Tag: coronavirus

A musher sleds below a spruce tree covered mountain. Dogs are in orange vests

Race officials say the 2021 Iditarod is still on

The Iditarod says it will work with an infectious disease epidemiologist to develop a plan for holding the 1,000-mile race during the coronavirus.
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline is seen running alongside the Dalton Highway, next to a small mountain.

After plummeting this spring, low oil prices show no signs of rising. What does that mean for Alaska?

As impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic linger around the world, it's unclear if or when prices will be high again.
a woman standing in front of a building

LISTEN: Anchorage schools superintendent talks challenges of educating during a pandemic

We're asking experts and local leaders what they’ve learned in the past six months of the coronavirus pandemic, and that includes Dr. Deena Bishop, superintendent of the Anchorage School District, the largest school district in the state.
A line graph shows historical jobless rates by race in Alaska

LISTEN: What can history tell us about which Alaskans face the greatest barriers to employment?

Nationally, Black and Asian Americans are facing a much greater increase in the unemployment rate, compared to white Americans.
A woman in a white suit holds a blue surgical mask.

After 9 people are infected, Juneau urges all bar-goers to get tested

Juneau officials say that anyone who has been in any Juneau bar over the last week should get tested for COVID-19.
Voters mark their ballots in a long hallway

New suit says Alaska’s absentee ballot witness law is unconstitutional during the pandemic

Civil rights groups are challenging the Alaska state law that absentee ballots be signed by a witness, saying it's an unconstitutional burden on voting rights during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A worker dressed in black leaves thebeige double doors of a grey building. In the foreground, a sign reads "at capacity"

COVID-19 outbreak among Anchorage’s homeless points to gaps in testing strategy

Experts say the lack of a national testing strategy has led to unnecessary deaths of people experiencing homelessness.

State health officials prepare for COVID-19 vaccine in coming months, despite ‘unlikely’ timeline

The federal government says states should prepare for a vaccine to be available by the end of October but top advisors say that timeline is 'extremely unlikely.'
A sign in front of a beige entry way behind grey steps reads Attention, we have reached Capacity"

12 COVID-19 cases reported at Anchorage’s largest shelter

Managers of the emergency mass shelter at the Sullivan Arena say that they were able to isolate the cases quickly.
A boxy red and gray building

City reports one death from Brother Francis outbreak

The outbreak that started at the shelter has infected 89 people, and resulted in at least one death.

For Alaska’s rural children, distance learning exposes gaps in internet equity

https://youtu.be/L_Z4Hm3JRX4 The new school year is underway in Alaska and the majority of the state's students are attending school online. While online education is a...
Lori Townsend Speaks with school district personnel about how they are keeping kids safe during the new school year in the COVID-19 pandemic.

How districts are working to meet distance education needs in rural Alaska | Alaska Insight

Most schools are underway across the state. Do rural students have better options for online instruction now than they had in the spring?

Anchorage high school sports OK’d to tackle games next week

That applies to cross country, swimming, diving, tennis, volleyball, gymnastics, football, flag football and cheerleading.
An arch in the snow made from giant whale ribs

As COVID-19 spikes on North Slope, mayor orders Utqiagvik to hunker down

As cases of COVID-19 spike in Alaska's North Slope Borough, Mayor Harry Brower has issued a two-week "hunker down" order and mask mandate for the region's hub town, Utqiaġvik.
a sign says "We accept Quest/EBT cards"

After troubled rollout, state extends deadline for new food aid program for Alaska children

Under the pandemic-EBT program, tens of thousands of Alaska school-aged children are eligible for hundreds of dollars to help pay for groceries.
An empty hallway with a long corkboard on the wall that's empty as well

Cluster of COVID-19 cases closes three schools in Mat-Su School District

Students at those schools will be learning online while the schools are sanitized and a contact tracing investigation begins.
A sidewalk entryway into a teal school entrance

Increasing COVID-19 cases push Fairbanks school district into red zone

State red zone guidelines include distance learning and cancellation of all in-person school activities, with sports practices limited to those where 10-foot social distancing can be maintained.
Words on a building red building that say "Brother Francis Shelter. 1021 E. 3rd Ave."

City is ‘cautiously optimistic’ it has a handle on COVID-19 outbreak at Anchorage shelter

Municipal Manager Bill Falsey says that, so far, test results don't indicate widespread COVID-19 infection at Anchorage shelters outside of Brother Francis.
A person takes the temperature of another person in front of a shelter.

Anchorage embarks on widespread testing effort as COVID-19 outbreak at shelter grows

The number of infections linked to the Brother Francis Shelter grew to 68 by Friday afternoon.
A front counter with signs about COVID-19

After four-week “reset,” Anchorage opens bars, restaurants to indoor dining

After a four week “reset,” in an attempt to curb the surge of COVID-19 cases, the Municipality of Anchorage is once again loosening restrictions on businesses.