State will pay $495,000 to two psychiatrists Dunleavy fired from API
Gov. Mike Dunleavy fired the two doctors from the Alaska Psychiatric Institute for refusing to take what they deemed a political loyalty pledge.
Alaska House cancels regular floor session after ‘large portion’ of members exposed to COVID
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, said contact tracing was ongoing and the decision was made “in an abundance of caution.”
Each row of this Kenai woman’s crochet project represents a day of COVID case data
The blanket is over 11 feet long and weighs 10 pounds. It represents more than a year of crocheting in front of the TV, watching cases spike and fall.
‘So happy’: Akiachak’s John Snyder is final musher across K300 finish line
Despite the early hour, a large crowd gathered to welcome John Snyder and his seven-dog team as he finished his race.
Firearms expert describes ‘extensively damaged’ bullet in murder of Sophie Sergie
Debra Gillis, with the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory, said the bullet she examined was too mangled to match it to guns taken from the suspect.
After winning, Juneau attorney reflects on her years-long First Amendment case
A federal judge recently ruled that Gov. Dunleavy violated the First Amendment rights of a Juneau attorney he fired on the day he was sworn into office.
Alaska governor candidate Christopher Kurka chooses Paul Hueper as running mate
Hueper made news in April when his house in Homer was raided by the FBI after investigators mistakenly identified his wife as a participant in the Capitol riot.
Alaska’s unique election year includes uncertainty about campaign contribution limits
Compared to most other states, Alaska historically had lower limits on how much an individual could give to a political candidate’s campaign. That changed last summer when a federal appeals court tossed out the state’s limit of $500 per person per year, saying it limited free speech.
More than half of teachers are looking for the exits, a new national poll says
A new poll from the nation's largest teachers union finds burnout is widespread, and more educators say they're thinking about leaving.
Why is this Tlingit totem pole in the DC suburbs? Alaska Twitter solves one man’s mystery.
In suburban Washington, D.C., stands a Tlingit totem pole. A Juneau man had to know why.
COVID-19 vaccine for young kids could be ready this month
zer-BioNTech is expected to file a submission for emergency use to the Food and Drug Administration for a vaccine regimen designed for use in children aged six months to five years.
USDA approves Alaska’s industrial hemp plan
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Alaska’s plan to promote and regulate the production of industrial hemp. The head of the Alaska Division of Agriculture says that means Alaska farmers will be able to diversify by growing a different crop that can be made into products that are increasingly in demand here and worldwide.
Coronavirus FAQ: Are pets a threat? My immunocompromised pal had COVID. Can I visit?
Each week, we answer frequently asked questions about life during the coronavirus crisis. If you have a question you'd like us to consider for a future post, email us at goatsandsoda@npr.org with the subject line: "Weekly Coronavirus Questions."
Masking becomes optional at Matanuska-Susitna Borough schools
In a letter to families on Friday, Superintendent Randy Trani said masks would be strongly urged in those cases, but no longer required.
Fantasy league brings mushing fans closer to the trail
The man who runs FantasyMushing.com has never set foot in Alaska, but the site has become a popular way for fans from around the world to follow mushing.
1 in 4 Americans say violence against the government is sometimes OK
Nearly a quarter of Americans say it's sometimes OK to use violence against the government — and 1 in 10 Americans say violence is justified "right now."
Preserving Aleutian history: collection of 1970s audio reels finds new home online
A collection of audio reels made in the Aleutian region in the 1970s was digitized and will soon be available online through the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Alaska House takes no action against Eastman for Oath Keepers membership
The Alaska House did not take action on a proposal to punish Eastman for his membership in the Oath Keepers, a far-right paramilitary organization whose leader was recently charged with seditious conspiracy for his role in the Jan. 6 riots.
Gold medalist Lydia Jacoby shares stories and laps with young Sitka swimmers
“I am inspired,” said one fan at the hour-long event “Inspired at how much faster she is than I am.”
Winter means hibernation for some — but not all — of Kodiak’s bears
By late November and into early December, they head into their dens for hibernation — but not all of them. About 30% of the Kodiak male bear population don’t den at all, according to a state biologist.