold mine
There haven’t been any public protests against the proposed Donlin Gold mine in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta since last summer. But one tribe broke the silence with a resolution opposing the mine this month.
Storms flood Kotlik, but other communities see little damage
Weekend storms battered the coast of Western Alaska. While they damaged some villages, others fared much better.
Alaska heat wave hits Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
People living in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta felt something unusual this past holiday weekend: a heat wave. Temperatures crept close to 90 degrees in many parts of the region, including Bethel, but a malfunctioning thermometer and not enough data could prevent this summer from making it into the record books.
Justice department pledges $10.5M in emergency funds for public safety
U.S. Attorney General William Barr declared a law enforcement emergency in Alaska on June 28. The announcement follows a visit to the state where he saw firsthand how many rural communities have little to no public safety.
For Quinhagak, climate change means they may have to move
In Western Alaska, accelerating erosion is forcing several villages to consider moving. In Quinhagak, a village on the Bering Sea, erosion is threatening the sewer lagoon and the building that houses its washeteria and health clinic.
Attorney General Barr says ‘very basics of public safety are lacking in the villages’
The visit to Western Alaska continues Barr's tour of the state, meeting with public officials and Alaska Native leaders to discuss public safety, the lack of law enforcement in rural communities and how the federal government can help.
Negotiations sour on tribal child welfare agreement
The agreement, which was signed in 2017 by then-Gov. Bill Walker, is being renegotiated by tribal organizations and the Dunleavy administration. The compact gives tribes more control over children’s welfare.
49 Voices: Maurice Nanalook of Bethel
This week we're hearing from Maurice Nanalook of Bethel. Nanalook was one of several drummers at this year's Cama-i Dance Festival.
Napakiak says goodbye to residents who died in jail fire
The Napakiak Moravian church was packed on Wednesday, May 8, as people came to say their final goodbyes to two residents who died in a fire in the city jail last week.
Donlin Gold looks to schools, workforce development for future employees
Donlin Gold promised to hire local workers for its proposed gold mine. To fulfill that promise, the company knows that it has to start now and it has to start young.
Two tribes, Dunleavy at odds over tribal sovereignty
Two tribes say that Gov. Mike Dunleavy and his administration aren’t doing enough to consult with their leaders on big issues facing the state.
Donlin Gold to begin drilling program
It’s going to be a busy year for Donlin Gold. The company is gearing up for another round of geotechnical drilling, its first in two years.
Murkowski calls for many ‘silver bullets’ to tackle climate change
Sen. Lisa Murkowski stopped in Bethel to celebrate the breakup of the Kuskokwim River. She says climate change “is a reality that we are seeing.”
Murkowski mostly neutral on Dunleavy budget, but urges full education funding
Sen. Lisa Murkowski is keeping mostly neutral on Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget cuts. She spoke about his budget on a visit to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta this past weekend.
Melting ice is disrupting daily life in the Y-K Delta in the worst possible way
This spring has seen record-breaking warm temperatures across Alaska. In the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, the Kuskokwim River is melting early — with devastating consequences.
Donlin promises economic development if mine goes through
Donlin Gold wants to build one of the biggest gold mines in the world, and it promises to employ hundreds of local people to build and operate it.
49 Voices: Benjamin Agimuk of Bethel
This week we're hearing from Benjamin Agimuk in Bethel. Agimuk is originally from Chevak and is part of several Native dance groups as a yuraq drummer. He performed at this year's Cama-i Dance Festival.
‘Stay off the ice’ BSAR warns as two die from four-wheelers falling through ice
Two four-wheelers carrying five men leaving Bethel broke through needle ice on the upper end of Church Slough on Sunday night. Two of the men died, while three others were treated for hypothermia in Bethel.