780AM / 96.1FM - We're KNOM. Yours for Western Alaska.
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
Shaktoolik community and archaeologist collaboration uncovers the past
Ongoing research is digging into the history of one of Alaska’s oldest archaeological sites.
Meet the Three Candidates Vying to be Nome’s Next Mayor
Nome’s 2020 Municipal Election is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6th. Although there are several seats up for grabs, only one has multiple candidates running for the same position: Nome’s Mayor.
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.
Public Safety
Drop in sexual assault reports might not indicate less violence
Reports of sexual assault in Nome are down about 50% in the first nine months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. But it’s difficult to determine what exactly that means.
Coast Guard rescues overdue boaters on Sinuk River
The watchstanders at the Coast Guard 17th district command center received a call, at 11 p.m. on Oct. 28, informing them of overdue boaters in need of aid on the Sinuk River near Nome, Alaska. The watchstanders directed the launch of an aircrew, Oct. 29, to bring the boaters survival supplies, and a helicopter crew to rescue the boaters later in the day.
Shaktoolik Welcomes New VPSO
Travis Savetilik stepped into the role of Shaktoolik’s Village Public Safety Officer on July 12. He graduated from the Alaska Law Enforcement Training program in Sitka a month earlier.
COVID-19
Norton Sound Region’s COVID-19 cases continue to be highest in Nome
The Norton Sound region’s COVID-19 spike continues. On Nov. 18, NSHC identified six new COVID-19 cases in the Norton Sound Region. Four are in Nome, one is in Shishmaref, and one is in Unalakleet. Unalakleet and Shishmaref’s cases both are due to close contacts. Two cases in Nome are also from close contacts while the other two are from community spread.
Community spread causes Savoonga outbreak of over 100 COVID Cases
Roughly 15% of Savoonga’s population was considered active with COVID-19 by Nov. 9. NSHC announced 115 positive cases in the community of less than 800 people on Monday. The newest 55 cases are considered community spread according to NSHC.
COVID-19 spikes in Savoonga as Nome cases decline
Savoonga has just seen a major spike in COVID-19 cases. Norton Sound Health Corporation reported identifying 70 new cases of COVID-19 in Savoonga over the weekend of Oct. 30. On Nov. 2, NSHC announced a total of 113 active cases in the St. Lawrence Island community.
Environment & Climate
NOAA’s Surface Trawl Survey reports extended low salmon population
Salmon abundance is down and population distributions have changed, according to NOAA’s 2021 surface trawl survey. Besides focusing on salmon, the survey also examined aspects of Bering Sea life such as zooplankton, sediment, sharks, marine birds, pacific herring, capelin and saffron cod.
November sea ice extent best in Northern Bering since 2012
As of today, sea ice in the Bering Sea has covered much of the Eastern Norton Sound, along the coastline of the Seward Peninsula except for an area in front of Nome, and started forming on the southern edge of St. Lawrence Island.
NOAA Bottom Trawl Survey finds warmer waters and declining fish populations
Multiple fish populations in the Bering Sea have experienced a slight decline, according to the 2021 Bottom Trawl survey.