Rashah McChesney, Alaska's Energy Desk - Juneau
Rashah McChesney is a photojournalist turned radio journalist who has been telling stories in Alaska since 2012. Before joining Alaska's Energy Desk , she worked at Kenai's Peninsula Clarion and the Juneau bureau of the Associated Press. She is a graduate of Iowa State University's Greenlee Journalism School and has worked in public television, newspapers and now radio, all in the quest to become the Swiss Army knife of storytellers.
Low gas prices slow Alaska inflation growth
As oil prices have dropped and the state has struggled to pay its bills, Alaskans saw one benefit. The cost of living in Anchorage increased by the smallest amount in nearly three decades. Low gas prices had a powerful effect on inflation in the state. Listen now
Industry, lawmakers criticize Walker’s oil tax credits veto
One of the budget vetoes announced Wednesday would eliminate more than $430 million in funding for oil tax credits. It’s the second year Walker has used his veto power to cut funding for the program. Download Audio
U.K. vote to leave E.U. has ripple effects on oil and permanent fund
Voters in the United Kingdom have decided to leave the European Union. The move shocked investors and traders around the world. And the economic fallout from the vote is already being felt in Alaska, from the price of oil to the permanent fund. Download Audio
Walker appoints new DNR commissioner; second cabinet change today
The state Department of Natural Resources has a new commissioner. Download Audio
Attorney General Craig Richards resigns abruptly
The head of Alaska’s legal team announced today he is stepping down. Download Audio
Former military leaders fight on the side of lease sales in the Arctic
More than a dozen former military leaders jumped into a fight over offshore drilling in the Arctic yesterday, asking the Department of the Interior to allow lease sales in Alaska’s Arctic. Download Audio
House and Senate negotiators complete budget proposal
Late on Memorial Day, House and Senate negotiators completed their conference committee work on a proposed state operating budget. They were 26 hours ahead of a still looming deadline.
How the suburbs killed a salmon creek and science informs its restoration
Federally funded environmental science on a geologically doomed creek in Juneau could inform fish-saving restoration on other impaired water bodies.
Juneau breaks ground on its new homeless housing initiative
In 2012, the Juneau Homeless Coalition identified 55 of the most vulnerable homeless people living in the community. Since then, nine have died. Download Audio
Alaska Dispatch News drops Associated Press
Citing primarily cost, Alaska Dispatch News Executive Editor David Hulen said his company dropped its contract with the Associated Press on Thursday. Download Audio
Teenage delegate prepares for Alaska Democratic Convention
Delegates from around the state will descend on Anchorage this weekend for Alaska’s Democratic Convention. Organizers say young voters have turned out in record numbers, many supporting Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in his bid for the presidency. Download Audio
After glitch, some Alaska seniors see benefit checks cut to $8
For the next two months, about 3,800 seniors will see their monthly checks from the state’s senior benefits program cut to $8 a month. That’s down from as much as $125 in February. Download Audio