Most Alaskans who died of COVID had at least one underlying medical condition, state report says
Of the 551 individuals for which past medical history was known, 529 “had at least one underlying medical condition associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19,” the report said.
Two Alaska soldiers found dead, foul play not suspected, investigators say
Two Alaska-based soldiers were found dead separately in recent days.
Police chief retirement and budget vetoes mark latest shakeup in Anchorage politics
Turbulence in Anchorage’s city politics continued Tuesday with the chief of police announcing his retirement and the mayor vetoing most of the changes the Assembly made to the city’s budget last week.
DNA matches body to Alaska man last seen alive in 1979
The remains of a man found on Fire Island just west of Anchorage in 1989 have been identified through DNA and genome sequencing, Alaska State Troopers said Wednesday.
Two weeks into job, Anchorage’s new homelessness director is mum on plans
Dave D’Amato has suggested using private security to police homeless camps, and has said that donating to social service nonprofits perpetuates homelessness, among other controversial views.
Berries, wildlife and toxic land: The continuing push to clean up contamination in rural Alaska
When a string of Yup'ik elders from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, all received the same cancer diagnoses, officials initially shrugged it off as a bizarre medical mystery. But not long after, a different village reported an increase in unusual cancer symptoms as well.
Indigenous metal band riffs on issues affecting Native people
The song titles grab your attention, but guitarist Jacob Tix̂lax̂ Stepetin says the point is to create an opportunity to talk about Indigenous issues.
The first U.S. case of the omicron variant has now been reported
A case in California marks omicron's arrival in the U.S. Cases have been found in more than 20 countries around the world, less than a week after the worrying new variant was first identified.
Anchorage Police Chief Ken McCoy says he’ll retire in February
In a statement Tuesday evening, McCoy said his decision came after "much reflection and thoughtful consideration," but he did not provide a specific reason for retiring less than a year after he was named police chief.
Anchorage mayor vetoes most of the Assembly’s budget changes
Bronson cut nearly all of the additions the Anchorage Assembly had agreed to last week when it unanimously passed the spending plan.
Alaskans should be vigilant, not overwhelmed, with likely arrival of omicron variant, Zink says
As Alaska virus hunters look for sings of omicron in the state, Alaska's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink says overcoming coronavirus fatigue is more important than ever.
Anchorage’s iconic holiday star shines on again after avalanche prompts repairs
Since Friday, airmen have worked to repair the star that’s located about 4,000 feet up Mount Gordon Lyon. They’ve contended with wind chills below zero degrees and snowy skies to get all 350 light bulbs replaced.
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.
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.
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.