Tag: coronavirus

Why does a barrel of Alaska oil cost less than a pizza?

Economists at the state’s Department of Revenue were working to identify what drove the price down and what they could expect going forward.

Alaska’s request for medical supplies from the feds fell short, now it’s on the hunt for more as COVID-19 cases grow

Meanwhile, the number of Alaskans diagnosed with COVID-19 cases continues to steadily grow, and a seventh Alaskan has died.

New unemployment benefits are here, but laid-off workers are having trouble getting applications processed

Workers have reported weeks-long delays in getting unemployment insurance claims processed, but state officials say they've been working overtime to process the record number of applications.

Togiak’s herring buyer says floating processor will have “zero impact” on community

Icicle Seafoods says its floating processor will ensure that crew don't interact in the community and inadvertently spread the coronavirus.

Testing ramps up in rural Alaska, but is it enough?

Ravn Air's bankruptcy and travel restrictions are among the challenges health workers face in getting tests done in rural communities.

From conventions to quarantines: Juneau’s Centennial Hall gets repurposed

The convention center will be used to house people who need to quarantine but don't have the space of their own.

LISTEN: Anchorage meal program seeks to feed hungry, including some recently out of work

With more people needing help feeding their children and themselves, Children’s Lunchbox has launched a new initiative to raise money for what they call “pantry packs.”
An aerial view of one of the exploration pads and wells that ConocoPhillips drilled during the 2018 exploration season at its Willow prospect.

ConocoPhillips shuts down North Slope drilling over coronavirus concerns

The impacts of the coronavirus continue to reverberate across Alaska, including its oil fields.

PHOTOS: A quiet Anchorage in the time of social distancing

Parks are cordoned off, essential workers wear personal protective gear, and the streets are quiet as Anchorage adjusts to the recent social distancing and hunker down orders due to the coronavirus.

Alaska seed companies are overwhelmed as people panic-buy for pandemic gardens

A small seed company in Juneau says that people seem to be buying more seeds than they could ever need.

LISTEN: How Alaska’s non-profits are feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Alaska’s economy and it's businesses are facing great uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And the non-profit industry is no exception.

State requests providers delay elective abortions because of COVID-19 pandemic

State officials put out a list on Tuesday that clarifies which procedures are classified as “elective” and guidance on how long they could be delayed, ranging from weeks to months. Abortion is on that list.

With employees in quarantine after first regional COVID case, Lower Kuskokwim schools tighten protocols

The Lower-Kuskokwim school district is tightening protocols after the region's first positive COVID case.
three white quonset huts sit on a dirt road

Donlin Gold suspends drilling program, moves employees from work camp

This year was supposed to be Donlin's biggest drilling program in over a decade.

LISTEN: Petersburg mom lost her sense of smell. Days later, she tested positive for COVID-19

For Megan Litster, the only symptom was a loss of her sense of smell.

Carriers scramble to fill void left by Ravn bankruptcy

Alaska Air and other carriers are working with the Department of Transportation to ensure that communities around the state continue to receive air service after Ravn's decision to shut down operations.

Alaska attorney general says borough’s bid to seize Ravn’s assets is “counterproductive” and “void”

Attorney General Kevin Clarkson says the North Slope Borough's order seizing RavnAir Group's property is “counterproductive” and complicating the company's ongoing bankruptcy proceedings and could jeopardize investment to help establish substitute service and pay money owed to company employees that were laid off.

Alaska’s largest private employer, ASRC, cuts jobs after coronavirus causes oil price collapse

Alaska’s largest private-sector employer, Arctic Slope Regional Corp., has laid off employees and cut charitable giving due to the collapse in oil prices and the economic shutdown caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.

Dunleavy vetoes millions in programs, but says federal stimulus funds will make up for most cuts

The vetoes include $31 million to Medicaid, $15.5 million to the Alaska Marine Highway System, $4.3 million to pre-kindergarten grants, and others.
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LISTEN: Ketchikan resident describes recovering from COVID-19

Even after being cleared by health officials, Russell Wodehouse says people treat him differently because he had the disease.