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
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
Suspects Arrested & Others At-Large for Seasonal Cabin Break-ins, Potential Arson
Alaska State Troopers and the Nome Police Department have seen their fair share of cabin crime for the month of September. Multiple incidents of break-ins, burglaries, and vandalism have been reported in the Norton Sound region.
Nome Public Safety Advisory Commission Not Involved in Florence Okpealuk Case and Not By Choice
In the midst of an ongoing search for a local missing woman, the commission says they aren’t being utilized. Nome’s Interim Mayor John Handeland, says the Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) wasn’t excluded on purpose.
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.
COVID-19
School in Gambell Closes Amidst Community-wide ‘Hunker Down’ Notice
Gambell’s school has closed its doors to staff, students, and community members until Oct. 9th. That decision was made as a result of a recent 14-day “hunker down” notice imposed by the city.
COVID-19 Cases in Gambell More Than Double in a Week
There are now 19 active cases of COVID-19 in the community of Gambell. Norton Sound Health Corporation announced today two new patients tested positive for the virus on Sunday, three on Saturday, and four on Friday.
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.
Environment & Climate
Fish River Fire & Several Blazes Contained Before Reaching White Mountain
Several fires sprang up on the Seward Peninsula yesterday after the Alaska Fire Service correctly predicted lightning would spark new blazes in the area. Some of them have already been contained.
Another Climate Record Broken: May, 2020 was Nome’s Warmest May Ever
Nome residents have now experienced the warmest May in the city’s climate history. According to one climatologist, the average temperature of almost 46° for the month broke the previous record from more than 35 years ago.
Dozens of Fires Pop Up in Southwest Alaska Due to Lightning Strikes, More to Come
The Norton Sound saw several lightning strikes spark new wildfires across the region, mostly in the southwest. More than 20 blazes were started across the state within the last two days.