xx Statewide News

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a sandhill crane

19 cases of avian flu identified in Dillingham

State Veterinarian Robert Gerlach spoke with KDLG about avian flu, its risk to the region and how to stay safe when hunting wild birds. 
Josiah Patkotak

State Rep. Josiah Patkotak resigns after winning North Slope mayor’s race

Patkotak’s resignation opens a vacancy in the Alaska House of Representatives, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy has 30 days to nominate someone to fill the seat.
humpback whales

Humpback whale calf found dead near Juneau was killed by a large boat, biologists say

The fatal injuries to Tango, found near Auke Bay this summer, included deep lacerations on the calf’s body and pectoral fin likely caused by a propeller.
A beige building.

Anchorage Assembly to vote on spending $2.5M to convert Solid Waste Services building into homeless shelter

Officials say the building could house up to 150 people and would provide food services, showers and case workers.
a biologist

Amid Western Alaska salmon crisis, data-driven strategies could reduce chinook bycatch

Each year, thousands of chinook that would otherwise make their way to the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers are intercepted at sea as bycatch.
a cruise ship

Sitka denies petition to put cruise passenger limits to voters

Sitka's municipal clerk said in a letter that the proposed local limitations on cruise ships would be unenforceable under Alaska's constitution.
a sign

Ravn Alaska will no longer serve Kenai

A Kenai airport spokesperson says the airline’s decision was primarily driven by the nationwide pilot shortage. Ravn has employed 17 people at the airport.
a man

Scientists observe chum salmon spawning in North Slope rivers

UAF's Peter Westley says the fish have long been occasionally observed and caught in Arctic Ocean waters, but their numbers appear to be increasing.
a gathering

Presbyterian leaders apologize, begin reparations for 1962 closure of Juneau church

For decades, Memorial Presbyterian Church served a primarily Alaska Native congregation as a vital part of Juneau’s Native community.
a whale

Humpback whales increasingly sighted in Arctic Alaska waters better known as bowhead territory

An author of a study citing climate change as a possible factor in the move says its results are both "fascinating" and "a little terrifying."
A group of dancers sing before a crowd on stage. Some holding drums, others clasing their hands together while wearing traditional Tlingit attire.

‘We’re still thriving and we’re still happy’: Hundreds gather at APU to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day

“It’s a way for us to say that we’re still here, after everything that we’ve been through," said Ellenia Dommek.
a view from a window

Tlingit and Haida, Forest Service plans to expand cultural education at Mendenhall Glacier

“The people who go there want to learn about the glacier,” President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson said. “They also want to learn about the people.”
bears

Heft, fluff and salmon: Katmai’s Fat Bear Week finals are upon us

Voters worldwide will decide the winner of Katmai National Park’s Fat Bear Week, after a summer of bears packing on pounds for hibernation.
Wet, yellow signs on a table

2 Alaska school board student reps move to challenge Mat-Su School Board action

The Mat-Su School Board’s adult members significantly diminished student representative Ben Kolendo’s position in a September vote.
portraits of three people

Alaska leaders condemn attack on Israel

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said “my heart is heavy” after Hamas' attack Saturday, as her colleagues backed Israel's right to defend itself.
Young students sit behind desks in an elementary school classroom.

State develops ‘playbook’ to help Alaska schools hire and keep teachers

The online document includes potential actions that can be taken by different groups like school districts, communities and legislators.

Alaska health department changes Medicaid renewal process to keep thousands covered

About 37% of Alaska’s Medicaid recipients were procedurally disenrolled in the first four months following a pause during the pandemic.
a plane

Alaska Seaplanes to close Petersburg and Wrangell locations

Company staff say they're ending service to the Southeast Alaska communities by late October due to low ridership, as well as limited cargo.
the front of a building

Two dozen Alaska legislators join opposition to Kroger-Albertsons merger plans

Two fifths of the Legislature’s 60 members have asked the Federal Trade Commission to block the grocery chains' impending $24.6 billion merger.
a man and woman hug

Peltola says she’s still grieving but ready to return to work in Congress

The Alaska congresswoman will return to a speaker-less U.S. House where some are floating an idea she's familiar with: bipartisan leadership.