Alaska

Alaska city declares disaster as landslides strike

Published

2 years ago

August 26, 2024

Alaska city declares disaster as landslides strike

A major landslide in the city of Ketchikan, Alaska, killed one person and injured three on Sunday, with the governor, borough mayor and city mayor have all issued emergency declarations.

The landslide came as a heavy rain front moving across Alaska and there are fears of secondary landslides to follow.

As a disaster was declared, 3rd Avenue, 2nd Avenue, 1st Avenue, and White Cliff Avenue were evacuated.

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The aftermath of a deadly landslide is seen in Ketchikan, Alaska, on Sunday, August 25, 2024. The governor, borough mayor and city mayor have all issued emergency declarations.

Anna Laffrey//Ketchikan Daily News/AP

Homes and infrastructure were damaged by the landslide, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and City of Ketchikan said in a joint statement Sunday.

Two people were hospitalized, with one was treated and released. All other individuals have been accounted for, the statement said.

Rain is forecast to sweep across the Northwestern U.S. (Source: Windy.com)

A potential secondary landslide area was identified to the south of the original slide location and crews were standing by, according to the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and City of Ketchikan.

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Mud running under pavements also created some sinkholes around the area.

Power was lost and restored to some affected areas by 8:15 p.m.

Other areas will remain without electricity while the landslide is cleared and broken power poles are replaced, the borough and city said.

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Up to 4 inches of rain is expected to fall in Alaska over the next three days. (Source: Windy.com)

Governor Mike Dunleavy announced a disaster declaration on Sunday.

“This afternoon I verbally declared a disaster declaration for the landslide that struck Ketchikan earlier today,” the governor said on X, formerly Twitter.

“All state agencies are directed to provide whatever assistance is needed. My thoughts and prayers are with the residents of Ketchikan tonight.”

Borough Mayor Rodney Dial and city Mayor Dave Kiffer issued a separate emergency declaration.

“Friends, is with a heavy heart we relay that a landslide in the city has taken a life, caused several injuries, damaged homes and impacted our community,” Dial said in the statement.

Kiffer said the loss of life was “heartbreaking, and my heart goes out to those who lost their homes.”

“In my 65 years in Ketchikan, I have never seen a slide of this magnitude. With the slides we have seen across the region, there is clearly a region-wide issue that we need to try to understand with the support of our state geologist,” Kiffer said.

A Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Response specialist and a federal Department of Transportation personnel are expected to travel to Ketchikan on Monday, Dunleavy said.

“I have directed state agencies to make available all resources and staff for the response effort,” Dunleavy said, noting that the city was receiving assistance from the State Emergency Operations Center.

Ketchikan High School has been set up as emergency shelter with supplies, bedding, food, and other necessities, while schools will be closed on Monday.

According to the National Weather Service, there is expected to be more heavy rain toward the middle of the week.

“The entirety of the panhandle can expect to see rain on Wednesday, continuing into Thursday.”

Ketchikan is Alaska’s furthest south large community, with a population of about 8,000.

Last week, foods in the indigenous Yup’ik village of Napakiak saw water levels rise over 3 feet, trapping numerous people in their homes, despite them being in elevated structures.

Elsewhere in Alaska, a home fell into floodwater caused by a glacier lake outburst.

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Alaska

Polar bear undergoes root canal at Alaska Zoo

Published

2 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Polar bear undergoes root canal at Alaska Zoo

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (InvestigateTV) — Staff at the Alaska Zoo performed a root canal on one of its polar bears after the bear broke a canine tooth.

Kova, 4, shares an enclosure with another polar bear named Cranbeary. The two have toys, treats and a large pool where Kova likes to take her morning swim.

Curator Sam Lavin noticed something was wrong when Kova’s behavior changed.

“Kova is a very interactive and busy bear and she just seemed kind of off. She was pawing at her mouth a little bit,” Lavin said.

Lavin suspected a tooth issue and asked Kova to open her mouth for a closer look.

“We could see that she had broken one of her canines and there’s any number of ways she could have done that,” Lavin said.

An X-ray confirmed the diagnosis. Zoo staff consulted with a veterinary specialist outside Alaska, sent the X-rays and received advice on how to proceed.

“We went with a local doctor to do the work,” Lavin said.

An endodontist who normally operates on humans was part of the large team that performed the root canal on the fully sedated 450-pound bear.

“Everybody knew ahead of time what their role was and what to do and where to be and it was so well planned out and everybody worked so well together,” Lavin said.

The procedure went smoothly.

“She feels so much better,” Lavin said.

The zoo said Kova quickly recovered and is back with her playmate Cranbeary.

Alaska

Alaska disability advocates praise progress and push for more at state Capitol

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14 hours ago

March 23, 2026

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Alaska

West Valley’s Jayden Miranda named Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

West Valley’s Jayden Miranda named Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year

West Valley Wolfpack junior guard Jayden Miranda looks to pass the ball during a 56-38 loss to the Forest Wildcats from Ocala, Florida during the opening round of the Alaska Airlines Classic at West Anchorage High School on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Junior Jayden Miranda on Friday became the latest player from West Valley High School to be named Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

“It feels good and it was definitely one of the goals that I had to check off my checklist,” he said. “I woke up, and I didn’t know. My coach told me, and it was just excitement in my heart. My heart was beating and I was just smiling.”

Miranda led the Wolfpack boys basketball team to a Mid Alaska Conference championship and the No. 1 seed at the 2026 ASAA 4A state tournament.

The 5-foot-11 guard also helped lead West Valley to a 22-4 record, and through 23 games, he averaged 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists as well as shooting 51.8% from the floor and 39.7% from the perimeter.

“Miranda is a great kid on and off the court — gets good grades and never gets in trouble,” North Pole head coach Travis Church said in a statement. “Looking around 4A, I don’t see anyone who would measure up. He’s the best player on the best team in the state. It’s hard for me to imagine going with anyone else.”

Miranda is the second player from the program to receive the award. The first was two-time recipient Stewart Erhart, who was honored in back-to-back years from 2022-23.

The award acknowledges a student-athlete’s athletic achievement, and also recognizes outstanding academic excellence and exceptional character displayed on and off the court.

Miranda maintained a 3.36 GPA and volunteered locally with the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, donated time as a youth basketball coach and is a practiced artist who has also taken multiple cooking classes in high school.

He and the top-seeded Wolfpack fell short of advancing to the finals Friday after losing 59-52 to fifth-seeded South Anchorage.

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