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KNOM Update News
For more stories from Nome or your community, tune in to 780 AM / 96.1 FM weekdays at 7am, 8am, 9am, noon, or 5pm to hear KNOM Update News.
Top News
Profiles
Nome-Beltz Teacher Receives STEM Grant for Research Lab Kits, to Develop Young Scientists
Dr. Anthony Husemann, a full-time science teacher at NBHS, received $5000 in grant money to serve as a mentor for Nome students to be able to conduct science research independently, as well as to develop STEM projects.
Carol Seppilu: Running for Life
In the last ten years, Seppilu has been actively running all over the Nome area. Her love for running is fueled by a deeper purpose: to promote suicide prevention.
KNOM’s Tribute to Former Mayor Beneville
Nome Mayor James “Richard” Beneville reflects on a life of service in Western Alaska. In the fall of 2019 Richard sat down with KNOM to share his wisdom in this final interview.
Public Safety
Missing Nome Woman is “Loving” and “Stubborn,” Her Friends and Family Say
Florence Okpealuk went missing at the end of August Since then, the community, police and the FBI have been looking for clues about her disappearance. KNOM reports on Okpealuk’s life before she went missing.
State Change in Reporting Mandate Offers Faster Response in Child Abuse Cases
Alaska’s Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Statue took effect at the beginning of this month [Sept. 1st]. Kawerak’s mandated reporter says this is a positive adjustment, but more should be done to protect abused children.
Nome’s Sexual Assault Kits Will Be Tested Faster Following $40,000 Donation
Kawerak, Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, and Norton Sound Health Corporation are all pitching in to pay for testing of Nome’s back logged sexual assault kits. The total funds equal $38,295.
COVID-19
Gambell Has Ten Out of 12 Active COVID-19 Cases in the Norton Sound, Community-Wide Testing Underway
There are now ten active cases of COVID-19 in the community of Gambell after Norton Sound Health Corporation announced yesterday that five new patients had tested positive in the region.
Six Cases of COVID-19 in Norton Sound Found in One Family, Origin of Spread Unknown
A cluster of six new cases of COVID-19 has been identified in the Norton Sound region. Norton Sound Health Corporation announced Saturday night that the patients are all part of the same household.
Traveling Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19, Six Active Cases in Norton Sound
Norton Sound Health Corporation has announced a new case of COVID-19 in a regional resident who is currently outside of the Norton Sound region.
Environment & Climate
Record Amount of Rain Drenches Nome and Surrounding Area
Nome’s climate records continue to be broken. The latest was the Goldrush City’s amount of daily rainfall, which was set at more than one and a quarter inches of rain earlier this week.
‘Pulse’ of Marine Debris in Region Likely Coming From Russian Side of Bering Strait
Diomede, Wales, Shishmaref, Gambell, Savoonga, Unalakleet, and Nome all saw unusually high amounts of marine debris and trash, found along the beaches of Western Alaska.
IPOP Proposes “Complex” Gold Mining Project Within Bonanza Channel Near Nome
IPOP LLC, the mining company associated with Rivers of Gold, has applied for a permit to mine gold using a 36-inch cutterhead dredge in the Safety Sound, about 25 miles east of Nome.