Evan Erickson

In October 2025, daily life in dozens of Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities was suddenly interrupted when the remnants of Typhoon Halong slammed into the coast. Over the past year, the crisis has shined a light on what is still missing from disaster response, and what tribal communities need to protect a way of life bound to the land.

Just days before ex-typhoon Halong, Marie White traveled from Bethel to her hometown of Kwigillingok to celebrate her 67th birthday among her daughters and grandchildren. This year, the whole family is back together in Bethel, with little idea when they may be able to return home.

Flags were flown at half-staff across the state on Sept. 2 to honor the former representative who passed away in August at the age of 76.

Captain Dave Furber of Anchorage was 73 years old, and first officer Sergei Zelenkov II of Chugiak was 34 years old when the Cessna 441 Conquest they were flying crashed on the remote cape on the Bering Sea coast, killing all eight on board.

In a letter to families sent following the board's regular meeting, the district said the Chief Paul Memorial School in Kipnuk and the Kwigillingok School will not reopen until critical infrastructure and facility repairs are completed.

The plane was chartered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fly from Anchorage to Cape Newenham.

The civilian-contracted aircraft crashed at the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, roughly 450 miles west of Anchorage.

In the seat left vacant by Sen. Lyman Hoffman, early results showed a preference for another political veteran to represent the sprawling district that covers Bristol Bay, much of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, and the entire Aleutian Chain.

State polling locations are supposed to be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on primary election day. But in Nunapitchuk on Aug. 18, voters were left without a polling place for most of the day. It's not clear exactly why.

The Right of Entry forms are required for households that may need or have already received certain types of assistance related to winterization and debris removal. They allow authorized recovery agencies to enter properties to inspect, document, and complete recovery work.