Claire Stremple - Alaska Beacon
Alaska’s schools have among the highest rates of chronic absenteeism
Most schools in the state experience “extreme” levels of absenteeism, which can harm student outcomes.
Alaska’s Division of Public Assistance makes progress on food stamp backlog
Earlier this month, food aid was delayed by more than a month for more than 12,000 Alaskans. That number is down to 10,074.
Plan for Alaska’s first tribally operated public schools inches closer to completion
Alaska's Board of Education has approved a Department of Education and Early Development report on the State Tribal Education Compact.
Alaska Native leaders bring light to state-specific challenges in federal MMIP report
“The federal government must act now; not tomorrow; not next week; not next month; and not next year,” the commission said.
Funding gap looms for Alaska’s domestic violence programs, but need for services is as high as ever
Domestic violence advocates are scrambling to adequately fund the groups that keep one of the state’s most vulnerable populations safe.
Alaska Police Standards Council turns down plan to lower hiring age of corrections officers — for now
The Department of Corrections floated the proposal as a tool to combat its staff shortage, decreased applicant pool and high vacancy rate.
With law enforcement sparse, Alaska villages build network of safety for survivors
Advocates for domestic violence victims are seeking solutions as federal money goes to small Tribes with limited access to law enforcement.
Domestic violence is feeding Alaska’s homelessness crisis
Some Alaska shelters are building long-term housing to keep women safe.
Alaska does not have enough housing to keep survivors of domestic violence safe
Advocates say they have the money to house survivors, but no place to put them.
Alaska’s domestic violence council explores restorative justice methods in court sentencing
The state’s courts may use restorative justice programs, but those programs are not compatible with domestic violence cases yet.
Tribes, State Troopers increase access to justice for Alaska Native survivors of domestic violence
Alaska State Troopers received new training in October aimed at keeping Tribal citizens safer.
Alaska pays millions to respond to domestic violence. Advocates want millions to prevent it.
They say significant increases in prevention work and community level support are necessary to slow the rate of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence in Alaska: Advocates link Alaska’s high rate of traumatic brain injury with domestic violence
Alaska has the highest rate of deaths from traumatic brain injury in the nation and among the highest rates of domestic violence.
Latest Alaska crime report shows a 67% increase in murders and a slight overall decrease in crime
The overall violent crime rate in the state is up slightly, with the murder rate rising 67% and the arson rate up more than 40% from 2021 to 2022.
Suicide-prevention program teaches Alaska students how to identify their own strength
Lower Kuskokwim School District students are pitting cultural and personal strengths against adversity.
State develops ‘playbook’ to help Alaska schools hire and keep teachers
The online document includes potential actions that can be taken by different groups like school districts, communities and legislators.
Report links lack of investment in school guidance programs to Alaska’s lagging workforce
A report from the Association of Alaska School Boards noted that one in five young adults in Alaska isn’t connected to school or work.
Alaska’s Health Department works through one food stamp backlog only to confront another
Division of Public Assistance officials say they fell behind on newer applications for food aid while staff worked through backlogged cases.
Anchorage inmate dies after 2 days in custody in 7th Alaska inmate death this year
Tristan Andrews was housed at the Anchorage Correctional Complex when he was pronounced dead on Aug. 29. He was 29 years old.
Dunleavy appoints new regent to University of Alaska board
Stephen Colligan is Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s third attempt to fill the Board of Regents seat, after Bethany Marcum and Tuckerman Babcock.