News

Education

Fairbanks School Board President Tim Doran discusses working with new board members

Updated: 13 hours ago

By Ryan Osborne

Today we begin a look at the post election Fairbanks Northstar Borough School District School Board, starting with school board president Timothy Doran.

News

University of Alaska Fairbanks ski trails provide safe outdoor activity

Updated: 14 hours ago

By Ryan Osborne

Take a look at some fun and safe wintertime activities to take advantage of our brief hours of northern sunlight.

Candidate Profiles & Election Information

Alaska Lieutenant Governor announces online voter registration system data exposure

Updated: Dec. 3, 2020 at 4:26 PM AKST

By Alex Bengel

Alaska Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer announced today that data exposure occurred in Alaska’s Division of Elections online voter registration system, compromising the personal information of potentially 113 thousand voters in the state.

Environment

New firewood kiln harnesses existing energy, creating jobs and clean air

Updated: Dec. 3, 2020 at 4:16 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

A new firewood kiln in Fairbanks is helping to clean up the air and bring jobs to the interior. Aurora Energy Solutions, a sister company to Aurora Energy which runs the power plant downtown recently installed the kiln to dry firewood. The company will be providing dried firewood to the interior that meets standards for air quality to lower pollution.

Environment

Fairbanks sees record temperatures for December 1st, Southeast Alaska sees record rain

Updated: Dec. 2, 2020 at 4:47 PM AKST

By Alex Bengel

On December 1st, Fairbanks broke a record for the highest temperature ever recorded on December 1st.

Education

The Center for Transformative Research in Metabolism is unlocking the secrets of hibernation

Updated: Dec. 2, 2020 at 4:20 PM AKST

By Ryan Osborne

Kelly Drew, director for the Center of Transformative Research in Metabolism (TRIM) discusses her work applying the unique metabolic qualities of hibernating animals to medical treatments for humans.

Military Report

In worst case scenarios, arctic survival kits help keep Eielson F-35 pilots alive

Updated: Dec. 2, 2020 at 4:20 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

Airman at Eielson Airforce Base have developed and installed custom arctic survival kits inside the newly arrived F-35 fighter jets.

News

4 found safe, 2 others still missing after major landslide in Haines

Updated: Dec. 2, 2020 at 4:15 PM AKST

By Daniella Rivera

Four people who were unaccounted for after landslides in Haines have been found safe, but two others are still missing as of Thursday morning.

Weather

Live updates: Warnings in effect across Southeast as heavy rain continues

Updated: Dec. 2, 2020 at 11:51 AM AKST

By Alaska's Weather Source and Alaska's News Source Digital Team

Follow along for the latest updates as heavy rains impact Southeast Alaska.

Education

Fairbanks School Board postpones phase-in expansion for all grade levels

Updated: Dec. 1, 2020 at 11:50 PM AKST

By Ryan Osborne and Amanda Hanson

In a video conference School Board Regular Meeting, the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District School Board voted to postpone expanding a phase-in plan for students attending K-8, middle and high schools.

Court

Fairbanks man sentenced to 12.5 years for meth, heroin trafficking

Updated: Dec. 1, 2020 at 4:19 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

Sherman Howard was found to have nearly a kilogram of meth and 200 grams of heroin in his vehicle during a traffic stop in February of 2019.

Candidate Profiles & Election Information

Alaska Division of Elections certifies 2020 election results

Updated: Dec. 1, 2020 at 4:11 PM AKST

By Alex Bengel

On Monday, November 30th, the Alaska Division of Elections officially certified the results of the 2020 general election.

Court

Trials again delayed in the Alaska Court System over COVID-19 concerns

Updated: Dec. 1, 2020 at 4:10 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

The Alaska Supreme Court has once again issued an order delaying jury trials in the state. According to the order, the level of cases in the state and the lack of widespread COVID-19 vaccines until March makes starting trials, “unduly dangerous.”

Construction Report

Pedestrian bridge installed over the Chena River as University Ave. project continues

Updated: Nov. 30, 2020 at 4:55 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

Crews working to replace the University Avenue Bridge over the Chena River in Fairbanks have installed a temporary pedestrian bridge over the river. Using two cranes, the construction workers hoisted the metal structure off of the old bridge and placed it on pilings in the river.

Health

UAF research into hibernating species yields clinical application

Updated: Nov. 30, 2020 at 4:20 PM AKST

By Ryan Osborne

UAFs Dr. Robert Coker discusses a project translating discoveries in the study hibernating arctic animals to clinical care.

News

How frequently should you get tested for COVID-19?

Updated: Nov. 28, 2020 at 7:41 PM AKST

By Taylor Clark

At this point, most people in Alaska probably know what it’s like to get tested for COVID-19.

News

Hospital capacity strained as COVID-19 transmission remains high

Updated: Nov. 28, 2020 at 7:39 PM AKST

By Grant Robinson

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, “flattening the curve” and other attempts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have tried not only to save lives but also keep hospitals operating below capacity.

