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 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.
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.
Alaska school sports association bans trans girls from girls sports
The Alaska School Activities Association board’s vote follows a similar decision in August by the state Board of Education.
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.
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.
‘We will stand with Israel,’ Biden says as U.S. condemns Hamas attack as ‘evil’
"We'll make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of itself," President Biden said from the White House Tuesday, with U.S. aid and warships already en route.
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.
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.
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.
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."
‘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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$400-a-month pandemic bonuses were life-changing for child care workers. That’s over.
Now that federal emergency funding for child care has expired, child care facilities face difficult choices about how to operate with less.