KTOO News Update

In this newscast: The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has started testing wildlife for COVID-19; Juneau Assembly has begun the city's budget planning for the upcoming fiscal year, with a surplus; Alaska businesses hurt by COVID-19 can apply for a second round of funding through the American Rescue Plan Act

In this newscast: A third grade class takes a "Forest Friday" field trip; Alaska Folk Festival is back in person for the first time in two years; A Haines Facebook group helps renters find places to live

In this newscast: Native Youth Olympics was in person for the first time since the pandemic; Alaska Statewide Poetry Contest winners read their poems; Senator Lisa Murkowski is hosting an event about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

In this newscast: Juneau Assembly considers suspending relationship with Russian sister city; A professional wilderness tracker will teach a course in Juneau; A Soldotna man has been charged in the murder of his roommate

In this newscast: Juneau's J & J Deli and Asian Mart may be shutting down if the owner's can't find someone to take over; Petersburg's grade school chess club is gaining popularity; Scientists have an explanation about a large orb of light seen over Alaska last week

In this newscast: Wearing masks is now optional in Juneau schools; State lawmakers may finally overhaul Alaska's alcohol laws this year; 51 candidates file to finish out Congressman Don Young's term; Some Alaska Native tribes are getting behind U.S. Supreme nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson; Interior Secretary Deb Haaland plans to visit Alaska this month

In this newscast: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding sustainability projects in Southeast Alaska; A dance group at the Cama'i Dance Festival honors loved ones lost in their dance performance

An update on COVID-19 in Alaska, and the second boosters that are available; Alaska Airlines is canceling flights as pilots picket over contract negotiations

In this newscast: Jane Hale, Juneau's trans columnist, talks about coming out on Transgender Day of Visibility; Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink discusses lowering pandemic restrictions; Alaska Housing Finance Corporation plans to distribute $50 million to homeowners

In this newscast: The Alaska House of Representatives will debate what name to call the money that will be sent to Alaskans later this year; A subsistence fishing method some sockeye harvesters use in Sitka is now banned

In this newscast: A recent diesel spill north of Sitka has lead authorities to advise against herring egg harvests in certain areas; Ethel Makinen, a prominent Lingít, culture bearer, died in February at age 90; Unalaska's Iliuliuk Family and Health Services clinic hired a new interim CEO