‘They carve to have a place to sleep.’ He’s made a place for struggling ivory carvers in Anchorage
A former inmate is transforming a downtown gallery and workshop into a nonprofit geared toward giving opportunities to artists with few options.
Mulchatna caribou herd population drops by half, prompting hunting bag limit reduction
The reason behind the disappearance of high numbers of adult caribou remains a mystery, and with the Mulchatna herd declining so quickly, managers had no choice but to reduce the bag limit.
LISTEN: 32 rural Alaska communities still lack running water. Infrastructure builders are trying to change that.
For most Americans, in home running water and flushing toilets are considered basic utilities, but across rural Alaska more than 30 villages are still living without piped systems. What are the challenges of providing water infrastructure to these communities?
Premera promises $5.7M to rural Alaska health care programs
The health insurance company wants to invest in upgrades to rural health care and wellness, and plans on expanding training programs for nursing, along with other initiatives.
New Ambler heat pump project aims to drastically reduce diesel costs in the village
Installing the pump, solar arrays and LEDs costs about $8,200 per home, providing an average fuel savings of $2,000 to $3,000 dollars a year. This means they essentially pay for themselves in about three years.
Rebuilt cafe, new community greenhouse springing up in Tenakee
The greenhouse is expected to be operational by the end of winter, in time to plant seeds for summer gardens.
Whalers in Utqiaġvik can’t remember hunting this late without landing a bowhead
Some residents say this is unprecedented for the whale-dependent village that last fall captured nearly 20. Also unprecedented are this year’s temperatures: It was the warmest May through September on record in Utqiagvik.
What’s driving up bacteria levels in Ketchikan’s drinking water? Climate change. And goats.
Ketchikan’s source of drinking water might have too much bacteria, and that could mean expensive upgrades for the city’s water department. And mountain goats...
Explained: What are PFAS compounds and how can they affect human health?
Found in various items from firefighting foam to household cleaning products and even food containers, PFAS are persistent "forever...
PFAS contamination in Alaska | Alaska Insight
Found in various items from firefighting foam to household cleaning products and even food containers, PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that bioaccumulate over time. Drinking water sources in several Alaska communities are contaminated with PFAS.
Newtok moves first families into new homes in Mertarvik
Throughout this month, over 130 people from Newtok — roughly a third of the village — will cross the Ninglick River to pioneer Mertarvik, their new home.
LISTEN: How dangerous are PFAS chemicals and what’s being done to clean them up?
Found in everything from firefighting foam to household cleaning products and even food containers, PFAS are persistent and bio accumulate over time. How dangerous are they to human health and what’s being done to clean them up?
Tlingit potatoes continue to thrive thanks to Sitka Tribe, Forest Service
Historically, Tlingit people planted the tubers by the beach, at the forest’s edge, where there was ample sunlight and plenty of seaweed and fish gut fertilizer.
Bethel’s Meyers Farm shuts down market, focuses on internet sales
Tim Meyers says his Bethel farm was not selling enough produce in its store, and switching to produce boxes could be one way to reduce food waste.
Tribal Justice Summit renews focus on tribal courts in Western Alaska
Tribes from around the region met at Kawerak’s first Tribal Justice Summit in Nome to talk about what tribal justice could look like for them.
Wrangell moves forward on new water treatment plant
The new plant should be up in running in three years.
LISTEN: How restorative justice helps rebuild and repair connections to community
Restorative justice tries to correct behavior by repairing harm, rebuilding relationships, and bringing the offender back into good standing in their community. Does it work to reduce crime and recidivism?
PHOTOS: Postcard from Red Devil
The town of Red Devil was built by mining almost 100 years ago, and now carries a toxic legacy of mine pollution. But to its residents, the Donlin Gold mine represents hope. Like so many communities in Alaska, resource extraction is at once a lifeline and a risk.
How do you rebuild a dying town in remote Alaska? Ask the 20 residents of Red Devil
This is the third of a three-part series reported from a village of 20 people on the Upper Kuskokwim River that stands to gain the most from the proposed Donlin Mine. Red Devil was built by mining almost 100 years ago, and now carries a toxic legacy of mine pollution. But to its residents, the Donlin Gold mine represents hope. Like so many communities in Alaska, resource extraction is at once a lifeline and a risk.
In Red Devil, an old mine’s pollution is not enough to doubt Donlin’s promise
This is part two of a three-part series reported from a village of 20 people on the Upper Kuskokwim River that stands to gain the most from the proposed Donlin Mine. Red Devil was built by mining almost 100 years ago, and now carries a toxic legacy of mine pollution. But to its residents, the Donlin Gold mine represents hope. Like so many communities in Alaska, resource extraction is at once a lifeline and a risk.