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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alaskans we’ve lost to COVID: Vladimir Khadjinov, Russian father of four
Rada Khadjinova lost her father, Vladimir Khadjinov, on Sept. 3. He was 85 years old.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Ruling allows nurse practitioners in Alaska to prescribe abortion pills
A preliminary injunction halts part of a state law that restricts who can conduct abortions.