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
Michelle Sparck on Get Out the Native Vote
Director of Strategic Initiatives of Get Out the Native Vote, Michelle Sparck, discussed the August 16 special election for the Alaska US House seat and encourages Native Alaskans to vote.
Richard and Debbie Atuk on Iñupiaq preservation
Richard Atuk and Debbie Atuk, father and daughter, are on a mission to revive Iñupiaq culture through language learning.
Shaktoolik community and archaeologist collaboration uncovers the past
Ongoing research is digging into the history of one of Alaska’s oldest archaeological sites.
Public Safety
Small Fire in Nome Quickstop
On Aug. 1, A small fire on Nome’s Front Street was quickly extinguished by the Nome Volunteer Fire Department or NVFD.
Nome resident arrested in sexual assault case
Nome Police arrested Isaac Ozenna Sr. on May 4 on multiple charges of sexual assault of a minor and coercion.
Bun Hardy receives apology and three-quarters of a million dollars in sexual assault case settlement from City of Nome
The city, former police chief John Papasadora and former police officer Nicholas Harvey all signed the agreement by Monday, March 21st.
COVID-19
CDC reports racial disparity in COVID impact
A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (coauthored by a Department of Health and Social Services employee) found that Alaska Native people face disproportionate risks from COVID-19, compared to white residents in Alaska.
“We’re past the worst of it,” NSHC medical director says of COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 has entered its endemic phase in the Norton Sound and Bering Strait region, NSHC Medical Director Dr. Mark Peterson said. That’s where the virus exists at a fairly consistent level within a population as a part of everyday life.
Nome Common Council votes to keep current rules for sale of alcohol
The Nome Common Council at Monday’s meeting voted down a proposed ordinance that would have changed the legal hours to sell alcohol in the city.
Environment & Climate
NOAA bottom trawl survey introduces new projects
Special projects for this year’s survey include Pacific Cod Tagging, investigations into cod and pollock fish condition, herring collection and an assessment of the levels of saxitoxins in algal blooms.
Nome bird contracts Avian Influenza
The Nome Census area now has a confirmed case of Avian Flu for this year. According to the State Veterinarian’s office, a glaucous gull tested positive for H5N1 on July 18.
Norton Sound crab fishery bounces back with record year following fishing hiatus
After no commercial crabbing since 2019, this summer’s Norton Sound Red King Crab fishery had a record year of $3.7 million dollars in ex-vessel value.