Rachel Cassandra
Health and Wellness ReporterRachel Cassandra is the health and wellness reporter and producer. As a reporter, she covers statewide health and mental health news. A few of her areas of focus include addiction and the opioid epidemic, food and health care insecurity, rural health care, mental health care and stories of how communities thrive. She also occasionally produces shows for LineOne: Your Health Connection. She’s worked in Alaska Public Media’s newsroom since May 2023.
Before working for AKPM, Rachel was a reporter in Petersburg for KFSK. She also interned for Sitka’s radio station, KCAW. She worked for many years as a freelance journalist, reporting for a range of publications including KQED, Mindsite News, The Atlantic, Atmos and VICE. She graduated from UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.
When Rachel is not reporting, she might be running, hiking, crafting, illustrating, reading, playing board games or playing with her two cats — Indigo and Persephone.
You can reach Rachel at rcassandra@alaskapublic.org.
-
The deputy commissioner spoke on the program “Line One” about how the Big Beautiful Bill will impact Medicaid in the state and on new community engagement requirements. -
A 2018 law aimed at improving outcomes for kids in Alaska’s foster care system hasn’t led to meaningful progress, according to a recent audit, leaving experts dismayed. -
The woman was transported by helicopter to an Anchorage hospital for treatment. -
The students will study at the University of Alaska Anchorage for two to four years, then go on to residency. The program increases physicians in rural areas. -
Alaska signed on to a $7.4 billion national Purdue settlement last month, which could bring the state more than $12 million. The state is also set to receive almost $2 million in another settlement with eight opioid manufacturers. -
Opioid overdoses nationwide have declined significantly since fall of 2023, but not in Alaska. One thing Alaska experts suggest is increasing access to a medication that is highly effective, safe and straightforward. -
There’s not enough research to demonstrate that cold plunging has clear health benefits. But this Homer group has found peace, community and confidence through the practice. -
The system aims to keep injured service members warm, dry, elevated, and protected while quickly evacuating them to safe treatment. The goal is to ultimately make it available outside the military. -
An unvaccinated minor who tested positive for measles spent time at the O’Malley Sports Center, Target and the YMCA, the city health department says. -
Demonstrators showed up to Begich’s empty Anchorage office before and after he voted for the bill.