News

Alaska online sales tax offers a ‘tiny bright spot’ of revenue for some local communities

Updated: Nov. 28, 2020 at 7:32 PM AKST

By Sean Maguire

Thirty-three Alaska communities are collecting remote sales tax and are projected to share in between $8 and $10 million in new revenue this year.

Alaska lab failed to report about 1,600 positive virus cases

Updated: Nov. 28, 2020 at 7:30 PM AKST

By Associated Press

A lab in Alaska failed to report over 1,600 positive coronavirus tests to the state health department in the past month, according to a state official.

Community

Alaska Native business owners invite you to shop small this holiday season

Updated: Nov. 28, 2020 at 7:19 PM AKST

By Sarah Hollister

In honor of National Native American Heritage month, we are featuring several Indigenous owned businesses to support in this holiday season.

Alaska Native Medical Center exceeds coronavirus capacity

Updated: Nov. 27, 2020 at 5:57 PM AKST

By Associated Press

The Alaska Native Medical Center, which specializes in health care for Alaska Native and American Indian people in the state, said it is now over capacity with coronavirus patients and had to open an alternate care site to handle overflow.

Economy

Despite COVID-19, Fairbanks Black Friday shoppers rise and shine to get annual deals

Updated: Nov. 27, 2020 at 4:58 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

All around Fairbanks early on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday shoppers huddled in the cold and dark parking lots of stores around town, some were Christmas shopping, others where trying to get their hands on electronics.

Education

Sci-Friday: New project intends to turn spruce beetle killed forest into greenhouse fuel

Updated: Nov. 27, 2020 at 4:10 PM AKST

By Ryan Osborne

A UAF graduate student from Nenana is developing greenhouses heated year-round with spruce beetle killed trees.

Education

Alaska Monitoring network gathers data from remote regions

Updated: Nov. 25, 2020 at 4:15 PM AKST

By Ryan Osborne

Michael West director of the Alaska Earthquake Center details a new UAF project will make it possible for scientists to better track phenomena in Alaska ranging from earthquakes and wildfires to permafrost and sea ice.

Court

Attorney for ‘Fairbanks Four’ reacts to city appealing ruling to Supreme Court

Updated: Nov. 25, 2020 at 4:07 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

The city of Fairbanks has appealed a 9th Circuit Court ruling to the United State Supreme Court. In January of this year, the 9th Circuit Court ruled that a group of men known as the ‘Fairbanks Four’ should be allowed to sue the city for wrongful conviction.

Environment

Trump administration denies permit for Alaska’s Pebble Mine

Updated: Nov. 25, 2020 at 2:54 PM AKST

By Associated Press and Mark Thiessen

The Trump administration on Wednesday effectively killed a contentious proposed mine in Alaska, a gold and copper prospect named Pebble Mine, near the headwaters of the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery.

Virus restrictions lead Norwegian champ to drop Iditarod

Updated: Nov. 25, 2020 at 1:29 PM AKST

By Associated Press

Norwegian musher Thomas Waerner said Monday that he won’t defend his title at next year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race because of restrictions and uncertainty over travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

Education

Fairbanks schools returning to limited red zone Dec. 1, some students returning to in-person learning

Updated: Nov. 24, 2020 at 5:59 PM AKST

By KTVF Staff Reporter

Fairbanks schools will be returning to the limited red zone on Tuesday December 1st, barring any more announcements from the governor.

Community

Turkey Tips: Chef Sean shares his secrets for the perfect Thanksgiving bird

Updated: Nov. 24, 2020 at 5:53 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

To help everyone cook the perfect bird, we spoke to Chef Sean Walklin, the program coordinator for the UAF CTC culinary arts and hospitality program to learn a simple, way to make the perfectly cooked turkey.

Health

Alaskans over 60 account for 58% of fire deaths in 2020

Updated: Nov. 24, 2020 at 3:26 PM AKST

By KTVF Staff Reporter

In 2018, 16% of the reported fire fatalities were over 60 while 19% were reported in 2019. The numbers increased to 58% in 2020. The causes of the fires were centered around careless smoking and combustibles too close to a heat source.

State

Case surges create data backlog; public health officials are asking Alaskans to help

Updated: Nov. 24, 2020 at 3:08 PM AKST

By KTVF Staff Reporter

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) cautions that the surge in COVID-19 cases has strained the public health response, creating a backlog in case and contact investigations.

National

Taylor Swift ‘folklore’ concert film coming to Disney+

Updated: Nov. 24, 2020 at 8:44 AM AKST

By Associated Press

The concert film will include guest appearances from Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver — acts who all appear on Swift’s “folklore” album.

Community

Man on the street: How are you celebrating Thanksgiving during the pandemic?

Updated: Nov. 23, 2020 at 5:05 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

Thanksgiving is only a few days away, but for many, this year will look different. As precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continue across the country, the Alaska Department of Health has made several recommendations to residents about how they should change their Thanksgiving plans.

Environment

UAF Wildlife Ecologist discusses migratory bird habitat loss due to California wildfires

Updated: Nov. 23, 2020 at 4:23 PM AKST

By Ryan Osborne

Falk Huettmann, Professor of Wildlife Ecology at UAF about how this southern devastation impacts the life of birds which regularly connect our states by migrating to and from Alaska.

