For Tongans in Alaska, a fretful wait for news after eruption and tsunami
There has been very little contact with Tonga since Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai erupted.
The Postal Service is now taking orders for COVID-19 test kits
The free at-home COVID-19 tests are expected to be delivered by USPS later this month. The White House said the site is in "beta testing" and will be launched formally Wednesday.
Before flight’s emergency landing in Bethel, boots melted and the cabin filled with smoke
“The pilot handed my granddaughter the fire extinguisher, and she didn’t know what to do with it," recounted one of the passengers.
Dave Galanin remembered as a ‘Dog’ who carved in silver, but strummed in blues
The passing of Sitkan Dave Galanin in December was a two-fold loss for Alaska: He was a renown engraver in the Northwest Coast tradition, and he was singer and slide-guitarist from somewhere deep within the Delta blues.
Skagway’s blue mussels were nearly wiped out last year
Reuben Cash says blue mussels are best served steamed with melted butter. But this year, he doubts you could find enough for a meal.
Hot dam: Beavers have gnawed their way into the Arctic, speeding permafrost thaw
Beavers are moving to the Arctic as the Alaskan tundra heats up and the beaver population rebounds after centuries of trapping. A study published in December shows the small, industrious mammal is accelerating climate change in the north.
Alaska Supreme Court hears challenge that could block ranked choice voting
"Chaos will be created by that system," says lawyer challenging the law.
On the session’s first day, Alaska lawmakers talk about working together
Last year’s session was marked by disagreements that nearly led to a partial state government shutdown, as well as differences over COVID-19 safety rules.
Alaska lawmakers face proposed salary hike, allowance limits
The Alaska State Officers Compensation Commission voted 3-1 to raise the base salary from $50,400 a year to $64,000.
For many young Anchorage students, meeting pre-pandemic reading goals is still a challenge
Many kindergarteners, first graders and second graders in Anchorage are struggling to catch up on reading skills. That’s according to data the Anchorage School Board shared at its meeting Tuesday night.
Three of Tonga’s smaller islands badly damaged by tsunami
A wider picture has begun to emerge of the destruction caused by the eruption of an undersea volcano near the Pacific archipelago nation.
Alaska Supreme Court upholds ranked choice voting and top-four primary
The ruling comes one day after the justices heard arguments in the case.
The number of Alaskan COVID deaths now tops 1,000
The state health department on Wednesday reported an additional 63 COVID deaths among Alaskans, the youngest in his 30s and the oldest in her 90s.
More than 200 planes could have the same problem that caused the Yute Commuter Service fire in Bethel, investigators say
The wiring was installed as part of a federally funded experimental safety program in Alaska that began in the late 1990s.
With voting rights bill blocked, Murkowski says ‘a good handful’ of senators are open to compromise
"Both sides are now set to cast doubt on elections if they don't win," Sen. Murkowski says.
First aid flights arrive in Tonga after massive volcanic eruption and tsunami
The eruption severed Tonga's single fiber-optic cable, rendering the Pacific archipelago offline and unable to communicate with the rest of the world. Flights brought bottled water and other supplies.
Former UAF students describe what they heard and saw in dorm in 1993 before Sophie Sergie was found dead
The former university students spoke at the trial of Steven Downs. Downs is charged with Sergie’s murder and sexual assault.
Coming soon: Everything you wanted to know about Juneau’s most popular humpbacks
“The goal of the project is basically to make a mini catalog,” says a Juneau a local whale watching guide. “[We want] to take that well over 100 whales and shrink it down to about the 20 most commonly sighted whales in Juneau.”
Anchorage Assembly indefinitely tables advisory vote on Eagle River exit
The question of whether Eagle River, Chugiak, Peters Creek and Eklutna should secede from Anchorage is off the table for the foreseeable future.
Tribes aim to ask voters for state recognition
Across the US, only 10% of Indigenous tribes with federal recognition also have recognition from their respective state governments. In Alaska, tribal members aim to change that.
Last year, they organized to collect tens of thousands signatures in support of a ballot initiative that would ask voters to decide. Supporters say the recognition opens up doors for more resources and symbolizes a respectful government-to-government relationship.