Alaska Economic Report

At the Bethel landfill, residents push back against the challenging economic reality of life in rural Alaska.

What is thrown away in Bethel mostly stays in Bethel, and the landfill holds anything and everything you can think of, plus some unique items.

A Facebook group called Alaska Teens for Hire is a hub for 13 to 19 year olds looking for work and for adults who have an odd job to offer.

It’s been a busy season for tourism in Alaska. This summer, some remote communities welcomed their largest cruise ships in history– while others turned thousands of tourists away due to wildfires.

Low fish prices and high overhead costs have led some of the industry's biggest players to sell or shutter their processing plants. Perhaps no other community has been harder hit than the small city of King Cove.

Over the last year, fishing crews grappled with historically low prices, and processors sold and closed down plants over the winter. The Prince William Sound fishery is one of the most productive in the state, but fishing crews are also feeling the pressure.

The mine is an economic engine for the Kotzebue region. The zinc and lead deposits it relies on are running low and the mine could as soon as 2031.

Beauty and the Book Alaska specializes in the romance genre- a growing trend in Alaska and around the country.

Since the pandemic, downtown Anchorage has struggled to maintain its vibrancy. Advocates say new investments will help revitalize the area, but business owners point to a number of concerns.

Showdown’s community outreach director Natalie Treadwell said the event encourages festival-goers to stay in state and spend their money locally.

Tidal power could be an alternative to burning fossil fuels like diesel and natural gas, which is driving human-caused climate change.

Tidal power could be an alternative to burning fossil fuels like diesel and natural gas, which is driving human-caused climate change.

The ceremony was the result of 18 months of planning by tribal leaders, who are hoping to revive the town’s flagging economy with tourism.

The report says mines are allowing day traders and Canadian taxpayers to assume most of the financial risk that comes with gold prospecting, while a much smaller group of shareholders reaps the rewards.

“Now that we have new habits, where we might want to binge watch, we also want to binge wash our car,” said Sudzy Salmon CEO and co-owner Chris Michael.

King Cove is worried about the future after its seafood processor announced earlier this month that it will cease operations. The plant is the economic engine of the community on the Alaska Peninsula.

That rise in comic-based movies has contributed to a thriving collectibles market. There are a few ways a comic could be considered valuable.

Wendy's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Time, Burger King and Baskin Robbins all came and went by the mid-90s. KTOO's Clarise Larson finds out why.

The micro dairy at Heritage Farm and Ranch in Kodiak follows strict regulations surrounding the production, processing, and distribution of her products.

Three airlines are adding new routes this summer. Alaska, Delta and United Airlines will begin nonstop service to New York City, Detroit, San Diego and Washington D.C. Airports this summer.

Jon Bittner is the director of the Alaska Small Business Development Center started the center. He started the center for many reasons.

Cottage bakers operate under a decade old state law that allows Alaskans to sell baked goods from their own kitchen. It caps their annual income at $25,000.

Alaskans have plenty of options when going out for a drink. However, state laws restrict breweries and wineries more than their counterparts. Three breweries are fighting it with a lawsuit.

KUCB reporter Theo Greenly discusses the future of the Makushin Geothermal Project in Unalaska after city "pulls the plug."

Alaska Beacon reporter Claire Stremple discusses proposed processing and eligibility changes to the program, also known as SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.