Court

Alaska man sentenced for 2016 killing of 16-year-old boy

Updated: Nov. 23, 2020 at 4:04 PM AKST

By Associated Press

An Alaska man was sentenced to 65 years in prison with 20 years suspended as one of four defendants in the 2016 killing of a 16-year-old boy.

Candidate Profiles & Election Information

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski comments on 2020 election

Updated: Nov. 23, 2020 at 4:03 PM AKST

By Alex Bengel

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski released a statement on November 22nd voicing her thoughts on the 2020 election.

News

A Huslia man’s mysterious disappearance leaves family asking for the public’s help

Updated: Nov. 21, 2020 at 8:07 PM AKST

By Sarah Hollister

Willis Derendoff, 34, has been missing since November 10th. His family is pleading for his safe return home. Anyone with information is asked to call the Alaska State Troopers 24-hour tip line at (907) 371-9989

News

‘It’s an oversight’: marijuana businesses unable to do curbside pick up

Updated: Nov. 21, 2020 at 8:05 PM AKST

By Taylor Clark

Seems like you can pick up anything at the curb at this point in the pandemic.

News

Rent relief funds running out fast as December approaches

Updated: Nov. 21, 2020 at 7:58 PM AKST

By Taylor Clark

While many people struggle to make ends meet during the pandemic, the relief of those getting aid from the CARES Act to help pay rent is about to be gone unless another stimulus package is announced in Washington, D.C.

Court

City of Fairbanks appealing court decision allowing ‘Fairbanks Four’ to sue the city

Updated: Nov. 20, 2020 at 5:29 PM AKST

By KTVF Staff Reporter

The City of Fairbanks has decided to appeal to the U.S. Supreme court to reverse a ruling allowing the ‘Fairbanks Four’ to sue the City.

News

Large search underway in Fairbanks for missing man, Willis Derendoff

Updated: Nov. 20, 2020 at 5:04 PM AKST

By Sarah Hollister

Willis Derendoff hasn’t been heard from since Tuesday, November 10th. He traveled from Huslis to Fairbanks and had a room at the Extended Stay America Hotel in Fairbanks. Anyone with information is asked to call the 24/7 tipline at 907-371-9989.

Education

Tok receives Alaska’s very first Electric School Bus

Updated: Nov. 20, 2020 at 5:01 PM AKST

By Ryan Osborne

Stretch Blackard, Co-Owner of Tok Transportation details how Tok's new electric school bus system fares in the cold winter months

News

Northern Alaska says goodbye to the 2020 sun as region enters long polar night

Updated: Nov. 20, 2020 at 4:18 PM AKST

By Ryan Osborne

Han’s Nielson, Professor emeritus of geophysics at UAF details the cause of Northern Alaska's extended night.

Community

Fairbanks man continues #PayItFoward by planning a Magical Christmas

Updated: Nov. 20, 2020 at 4:12 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

A Fairbanks man is planning to surprise some local families in need with a magical Christmas as he works with the community to gather gifts.

Safety

City of Fairbanks announces plans to hire new police chief

Updated: Nov. 19, 2020 at 5:16 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

The City of Fairbanks has announced it’s plans for hiring a new Police Chief for the Fairbanks Police Department. The spot was left vacant after the previous chief, Nancy Reeder, left the position suddenly in August. Since August, Rick Sweet has been serving as the acting chief at the department while they look to hire a new one.

News

Fairbanks International Airport shares TSA’s Do’s and Don’ts of Holiday Travel

Updated: Nov. 19, 2020 at 5:06 PM AKST

By Ryan Osborne

Melissa Stepovich gives an overview what safety measures families can expect, and what additional requirements to be aware of to ensure all travelers’ safety when taking to the skies this year.

Candidate Profiles & Election Information

Alaska elections update: Ballot Measure 2 passes

Updated: Nov. 19, 2020 at 5:00 PM AKST

By Alex Bengel

The Alaska Division of Elections released the final results of the 2020 election on Wednesday, November 18th.

State

AK congressional delegation files brief supporting Alaska Native Corps. receiving CARES act funds

Updated: Nov. 19, 2020 at 1:35 PM AKST

By KTVF Staff Reporter

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and U.S. Congressman Don Young, filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Alaska Native Corporations fighting to receive CARES act funding.

Court

Fairbanks Christian youth camp engaged in legal fight with Borough over tax exempt status

Updated: Nov. 18, 2020 at 6:25 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

Camp Li-Wa, operated by Victory Christian Ministries, has been engaged in a multi-year legal fight with the Fairbanks North Star Borough over their tax exempt status for borough property taxes. Since 2018, the Borough has been requiring them to pay property taxes.

News

Alaska State Troopers: Four missing Alaska Native individuals in Fairbanks not connected

Updated: Nov. 17, 2020 at 4:47 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

Since August four Alaska natives have gone missing in and around the Fairbanks area. According to Alaska State Trooper Sergeant Melvin Colley, these cases aren’t connected.