Samantha Watson
News ReporterSamantha (she/her) is a news reporter at KYUK. Originally from Massachusetts, she attended the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Maine where she figured out that if she could be a reporter, she could make a career out of having interesting conversations. When away from her microphone, Samantha can be found writing, hiking, and playing the guitar.
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Last week, communities along the Yukon River experienced ice jam-related flooding. But as of the evening of May 26, significant ice jams close to the mouth of the river gave way and the water began to recede. -
Those located in the Iditarod Regional Education Area and the Lower Yukon Regional Education Area can now apply for individual and public state disaster relief. -
In the community of Holy Cross, flooding has entered two households. Residents have been evacuated to the local lodge. -
On May 16, the 52 graduates of Bethel Regional High School’s senior class celebrated the end of an era. The class of 2026’s Warrior Dome commencement was filled with student speakers and yuraq. -
Breakup on the Kuskokwim River is closely monitored by a team of specialists — River Watch. But their work is made possible by a larger team of experts — the people who live along the Kuskokwim’s banks. -
The Kuskokwim Ice Classic tripod drifted out at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12. Two Y-K Delta locals guessed the same lucky number. -
For many on the Y-K Delta, the breakup of the Kuskokwim River is the official indicator of spring. Waiting for breakup is a collective experience, as is the community's annual game of guessing exactly when that will happen. -
Across the country on May 5, communities gathered in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. On the Y-K Delta, where several such cases remain unsolved, dozens took to the street to march in support. -
The River Watch team will be back in full force this year, working directly with communities on the Yukon and Kuskokwim and closely monitoring impacts as the ice goes out after a historically cold winter. -
Last month, a muskox was poached near the Kuskokwim River community of Lower Kalskag. The herd is growing there, but state managers say it’s not yet large enough to hunt legally, and the poaching isn’t helping.
