LISTEN: Salvaging a summer cruise season
After a canceled 2020 season, Cruise ships will return to Alaska later this summer. How will communities balance pandemic safety with the pressing need for economic recovery?
Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, May 27, 2021
With a new agreement, Alaska’s port towns are a step closer to welcoming back big cruise ships. And, two Anchorage organizations, including a Jewish museum, find swastika stickers on their buildings. Plus, a high school wrestler from Haines wins back to back state championships.
Travel School #4: Homeward bound
On thi next Outdoor Explorer, we will have the last of the series Travel School with Jodi Harskamp and Neal Stanbury and their children, Tui and Leif. The last time we checked in they were visiting the parks of Florida. Unexpectedly, Jodi gets called back to work and the homeward bound journey begins.
Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Alaska legislators debate the pros and cons of overspending from the state's Permanent Fund. And, after nearly dying when his boat capsized, a fisherman passes away from cancer just a few months later. Plus, an audit of Anchorage municipal employees' spending finds some … questionable purchases.
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Sen. Murkowski says she supports a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. And, kids in Juneau share their reasons for getting vaccinated. Plus, Anchorage residents could have a clear view of the ‘super flower blood moon.’
Alaska News Nightly: Monday, May 24, 2021
Anchorage mayor-elect Dave Bronson says he wants to find efficiencies when he takes office July 1. And Ketchikan's COVID-19 case rate could cause cruise ships to pass on by. Plus, Anchorage's airport ranks 4th in the world for air cargo and has big plans for the future.
LISTEN: Gray divorce — causes, consequences and prevention
Co-authors and therapists Carol Hughes and Bruce Fredenberg discuss their book, "Home Will Never Be The Same Again," and shares tips and tools to help families navigate later in life separation.
LISTEN: What will it take for Alaska to return to normal after the pandemic?
Nearly 50 percent of Alaskans are now fully vaccinated. What does this mean for what people can do in public, while traveling and when visiting businesses? And what are the plans for convincing more Alaskans to get the shot to protect those with vulnerable immune systems?
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, May 21, 2021
Congress passes a bill that could allow cruise ships to return to Alaska ports this summer. And lawmakers wrap up the regular session without solving the big issues. Plus, state health officials report a sharp increase in a more contagious and severe strain of COVID
Book love: Updates from Alaska Center for the Book and Anchorage Reads
Host Kathleen McCoy talks with founders of the Alaska Center for the Book and a librarian about community programs to promote reading.
State of Art: FORUM magazine casts a wide net to showcase Alaska culture in their spring 2021 issue
This week on State of Art we're learning about FORUM magazine, a quarterly publication from the Alaska Humanities Forum. The spring 2021 issue is out now and features stories ranging from dogsledding in Denali to a toolkit for reader-lead discussions.
State of Art: Forget your troubles with this sci-fi comedy from Anchorage Community Theater
This week on State of Art we're learning about Anchorage Community Theater's current production "Shaula: Queen of the Universe." The play can be seen live from May 14 to May 30 and streamed from May 21 to to the end of the production.
Steep job losses in Alaska plus historic federal aid led to a ‘very different recession’ in 2020
As federal aid poured in, personal income in Alaska actually rose in 2020.
Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, May 20, 2021
Congress passes a bill that could allow cruise ships to return to Alaska ports this summer. And lawmakers wrap up the regular session without solving the big issues. Plus, state health officials report a sharp increase in a more contagious and severe strain of COVID
How an Alaska fiber mill survived the pandemic, despite plummeting sales and low supply
Kate Wattum began operating her fiber mill business in Fairbanks in 2016. But it wasn't until 2020 that she felt like she'd hit her stride, turning raw animal fibers into yarn. Then came the pandemic.
Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Anchorage business owners and residents react to easing COVID restrictions. And one bright spot during the pandemic for the seafood industry was online sales. Plus, the pandemic contributed to a surge in demand for backyard chickens in Alaska.
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, May 18, 2021
The Biden administration offers a bit of hope for advocates of the King Cove Road. And Southeast communities test out electric heat pumps, with mixed results. Plus, a 17-year-old swimming phenom from Seward prepares for Olympic trials.
Alaska News Nightly: Monday, May 17, 2021
How Anchorage took a sharp turn towards conservative politics with the mayoral election, the mental health crisis a Juneau hospital confronted along with COVID-19, and two companies want to tap into geothermal power from Mount Spurr.
Cannery workers document the Chinese history of Alaska’s fishing industry
Chinese immigrants arrived before statehood and helped grow Alaska's wild salmon industry into the international, multi-billion-dollar economy that it is today.
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, May 14, 2021
The Anchorage School District is apologizing after students were prevented from wearing cultural regalia to their graduations. And, travelers planning trips to Alaska this summer are finding it difficult - and expensive - to rent a car. Plus, band kids in Wrangell play together again for the first time in over a year.