News

All news stories, regardless of topic (local, statewide + national news stories, as well as Talk of Alaska, Alaska News Nightly, Alaska Insight, Alaska Economic Report). Some news stories may also have other categories marked, which will also put them on a subpage. Not all news stories will fall into a subpage.

a man poses for a portrait in a city area

Former Anchorage chief equity officer is suing the Bronson administration for wrongful termination

In a legal complaint filed Tuesday, Clifford Armstrong alleges that Mayor Bronson fired him in a manner that went against municipal code.
A giant brown bear paw.

Sitka committee wants to bring back bear task force after deadly season for brown bears

Thirteen brown bears have been killed in Sitka — 12 by wildlife authorities and one by a car.
A road has a giant hole through the center of it.

After smashing records and destroying roads, rain continues to fall in Girdwood

By Monday morning, just under 14 inches of rain had fallen in three days in Girdwood — the most rain since the National Weather service started keeping track in the ski town, in 1955.
a person gives a thumbs up

Anchorage School District prepares to offer COVID vaccine to kids ages 5 and up as early as Wednesday

The Anchorage School District is preparing to offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to students ages 5 and up as soon as its federally approved.
Man in a suit on a state with a microphone

Anchorage mayor speaks at conference of COVID vaccine skeptics

Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson spoke alongside prominent national vaccine skeptics and proponents of unproven COVID-19 treatments at an Anchorage church over the weekend. The mayor's involvement in organizing the conference was unclear, though speakers implied he'd been central in helping organize the event.
A map shows in graphics which marine mammals have had toxin levels show up in research.

Scientists report an increase in harmful algal blooms in the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas

The blooms carry toxins, but scientists aren’t yet sure what impact they will have on marine mammals.
Totem poles stand in front of a beige building

A Bristol Bay health exec fired for suggesting COVID conspiracy theory is now leading Ketchikan’s tribal clinic

A Bristol Bay health executive fired last year after suggesting the coronavirus was a political conspiracy is now running Ketchikan’s tribal health clinic. Tribal officials say they have full confidence in the seasoned executive.
A cartoon drawing of a persons head looking at germs with clocks on them.

COVID’s endgame: Scientists have a clue about where SARS-CoV-2 is headed

Pandemic predictions have been made — and then things would change. But based on models and studies (including a 1980s test that squirted virus up human noses), researchers have a new endgame thesis.
Close up shot of a woman with dark hair and eyeglasses looking into the distance

Alaska’s top doc calls out COVID misinformation, calls for understanding and unity

Dr. Anne Zink recently wrote an editorial in The Washington Post reflecting on many issues around the pandemic. In part of the piece, Zink writes about treating an unvaccinated patient struggling with COVID-19 who had spent hundreds of dollars on unproven, online remedies that didn't help.
pipeline

Rise in oil prices could add $1.2B in state revenue for Alaska, preliminary forecast says

While the state forecast in March that oil would average $61 per barrel this year, the update forecasts it at $81.31.
a small vial sits on a table

Alaska sues to challenge Biden’s COVID vaccine mandate for federal contractors

Ten states have filed a legal challenge, claiming the mandate violates state laws.
A profile shot of a building.

Bethel will host Alaska’s only licensed practical nursing certificate program

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for health care workers in rural areas. A quick search on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation website shows 25 job openings for licensed practical nurses in Bethel alone.
People in aders in a large river fishing with poles

Soldotna seeks to create new ‘main street’ along Kenai River

Currently, there is no road or trail that offers developed public access or views of the Kenai River between the highway bridge and state-owned land.
Television show host talks to guest via Zoom on set.

Redistricting is underway in Alaska. But who gets to decide where the lines fall? | Alaska Insight

Redistricting is a lengthy process that takes place every ten years. Various draft proposals have already come under fire. Will the redistricting board be able to avoid litigation this time around?
A child gets a shot while a woman holds his hand.

FDA authorizes use of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds

The next step in the process before the vaccine can be released to pediatricians, pharmacies and other distribution points will be a meeting of an advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention next Tuesday.
Scrabble tiles spelling Mental Health

Line One: ‘Why do I feel this way?’ When and how to seek mental health services

In Alaska, the overwhelming need for mental health resources is growing, but the capacity for care is stretched thin.
people in wooden desks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives

Alaska Legislature breaks record for days in session, with frustration rising to the surface

The Alaska Legislature set a record on Thursday for the number of days that it’s been in session in a year — 212. But that doesn’t mean lawmakers have been in the Capitol lately. There’s an impasse on what changes should be made to balance the state’s budget in the long term. 

Eating disorders are on the rise in Alaska, but local resources are scarce

The number of Americans with eating disorders has skyrocketed during the pandemic. Alaska does not have enough resources to help them.
The Anchorage Assembly chambers at the Z. J. Loussac Public Library in Anchorage.

Anchorage Assembly declines to confirm real estate director connected to whistleblower complaint

The Anchorage Assembly has voted against confirming Mayor Dave Bronson’s pick for real estate director.

Redistricting could reshape the Alaska Legislature. Here’s how.

Every ten years, a State board redraws the boundaries of Alaska’s legislative districts. The process is long and technical, but there’s a lot at stake. It can determine which party controls the state legislature. Alaska Public Media’s Annie Feidt explains.