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KNOM Update News
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Top News
Profiles
Representative Mary Peltola, Senator Lisa Murkowski and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell visit Nome & Bering Strait region
On Saturday, three prominent federal government officials were in Nome to survey the damage done by the significant storm that devastated Western Alaska. Hear the full interview on KNOM.org
St. Mary’s Yup’ik model turns heads on Florida runway
Entertainment and fashion industry professionals were scouting for new talent in Orlando, Florida, in August when they beheld an unexpected sight: a female model in full Yup’ik regalia.
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.
Public Safety
UPDATE: Stranded man at Shovel Creek brought safely back to Nome
Although no deaths have been reported as a result of this past weekend’s major storm, one person is now stranded in the Solomon area with no way to get himself back to Nome.
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.
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
Generational subsistence camps relocated, damaged, and lost in major storm
Countless numbers of Western Alaskans have lost subsistence resources, food, and even camps that ties them to the land. While various agencies are still assessing the scope of damage from the storm, residents are processing what this loss means to them and their families.
Norton Sound expects more storms
While recovery efforts continue in Western Alaska from a historic September storm, the next weather event is expected to arrive today, Sept. 21, and tomorrow. But forecasters say this fall storm will be more typical and not nearly as alarming.
‘Stebbins is resilient,’ Eastern Norton Sound communities recovering from storm damage
Several communities in the Norton Sound are struggling with contaminated drinking water days after the significant September storm hit the region.