Alaska News Nightly - Alaska Public Media

Hundreds of oilfield service company employees lose their jobs as the pandemic continues. Plus: Wildland firefighters prepare for a season with scarce Outside resources. And, retailers at Anchorage's Dimond Center mall reopen to customers.

Why state officials chose a virtual school from Florida over a platform developed in Alaska. Plus: Wildfires slowed tourism on the Kenai Peninsula last year- now businesses are bracing for another tough summer. And, how NOAA scientists are using artificial intelligence to count wildlife populations.

The BP-Hilcorp sale moves forward under new financial terms. Plus: state officials focus on ramping up coronavirus testing. And, Interior Alaska communities begin flood preparations.

North Slope oil production will be cut by 10 percent to avoid running out of storage. Plus: Juneau would have welcomed it's first cruise ship this week… if not for the pandemic. And, how some restaurants are preparing to welcome back dine-in customers.

Alaska's lawmakers and economists weigh the trade offs of issuing an extra PFD. Plus: Police in Nome see a spike in domestic violence calls as people hunker down. And, Salon owners consider how to safely open their doors again during a pandemic.

Some business owners prepare to reopen Monday after being closed for weeks. Plus: Some Alaskans protest the health mandates that have shuttered much of the economy. And, forecasters keep tabs on river breakup that could cause flooding in some communities.

Bristol Bay communities face balancing health concerns with a lucrative fishing season. Plus: an Anchorage toy store owner provides distractions during tough times. And, Bethel's close-knit community turns to videochats during a time of social distancing.

Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan defends coronavirus aid for Alaska Native Corporations. Plus: Clean-up crews run into difficulties in Valdez as an oil spill grows. And, Alaskans take their haircuts into their own hands.

Officials debate when and how to reopen Alaska's economy. Plus: Thousands of Alaskans depend on a cruise ship season that may not exist this summer. And, A Juneau forest guide turns a walk in the park into therapy.

Inmates at a Juneau correctional center worry about the spread COVID-19. Plus: An Anchorage barber describes riding out the pandemic and his hopes for the future. And, Alaskans are getting more comfortable with telemedicine during the pandemic.

Tension surfaces between coastal cities and the state over quarantine rules. Plus: Alaska Tribes say Native Corporations shouldn't be eligible for CARES act funding. And, putting on a comedy show during a pandemic.

Fish processors in Unalaska start up an innovative partnership with the city during the pandemic. Plus: Alaskans can still expect sport and personal use fishing this summer. And, businesses in the Denali area that depend on tourists face an uncertain future.

Religious leaders find new ways to observe traditions separated by at least six feet. Plus: Fitness centers and gyms look for creative ways to reach clients from a distance. And, the class of 2020 grapples with a senior year cut short by the coronavirus.

The BP-Hilcorp deal is in danger as oil prices tank. Plus: Tribes in Bristol Bay say operating the fishery during the pandemic is too risky. And, hotels shift from vacation stays to quarantine sites.

Once a coronavirus hotspot, Ketchikan hopes to continue with no active cases. Plus: Denali faces the prospect of an extremely slow summer tourism season. And, families of children with special needs adapt to distance learning.