Laura Kraegel, KUCB - Unalaska
Laura Kraegel covers Unalaska and the Aleutian Islands for KUCB . Originally from Chicago, she first came to Alaska to work at KNOM, reporting on Nome and the Bering Strait Region. (laura@kucb.org / 907.581.6700)
Winter crab commercial fishery opens for Norton Sound
Norton Sound’s winter crab fishery finally opened Monday after poor sea ice delayed commercial crabbers for about a month.
Local internet costs still unclear for fiber optic cable project
This summer, Quintillion will lay undersea fiber optic cable from Prudhoe Bay to Nome. The project is scheduled to bring high-speed internet to western Alaska by March of 2017, but local providers won’t say how much it will cost for residents in the Bering Strait Region.
Quintillion plans to deliver fiber optic cable, high-speed internet by early 2017
After delays last year, Quintillion Networks has an update on the fiber optic cable project that will bring high-speed internet to western Alaska.
Rep. Nageak’s nephew killed in police shooting
There was an officer involved in a fatal shooting in Barrow early Wednesday morning. According to the North Slope Borough Mayor’s office, the incident happened around 4:00 a.m. A North Slope Borough Police Officer was responding to a call for assistance when the shooting took place. The Mayor’s office identified the victim as Vincent Nageak III, the nephew of State Representative Ben Nageak (D-Barrow).Download Audio
U.S. Marine Mammal Commission visits Nome to share new research
Alaska’s marine mammal population is stressed, according to the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission. One member of the federal agency will share new research on marine mammal health and discuss how the commission is helping conserve animals like walrus and seals on Monday in Nome.
Mongolia looks to Alaska for help handling domestic violence
Efforts to end domestic violence brought a delegation from Mongolia to Nome on Monday. The group — made up of social workers, shelter managers, police officers, and more — was there to learn how Alaska is addressing high rates of sexual assault and domestic violence.
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NSHC works to finalize designs for new regional treatment center
With construction estimated at $18 million, Angie Gorn says it’ll be a while before the Norton Sound Health Corporation (NSHC) can break ground on a treatment center in Nome. But with 35 percent of the building designs done, she says plans are slowly coming together for an intensive facility for those fighting addiction around the Bering Strait Region.
Three teens charged with the murder of Kotzebue man
In Kotzebue, three teenagers have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder following the shooting death of Joshua Sours III.
25 mushers registered for 2016 Yukon Quest
In one month, mushers will set off from Fairbanks for the start of the 2016 Yukon Quest. At the final deadline on Monday, 25 mushers had registered for the 1,000-mile international race to Whitehorse.
Child killed after being accidentally run over in Stebbins
A 3-year-old in Stebbins was accidentally killed on New Year’s Eve after being run over by a truck, according to a dispatch from Alaska State Troopers.
Stebbins teenager arrested for stabbing teen from St. Michael
Alaska State Troopers are investigating the stabbing of a St. Michael teenager by another teen from Stebbins.
Governor may release video of St. Michael man who died in prison
Almost a year after Larry Kobuk’s death, a special assistant to the governor traveled to St. Michael last week and met with the late man’s family.
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Nome judge recommended for public censure
At a disciplinary hearing last week, Nome Superior Court Judge Timothy Dooley admitted to violating the state code of judicial conduct by making inappropriate statements to victims and witnesses. The Alaska Committee of Judicial Conduct has recommended that he be publicly censured, assigned a mentor judge, and encouraged to undergo sensitivity training.
Nome judge faces misconduct allegations
Nome Superior Court Judge Timothy Dooley will go before a judicial oversight committee on Thursday for a disciplinary hearing, facing multiple charges of professional misconduct.
Nome 4th-grader wins 2016 Iditarod button contest
While the last great race is still months away, the Iditarod button design contest already has a champion: Ayla Knodel, a fourth-grader at Nome Elementary School.
Troopers suspend search for missing Unalakleet woman
Alaska State Troopers have suspended the search for a Unalakleet elder missing for six days, according to a dispatch released Monday afternoon.
Unalakleet community, troopers search for missing woman
Search and rescue efforts in Unalakleet are entering their sixth day, as the community continues looking for 74-year-old Vivian Foote.
Gas line leak fixed in Shishmaref; cleanup will continue in the spring
A leaking gas line in Shishmaref has finally been fixed about a year and half after a village public safety officer first discovered an oily sheen along the northern coast of Sarichef Island. Officials with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) said the leak came from a tank farm fuel line owned by the Shishmaref Native Store.
Proposed min. student rule could close schools in Nome, Diomede
To receive state funding, Alaska schools must have a minimum of 10 students. A new proposal could raise the minimum to 20, or even 25 students, in an effort to slash state spending. If passed, the legislation could close around 60 schools statewide, including several in western Alaska.
Potential legislation could close small schools in Diomede, Nome, and other western communities
To receive state funding, Alaska schools must have a minimum of 10 students. At least, that’s the rule right now. But some lawmakers are looking at raising the number to 20 students — or even 25 — in an effort to slash state spending. If passed, the legislation could close around 60 schools statewide, including several in western Alaska.