‘Zombie wildfires’ appear to be increasing in the Arctic
A recent study conducted by UAF and another university in Amsterdam, points to more than 40 overwintering wildfires reported in Alaska since 2005. Climate change is suspected to be a key factor.
Alaska reports increase in drug-related overdoses
Health officials said Alaska has been experiencing a significant increase in opioid-related overdoses since March, with last week being one of the worst in the state.
Legendary Alaska pilot and homesteader Urban Rahoi dies at 102
Best known as a pilot, Rahoi also worked as a hunting guide and real estate developer, remaining physically and mentally fit for more than a century before dying at age 102.
Popular Anchorage YouTuber NuttyNu finds his voice with raw portrayals of his hometown
Nu Xiong, aka NuttyNu recently revealed in one of his YouTube videos that he has a neurological disorder. It hasn’t slowed him down.
Dunbar concedes in race for Anchorage mayor
East Anchorage Assembly member Forrest Dunbar conceded to retired commercial pilot Dave Bronson in the race for Anchorage mayor Friday night.
Anchorage to close shelter at Sullivan Arena with plans to buy former Alaska Club
But there’s big uncertainty in the plan: The city has entered into a contract to buy the former Alaska Club building on Tudor Road, however it will not close on the agreement until July 9, when a new mayor will be in charge.
Pandemic rent relief program received applications for about 1 in every 10 Alaskans
The first phase of the federally funded program is expected to send almost a quarter of a billion dollars to landlords and utilities.
Alaska Senate approves funding for 500-mile hiking trail from Seward to Fairbanks
The Alaska Long Trail would be modeled after other long trails in the country, like the Appalachian Trail on the East Coast.
State to launch mobile platform for Alaskans to show they’re vaccinated
Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has said his administration won’t require vaccine passports. But it is nonetheless getting ready to launch an online platform that Alaskans can use to look up and display their COVID-19 vaccination records.
New rules allow cruises in Alaska. Here’s why the season will still be slow.
Carnival, Holland America and Princess are sending one ship each to ply Alaska waters this summer.
How will a conservative mayor and progressive Assembly work in Anchorage?
The bulk of Dave Bronson’s campaign has centered on undoing the work of the Anchorage Assembly over the last year. Bronson's now on track to become the city's next mayor, and will be partnered with the majority-progressive Assembly to govern Anchorage.
Alaska sees sharp spike in coronavirus cases stemming from B.1.1.7 variant
CDC officials predicted months ago that B.1.1.7 would become the primary strain of the virus by March, and it’s now responsible for most of the country’s cases.
The CDC is gambling on relaxed mask rules to get more people vaccinated
Fully vaccinated people got the green light last week to resume much of their lives without masks. Behavioral experts say it's an incentive to get more people vaccinated, but it's far from a sure bet.
How an Alaska fiber mill survived the pandemic, despite plummeting sales and low supply
Kate Wattum began operating her fiber mill business in Fairbanks in 2016. But it wasn't until 2020 that she felt like she'd hit her stride, turning raw animal fibers into yarn. Then came the pandemic.
Anchorage businesses face fraught decisions after mask mandate is lifted
Around Anchorage, businesses are facing similar in deciding what mask policies to set, balancing factors like the size of their shops, customer preferences and pandemic fatigue. For each business, the calculation is different: some rushed to lift the mask requirements, while others are keeping them in full force.
Alaska’s regular legislative session ends without final budget or PFD amount
Under a version of the state budget approved by the Senate Wednesday, Alaskans would get PFD checks of about $2,300. But, critics say it’s way too much money to draw from the fund’s earnings reserve.
‘I saw him and he saw me at the same time’: Alaska man recounts bear mauling near Glennallen
“He took a small bite and then he took a second bite, and the second bite is the one that broke the bones … and crushed my right cheek basically,” said Allen Minish.
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy launches new tourism ads featuring outdated COVID vaccination data
Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has launched a national ad campaign promoting a post-pandemic revival of Alaska’s tourism industry. But the campaign relies on outdated data that claims the state’s COVID-19 vaccination rate is higher than it currently is.
Anchorage engineer plans to recycle ocean garbage into plastic lumber
Patrick Simpson wants to build a mobile plastics recycler that could produce lumber in coastal Alaska
New COVID case numbers on Alaska’s Panhandle lead state and country
According to state data, the southern panhandle — including Ketchikan, Metlakatla and Prince of Wales Island — has the highest population-adjusted rate of new cases in the state. New infections are appearing at a rate three times higher than any other region in Alaska.