Anchorage School District Superintendent Deena Bishop will step down next year
Bishop announced her retirement in a letter to the Anchorage School Board on Tuesday.
Man arrested after reports of an active shooter sent Kake into lockdown
The community of Kake was on lockdown Tuesday morning following reports of an active shooter who began firing a weapon in the early hours of the morning. Now authorities confirm that a suspect, 48-year-old Keith Nelson of Kake, has been arrested and flown off the island.
Bronson administration says the plan to close the Sullivan Arena shelter and set up smaller sites is still on track
A plan to set up several smaller shelters around town and move out of the Sullivan Arena is still on track despite the mayor recently losing two key members that helped develop the plan.
What’s that reddish color on Wrangell’s petroglyphs?
A beach on the northern tip of Wrangell Island in Southeast Alaska is home to rock carvings estimated to be at least 8,000 years old — petroglyphs made by the ancestors of Wrangell’s Lingít people. Recently, one of the larger petroglyphs seemed to change color. And that ignited some debate in town. Was it vandalism or a naturally-occurring reddening?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.