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KNOM Update News
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Top News
Profiles
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.
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.
Public Safety
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.
ACLU claims City of Nome is withholding information, Nome wants Hardy’s lawsuit dismissed
The Alaska Civil Liberties Union has requested the U.S. District Court of Alaska hold the City of Nome in contempt of court and pay attorney fees on behalf of Clarice “Bun” Hardy. Meanwhile, on January 21st the City of Nome asked the court to dismiss Hardy’s case altogether.
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
Sea ice coverage ‘running out of time’ as strong winds push over Norton Sound
Sea ice in the Eastern Norton Sound is breaking up as temperatures continue to warm and strong winds threaten to shift the Bering Sea ice pack even more.
Bering Sea ice reaches St. Paul for a week, now recedes north
The main Bering Sea ice pack has begun its retreat to the north after extending to the Pribilofs earlier this month. This winter’s freeze-up has been reminiscent of more historical sea ice conditions.
Jackrabbits being surveyed in Western Alaska for first time
The Alaska Department of Fish & Game is studying the dwindling population of Alaska hares or more commonly, jackrabbits in Western Alaska. Researchers don’t yet know why the population has been decreasing.