Adelyn Baxter, KTOO - Juneau
Fred Meyer, CVS, Target join list of retailers requiring face masks
A number of major retailers with locations in Alaska will soon require customers to wear face coverings in stores.
LISTEN: There are billions of dollars at stake in the 2020 Census, but Alaska response rates are low
The census is about understanding the country’s population, but it’s also about money. There are billions of federal dollars at stake. Yet, less than half of Alaskans have responded so far, with the lowest self-response rate of any other state in the country.
Attention Walmart shoppers: Face coverings will soon be required in all stores
The requirement goes into effect on Monday, July 20.
Gustavus passes local mask mandate
The city joins Anchorage, Seward, Valdez, and Cordova in requiring masks in city buildings.
As Alaskans are staycationing on public lands, the waste is getting out of hand
Lots of people generate a lot of waste, and in some areas, that trash is being left behind.
Alaska’s daily COVID-19 count surpassed 100 for the first time on Sunday
The state reported 116 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. It’s the largest single-day increase and the first time the state has seen over 100 cases in one day.
Young Alaskans and young Ugandans share COVID stories over Zoom and letters
A non profit program in Alaska that fosters inclusive community set out to link Alaska youth with Uganda youth via Zoom and letter-writing as part of an international internship.
And then COVID happened, and the...
Seasonal workers laid off by pandemic get to work improving local trails in Juneau
The Depression-era style program has already got started on trail-improvement projects around Juneau.
One small cruise line cancels Alaska sailings, others hope to salvage some of the season
American Cruise Lines canceled its season due to the recent COVID-19 spike across the nation, but some businesses are hoping that other small cruise lines can help buffer some of the loss caused by the major cruise lines' cancellations.
COVID-19: How artists and a housing agency collaborated to reduce loneliness for isolated seniors
Cook Inlet Housing Authority serves about 600 Alaska seniors in independent living situations in CIHA buildings. Most are in Anchorage, at Centennial Village and other locations, but others are in Eagle River, Kenai, Seldovia...
Skagway’s economy depends on cruise tourism. With little money coming in, the city is paying millions of dollars to residents
In Skagway, the city is distributing a large portion of its federal CARES Act funding directly to residents. City officials hope this unique action will save the town.
Juneau Fourth of July parade planner forges ahead with or without permit
After Juneau's annual parade wasn't granted a permit, one man is hoping that an alternative can take place.
LISTEN: Interest rates are low, but competition is high for home buyers in Alaska
Home prices have remained surprisingly high during the pandemic, which may be a result of fewer people moving out.
Why being civil matters: Heather Lende on surviving small-town politics
Book number four, from Heather Lende, is about why and how people in small towns find a way—usually—to remain civil to one another.
In "Of Bears and Ballots," Lende tells the stories that bubbled (sometimes...
Juneau draws inspiration from Depression-era solutions with plan to put locals to work on trails
A city proposal would put $1 million of CARES Act funding to create temporary jobs for workers who found themselves unemployed due to the pandemic.
Foragers share their passion for finding wild foods
In this time of COVID-19, I am spending a lot of time outdoors. We are surely blessed with one of the greatest systems of hiking and walking trails, and they've become my daily go-to....
LISTEN: More women, young Alaskans, among unprecedented number of unemployment filings in April
Like many other things in the past few months, Alaska Department of Labor Economist Jenna Luhrs says unemployment numbers were unprecedented.
Advocate and police union president discuss community policing
The tragic death of George Floyd beneath the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer, captured on video, has sparked national and global scrutiny and concern over how police treat people of color. That...
UA president Jim Johnsen withdraws from Wisconsin job
In a press release Friday morning, Johnsen wrote “After deep reflection as to where I am called to lead a university system through these challenging times, it is clear to me and my family that it is in Alaska.”
LISTEN: April’s job losses were huge — how long will they last?
But, unlike other periods of significant job loss in Alaska’s history, this one may be short lived.