Alaska expecting infrastructure funds for broadband efforts
Alaska could receive more than $1 billion from the recently passed federal infrastructure package for high-speed broadband networks, which an official with the Alaska Telecom Association said would be “transformational.”
If Sitkans keep leaving out unsecured trash, the bears will keep coming, warns Fish and Game
A domestic chicken has about as many calories as a salmon, and even a greasy pizza box is rich in calories.
12 books NPR staffers loved in 2021
Here are a handful of books that NPR staffers named as some of their favorites of the year.
As U.S. races to detect and track omicron, patchwork surveillance makes that tough
What's the U.S. doing to watch out for the omicron variant? Here's the work underway and the challenges that experts say may slow down the country's efforts.
Canadian border relaxes COVID testing rules for residents returning from short trips to the U.S.
Starting Tuesday, Canadians traveling to the U.S. for trips of three days or less will no longer need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to cross back into their home country.
COVID bills sent $1.7 billion to Alaska tribes, but distribution favored the smallest
In two major coronavirus relief bills, Congress sent Alaska tribes huge sums in direct payments. But the bounty was uneven: While the largest Alaska tribe got $6,000 per person, one tribe that reported having only three members received nearly $1 million per person.
Alaska health officials say the omicron variant is coming, but the risk is still unclear
The omicron variant of the coronavirus was first reported last week in South Africa and has already led to new waves of travel restrictions around the world. As of Monday, no cases had been detected in Alaska.
Why some researchers think the omicron variant could be the most infectious one yet
So far, scientists have limited information about omicron. But several red flags suggest that this strain of coronavirus could quickly cause surges in many parts of the world and could be the most contagious one known.
Conservative Wasilla Rep. Kurka launches bid for Alaska governor
In an announcement posted on social media, Rep. Christopher Kurka, R-Wasilla, criticized Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s health mandates issued early in the pandemic.
The U.S. restricts travel from 8 countries as omicron variant spreads
President Biden has restricted travel from eight southern African countries in an effort to slow the spread of the omicron variant.
Interior Department report calls for higher oil and gas royalties. Murkowski objects.
New report says oil companies aren't paying enough for production on federal lands.
Biden vaccine rule for health workers blocked in Alaska and 9 other states
A federal judge on Monday blocked President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on thousands of health care workers in 10 states, including Alaska, that had brought the first legal challenge against the requirement.
Wrangell to survey site of former boarding school for Native children
There are plans to redevelop the site of the former Bureau of Indian Affairs facility that was open for 43 years. But sensitivity toward the legacy of abuse and trauma and recent discoveries of graves at Canadian boarding schools have caused local officials to tread carefully before breaking ground.
You can soon register to vote in Yup’ik
The Election Assistance Commission announced on Nov. 22 that it is translating the national mail voter registration form into the Yup’ik language.
The omicron variant is cause for concern — but not panic, Biden says
President Biden said that while restrictions imposed on travelers from several nations in southern Africa would slow the variant's entry, the U.S. will eventually see cases.
Toksook Bay receives federal grant to connect all 4 Nelson Island communities
The idea is that the Nelson Island trail system would span over 50 miles, linking all four villages on the island: Tununak, Toksook Bay, Nightmute, and the newly-constructed Mertarvik. It would also connects those communities to Umkumiute, a traditional fishing location.
Senators reintroduce bill that would grant land to Alaska Native communities in Southeast
The bill would grant just over 23,000 acres of land that’s now national forest to each of the five new corporations.
With reserve fund depleted from 2018 earthquake, Anchorage’s credit rating drops
S&P Global Ratings also cited high construction labor costs and risks from climate change and future earthquakes in its decision to drop Anchorage’s credit rating.
The World Health Organization warns of very high risk posed by the omicron variant
The World Health Organization is warning that the new omicron variant of the coronavirus poses a "very high" global risk because of the possibility that it spreads more easily and might resist vaccines and immunity in people who were infected with previous strains.
Anchorage’s response to homelessness has seen some success, but there’s more to do, says exiting CSS director
Catholic Social Services Executive Director Lisa Aquino was with the organization for seven years and oversaw the Brother Francis Shelter, among other services, including a refugee resettlement program.