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KNOM Update News
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Top News
Profiles
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.
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.
Public Safety
Alaska Criminal Justice System Continues to Disproportionately Affect Marginalized Populations
Within Alaska’s criminal justice system, the poor and vulnerable have experienced the greatest impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. KNOM reports on what those in the court system are saying about those affected.
White Mountain Search and Rescue Successful, But Travelers Beware
White Mountain Search and Rescue Team successfully rescued an overdue snow machiner outside of White Mountain on Monday, after rough trails left him stranded. Public safety officials warn of poor travel conditions outside of the White Mountain area.
Tech Support Scams Increasing in Alaska, Says FBI
This holiday season will likely see more shoppers going online to do their shopping. But as more people go online, the FBI is warning that more scammers are online too.
COVID-19
Over 3,000 Norton Sound Residents Taken One Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine
While COVID-19 cases continue to climb, so do the number of vaccinations in the Norton Sound. According to NSHC, more than a third of eligible residents in the region have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine at this point.
What to Expect When Traveling to Nome Based on City Requirements
The City of Nome continues to ask travelers coming from the Anchorage airport to practice quarantining to slow the spread of COVID-19. However with more people becoming fully vaccinated or having recovered from COVID-19, there are more options and sometimes more confusion than before.
Resident of Undisclosed Community Tests Positive for COVID-19, All Other Active Cases in Nome
Norton Sound Health Corporation announced yesterday that two new cases of COVID-19 were identified in the region. This brings the active total to 12 positive cases in the Norton Sound.
Environment & Climate
Mild Temperatures and North Winds Contribute to Low Sea Ice Extent in Bering
Sea ice extent in the Bering Sea was at record low levels at the end of 2020. And with recent strong northerly winds combined with mild temperatures, sea ice coverage in the Bering Strait region is still not ideal.
“Milestone”: Reinstated Climate Plan Incorporates Indigenous Tribes and Their Knowledge
President Joe Biden passed several climate-related executive orders on his first day in office earlier this week. Among those is an order reinstating the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area, an Obama-era executive order that includes protections from off-shore oil and gas leasing in the Norton Sound and waters around St. Lawrence Island.
High Frequency Radar Sites in Wales and Shishmaref, Could Help Track Debris and Save Lives
New technology in Wales and Shishmaref that utilizes high frequency radar is collecting important data about the Bering Sea’s ocean currents. That data could help track debris, improve weather forecasts, and even save lives.