Western Alaska village puts up vaccine requirement to enter store
Around the same time that the Bethel fitness center reopened to fully vaccinated individuals, Kongiganak started allowing only fully vaccinated people into stores and businesses.
After a year of pandemic isolation, Anchorage Muslims return to mosque for Ramadan
After last year's celebrations were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, getting back into the mosque for Islam's Holy month is extra special for Anchorage's Muslims.
Alaska delegation tries multi-pronged effort to save part of cruise season
The congressional delegation sees two impediments keeping cruise ships from coming to Alaska this summer: The CDC and the Canada problem.
APOC denies expedited hearing after allegations of Bronson campaign finance violation
The runoff election for Anchorage mayor began to heat up this week, after Forrest Dunbar’s campaign accused Dave Bronson’s campaign of more than $170,000 in finance violations. On Wednesday, the Alaska Public Offices Commission denied the Dunbar campaign’s request for an expedited hearing.
Kenai Borough mayor attacks school district’s mask policy
With five weeks remaining before summer break, the Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor is publicly challenging the school district on its COVID-19 mitigation protocols.
For Alaska Native earring makers, the pandemic brought a boom
Beaded earrings have always been a staple in Native fashion, but the big uptick in business shows how they’ve become in-demand more broadly. Some say it helps that they are an easy way to be stylish in Zoom meetings.
Report sheds little light on fatal Alaska helicopter crash
A preliminary report from the federal agency investigating the fatal helicopter crash in Alaska that killed five people, including the richest man in the Czech Republic, sheds little light on the cause.
Anchorage Assembly extends COVID emergency declaration by closest vote yet
The Anchorage Assembly approved an eighth extension of the city’s COVID-19 emergency declaration Tuesday. The measure passed six to four, the slimmest margin an extension has seen since the COVID emergency began.
Alaska providers pause use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine while feds investigate rare risk of blood clots
Alaska providers are following the federal recommendation to pause use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines while they figure out the clotting risk.
Activists want voters to consider limiting cruise ship access to Juneau
Some activists in Juneau filed paperwork on Monday that could lead to local ballot questions in the fall asking voters to limit cruise ships’ access to the capital city.
Alaska executives, employers wrestle with whether to mandate, incentivize or encourage COVID-19 shots
A dilemma over workplace vaccine mandates and incentives is playing out across Alaska, where employers are grappling with the balance between ensuring safe workplaces and workers’ rights to make their own medical decisions.
Yup’ik engineers team up to build Yugtun language learning apps
Two Yup’ik engineers are trying to push the Yugtun language into the future using technology. Their latest project opens the door for Yugtun autocorrect, grammar checkers and automatic subtitles on Yup’ik videos.
Senators unveil bill to extend, limit Alaska disaster declaration as deadline for food aid looms
Some Alaska state senators are aiming to pass a bill that would extend Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s disaster declaration, but with more limited powers than were in place until mid-February in order to continue providing food aid and assist in other COVID-19 response areas.
You’re vaccinated for COVID-19. Now what can you do?
Alaska doctors share tips for navigating indoor gatherings, going out to dinner, traveling and more.
Election update: Anchorage school board race tightens
The Anchorage school board race between Kelly Lessens and Judy Eledge has narrowed to less than 100 votes, with Lessens narrowly holding onto the lead Monday.
Interior Department chooses Native woman for top Alaska advisor
Interior today named Raina Thiele, a veteran of the Obama White House, to be top advisor on Alaska issues
Bering Sea fishermen likely had COVID-19 and still went to Unalaska bar. Now, locals have to quarantine.
The fishermen came from a vessel where COVID-19 cases were suspected, but still visited Unalaska's popular Norwegian Rat Saloon during Saturday's margarita and taco night.
Anchorage mayor loosens pandemic restrictions, plus adds incentive to get vaccinated
Embedded in the new emergency order is an incentive to get a COVID-19 vaccine: once 70% of eligible Anchorage residents are vaccinated, the restrictions become merely an “advisory” instead of law.
For newly minted Iñupiaq doctoral graduate, opening doors for more Native scholars remains vital
The process of earning a doctorate takes a lot of time and work. And for one Iñupiaq woman, hearing the words doctor next to her name was emotional: Her response to passing her dissertation defense went viral this month after hundreds of thousands of people watched her reaction.
‘Green bank’ for sustainable energy projects finds favor with Dunleavy and Young
Gov. Mike Dunleavy recently introduced a bill to create a state "green bank," which would give finance renewable energy projects in Alaska.