Ben Townsend, KNOM

Jesuit priests bow toward the congregation during a ceremony at Immaculate Conception Church in Bethel honoring the order’s long history in Alaska.

Jesuits say goodbye to Alaska at Bethel ceremony

The complicated legacy of the Jesuits' nearly 140 years in the state was honored at an event at Bethel’s Immaculate Conception Church on June 16.

The Alaska Court System's Nome Courthouse.

Public Safety

Former Chevak leader indicted on 47 sex crime charges

Ben Townsend, KNOM - Nome

Ulric Jeffery Ulroan, 48, who has been living in Nome for the past two years, was arrested on June 24 by Alaska State Troopers and the Nome Police Department. He has been arraigned for charges involving sexual abuse, sexual assault, indecent exposure, and furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Unalakleet resident Alvin Ivanoff and his son, Harry, prepare for a trip to Nome for the red king crab season opener, a trip he estimates will use 50 to 60 gallons of diesel.

Economy

Western Alaskans bracing for high fuel prices that are expected to linger

Ben Townsend, KNOM - Nome

Communities in Norton Sound are among those preparing for an extended period of extra high fuel prices after the war with Iran drove up the cost of energy globally.

The village of Emmonak seen from above. The village's new dock braces the shoreline from coastal erosion caused by water splitting off of the Yukon River through Kwiguk Pass and out to the Bering Sea.

Public Safety

After four decades of service, Emmonak Women’s Shelter to get new building

Ben Townsend, KNOM - Nome

Construction work is expected to begin in 2027, with the building ready to open by 2028.

Emmonak's new dock surrounded by fresh river ice in November 2025.

Economy

New Emmonak dock fulfills vision of late city manager

Ben Townsend, KNOM - Nome

In the past, Emmonak typically received large freight from Nenana, over 900 miles upstream on the Yukon River. Now, the hub community can receive freight from larger, ocean-going vessels up to a month earlier than before.

Passengers from Shaktoolik deplane a Wright Air Service Cessna Grand Caravan in Unalakleet Oct. 11, 2025. The chartered plane came from Fairbanks to help evacuate Shaktoolik residents.

Public Safety

Unalakleet shelters dozens of Shaktoolik residents as ex-typhoon sweeps Norton Sound

Ben Townsend, KNOM - Nome

In total, 88 people made the short trip from Shaktoolik to Unalakleet – just over half of the 168 people in Shaktoolik at the time.

Waves from ex-Typhoon Halong cover the Kuskokwim River waterfront in Bethel on Oct. 12, 2025.

Remnants of Typhoon Halong bring widespread damage to Western Alaska

Evan Erickson, Samantha Watson, Alena Naiden, KNBA - Anchorage, Ben Townsend, KNOM - Nome, Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage, Desiree Hagen

The remnants of Typhoon Halong have already caused damaging flooding in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The storm is expected to move north and continue into Monday, Oct. 13.

Public Safety

Remnants of Typhoon Halong bring widespread damage to Western Alaska

Evan Erickson, Samantha Watson, Alena Naiden, KNBA - Anchorage, Ben Townsend, KNOM - Nome, Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage, Desiree Hagen

The remnants of Typhoon Halong have already caused damaging flooding in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The storm is expected to move north and continue into Monday, Oct. 13.

A section of road in Shishmaref washed out by the October 8, 2025 storm.

Public Safety

With second storm incoming, governor declares disaster in western Alaska

Ben Townsend, KNOM - Nome

State emergency officials are deploying response teams and have requested help from the Alaska National Guard and State Defense Force.

An American flag hangs outside the Elim Post Office.

Economy

Bypass mail rate hike adds to inflationary pressures in rural Alaska

Ben Townsend, KNOM - Nome

The rising cost of food and other household goods compound in rural Alaska, where the shipping system that bypasses postal offices is seeing a rate hike.