Olivia Ebertz, KYUK - Bethel
Tuluksak gets access to running water 45 days after fire destroyed its only clean water source
A fire destroyed the community’s water purification plant and washeteria in mid-January. From then until the first week of March, residents had been living on donations of bottled water.
Early winter, later race, smaller field: Local mushers ready for chance to shine in Kuskowim 300
The top 25 finishers will get a share of the prize money, but there are only 16 starters.
Gov. Dunleavy issues emergency declaration for Tuluksak water crisis
The declaration comes nearly a month after a fire destroyed the village’s only source of drinking water. In the interim, residents of Tuluksak have been drinking bottled water donated by private citizens and businesses.
3 weeks later, Tuluksak is without running water or disaster relief
On Jan. 16, a fire in Tuluksak destroyed the village’s washateria and water plant building, which was their only source of clean, running water. (Kristy Napoka)
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3 weeks after fire, state still hasn’t provided disaster funds for Tuluksak water crisis
Gov. Dunleavy has yet to declare a state-level disaster to address Tuluksak’s water crisis. In doing so, he’s holding back up to $1 million in disaster relief funding for the village.
Water donations trickle into Tuluksak but may not be enough for village in crisis
After the Southwest Alaska village's water plant burned in a fire two weeks ago, Tuluksak's residents are struggling to find a solution to their crisis.
No easy answers after fire destroys Tuluksak’s water supply
The temporary well being used at the school pulls up water from the Tuluksak River, which isn’t safe to drink.
Tuluksak without water, laundry after fire destroys washeteria
Donated bottled water in Bethel is ready to be shipped out on the next plane, but Tuluksak’s runway has been unusable because of weather conditions. The man who usually plows it is in Anchorage being treated for COVID-19.
Iconic Bethel video store closes for good
While video stores in other parts of the country mostly closed years ago, the exorbitant cost of high-speed internet in the region kept the business alive.
After 16 years with unpumped sewage, Red Devil citizens try to reestablish government
Red Devil can’t get funding together to pump its tanks or to dig a lagoon because it doesn’t have any entities to act as recipients on the community’s behalf.
11-year-old shares springtime fun in Bethel and Yup’ik language on ‘Molly of Denali’
On Dec. 4, PBS aired a “Molly of Denali” segment shot and narrated by a young fan from Bethel.
Activists organize to get infant formula to Russian Mission babies in need
A KYUK story about the baby formula shortage in Russian Mission caught the eye of artist and activist CeeJay Johnson, who stepped in to organize a big donation.
Russian Mission post office closure threatens infant formula supplies
Russian Mission’s post office has been closed on and off for nearly six months, and mothers have had to scramble to get infant formula for their babies. It's led to inconvenient, expensive, and uncertain options.
Residents remember Kwethluk elder Sam Jackson Sr.
Jackson Sr. joined the Territorial Guard as a teenager, volunteering to defend the Y-K Delta during WWII. At 96, he was still fishing, cutting wood and packing water.
Y-K health center recommends month-long lockdown for region
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta’s health corporation warns that the region’s rising COVID-19 surge could soon overwhelm the local health care system.