Mayowa Aina

Hospitals are filling up as Alaska's COVID-19 surge continues. And, Alaska's proportion of fatal small aircraft accidents is growing. Plus, an unusual polar bear sighting in Kotzebue.

A comparison of mask policies from school districts around the state show the majority of districts, urban and rural, have implemented universal mask policies for the start of the school year.

While policies vary, the majority of Alaska's students will go back to school wearing masks. And, as Anchorage officials plan to increase homeless shelter capacity, some camp residents say they'd rather stay outside. Plus, an Alaska Native artist turns his grandma's stories into comic books.

The recent census shows Alaska is getting more diverse. And, with salmon scarce on the Yukon River, communities are grateful for donations from Bristol Bay. Plus, questions about alerts for elderly Alaskans who go missing.

The pilot involved in a deadly plane crash near Ketchikan last week was in another accident just weeks prior. And, the COVID-19 surge pushes some communities back into lockdown. And, parts of Alaska are seeing extra rain, but in some places it just feels that way.

While some families who tried homeschooling last year hated it, others were introduced to a more customizable format that they’d like to keep exploring.

Alaska has a new task force to capture missing DNA samples from people charged with certain crimes. And, the newest Miss WEIO hopes to be a role model for young Alaska Native women. Plus, the Anchorage mayor and school district diverge on masking.

Dueling social media posts show the leader of Alaska’s largest city and Alaska’s largest school district are at odds over masking school children.

How concerned should Alaskans be about breakthrough COVID cases? And, Bristol Bay processors donate thousands of pounds of salmon to Yukon River villages. Plus, a sci-fi author returns to the Wrangell stomping grounds that inspired him.

The search for answers continues after a flightseeing plane crashed near Ketchikan, killing 6. And, some Anchorage healthcare workers protest requirements to get a COVID vaccine. Plus, spurred by the pandemic, some Anchorage families find success with non-traditional education.