Alaska announces weekly $49,000 lottery to encourage COVID-19 vaccination
Two winners will be chosen each week until the end of October for the $49,000 prize. There will be a separate lottery for those who were vaccinated prior to Sept. 2.
Sunken scallop boat off Kodiak remains pollution hazard decades later
The wreckage of the Saint Patrick is a testament to one of Alaska’s deadliest fishing disasters. And it remains an environmental hazard today.
COVID-19 hospitalizations rise to new high in Alaska
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The number of Alaskans hospitalized with COVID-19 has risen, worrying health care providers who are facing staffing issues and fatigue and wondering when the latest wave of cases might peak.
Ida brings historic flooding to Northeast, killing more than 20 people
Record-breaking levels of rainfall in New York City, parts of New Jersey, and Pennsylvania flooded roadways and impacted travel throughout Wednesday evening into Thursday.
COVID is surging in Kenai Peninsula schools but district won’t require masks
In the week since the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District started tracking COVID-19 cases, 130 students and staff tested positive for COVID-19 while 930 others have been identified as “close contacts” of cases.
Juneau Lingít artist’s beadwork featured on Native comedy series ‘Reservation Dogs’
Lingít artist and Juneau local Kaasteen Jill Meserve recently had her beadwork featured in the Native comedy series “Reservation Dogs.” Even though there are only a handful of episodes out right now, the show is the talk of the Native community.
John Havelock, former Alaska attorney general, has died
Havelock played a role in important Alaska laws and drafted the Privacy Amendment.
Alaska’s COVID hospitalizations hit another record high
The state health department on Wednesday reported 161 COVID-19 hospitalizations and 801 new coronavirus infections.
Dispute over funds casts doubt on Alaska dividend amount
The Alaska House passed legislation Tuesday calling for a $1,100 dividend to residents but there are different interpretations as to whether much of the money that would be used for the checks is available.
Hospitals say a disaster declaration would help Alaska cope with record hospitalizations
The state hospital association wants Gov. Dunleavy to issue a disaster declaration to help ease the hospital crisis.
Alaska overdoses and deaths rise, as global pandemic overshadows state opioid epidemic
Drug overdoses in Alaska have continued to increase the past three years, and, last year, Alaska had the most opioid overdose deaths ever reported.
Anchorage Mayor Bronson revokes paid parental leave for city workers
Mayor Dave Bronson’s predecessor had granted non-unionized city employees four weeks of paid parental leave on her last day on the job. Bronson also revoked a policy allowing new parents to bring infants into the office.
UAA hockey will return to the ice in 2022 after raising $3M
UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell announced Tuesday that the hockey team is reinstated and will return for the 2022-23 season.
Record COVID-19 hospitalizations strain Alaska health system
Hospitals had a record 152 COVID-19 patients Tuesday, surpassing previous highs in December, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
Alaska House votes for $1,100 PFD but it’s not a done deal
The PFD amount still has to pass the Senate, and it could be much lower, since Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration has said one of the accounts to be used to pay dividends in the bill is empty.
Alaska Air National Guard unit helps evacuate 1,700 people from war-torn Afghanistan
The Guard’s 176th Wing provided two big C-17 cargo planes and four aircrews to help U.S. forces evacuate Americans and others from Afghanistan.
These images show just how bad Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana’s coastline
Louisiana is beginning the tough task of recovery after Hurricane Ida swept through the state's coast and caused significant damage and power outages.
Evolving COVID policies for state, Anchorage workforces leave public employees anxious
State workers are worried about catching the virus in offices with unmasked colleagues, while the Anchorage Police Department is allowing unvaccinated officers to return to work after a COVID-19 exposure — as long as they wear N95 masks and social distance when possible.
Denali Park Road landslide slumping prompts closure and search for long-term fix
Underneath a 100-yard section of road going through Polychrome Pass is a thawing rock glacier, causing the road to slump. And the rate at which it's slumping has increased in recent years, making it harder to maintain for bus traffic —the most popular way for visitors to access Denali National Park.
Immunity to COVID-19 could last longer than you’d think
So, how long does immunity last after two doses of the vaccine? Six months or so? And at that point, how much protection is left over?