Alaska executives, employers wrestle with whether to mandate, incentivize or encourage COVID-19 shots
A dilemma over workplace vaccine mandates and incentives is playing out across Alaska, where employers are grappling with the balance between ensuring safe workplaces and workers’ rights to make their own medical decisions.
Yup’ik engineers team up to build Yugtun language learning apps
Two Yup’ik engineers are trying to push the Yugtun language into the future using technology. Their latest project opens the door for Yugtun autocorrect, grammar checkers and automatic subtitles on Yup’ik videos.
Senators unveil bill to extend, limit Alaska disaster declaration as deadline for food aid looms
Some Alaska state senators are aiming to pass a bill that would extend Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s disaster declaration, but with more limited powers than were in place until mid-February in order to continue providing food aid and assist in other COVID-19 response areas.
You’re vaccinated for COVID-19. Now what can you do?
Alaska doctors share tips for navigating indoor gatherings, going out to dinner, traveling and more.
Election update: Anchorage school board race tightens
The Anchorage school board race between Kelly Lessens and Judy Eledge has narrowed to less than 100 votes, with Lessens narrowly holding onto the lead Monday.
Interior Department chooses Native woman for top Alaska advisor
Interior today named Raina Thiele, a veteran of the Obama White House, to be top advisor on Alaska issues
Bering Sea fishermen likely had COVID-19 and still went to Unalaska bar. Now, locals have to quarantine.
The fishermen came from a vessel where COVID-19 cases were suspected, but still visited Unalaska's popular Norwegian Rat Saloon during Saturday's margarita and taco night.
Anchorage mayor loosens pandemic restrictions, plus adds incentive to get vaccinated
Embedded in the new emergency order is an incentive to get a COVID-19 vaccine: once 70% of eligible Anchorage residents are vaccinated, the restrictions become merely an “advisory” instead of law.
For newly minted Iñupiaq doctoral graduate, opening doors for more Native scholars remains vital
The process of earning a doctorate takes a lot of time and work. And for one Iñupiaq woman, hearing the words doctor next to her name was emotional: Her response to passing her dissertation defense went viral this month after hundreds of thousands of people watched her reaction.
‘Green bank’ for sustainable energy projects finds favor with Dunleavy and Young
Gov. Mike Dunleavy recently introduced a bill to create a state "green bank," which would give finance renewable energy projects in Alaska.
Gov. Dunleavy announces national Alaska tourism ad campaign to counter ‘death grapple’ with CDC
The CDC’s position is just one federal issue that could prevent cruise ships from coming to Alaska. Another is a federal law that requires cruise ships headed to Alaska to stop in Canada, which won’t allow stops until next year.
Denali Park glacier surging 65 feet a day, threatening summit route
The Muldrow Glacier on the north side of Denali National Park is advancing at 100 times its normal rate.
Anchorage acting mayor seeks emergency order extension
Currently, the emergency proclamation includes gathering-size restrictions, social distancing requirements in restaurants, bars and other businesses, health restrictions for some sports teams and a citywide mask mandate and would expire at the end of this week.
How the pandemic has further strained recovery resources | Alaska Insight
has consumed the attention of many of us over the past year, but another killer has continued to claim lives. Overdose deaths are on the rise, and the need for substance abuse resources in Alaska is pressing. How have recovery programs around the state adjusted their services to meet the demand?
Extra marks on ballots held up tabulating on Anchorage’s Election Night
Results in the Anchorage election came in slowly this year. Last year the elections center got through more than half the ballots the first night, but by Tuesday night, less than a fifth of the total ballots that had been received were tabulated. On Wednesday evening, the clerk’s office explained the early reports were held up by some unusually marked ballots.
Dunleavy’s $70m cut to UA could cost the state $130m in federal pandemic funds
The American Rescue Plan has a lot of money for schools. But Alaska may not be able to collect its full share, due to pre-pandemic cuts to the university.
Cases are rising again, but Alaska’s rate of vaccination is slowing
Anchorage COVID-19 vaccinations are starting to plateau, while case numbers are rising. And that has the city’s epidemiologist worried.
Hilcorp ordered to replace gas pipeline with history of leaks
The last time the pipe leaked, in 2017, Hilcorp didn’t complete repairs for three months, citing danger from ice in the inlet. Sea ice is again a problem.
ASD superintendent and former governor among 8 finalists to lead University of Alaska Anchorage
The three Alaskans in the running to serve as leader of the state’s largest university are Anchorage School District Superintendent Deena Bishop, former Gov. Sean Parnell and Pearl Brower, former president of Iḷisaġvik College in Utqiaġvik.
Arctic air hitting Anchorage ‘like a freight train,’ with -25 F wind chill
Unseasonably cold air swept into Alaska’s largest city Thursday, and forecasters expect it to stay through the weekend.