Michael Fanelli, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Michael Fanelli reported on economics and hosted the statewide morning news at Alaska Public Media.
1 dead, 1 critically injured in Ketchikan house fire
The fire broke out Sunday on Second Avenue, near the August landslide zone. Firefighters say both victims were harmed by smoke.
No longer a ‘bagel desert,’ new business is among several bringing bagels back to Anchorage
Wooden Spoons Alaska recently started selling New York-style bagels. Like her competitors in town, the owner often can't keep up with demand.
Alaska tourism industry expecting another strong year, led by cruise passengers
An Alaska tourism industry advocate expects last year’s record-breaking cruise passenger numbers to repeat in 2024.
Alaska Airlines flight attendants protest at Anchorage airport as strike vote looms
The flight attendants say many among them are living in poverty, and they’re committed to causing “chaos” unless they receive a livable wage.
Alyeska ski resort plans to build a new community complex filled with shops, condos and an ice rink
The Girdwood resort says its new workforce housing will be affordable and open to other locals, helping to address an ongoing housing shortage.
Anchorage small businesses see a strong holiday season, despite winter storm challenges
An industry advocate sees encouraging signs from holiday shopping, but says local businesses are still recovering from November’s snow storm closures.
Anchorage offers drivers free cords, timers amid call to plug cars in
Local officials say at 20 degrees or colder, drivers should plug in cars' engine heaters to reduce both carbon monoxide and wear on vehicles.
Alaska’s rising minimum wage means more to salaries than you might think
Many hourly employees already make more than minimum wage. But exempt salaried employees must be paid double that rate in Alaska.
Alaska hemp producers sue state, saying new ban on products is illegal
Alaska recently banned hemp products with intoxicating THC. The hemp industry says its products are protected under federal law.
Alaska crabbers get creative with pop-up sales, but industry’s fate uncertain
With the Bering Sea snow crab fishery closed for a second year, crabbers are trying to find ways to make up for lost income.
A Petersburg family is trying to change Alaska’s workers’ comp laws in honor of their daughter
The family wants to hold employers more accountable for negligence, which could affect thousands of Alaskans working dangerous jobs.
Eklutna Hydro Project owners’ plan would return water to most, but not all of Eklutna River
The plan would bypass the dam and send water back down 11 of 12 miles of the Eklutna River. But some want to see the river fully restored.
Report says Alaska’s labor shortage isn’t going away, and employers need to do more to retain workers
State economist says as retention becomes increasingly difficult, good employers have an advantage. And technical trades are in high demand.
New Anchorage cargo terminal could bring faster packages and industry expansion
The NorthLink Aviation facility will allow cargo carriers to unload and clear customs in Anchorage, which could grow the city’s freight business.
With new Anchorage waste center, city hopes to help residents minimize trash
The transfer station is a central point for the city’s garbage trucks and residents to dump trash, but also offers opportunities to divert landfill waste.
New AEDC president focused on making Anchorage more attractive to workers
Jenna Wright, the Anchorage Economic Development Corp.'s new head, says the city needs to become more desirable and affordable to workers.
Alaska heading toward fiscal ‘brick wall’ that could force end to PFD formula debate
Alaskans are set to receive $1,312 payouts, but the Legislature still can’t agree on how to determine that number in the long term.
Alaska rents are up 7%, the biggest increase in more than a decade
A new report from the state finds median rental costs climbed across the board, as much as 16% in one community.
A new e-waste program is recycling tons of batteries from rural Alaska
The Backhaul Alaska program collected and recycled over 145,000 pounds of lead acid batteries and other e-waste from hard-to-reach communities last year.
Mat-Su Borough welcomes Alaska’s biggest solar farm
The 8.5 megawatt solar array is expected to power about 1,400 homes, and has already begun feeding energy into the Matanuska Energy Association grid.