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News from Alaska Public Media and our partner stations across the state. Alaska Public Media is a NPR and PBS station.
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Alaska sees the largest seasonal employment swing of any state, according to new data.
The gap between the lowest and highest employment months is about 14%. The next closest state is Montana at 6%.
The gap between the lowest and highest employment months is about 14%. The next closest state is Montana at 6%.
Alaska leads the nation in seasonal employment swings, by a lot
The gap between the lowest and highest employment months is about 14% in the state, or a difference of 43,900 jobs. The next closest state is Montana at 6%.
akpub.io
December 5, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Alaska sees the largest seasonal employment swing of any state, according to new data.
The gap between the lowest and highest employment months is about 14%. The next closest state is Montana at 6%.
The gap between the lowest and highest employment months is about 14%. The next closest state is Montana at 6%.
A former Kenai church leader accused of sexually abusing or assaulting multiple underage girls died in Alaska Department of Corrections custody last week.
For one woman, jail death of former Kenai church leader leaves void of accountability
A Kenai grand jury had indicted Merritt on 20 felony counts of sexual assault and abuse of a minor in late October.
akpub.io
December 5, 2025 at 12:40 AM
A former Kenai church leader accused of sexually abusing or assaulting multiple underage girls died in Alaska Department of Corrections custody last week.
Feeling the winter blues?
Our latest Alaska Survival Kit shares 5 simple (and low-cost!) ways to boost your mood during Alaska’s darkest days.
Our latest Alaska Survival Kit shares 5 simple (and low-cost!) ways to boost your mood during Alaska’s darkest days.
5 simple (and cheap) ways to feel better on dark winter days in Alaska
From cozy caves to social connections, experts share affordable ways to boost your mood and energy during Alaska’s long, dark winter.
akpub.io
December 4, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Feeling the winter blues?
Our latest Alaska Survival Kit shares 5 simple (and low-cost!) ways to boost your mood during Alaska’s darkest days.
Our latest Alaska Survival Kit shares 5 simple (and low-cost!) ways to boost your mood during Alaska’s darkest days.
Nearly half of U.S. adults expect they won't be able to afford necessary health care next year, according to a Gallup poll published last month.
U.S. health care is broken. Here are 3 ways it's getting worse
One year after UnitedHealthcare's CEO was shot and killed, the crisis in U.S. health care is intensifying — even for the companies and investors who make money from it.
akpub.io
December 4, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Nearly half of U.S. adults expect they won't be able to afford necessary health care next year, according to a Gallup poll published last month.
Since July, the hot tub in Bethel's fitness center had been out of commission. There was an issue with its pump. And, like with any beloved relative – people have been calling, sending Facebook messages, and stopping by in person for months to ask if it was getting better.
Tub of the town: Bethel residents soak up their restored community space
The hot tub at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Fitness Center has finally reopened after a pump failure. KYUK's Samantha Watson took a dip last week to talk to residents about what they missed while it was out of commission.
akpub.io
December 4, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Since July, the hot tub in Bethel's fitness center had been out of commission. There was an issue with its pump. And, like with any beloved relative – people have been calling, sending Facebook messages, and stopping by in person for months to ask if it was getting better.
The Trump administration changed the name of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the federal research organization devoted for half a century to renewable energy development, to the “National Laboratory of the Rockies.” (via Alaska Beacon)
U.S. Department of Energy lab, active in Alaska, drops ‘renewable’ from name
The Trump administration, which broadly opposes renewable energy projects, changed the name of the Colorado-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory to “National Laboratory of the Rockies.”
akpub.io
December 4, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The Trump administration changed the name of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the federal research organization devoted for half a century to renewable energy development, to the “National Laboratory of the Rockies.” (via Alaska Beacon)
From a Rice Pounding Festival with mochi at Northwood Elementary, to a reindeer meet-and-greet at Santa's workshop, plus holiday markets, a pajama dance party and film festival screenings — there is something for everyone this weekend.
The Anchorage Weekender: The ‘Rice Pounding Festival,’ a reindeer meet-and-greet and 6 more local events
Plus, with Christmas coming up fast, we’ve curated a list of local markets.
akpub.io
December 4, 2025 at 7:25 PM
From a Rice Pounding Festival with mochi at Northwood Elementary, to a reindeer meet-and-greet at Santa's workshop, plus holiday markets, a pajama dance party and film festival screenings — there is something for everyone this weekend.
The repeal resolution passed the Senate this morning by a vote of 49-45. It goes next to the president's desk.
The U.S. Senate is about to vote on a resolution to toss ex-President Biden’s limits on oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and ensure nothing like it is imposed again.
Senate poised to crush Biden restrictions on leasing in Arctic Refuge
Nullifying the Biden limits means the whole coastal plain of ANWR would be available for potential oil and gas leasing. The Congressional Review Act measure goes next to the president.
akpub.io
December 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
The repeal resolution passed the Senate this morning by a vote of 49-45. It goes next to the president's desk.
Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention are expected to scrutinize the childhood vaccine schedule this week and may start to upend it.
CDC's vaccine advisers are likely to make a controversial change to long-used vaccine
Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention are expected to scrutinize the childhood vaccine schedule this week and may start to upend it.
akpub.io
December 4, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention are expected to scrutinize the childhood vaccine schedule this week and may start to upend it.
The U.S. Senate is about to vote on a resolution to toss ex-President Biden’s limits on oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and ensure nothing like it is imposed again.
Senate poised to crush Biden restrictions on leasing in Arctic Refuge
Nullifying the Biden limits means the whole coastal plain of ANWR would be available for potential oil and gas leasing. The Congressional Review Act measure goes next to the president.
akpub.io
December 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The U.S. Senate is about to vote on a resolution to toss ex-President Biden’s limits on oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and ensure nothing like it is imposed again.
Icy road conditions have closed Anchorage schools for the second time this week.
“The weather changed pretty quickly overnight and road conditions are not safe in most areas for the morning commute,” district officials said in a social media post.
“The weather changed pretty quickly overnight and road conditions are not safe in most areas for the morning commute,” district officials said in a social media post.
Icy roads force second Anchorage school closure this week
“The weather changed pretty quickly overnight and road conditions are not safe in most areas for the morning commute,” district officials said.
akpub.io
December 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Icy road conditions have closed Anchorage schools for the second time this week.
“The weather changed pretty quickly overnight and road conditions are not safe in most areas for the morning commute,” district officials said in a social media post.
“The weather changed pretty quickly overnight and road conditions are not safe in most areas for the morning commute,” district officials said in a social media post.
An elderly Valdez woman who'd been missing since early last month died in a Nov. 12 fire in Glennallen.
Missing woman died in Glennallen hotel fire, investigators say
State Department of Public Safety investigators have concluded that an elderly Valdez woman who'd been missing since early last month died in a Nov. 12 fire in Glennallen.
akpub.io
December 4, 2025 at 12:45 AM
An elderly Valdez woman who'd been missing since early last month died in a Nov. 12 fire in Glennallen.
Typhoon Halong has brought new questions about how emergency managers convey information to Indigenous language speakers.
Halong highlights questions around use of AI for translating Indigenous languages
KYUK's Sage Smiley spoke with Annie Rosenthal, a fellow with media outlet High Country News, about her recent reporting about the use of artificial intelligence for translations needed in disaster response, including its implications for tribal data sovereignty.
akpub.io
December 3, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Typhoon Halong has brought new questions about how emergency managers convey information to Indigenous language speakers.
Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance has said the city faces a fiscal cliff and needs to generate new revenue or residents will face deep cuts to services.
Anchorage residents speak out against proposed sales tax
More than 30 people weighed in on the proposal during its first public hearing, with about three-quarters opposed.
akpub.io
December 3, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance has said the city faces a fiscal cliff and needs to generate new revenue or residents will face deep cuts to services.
No children were seriously injured in the crash, which occurred at 8:36 a.m. during morning school pickup. (via Mat-Su Sentinel)
Mat-Su school bus carrying 9 students tips over on icy road; no serious injuries reported
Bus 33 was headed to Machetanz Elementary School on Tuesday morning when it tipped over due to icy road conditions.
akpub.io
December 3, 2025 at 9:40 PM
No children were seriously injured in the crash, which occurred at 8:36 a.m. during morning school pickup. (via Mat-Su Sentinel)
In 1970, U.S. public schools educated just 1 in 5 children with a disability, according to the Department of Education, and excluded nearly 1.8 million children.
50 years after the birth of special education, some fear for its future under Trump
The Trump administration has fired, or tried to fire, many of the federal staff members who manage and enforce federal disability law in schools.
akpub.io
December 3, 2025 at 8:40 PM
In 1970, U.S. public schools educated just 1 in 5 children with a disability, according to the Department of Education, and excluded nearly 1.8 million children.
The Alaska National Guard said five service members will assist with “administrative and logistical” duties at the Anchorage ICE office for up to a year. (via Alaska Beacon) https://akpub.io/44O1nce
Gov. Dunleavy approves Alaska National Guard assisting ICE in Anchorage
The National Guard said five service members will assist with administrative support; lawmakers and civil rights advocates worry that the move signals a ramping up of immigration enforcement operations in Alaska.
akpub.io
December 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The Alaska National Guard said five service members will assist with “administrative and logistical” duties at the Anchorage ICE office for up to a year. (via Alaska Beacon) https://akpub.io/44O1nce
From Indigenous stories saved for generations to novels about places we know, storytelling is part of life in Alaska.
Join PBS Books and The Library of Congress as they stop in our state for American Stories: A Reading Road Trip.
Dec. 3 | 4 PM AKST | Facebook | YouTube | PBS app
Join PBS Books and The Library of Congress as they stop in our state for American Stories: A Reading Road Trip.
