Alaska News Nightly: Monday, September 26, 2022
State and federal officials visit Nome to plan storm recovery efforts. Also, Hooper Bay reckons with the storm's emotional toll and the village's future. And Delta Junction's upcoming city council election is the most competitive one in decades.
‘This did not happen overnight’: Anchorage schools superintendent says a variety of factors created $68M budget shortfall
The school board’s finance committee has spent the last several weeks mulling over possible budget cuts, which could include school closures and cuts to language immersion programs.
Move over, Bruce Willis: NASA crashed into an asteroid to test planetary defense
NASA successfully crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid in a test of planetary defense. Now it will determine whether the mission was able to alter the asteroid's course.
Pilots union reaches tentative agreement with Alaska Airlines
The tentative agreement, which union members will vote to approve or reject in the coming weeks, increases pay, scheduling flexibility and parental leave.
As recovery begins, Hooper Bay reckons with the emotional toll of the storm
“I’ve lived through storms before, but this was the worst,” said Loretta Smith, who lost her home in the storm. “The water came up so fast, and it was so high that the waves looked violent.”
Peltola, Murkowski, FEMA administrator tour Nome storm damage
They also spoke with KNOM in Nome about their reactions to the storm damage, their priorities for recovery and resources available to Alaskans.
NTSB finds bad communication, weather in fatal 2020 Yute Commuter crash near Tuntutuliak
The board found that “inadequate operational control procedures” were to blame for a 2020 Yute Commuter Services plane crash that killed five people near Tuntutuliak.
Wasilla Rep. Eastman to stay on ballot, but post-election trial will decide his eligibility, judge says
The judge, Jack McKenna, ruled Thursday that Eastman is likely ineligible to hold office, but that Eastman's name can remain on ballots for the Nov. 8 election.
Forest Service to build new cabins in the Tongass and Chugach
It’s not often the Forest Service gets to build new cabins.
Southwest Alaska school district shifts to subsistence calendar in effort to center Yup’ik culture
The Yupiit School District serves students in Tuluksak, Akiak, and Akiachak.
First-ever Sacred Acre festival puts Ninilchik on the electronic music map
The three-day gathering, which aims to advocate for healthy Alaska fisheries, was held at the same location as the popular Salmonfest music festival to protect salmon.
Anchorage woman, 2 dogs killed in floatplane crash near Skwentna
Word of the crash on Whiskey Lake which killed 67-year-old Janell Rude reached troopers just before 4 p.m. Sunday.
Biden approves federal disaster declaration for Western Alaska storm
President Biden's approval of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's request comes just two days after it was made.
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, September 23, 2022
Chevak residents have lost frozen fish and the boats they used to catch them. Also, a Kenai grand jury charges a man in the killing of Anesha "Duffy" Murnane. And Alaska's kelp industry is stuck at a crossroads.
Juneau police investigating death of woman found on trail as a homicide
A Juneau woman was found dead on a popular Mendenhall Valley trail on Wednesday. Police are investigating Faith Rogers’ death as a homicide.
Chevak rallies to repair storm-damaged subsistence gear
During a community meeting, Chevak residents said better emergency planning should be a long-term priority. For now, though, assessing damage is the focus.
Kivalina neighbors banded together to save a house from falling into the sea amid last week’s storm
Kivalina has long dealt with climate change-driven erosion. While the village didn’t feel the effects of heavy flooding, residents are wary of a future with heavy autumn storms.
Guest House’s purchase means more low-income housing for Anchorage’s formerly homeless
All of the former hotel's residents have recently been homeless, and either have a job or are in the process of getting employed.
Should Alaska hold a Constitutional Convention? Both sides of the question make their case | Alaska Insight
Advocates both for and against a constitutional convention discuss why they think Alaskans should or should not support the ballot question.
Public can weigh in on how Alaska should use millions of opioid settlement money
The total amount coming to state and local governments in Alaska is $58.5 million from drugmaker Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, along with three other companies.