Claire Stremple - Alaska Beacon
False citations show Alaska education official relied on generative AI, raising broader questions
Education Commissioner Deena Bishop said the false citations were in a draft she used generative AI to create.
Anchorage Daily News staff votes on unionization, results to come in November
If the vote is successful, the Anchorage Daily News would be the state’s only currently unionized newsroom.
Alaska tribes get nearly $14M in federal grants to address domestic violence, sexual assault
The funds are part of more than $86 million in grants nationwide to American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
New federal guidelines mandate a pay boost for Head Start staff. Can child care centers afford it?
New financial pressure on Head Start operators in Alaska and elsewhere has them turning to Congress for a cost of living increase for their programs.
Alaska youth need expanded access to mental health support, advocates tell lawmakers
“We know that Alaska is No. 1 in all of the bad things," Sen. Löki Tobin said. "So I think we have a real opportunity to figure out some ways that we can intervene."
Alaska pursues appeal of $17.5M penalty over federal education funding equity dispute
Consequences are mounting for Alaska as a dispute continues between the state’s education officials and their federal counterparts.
Anchorage Daily News management declines to recognize nascent employee union
Newsroom staff are asking for fair wages, financial transparency and a sustainable workplace environment at the state’s most widely read newspaper.
Most University of Alaska faculty paid on time after paperwork mishap
UA President Pat Pitney apologized for the problem, and said the university will pull resources from other areas to help HR work more quickly.
For some University of Alaska faculty, the next paycheck could be $0
University officials say they have made headway on the problem and faculty will be paid “as soon as possible."
Homeless students in Alaska, nationally could lose access to added aid
Congress has been asked to give states more time to spend money for homeless students, but advocates say it may be too late.
Alaska school districts got a one-time funding boost. It came too late for many teachers.
Many school boards opted for conservative budgets that included layoffs of teachers before the governor signed the budget this year.
Alaska invested millions to fix food stamp backlogs. Some users still can’t get through.
The state has not finished its tech rollout and officials say they are still working to reopen offices and get benefits to Alaskans.
Alaska officials echo federal push to promote healing after boarding schools report
Sen. Lisa Murkowski and state lawmakers have pushed for a Native-led documentation effort, saying the report underscores the need.
Alaska adds millions to address domestic violence and sexual assault; advocates say more is needed
Service providers say the state’s programs need significant investment to make inroads on reduction.
Ranked choice voting repeal effort survived legal challenges, qualifies for the ballot in November
Officials with the state’s Division of Elections confirmed the repeal effort gathered enough signatures in the requisite number of districts.
National Republican group fights for Alaska’s House seat with attack ads targeting Mary Peltola
Congresswoman Peltola said Alaskans will “see through that baloney” and affirms that her campaign will be friendly.
U.S. District judge hears food stamp backlog case against Alaska’s health department
Plaintiffs say they waited unlawfully long for food aid and asked the court to order the health department to obey federal deadlines.
Long-term boost to Alaska’s Head Start early childhood program trimmed by veto
Care providers say the money is going to salaries to retain teachers and keep centers open.
Former Houston treasurer sentenced in federal embezzlement case
Jess Adams received a 30-month prison sentence for embezzling from the city of Houston and a Wasilla-based company, then dodging taxes.
Goals for new Alaska crime law range from harsher penalties for drug dealers to reducing recidivism
Some celebrate major progress on the state’s thorniest crime issues while others criticize the methods.