Dec. 3 | 4 PM AKST | Facebook | YouTube | PBS app
December 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
From Indigenous stories saved for generations to novels about places we know, storytelling is part of life in Alaska.
Join PBS Books and The Library of Congress as they stop in our state for American Stories: A Reading Road Trip.
Dec. 3 | 4 PM AKST | Facebook | YouTube | PBS app
Join PBS Books and The Library of Congress as they stop in our state for American Stories: A Reading Road Trip.
Dec. 3 | 4 PM AKST | Facebook | YouTube | PBS app
Republicans in the Alaska House have a new leader. Palmer Rep. DeLena Johnson replaced Anchorage Rep. Mia Costello on Saturday after a hastily-called vote. And some members of the caucus are crying foul.
Johnson will lead Alaska House minority after a shakeup that has conservatives crying foul
Rep. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, resigned as minority leader last month. On Saturday, in a meeting that many conservatives missed, Republicans elected Johnson minority leader.
akpub.io
December 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Republicans in the Alaska House have a new leader. Palmer Rep. DeLena Johnson replaced Anchorage Rep. Mia Costello on Saturday after a hastily-called vote. And some members of the caucus are crying foul.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected Aleutian Airways to provide federally subsidized air service to St Paul, Unalakleet and St. Mary's.
The decision comes after months of cancellations, charter flights and shifting carriers across the region.
The decision comes after months of cancellations, charter flights and shifting carriers across the region.
Aleutian Airways to serve 3 Western Alaska communities
St. Paul, Unalakleet and St. Mary's all lost their main air carriers this year.
akpub.io
December 3, 2025 at 6:45 AM
The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected Aleutian Airways to provide federally subsidized air service to St Paul, Unalakleet and St. Mary's.
The decision comes after months of cancellations, charter flights and shifting carriers across the region.
The decision comes after months of cancellations, charter flights and shifting carriers across the region.
Stories stretch wide across Alaska’s vast landscape 🏔️
Join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as they explore our literary history through early authors and new on American Stories: A Reading Road Trip.
📅 December 3 at 4 PM AKST on the PBS Books Facebook & YouTube or the PBS App.
Join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as they explore our literary history through early authors and new on American Stories: A Reading Road Trip.
📅 December 3 at 4 PM AKST on the PBS Books Facebook & YouTube or the PBS App.
December 3, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Stories stretch wide across Alaska’s vast landscape 🏔️
Join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as they explore our literary history through early authors and new on American Stories: A Reading Road Trip.
📅 December 3 at 4 PM AKST on the PBS Books Facebook & YouTube or the PBS App.
Join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as they explore our literary history through early authors and new on American Stories: A Reading Road Trip.
📅 December 3 at 4 PM AKST on the PBS Books Facebook & YouTube or the PBS App.
🎉 Celebrate 25 years of the Anchorage International Film Festival! Check out Alaskan adaptations like Two Old Women. Tune in to this episode of Talk of Alaska for filmmaker insights! 🎧Listen on our app or wherever you get your podcasts: https://akpub.io/3M62Hkv
December 3, 2025 at 12:30 AM
🎉 Celebrate 25 years of the Anchorage International Film Festival! Check out Alaskan adaptations like Two Old Women. Tune in to this episode of Talk of Alaska for filmmaker insights! 🎧Listen on our app or wherever you get your podcasts: https://akpub.io/3M62Hkv
The Department of Homeland Security says 94% of passengers are already compliant and that the new fee is intended to encourage travelers to obtain the ID.
U.S. air travelers without REAL IDs will be charged a $45 fee
The TSA has announced that U.S. air travelers without a REAL ID will face a $45 fee starting in February. The Department of Homeland Security says 94% of passengers are already compliant.
akpub.io
December 3, 2025 at 12:20 AM
The Department of Homeland Security says 94% of passengers are already compliant and that the new fee is intended to encourage travelers to obtain the ID.
The firing has left Skagway, a town of roughly 1,100 year-round residents, without a trained paramedic. (via Alaska Beacon)
Skagway’s lone paramedic is suing the city, alleging retaliation by fire department officials
A memo by the borough’s manager says the fire department’s actions do not require the agency’s leaders to be fired.
akpub.io
December 2, 2025 at 11:30 PM
The firing has left Skagway, a town of roughly 1,100 year-round residents, without a trained paramedic. (via Alaska Beacon)
Lingít and Dena’ina writer and playwright Vera Starbard recently clinched her fourth Emmy nomination for the PBS Kids show, “Molly of Denali.”
Juneau’s Vera Starbard earns Emmy nomination for ‘Molly of Denali’ Thanksgiving episode
Starbard said the scene explaining that traditions were outlawed was the core of what she wanted to convey with the story.
akpub.io
December 2, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Lingít and Dena’ina writer and playwright Vera Starbard recently clinched her fourth Emmy nomination for the PBS Kids show, “Molly of Denali.”