Tegan Hanlon, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Tegan Hanlon, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
220 POSTS 0 COMMENTS
Tegan Hanlon is the digital managing editor at Alaska Public Media. Reach her at thanlon@alaskapublic.org or 907-550-8447. Read more about Tegan here.

Fur Rondy organizers cancel 2021 championship sled dog race over coronavirus concerns

Organizers announced this week that it’s too risky to hold the sprint races through the city during the coronavirus pandemic. They cited concerns about race requirements and large crowds of spectators.
Red billowy objexxt with blue rods latching onto them

Alaska reports 8 COVID-19 deaths as cases surge

Five of the deaths were confirmed to be recent.
Anchorage School District Superintendent Deena Bishop at Huffman Elementary School on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020.

Anchorage School District postpones start of in-person learning

Anchorage School District Superintendent Deena Bishop said she was pushing back the return to in-person learning because of increasing community spread of the coronavirus and rising demand on the city’s medical capacity.
A variety of face masks and face shields displayed on a table at Huffman Elementary School.

‘I hope someone can help us’: ASD’s decision to resume in-person learning faces growing scrutiny

Anchorage School District administrators and the teachers union provide starkly different views of how prepared classrooms are to welcome back students in less than two weeks.

Here’s how one Anchorage elementary school is preparing for in-person learning

Across the Anchorage School District, elementary school teachers and staff are preparing for younger students to return to classrooms on Nov. 16.
A female school nurse directs students in proper handwashing technique

Anchorage School District still plans to resume in-person learning for younger students on Nov. 16

Sunday’s update comes as the number of known coronavirus cases continues to skyrocket in the city, and as the district faces criticism from some for its decision to bring kids back to classrooms given the state of the pandemic.

The Alaska Psychiatric Institute says it’s resuming admissions after investigating COVID-19 cases

The decision is a reversal from Friday, when the health department said that the state-run psychiatric hospital would not admit new patients for two weeks after four of patients tested positive for the virus.
UAA Chancellor Cathy Sandeen at a desk.

UAA Chancellor Cathy Sandeen takes new job in California

The news of her departure comes about two years after Sandeen became the leader of Alaska’s largest public university.
A sign on a beige wall that says "Anchorage Health Department"

Anchorage residents urged to stay home, reconsider travel plans as COVID-19 cases hit record highs

“If we continue on this path, our local hospitals could soon exceed their capacity,” said Anchorage Health Department director Heather Harris.
A nurse in a white suit, mask and clothes holds a vial

As coronavirus infections surge across the state, Alaska finds itself at ‘a tipping point’

Either Alaskans get the spread of the virus under control again, some health experts say, or infections will continue to multiply and could overwhelm the state’s health care system.

Anchorage School District reports 36 active coronavirus cases

There are 36 active coronavirus cases within the Anchorage School District, and 127 people in quarantine because of a close contact with someone who’s infected.
two kids do their homework in separate booths at a restaurant

This Anchorage mom is trying to keep up with her kids’ online learning and keep a business afloat

It’s an impossible balancing act made all the more difficult because English is her second language.
An empty hallway with a long corkboard on the wall that's empty as well

‘We are horrified’: Anchorage teachers, parents blast plan to return younger students to classrooms

Dozens of people on Tuesday decried the school district’s plan to bring thousands of kids back into buildings in November as the number of coronavirus infections surges in the city.

Anchorage School Board renames East High after late state Sen. Bettye Davis

The Anchorage School Board voted unanimously late last night to rename the school — one of the nation’s most diverse— the Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School.
A person gets tested for coronavirus.

‘People have gotten a little bit lax’: Coronavirus cases projected to double in Anchorage every 25 days

Coronavirus cases are again on the rise in Alaska, and many of the infections are centered in Anchorage, which recently set a new record-high daily case count.
An empty hallway in an elementary school

Anchorage School District plans to reopen classrooms for younger students next month

Anchorage School District Superintendent Deena Bishop acknowledged the high number of coronavirus cases, but said keeping kids out of classrooms is having too grave an impact on mental health.

COVID-19 concerns prompt cancellation of fall high school state championships

The Alaska School Activities Association announced the decision to cancel events on Tuesday citing a rising number of coronavirus infections in Anchorage and other parts of the state.

Most Eagle River High School sports resume after district investigates party

After a weekend of testing and contact tracing, the district gave five programs at Eagle River the go-ahead to resume activities Monday including flag football, gymnastics and drama, debate and forensics.
A sign says Anchorage School District.

Anchorage Schools Superintendent: ‘COVID is killing our children in more ways than one’

Anchorage School District Superintendent Deena Bishop provided a bleak assessment of online learning at Tuesday night’s school board meeting.