In this newscast: Eaglecrest Ski Area officials raised wages for employees after a strong opening and public pressure; The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is hitting staff at Juneau’s Bartlett Regional Hospital harder than the Delta variant did; Whale watching guides in Juneau start a catalog of regional humpback whales.
Claire Stremple
"I support KTOO reporters and guide coverage that informs our community and reflects its diverse perspectives."
When she's not editing stories or coaching reporters, you can find Claire outside with her dog Maya.
Newscast – Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022
In this newscast: Snow and rain have covered many Juneau sidewalks in ice, making it hard for people who experience mobility issues; Skagway’s tribal government asks residents to hold off on gathering blue mussels while the population rebounds after last year’s die-off event.
Riverbend Elementary classes will move to nearby church during school repairs
Chapel by the Lake is about two miles up the road from Riverbend Elementary. Its reverend opened the building to students temporarily.
Hot dam: Beavers have gnawed their way into the Arctic, speeding permafrost thaw
Beavers are moving to the Arctic as the Alaska tundra heats up and the beaver population rebounds after centuries of trapping. A study published in December shows the small, industrious mammal is accelerating climate change in the north.
Alaska is changing how it tracks the pandemic. Here’s what you need to know.
Omicron is now the dominant COVID variant in Alaska — and it is changing the way the health department looks at the pandemic.
Southeast Alaska’s ever-deepening snow: ‘a real problem and a real hassle’
Winter weather is in full effect across Alaska, but unusually high snow accumulation is testing Southeast. Usually some snow melts between storms, but that’s not happening this winter.