Laura Kraegel, KUCB - Unalaska

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Laura Kraegel covers Unalaska and the Aleutian Islands for KUCB . Originally from Chicago, she first came to Alaska to work at KNOM, reporting on Nome and the Bering Strait Region. (laura@kucb.org / 907.581.6700)
Unalaska Department of Public Safety

Unalaska resident charged with manslaughter in fatal fentanyl overdose

Francisco “Frankie” Garcia Santos, 40, allegedly provided pills containing fentanyl to a fishing vessel crewman who died in January.
Unalaska's city librarian

Unalaska celebrates opening of newly expanded public library

Crowds of Unalaskans gathered Sunday to celebrate the grand opening of the newly expanded Unalaska Public Library.
Unalaska Department of Public Safety

As Unalaska deaths rise this year, police cite drugs, mental health concerns

No foul play is suspected in the island community's five deaths so far this year, from a full-time population of fewer than 4,500 people.
Tanner crab

Record-low quota caught as Bering Sea Tanner crab season wraps up

Crabbers caught the record-low quota of 2 million pounds just before the end of March.
Unalaska search crews

Body of missing woman found in Unalaska Lake

Charlene Malepeai Mamea was found and recovered Tuesday from beneath the ice on Unalaska Lake, just over two days after she was last seen.

After crash, Ravn, Alaska Airlines finally nearing deal to let Unalaskans use miles again

Since RavnAir Group's PenAir plane crash in October, Unalaskans haven't been able to use Alaska Airlines miles to book flights to or from Anchorage.

Community mourns as police investigate the death of Unalaska high school senior

More than 100 people gathered Saturday at Unalaska's high school to mourn the death of 18-year-old Alexis Magalong, a senior who was reported missing and later found dead over the weekend.

State DA will decide whether to charge Unalaska teen in fatal Ballyhoo crash case

The state office will decide if there's enough evidence to prosecute Dustin Ruckman, 18, who suffered minor injuries in the crash that killed passengers Karly McDonald, 16, and Kiara Renteria Haist, 18.

Bristol Bay red king crab fishery trends toward closure as fleet reports slow fishing, aging stock

The last time there was no red king crab season was in 1994. The closure of the multimillion-dollar fishery had significant financial impacts for the fleet, processors, and port communities like Unalaska.

A month after PenAir crash, Unalaska explores legal action against airlines over flight suspension

The City of Unalaska may consider legal action against the airlines involved in last month's fatal plane crash.

A month after PenAir crash, Ravn to resume Unalaska flights, but travel headaches continue with reservations, miles

While regular flights are set to resume in tentatively this week, Unalaskans still have a lot of unanswered questions about flying to and from Anchorage.
a man in a black uniform with the yellow letters NTSB holds a propellor of a crashed airplane

Unalaska declares emergency over suspended air service; city plans to charter flights for community

The order allows the city to charter as many as three flights per week — and to resell the seats to the many community members looking to travel for work, vacation, medical appointments and more.

‘There’s no plan B’: As Unalaska flight delays continue, residents call for air service affordability, reliability

In the aftermath of October's fatal plane crash, Unalaskans held a community meeting to voice their concerns about the island's air travel situation.

With regular flights still suspended, Unalaska considers emergency declaration after crash

Unalaska is still recovering following a fatal plane crash on the island this month. But now the busy winter fishing season is approaching, and the community is trying to head off negative impacts to its economy, as well as ensure its safe and daily flight service.

With Ravn flights suspended, other airlines offer routes to and from Unalaska

With PenAir and Ravn's regular air service to Unalaska suspended until next month, Grant Aviation and Security Aviation are now offering additional flights off the island.
a man in a black uniform with the yellow letters NTSB holds a propellor of a crashed airplane

Six days after the PenAir crash, still without flight service, anxiety grows in Unalaska

(Update, 10/24: New planes will bring regular service back to Unalaska, Ravn says, but not until next month) Unalaska's regular flight service has been stalled for almost six days. The suspension was announced by Alaska Airlines, PenAir,...

With flights expected to resume in Unalaska, shaken crash survivors contemplate getting back on a plane

Passenger flights, which have been mostly grounded, are expected to resume this week.

After PenAir crash, air travel tentatively expected to resume, Unalaska port returns to normal

The airplane that ran off Unalaska's runway on Thursday, killing one passenger and injuring at least 11 more, has been moved from the crash site, allowing nearby roads to reopen to regular traffic.  The PenAir Saab 2000...

UPDATE: Critical injuries reported after plane goes off runway in Unalaska

Multiple people were transported from the scene by ambulance after a PenAir flight arriving from Anchorage went off the runway near Unalaska's airport on Thursday evening.

Fisheries managers announce crab quotas, season closures

This season, snow crab is the only species to see a quota increase.