Ben Townsend, KNOM

Participants are seen at a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Day event in Nome.

Politics

New law aims to address missing or murdered Indigenous people crisis

Ben Townsend, KNOM

Senate Bill 151 establishes a new MMIP Review Commission, a nine-member body responsible for reviewing unsolved MMIP cases and submitting reports to the Alaska Legislature. The bill also mandates Indigenous cultural training for new police officers in Alaska and at least two full-time MMIP investigators.

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race musher Jeff King arrives under Nome’s Burled Arch to finish the 2024 race in seventh place. The arch collapsed in April.

Sports

White spruce log to become Iditarod’s new Burled Arch in Nome

Ben Townsend, KNOM

Veteran Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race musher Ramey Smyth is leading the effort to build the new arch, replacing one that collapsed in April.

In September 2022, Typhoon Merbok has relocated debris and people’s belongings across coastal land.

Public Safety

FEMA announces $108M award to Typhoon Merbok-related projects

Ben Townsend, KNOM

Authorities announced the approval of $108.8 million for Alaskan communities reeling from 2022’s Typhoon Merbok.

Iditarod musher Ramey Smyth at the 2020 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ceremonial start in Anchorage Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Arts, Culture & Community Features

Veteran musher Ramey Smyth to rebuild Iditarod’s collapsed Burled Arch in Nome

Ben Townsend, KNOM

The replacement built by Smyth will be the third iteration of the burled wood arch. In 1974, Red Olson began crafting the first arch that served the Iditarod for 25 years.

The right pillar of the Burled Arch remains mostly intact, while one of the pillars of the arch lies on the ground on April 27 in Nome.

Public Safety

Iditarod’s iconic Burled Arch collapses in Nome

Ben Townsend, KNOM

The arch, which marks the end of the Iditarod Trail, collapsed Saturday (April 27). It was last renovated in 2013.