Aerial image of Angoon, Alaska

Anxious for relief, rural municipalities navigate spending rules for CARES Act funds

Alaska communities have the freedom to decide how they want to spend coronavirus relief money, but following the federal guidelines hasn't been easy.
Lori Townsend talks to Jonathan King during an episode of Alaska Insight

Months after initial closures, how is Alaska’s economy faring? | Alaska Insight

Five months after state and local governments' initial COVID-19 closures, where is Alaska at in its recovery? Where are the gaps that must be filled to keep businesses and citizens whole?
An empty downtown Skagway, Alaska in a summer of no tourism.

The summer that wasn’t; Skagway businesses struggle to survive a season of no tourism

https://youtu.be/_CdxwPKmFy4 In Southeast Alaska, tourism drives the summer economy. In Skagway, it’s critical. But this year, COVID-19 means tourists are mostly non-existent in the town...
Alaska Public Media Reporter, Tegan Hanlon, interviews a nurse at Providence Hospital in Anchorage

Looking at the summer uptick in COVID-19 cases | Alaska Insight

Life has changed rapidly in Alaska with the arrival of COVID-19. On the season premiere of Alaska Insight, Lori Townsend is joined by Alaska's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anne Zink, and the medical director of the Norton Sound Health Corporation, Dr. Mark Peterson, to discuss how officials around the state are handling the recent uptick in coronavirus cases across the state.
Nurses wear PPE at Providence Hospital in Anchorage

Fighting COVID-19 at home and in Alaska’s largest hospital | Alaska Insight

The number of coronavirus infections in Alaska is growing. And as the disease continues its spread across the state, it’s impacting more and more Alaskans.

Checking in with state economists as Alaska reopens | Alaska Insight

More than a third of Alaskan workers have applied for unemployment in the last 2 months. With so many Alaskans out of work, how will small businesses survive a summer with little to no tourism? Will CARES Act funding be enough to keep small businesses going?

Two restaurants shed light on challenges facing the community of Houston, Alaska | Alaska Insight

This time of year, In the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, communities along the Parks highway are usually teeming with tourists looking to camp in...
Boats at port with mountains in the background

How the largest fishing port in the nation is responding to COVID-19 and incoming seasonal workers | Alaska Insight

As businesses across the state reopen, the Aleutian Islands community of Unalaska in the fishing port of Dutch Harbor faces the dual...

Balancing municipal budgets during COVID-19 | Alaska Insight

COVID-19 has put a strain on small Alaska communities who rely on seasonal income to stay afloat. What can and should the state do to keep municipal governments strong?

How are Alaska malls and small businesses affected by COVID-19 shutdowns? | Alaska Insight

As Alaska moves through phases of reopening its economy, retail stores in Anchorage have been open for more than three weeks now....

The challenges of distance education | Alaska Insight

In mid March, students went on spring break, but widespread concern over the coronavirus meant they could not return to their classrooms for the remainder of the spring semester.

Stabilizing Alaska’s economy after COVID-19 | Alaska Insight

Alaska lawmakers have said they need to approve the governor’s plan for sending out federal CARES act funds to Alaska businesses and communities, but are uncertain if they have to reconvene in Juneau to do so. With some of Alaska's largest industries suffering, what will lawmakers do to help stabilize Alaska's economy?

Re-opening Alaska’s economy | Alaska Insight

Governor Mike Dunleavy began allowing businesses to reopen this week after more than a month of emergency closures. What are the restrictions?

Take a break from pandemic stress with Alaska artists | Alaska Insight

Social isolation and sheltering in place have disrupted our daily lives, leaving many people anxious and stressed. Musicians and writers join us to help you decompress.
Dr. Elizabeth Bates runs through protocol with a YKHC employee at the COVID-19 drive-thru test site in Bethel.

How Bethel and other rural Alaska villages are preparing for COVID-19 | Alaska Insight

With the first case of COVID-19 confirmed in Southwest Alaska, state and tribal health officials are working to provide adequate supplies for...

Working to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in rural Alaska | Alaska Insight

Limited or no road access means many rural Alaska communities face challenges in delivering health care. With the additional strain COVID-19 is putting on local health care providers, how is rural Alaska preparing to stop the spread of coronavirus in their small, isolated communities?

The economic implications of the COVID-19 shut downs | Alaska Insight

ISER examined the negative effects of the COVID-19 on Alaska’s economy, and the numbers are stark: there are tens of thousands unemployed, and nearly 2 billion in lost state GDP. How much will federal spending help Alaskan businesses and individuals?

Alaska’s U.S. Senators discuss how the CARES Act can benefit you | Alaska Insight

The global economy is being hammered by the effects of widespread illness and business closures due to COVID-19. In response, congress has put together the largest financial relief package in history. Will it be enough to blunt the economic decline in the U.S?

What is the CARES Act and how can it help you and your small business? | Alaska Insight

Congress has now passed three coronavirus response bills that President Trump has signed, each bigger than the last. The largest and most far-reaching is...

Keeping kids learning during the coronavirus pandemic | Alaska Insight

With a national and state emergency declared to slow the spread of coronavirus, school districts across Alaska are dealing with extended spring breaks and uncertainty surrounding the remainder of the school year. What are the options for distance education in a state with low or no internet connection in some areas?