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.
Building cultural ties through spray paint
Spray paint is often associated with illegal scrawling on underpasses and alleyways. But the Anchorage Museum is using it as a tool to connect kids to culture. Listen now
Omnibus crime bill makes it safer for sex workers to report crimes
A section of the law would make it safe for sex workers to report crimes and help police without fear of prosecution. Listen now
Woman dies while in DOC custody, investigation underway
The 48-year-old was being monitored for an acute medical condition. An investigation is on-going. Listen now
Substance abuse programs, Office of Children’s Services get boost in funding
$6M will go toward new substance abuse treatment programs around the state and $1.7M to foster care prevention and reunification programs. Download Audio
Observing the fast of Ramadan in the land of the midnight sun
When fasting from sun up until sun down, Muslims in the far north are given permission to follow Mecca time instead. But the 15-hour long fast isn't always the biggest challenge. Download Audio
Community in Unity: Immigration & Integration
More and more people are moving to Alaska from other parts of the world both as immigrants and refugees. They contribute to the local community and economy. How do we, as a community, make their transitions more successful and the community more welcoming? How do people both preserve their cultures and integrate into Alaska?
DOC to close corrections facility after Governor’s veto
Governor Bill Walker's $3.5 million cut to the Department of Corrections will cause the department to close at least one corrections facility and possibly some probation offices. Download Audio
How safe are your clothes? Speaker talks about everyday toxics, mountaineering
Well-known chemist and mountaineer Arlene Blum to speak in Anchorage on Tuesday. Download Audio
Mt. View’s first farmers market helps remake community’s image
Mountain View, one of the nation's most diverse neighborhoods, has a long-standing image problem. But one Anchorage organization and a group of local vendors are trying to change that through a new farmers market.
Three-day long ceremony marks consecration of first Buddhist temple in Alaska
The event attracted high-level monks from Thailand and the U.S. as Wat Alaska Yanna Vararam became the first temple in the state to be consecrated and offer ordination into the monkhood. Download Audio
First openly gay bishop talks about religion and sexuality
The first openly gay bishop will speak in Anchorage this weekend about religion, LGBT issues, and the massacre in Orlando. Download Audio
LKSD dual language program helps students succeed in Yupik and English
The dual language program in Kwigillingok is helping students excel in Yup'ik and English by immersing students in both languages at once. Download Audio
Anchorage PrideFest to see increased security after mass shooting in Orlando
There will be more security at PrideFest this year, and attendees will commemorate the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando. Download Audio
Obama’s opioid addiction treatment plan could result in millions for Alaskan treatments
Alaska could receive up to $4 million in federal funding to increase access to opioid addiction treatment Download Audio
Youth tell US Attorney General: Alaska needs help
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch met with a group of Alaska Native youth on Friday who were very direct: Alaska has problems with the public safety systems. Download Audio
New national project focusing on race in schools begins in Anchorage
A new series from Slate and the Teacher Project at the Columbia Journalism School started this week. It focuses on race in schools in the United States. Their first feature looks at Anchorage's Newcomers' Center, which helps immigrants and refugees adjust to the local school system. The project editor, Sarah Carr, says it's the perfect place to begin because the program is working. Download Audio
DOC investigation shows inmate died from drug overdose
A Department of Corrections investigation into last April's inmate death at the Anchorage jail indicates a drug overdose. Download Audio
Legislature passes two bills aiding children in foster care
The Legislature took three actions this week that will help foster care children -- passing two bills aiming at finding kids adoptive homes and adding money to the budget to help keep struggling families together. Download Audio
Former ASD Superintendent to lead Minneapolis Public Schools
Anchorage's out-going superintendent Ed Graff was chosen to lead the Minneapolis Public Schools. That district has about 12,600 fewer students than Anchorage because the Twin Cities metropolitan area is broken into more districts. About two-thirds of the 35,717 students are people of color. Download Audio
Generational differences among Japanese-American families
Susan Churchill is a Japanese-American who grew up in a small town near Seattle not long after World War II. But her experiences growing up were nothing like her father's. Download Audio