Long-serving Alaska magistrate is fired after writing letter to the editor criticizing Republican Party
Seward Magistrate George Peck, the longest serving magistrate in Alaska, is no longer on the bench after writing letters to the editor critical of the Republican Party.
How to get insurance to pay for at-home COVID tests, according to the White House
The Biden administration says Americans should be able to order COVID tests online later this month.
Alaska gains residents for the first time in four years
“It was just 0.1 percent,” said David Howell, the state demographer. “But still, it broke our trend of population losses that we’ve been seeing.”
As COVID cases skyrocket, Alaska health officials closely watch hospitalizations, staffing
In the last week, the coronavirus’s omicron variant has pushed Alaska’s daily case counts higher than the fall delta variant surge and sidelined health care workers at an alarming rate.
Anchorage residents are still waiting out long lines at COVID test sites
The health department promised more test sites by Monday, but so far hours and locations haven’t increased forcing people to burn up sick leave and wait for up to 3 hours for a test.
After 33 years, Fish Radio’s Laine Welch hangs up her mic
Laine Welch served as host of Alaska Fish Radio for more than three decades, bringing news and perspectives on the fishing industry to listeners around the state.
U.S. COVID hospitalizations hit new record high, raising risks for patients
There are more patients and, in some places, not enough health care workers to go around. Research shows the crowding will impact care and increase mortality for all patients.
State investigation finds Anchorage corrections officers used excessive force in 2017 pepper spray incident
The incident took place more than four years ago, and investigators say the state corrections department still hasn’t made adequate changes to prevent similar incidents.
No injuries after two buildings’ roofs collapse in Juneau
The roofs of at least two buildings in Juneau have failed, apparently due to heavy snow loads. Emergency responders confirmed both buildings were vacant.
Swarm of earthquakes, some strong, hits off Alaska’s Aleutian Islands
Natalia Ruppert, a seismologist at the Alaska Earthquake Center, said it was a “very unusual, very energetic swarm of earthquakes.”
‘A long time coming’: Brent Sass bags first Copper Basin 300 win in 10 tries
Despite temperatures down to 60 below in this year's Copper Basin 300, Sass says it was a smooth race.
Anchorage ER doctor says omicron presents a whole new set of challenges
While those infected with omicron tend to have milder symptoms, the sheer number of cases — more now than at any previous time in the pandemic — means hospitals are bracing for an influx of sick patients needing specialized care.
Americans are tuning out as omicron rages. Experts call for health messaging to adapt.
Amid a surge in omicron cases and hospitalizations, public health is grappling with how to get a tuned out public to pay attention. Experts urge communicators to cut through the noise.
Bristol Bay sings for slavii, but celebrations look different this year
Slavii is a Russian Orthodox tradition in what’s now Ukraine, but it has a long history in communities around the state, including Bristol Bay.
Yakutat declares disaster emergency, citing an imminent threat of roofs collapsing
Borough Manager Jon Erickson said Yakutat has gotten about 6 feet of snow over the past few weeks, causing intermittent power outages, damage to buildings and school closures.
Alaska reports daily COVID records as Anchorage hospitals feel pinch of omicron
An official from the Alaska Native Medical Center said the hospital is “very, very close” to declaring crisis standards of care.
Former head of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. claims firing was politically motivated
Angela Rodell, the former head of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., claims her firing was “political retribution” by board members appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Musher Ryan Redington’s dogs still recovering after hit by snowmachine in Wisconsin
On Saturday night, Redington said he was mushing his team on the trail when he saw a snowmachine barreling toward him at a high speed.
Mask debates, staff shortages stress Anchorage teachers as omicron spreads
School districts around the country are debating mask mandates, COVID testing requirements, and whether schools should move to remote learning as omicron spreads. In Anchorage, student and staff absences are increasing, and teachers are frustrated.
Grocery store shortages are back. Here are some of the reasons why
Bare shelves at supermarkets are attributed to omicron, a labor shortage, climate change and other reasons. "We're really seeing the perfect storm," one industry expert told NPR.