Teresa Cotsirilos, KYUK - Bethel
AK: In rural communities, Village Police Officers face impossible job
In the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta’s villages, local law enforcement’s job can seem impossible. Alaska’s Village Police Officers are expected to arrest their own friends and family without adequate support, and for very little pay. Listen now
Calista denies wrongdoing in sexual harassment lawsuit
The Calista Regional Native Corporation has denied any wrongdoing in an ongoing sexual harassment lawsuit against the company. Listen now
In Mountain Village, a VPO works tirelessly to save her neighbors
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta has one of the highest suicide rates in the country, and Mountain Village is a place where suicide attempts are common. As in many villages, the first responder is often a Village or Tribal Police Officer. Listen now
Napakiak gets federal funding for erosion, climate change impacts
The village of Napakiak received $449,000 in federal funding on Thursday that could help them respond to the “imminent threat” of climate change. Listen now
With few buses, Lower Kuskokwim School District turns to Kusko Cab to transport students
After parting ways with a long-time contractor, the Lower Kuskokwim School District doesn’t have nearly enough school buses for the city’s students. Listen now
Nunalleq Culture and Archeology Center opens in Quinhagak
On Saturday, a large crowd of elders, scholars and artists gathered in Quinhagak to celebrate the opening of the Nunalleq Culture and Archaeology Center. Listen now
In Mountain Village, elder judges use restorative justice to find solutions
In communities like Mountain Village, tribal court systems are drawing on traditional views of justice to help residents rebuild their lives, rather than just punishing them.
Bethel’s Tundra Suites hotel charged with Medicaid fraud
The owner of Bethel’s Tundra Suites hotel has been charged with Medicaid fraud. Listen now
Seahawks linemen learn about Yup’ik culture on whirlwind trip to Bethel
Professional football players embarked on a whirlwind tour of Bethel on Wednesday. Seattle Seahawks offensive linemen Joey Hunt and Jordan Roos were in town for a grand total of nine hours and got a crash course in Yup'ik culture. Listen now
Former House District 38 Rep. Zach Fansler to plead guilty to harassment
Almost six months after he was accused of slapping a woman in his hotel room, former House District 38 Representative Zach Fansler is pleading guilty, though not to assault.
Bethel’s AC Quickstop liquor store shuts down
In a game-changing and emotional decision, the Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board decided against renewing AC Quickstop’s liquor license on Tuesday night, which effectively shut down Bethel’s only operating liquor store. Listen now
Attorney: Calista CEO Andrew Guy knew about sexual harassment
Senior personnel at the Calista Regional Native Corporation are accusing each other of misconduct, and it’s not clear who’s telling the truth.
Calista denies CEO mishandled sexual harassment complaint
Calista’s Board of Directors alleges in a press release that ousted chairman Wayne Don is deliberately spreading misinformation about the company. Listen now
Calista director Colonel Wayne Don denies allegations against him
The Calista Regional Native Corporation is trying to get rid of its former chairman, and it’s not entirely clear why. Listen now
Bethel fire chief says BIA building could burn for up to two days
An abandoned Bureau of Indian Affairs school building on the outskirts of Bethel caught fire Sunday morning and could burn for a long time. Listen now
Opening statements begin in Bethel tobacco trial
On Wednesday, Dolores Hunter vs. Phillip Morris USA went to trial for the third time in seven years. The trial could have wide-reaching implications for the tobacco company. Listen now
A million airline miles reported stolen from Bethel family clinic
A million Alaska Airlines miles have been reported stolen from the Bethel Family Clinic. Listen now
Walker administration works to fix broken 911 call system
Gov. Bill Walker asked the chairs of both finance committees Monday to re-allocate $10 million toward the state’s ailing 911 system. The money was originally proposed for oil and gas research, but the governor’s office said that this was more important. Listen now
In Marshall, residents protect each other in a village without police
For most of the past two decades, Marshall has been without police. Now residents are working out ways to defend their community on their own. Listen now
In thwarted home invasion, Alakanuk shooter stopped by daughter’s boyfriend
In a violent attempted home invasion last weekend, an Alakanuk man allegedly tried to shoot his daughter and infant granddaughter with a semi-automatic rifle. He was stopped in the arctic entryway by his daughter’s boyfriend, who armed himself, tackled the shooter and held him down until State Troopers arrived. Listen now