As school board meetings across the U.S. get hostile, some members are calling it quits
A growing number of school board members are resigning or questioning their willingness to serve as meetings have devolved into shouting contests between deeply political constituencies over how racial issues are taught, masks in schools, and COVID-19 vaccines and testing requirements.
Western Alaska residents fill buckets of late-budding salmonberries
Some possible causes for late budding in berries include more precipitation when flowers bloom, which reduces pollination, an overall lack of pollinators, or sometimes animals and birds eat the berries during the winter.
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.
Alaska lawmakers continue to feud over PFD amount, delaying this year’s dividends
The state’s Permanent Fund Dividend Division said if dividends were to be paid as normal in the first week of October, lawmakers would have until Tuesday to decide on the amount. It is not possible for both chambers to pass the funding in time.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alaska’s COVID hospitalizations hit another record high
The state health department on Wednesday reported 161 COVID-19 hospitalizations and 801 new coronavirus infections.
John Havelock, former Alaska attorney general, has died
Havelock played a role in important Alaska laws and drafted the Privacy Amendment.
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.
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.
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.