The number of Alaska small businesses applying for COVID-19 relief grants expanded rapidly this week and they’re asking for more money than is available in the AK CARES program.
Government
Increasing COVID-19 cases push Fairbanks school district into red zone
State red zone guidelines include distance learning and cancellation of all in-person school activities.
City leaders urge public to remain COVID aware as community spread continues in Juneau
Juneau remains in a “moderate” risk category due to the rate of community spread.
After troubled rollout, state extends deadline for new food aid program
Tens of thousands of school-aged children in Alaska are eligible for the pandemic-EBT program. Families now have until the end of September to enroll.
After pandemic break, Juneau’s downtown swimming pool reopens next week
Augustus Brown Pool closed down in March along with other city facilities. It will reopen on September 8th with limited capacity.
‘A Swiss cheese moment’: how a communication breakdown stopped flights to Aniak
Northern Air Cargo couldn’t deliver bypass mail and freight for about a week. The new runway lacked equipment pilots needed to land safely.
Denali National Park plans to expand fall and spring park access
The plan also includes ski trail grooming near the park entrance and snowshoe and mushing access upgrades at Mountain Vista.
Wrangell officials question school superintendent’s use of CARES Act funds for Juneau trip
Wrangell’s superintendent of schools has apologized for what she called “a heinous and perhaps unforgivable mistake.”
Trailing by 14 votes, Coghill asks for recount
By law, the state will pay for a recount if the difference between candidates is 20 votes or fewer — or less than 0.5% of the total votes cast.
U.S. investigates ‘unprofessional interactions’ after Russian military confronts Bering Sea fishermen
The altercation interrupted fishing for several boats, and some fishing industry players say they’re worried about continuing impacts from the exercises.