Adelyn Baxter, KTOO - Juneau
LISTEN: Looking back on a year of historic job loss in Alaska
Economists were expecting to see modest job growth in 2020. Instead, the state lost around 27,000 jobs.
Without tourists or in-person markets, 2020 has been hard on Alaska artists
Artists in the state are trying to adapt by moving business online. But some artists say they’re making a fraction of normal sales.
For Anchorage businesses, going online pays off during COVID-19
"The number of web orders we’re receiving right now is at least ten times the volume we have received typically in the past," Janet Gregory, who owns Over the Rainbow Toys, said about their new online platform.
2020 election reflections and boosting local civic engagement
On Dec. 14, electors in all 50 states cast their ballots for the U.S. President. On this occasion, Hometown Alaska took the opportunity to reflect on the 2020 national and state elections, the impact...
LISTEN: Alaska’s small businesses face financial winter as pandemic drags on
Jon Bittner, with the Alaska Small Business Development Center, says without a second round of relief money, businesses will continue to suffer.
UAA gymnasts, skiers and hockey players turn to philanthropy to save their sports
Back in late August, UAA's chancellor Cathy Sandeen announced a difficult financial decision: university funding for women's gymnastics, men's hockey and men's and women's skiing would be eliminated. A campus town hall to...
Landslide damage forces Juneau salmon hatchery to destroy fish
One of the largest salmon hatcheries in the state was forced to destroy thousands of fish after a landslide Wednesday damaged a pipeline that supplies its water.
‘Extra Tough’ refreshes the Northern story—past, present and future—with women’s values and sensibilities
In early November, in the midst of a pandemic, the Anchorage Museum welcomed visitors to 'Extra Tough: Women of the North." With constraints, the museum has been able to invite visitors to view the...
With winter storms on the way, avalanche forecasters in Southcentral warn of dangerous conditions through the weekend
Forecasters are warning of dangerous avalanche conditions in the mountains around Southcentral Alaska.
For pandemic Thanksgiving, a growing group of Anchorage restaurants are cooking
Amid months of uncertainty and pandemic disruptions, Anchorage restaurant owners say demand for Thanksgiving dinner to-go has been an unexpected boost for business.
Veteran lawmaker Jay Kerttula remembered as mentor, statesman and father
Alaska state flags were lowered to half-mast Friday in honor of Jalmar “Jay” Kerttula, the only state legislator to serve as both senate president and speaker of the house.
Unpacking the gift and power of women in the Alaska community
The YWCA of Alaska recently named its 31st cohort of Women of Achievement. On this edition of Hometown Alaska, we learn more about the mission and priorities of this organization as it has thrived...
Norwegian Cruise Lines unveils initial design concepts for downtown Juneau property
Last year, Norwegian Cruise Lines outbid competitors when it agreed to pay the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority $20 million for a 3-acre parcel of waterfront land in downtown Juneau. Now, Norwegian is moving forward with its development plans for the lot.
After a summer of pandemic disruptions and poor salmon runs, Alaska fishermen await more federal relief money
Government relief money has helped fishermen, and the state is finalizing a plan for how to spend another $50 million in federal dollars for the industry.
Coronavirus: Update on help for small business, renters facing eviction
National and state elections were, and continue to be, major distractions from a global pandemic that is tightening its grip around Alaska. Congress and the President have failed to agree on a supplemental CARES...
Alaska is down thousands of oil and gas jobs, as the pandemic continues to squash demand
Data from the Alaska Department of Labor show an estimated 6,900 jobs in the state’s oil and gas industry in September. That’s down from 10,000 in January.
Juneau’s hospital reports surge in kids experiencing mental health crises
Bartlett’s emergency department has treated an unprecedented number of kids experiencing high levels of stress, thoughts of self-harm and suicide attempts over the past seven months, and they say the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are to blame.
Experts say Alaskans’ willingness to mask up is key to rebuilding the economy
Until the virus is under control, experts say the state’s economy will continue to suffer.
Dr. Anne Zink offers updates, best strategies for COVID safety
It seems as if the coronavirus COVID-19 is that unwanted guest who came for a three-day visit; eight months later its still taking up space in our mental spare bedroom. Evidence of its overstay...
Alaska’s Labor department says unemployed Alaskans will finally begin seeing additional funds Friday
The program promises to pay some unemployed Alaskans an extra $300 per week for up to six weeks.