Alaska State News

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.

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.

This Thanksgiving season there are dozens of new families in Bethel who’ve been displaced by ex-typhoon Halong. For evacuees, host families, and non-profit organizers, community gatherings are about the sense of togetherness that's served up alongside a plate of food.

In early November, 47-year-old Pius Teeluk was sentenced in Bethel court to 20 years in prison with 6 years suspended after pleading guilty to one count of manslaughter for the death of his girlfriend, Marie Unok.

According to Alaska State Troopers, 16-year-old Kennedy Teganlakla had been attempting to hydroplane the snowmachine over open water – known as skipping – when the accident occurred.

Bethel Search and Rescue (BSAR) and the Kuskokwim Ice Road crew conducted the first aerial freeze-up survey of the season and have received a request from SEOC to extend this year’s ice road to provide flood relief.

The idea of building a road to connect the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers has been studied for decades, but a new program spearheaded by the state transportation department could finally make the link between Alaska’s two longest waterways a reality.

Federal officials recently announced that households that lost food purchased with federal food assistance will be able to have some of it replaced.

According to the state, John Japhet entered the home of an ex-girlfriend in Bethel and stabbed 32-year-old Paul John in the chest. Court documents say John was sleeping in a bed with the former girlfriend when he was stabbed.

Kirkham joined the city in March as deputy director of public safety. He'll now oversee both the police and fire departments. The move comes a little more than two months after the former director left the position under circumstances that remain unclear.