Norway ambassador visits Alaska to talk climate, Russia and, yes, Norwegian dog mushing success
Anniken Krutnes, Norway's first female ambassador to the U.S., was recently in Anchorage meeting with state leaders to discuss shared interests.
COVID vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11 is safe and effective, Pfizer says
The first results from the highly anticipated trial studying the effectiveness and safety of the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 showed promising results.
How Alaska’s largest hospital reached its tipping point
Providence Alaska Medical Center’s Chief of Staff Dr. Kristen Solana Walkinshaw said it was Saturday, Sept. 11, when she realized the hospital could no longer meet its normal standards of care. The overload of COVID-19 patients was too much.
Musher Brent Sass kills aggressive bear while moose hunting near Eureka
Brent Sass says the bear chewed up a pair of boots, climbed a tree where he was in a stand looking for a moose and then later showed up outside of his tent.
JBER declares public health emergency amid COVID surge
The declaration will remain in effect for 30 days, but could be shortened or extended based on cases and community transmission of COVID-19.
Nearly half of Bethel police are unvaccinated and could lose their jobs
The six unvaccinated police officers don't live in Bethel full-time. Instead, they fly in and out — working two weeks on, two weeks off.
Joe Gerace named new Anchorage health director
Joe Gerace previously worked as the Director of Operations for Visit Healthcare, the municipality's main testing and vaccine provider, and currently serves as chairman of the board of American Red Cross in Alaska.
Bronson administration says the hand off of Anchorage’s largest shelter was ‘not well done’
Private company 99 Plus 1 took over operations of the 400-bed shelter from Bean’s Cafe on Thursday. A city spokesman said the showers were shut off, porta-potties locked and the Sullivan Arena was "fairly trashed."
Oxygen, intubation, regret: Alaska ICU doctor provides a glimpse behind the walls
Dr. Leslie Gonsette says she feels like she's living in two worlds.
Here are the first 2 winners of the state’s $49K COVID vaccine sweepstakes
Carin Kircher of Valdez won $49,000 in cash while Kodiak student Ethan Benton received a $49,000 scholarship.
Hackers had access to Alaskans’ private health information, state says
When the state health department's website was breached earlier this year, hackers had access to the private health information of Alaskans, the state announced on Thursday.
Alaska has one of the worst rates of COVID in the country
Alaska's 93 COVID cases per 100,000 residents is the fourth highest in the country, tied with South Carolina and behind West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky, according to the New York Times.
Anchorage Fire Department lays out plan to cut back on overtime
Anchorage Fire Chief Doug Schrage says the department’s overtime budget is roughly $3.5 million. “To date, we've spent $3.2 million," Schrage said. "We expect by the end of September we will have exhausted our overtime budget.”
Anchorage refugee assistance program readies for up to 100 people fleeing Afghanistan
Catholic Social Services CEO Lisa Aquino says the refugee program's staff and volunteers will help with things like finding housing and employment, as well as learning English.
2020 Census: How has Alaska’s population changed in the last decade?
The results of the 2020 U.S. Census paint a picture of shifting demographics throughout the nation and in Alaska. Alaska Public Media’s Adelyn Baxter breaks down the data.
Most states have cut back public health powers amid pandemic
Republican legislators in more than half of U.S. states, spurred on by voters angry about lockdowns and mask mandates, are taking away the powers that state and local officials use to protect the public against infectious diseases.
Massive algae bloom in the Gulf of Alaska could be good for marine life, researchers say
Each spring and summer, a large concentration of phytoplankton blooms in the gulf. This year, researchers recorded the biggest bloom they’ve ever seen.
As Providence moves to crisis care, other Alaska hospitals grow strained
One Alaska hospital nearly ran out of supplemental oxygen, says hospital association CEO.
Bethel doctor advises residents to avoid physical risks as hospital beds grow scarce
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Chief of Staff Dr. Ellen Hodges says if Alaskans get hurt, they might not be able to receive adequate health care as surging COVID-19 cases destabilize the state's health care system.
Alaska governor will let PFD stand that lawmakers passed
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who has advocated for a roughly $2,350 check, late Tuesday said he would not veto the dividend approved by lawmakers, though he considered it a “partial” dividend. He said Alaskans “need help now.”