Anne Hillman, Alaska Public Media
Anne Hillman is the healthy communities editor at Alaska Public Media and a host of Hometown, Alaska. Reach her at ahillman@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Anne here.
Middle school teachers think planning time cuts are hurting students
Point in Time Count gives snapshot of homelessness in Anchorage but not whole picture
Each year communities across the nation participate in the Point in Time Count during the last 10 days in January. They're trying to take a snapshot of homelessness by asking how many people slept on the streets or in shelters during one specific night.
Governor’s proposed budget cuts could mean fewer staff at ASD
The Anchorage School Board is debating what to do about next year’s school budget in light of the governor’s proposed funding cuts. Wrapped into the discussion is the future of the middle schools and literacy programs.
Middle school teachers upset over pay inequities
Anchorage Middle School teachers are upset about pay and workload inequities between elective teachers and core subject teachers and the divisions it's causing in the schools.
Project Homeless Connect connects vulnerable communities with services
More than 1,000 Anchorage residents experience homelessness every year. Though Anchorage has dozens of agencies to help people, reaching them all is difficult. In comes Project Homeless Connect.
Proposed ASD budget includes 24 new teachers
The Anchorage School District’s proposed $770 million budget for next year includes 24 new teaching positions and only cuts four administrative positions.
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Anchorage 6th graders staying put
Anchorage sixth graders are not moving schools. The Anchorage School Board voted on Monday to keep the school structure the same.
AK: Rescue Training
In 2014, Alaska's Air National Guard rescued more than 90 people. They picked up individuals from downed aircrafts, snow machines that fell through ice, and lost hikers in the wilderness.
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Supreme Court agrees to hear same-sex marriage cases; Alaska’s appeal on hold
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear four same-sex marriage cases and will rule on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage bans by early summer. This does not have immediate impacts on the legality of same-sex marriage in Alaska.
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Anchorage tourism numbers up, expected to continue
2014 was a record year for tourism in Southcentral Alaska according to Visit Anchorage. The organization predicts 2015 might be just as good.
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Making walking in Anchorage safer
Nearly 8 percent of Alaskans walk to work. It's the highest rate in the nation according to American Community Survey data. The national average is only 2.8 percent. But the state is also ranked #3 for the rate of pedestrian deaths. Three people have been killed in Anchorage the past month. So what's happening to help keep walkers safe?
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Anchorage Legislators consider ways to cut capital costs
Before heading to Juneau, Anchorage Legislators are listening to community input on ways to cut state spending.
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Touring A Historic Anchorage Building
Anchorage turns 100 this year. And one of the city's first permanent homes was the Oscar Anderson House downtown.
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Fish Skin Art Combines Past with Present
Native Alaskans and other people of the north have tanned fish skins for centuries to make bags, shoes, and other useful items. Now fish skin leather is appearing on high-end products from Prada, Nike, and Dior. Commercially produced salmon leather is made in mass in Europe and Chile, but in Alaska, it’s still made by hand, one fish at time.
Do I Need to Rinse This? A Look Inside City Recycling
The rules about what you can and can't put into a recycle bin can be confusing, but they have a reason. Here's a quick primer on the basics of recycling.
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Shop with a Cop highlights family homelessness in Anchorage
For the past 15 years, the Anchorage police and firefighters have donated money to the Shop with a Cop program. It gives disadvantaged children the chance to buy gifts for themselves and their family members for Christmas. But it also highlights a problem in Anchorage – families experiencing homelessness.
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Anchorage School Board puts money into savings, Rilke Schule facility
ASD will put $17 million aside for next year's budget, $2 million to help Rilke Schule construct a building, and $4 million to help with classroom crowding during the second semester.
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Akeela House celebrates 40 years of successful sobriety treatments
The Akeela House in Anchorage turned 40 this year. It's one of Anchorage's oldest substance use treatment facilities. Now it has programs in communities and prisons across the state. Former clients say it still delivers a message of hope.
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ASD Charter Schools Need Facilities; School Board Considering Proposal
Charter schools in Anchorage are struggling with a facilities problem. The schools are part of the Anchorage School District, but they have to find and pay for their own buildings. And it's really hard to find empty schools or pay to build new ones. Now the Anchorage School Board is discussing a potential solution.
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Elementary students learn an Hour of Code
Susitna Elementary students joined over 52 million others around the world to learn about computer programming through the Hour of Code.