Claire Stremple - Alaska Beacon
No compromise between Alaska legislators and Gov. Dunleavy on day before education veto deadline
Legislators could convene for a joint session to consider an override as soon as next Monday if Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoes the education bill on Thursday.
Proposal to define a fetus as a person in Alaska’s criminal code faces pushback
Opponents testified that the bill would threaten Alaskans’ abortion rights.
Alaska prison failed to provide adequate dental care to inmates, state investigator finds
Goose Creek Correctional Center has gone years without a hygienist, forcing patients to wait for treatment.
As Alaska pays millions to fix food stamp backlog, lawmakers suggest systemic fixes
“Not doing this will cost us millions, and will leave people without food,” said Sen. Cathy Giessel.
Alaska’s courts are mired in cases, with gradual progress on pandemic backlog
The backlog has persisted, in part because of attorney shortages.
Alaska must face food stamp litigation after a year of stays, court says
U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason's court order said further delays would be “inefficient” after the state had a year to resolve its backlog.
Alaska’s federal food stamp funding at risk, USDA letter warns
The state may lose funding if it continues to break federal rules, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
High job vacancies in Alaska state agencies can reduce services and lead to burnout
An average of about 14% of Alaska state jobs are unfilled.
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.