Long-serving Alaska magistrate is fired after writing letter to the editor criticizing Republican Party
Seward Magistrate George Peck, the longest serving magistrate in Alaska, is no longer on the bench after writing letters to the editor critical of the Republican Party.
State job vacancies lead to unplowed roads and other service gaps
Critical state jobs are going unfilled this year. That’s led to unplowed roads, ferries tied up at dock and slowdowns in the court system.
Alaska is changing how it tracks the pandemic. Here’s what you need to know.
Omicron is now the dominant COVID variant in Alaska — and it is transforming the way the health department looks at the pandemic.
Winter storm closes Juneau schools, state offices and largest grocery store
National Weather Service forecasters are warning of rain and ice forming on top of the snow, which could cause flooding on Monday.
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions jumped in 2021, a threat to climate goals
The spike was attributed to a slew of causes, including behavior changes after COVID-19 vaccines became widely available, but environmental advocates say it's worrisome.
Alaska SeaLife Center scientists learn from two baby belugas with diverging paths
Tyonek became the first beluga calf to be successfully nursed back to health when the Alaska SeaLife Center rescued him in 2017. The success story came just a few years after the nonprofit took in another stranded beluga calf named Naknek.
Alaska legislators seek to change campaign contribution limits, permanent fund trustees
One bill would prevent legislators from receiving per diem payments if they fail to pass a budget by the 121st day of regular session.
Murder trial in Fairbanks cold case starts Monday
Jury selection in the case of Steven Downs, 47, of Auburn, Maine, is scheduled for Monday in Fairbanks, the Sun Journal reported. Downs was charged in the 1993 death of 20-year-old Sophie Sergie.
Anchorage anti-panhandling signs cite unconstitutional law
The city of Anchorage has spent nearly $9,000 on new anti-panhandling signs, but the law the signs refer to was found unconstitutional nearly a decade ago.
Anchorage health director says more COVID test sites should be running by next week
Joe Gerace said he’s heard criticism from the public about long waits at testing sites over the past week, and is working to improve the city’s testing capacity as the omicron variant surges
Line One: All about sleep
Difficulty sleeping has affected all of us at one time or another. Lack of sleep or inadequate sleep can have drastic consequences for our day to day functioning as well as our overall health and happiness.
Mat-Su schools prepare to reopen Monday after storm damage
The district said power outages and cold temperatures led to water line breaks, boiler failures, broken sprinkler systems and other maintenance issues. But on Friday, Superintendent Randy Trani said the district is on track to fully reopen on Monday.
Juneau fuel companies say weather is delaying heating oil deliveries
Juneau residents who are running out of heating oil are experiencing delays in refilling their tanks. Meanwhile temperatures are in the single digits and, with wind chill, some nights it’s dipping below zero.
Omicron drives Alaska to new daily record in COVID cases
Daily case counts hit 1,843 on Wednesday.
The 750-mile Race to Alaska is back on after a 2-year pandemic hiatus
The unpowered boat race from Port Townsend, Wash., to Ketchikan will start June 13 after two years of cancellations because of pandemic-related border closures.
There’s a strong field of teams signed up for this weekend’s Copper Basin 300 sled dog race
Among 33 mushers on the roster as of Thursday night were defending fur-time champion Nicolas Petit, and fellow past CB 300 winners Martin Buser, Matt Hall and Mitch Seavey.
COVID surge in Kodiak is taking a toll on schools, high school moves online
“As an example, in one of our schools on Monday morning, we were missing a principal, the secretaries, the nurse, the day custodian and the cook,” says the superintendent.
Here’s some tips for how to get tested for COVID in Anchorage
While some drive-thru sites are reporting long wait times — sometimes stretching over two hours — there are some ways to get tested faster.
More Alaska health care workers are out sick or in quarantine as omicron hits
The head of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association says it’s unclear whether omicron will cause as many hospitalizations as delta did. But, already, it's forcing health care workers off the front lines.
Omicron wave hit Alaska this week, state health leaders say
Over the past five days, between 80% and 95% of COVID-19 cases screened by the state public health lab have had a marker associated with omicron.