Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Wesley Early covers Anchorage life and city politics for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at wearly@alaskapublic.org and follow him on X at @wesley_early. Read more about Wesley here.
There’s tons of plastic polluting the ocean. A UAA professor hopes her book can show kids how to fix it.
There's a lot of plastic in the ocean. As it floats around Arctic waters, it breaks down into tiny particles that get into everything from fish to even sea salt. While, explaining that fact to kids might come off as off-putting or depressing, a professor at UAA has made a new pop-up book to teach kids about marine plastic pollution.
In Alaska, Education Secretary DeVos touts alternative schooling agenda
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is in Alaska this week, traveling the state to see how certain communities are using alternatives to traditional K-12 public schooling.
The latest on Southcentral wildfires: Aug. 22, 2019
Calm winds are aiding firefighters as they continue to battle blazes throughout Southcentral.
University of Alaska regents vote to end financial exigency
The vote overturns a declaration that allowed for the expedited elimination of academic programs and firing of faculty, even those with tenure.
Smoke from Southcentral blazes creating unhealthy air conditions in Anchorage
Smoke from wildfires north and south of Anchorage is creating unhealthy air quality in the city.
Dunleavy halves vetoes to University of Alaska, spreads cuts over three years
The University of Alaska will see a $25 million cut in funding for this budget year, which began on July 1st. The next two years would see cuts of $25 million and $20 million for a total of $70 million.
Dunleavy agrees to fully restore $9M in funding to Head Start, early learning programs
The restoration totals about $9 million and includes $6.8 million to Head Start and $1.2 million to early childhood grants. It's one of several veto reversals the governor has made this week.
Under ‘Save Our State’ banner, more than 25 organizations implore Dunleavy: No more vetoes
A coalition of more than 25 organizations gathered for a press conference Wednesday in Anchorage under the moniker, Save Our State. Their single message for Governor Mike Dunleavy: no more vetoes.
Anchorage police shoot man they say pointed a BB gun at officers
Anchorage police say officers fired on a man who pointed a BB gun at them Monday morning.
UA regents move to consolidate University of Alaska system into one accredited university
The University of Alaska Board of Regents voted 8 to 3 to move towards consolidating the entire university system to a single accredited university. The board discussed several proposals for the university system well into the afternoon in Anchorage Tuesday.
College Gate Elementary playground fire intentionally set, district says
Employees were at College Gate Elementary Friday morning cleaning up the aftermath of a Thursday night fire.
National credit rating agency downgrades University of Alaska’s credit rating by three notches
The lower rating means it will be more expensive for the university to borrow money for various projects.
As University of Alaska faces uncertain financial future, officials focus on supporting current students
In the face of an unprecedented cut from the state, University of Alaska staff, faculty and students have a high degree of uncertainty about their futures.
Molly of Denali launches nationwide
The first nationally broadcast children's show with an Alaska Native lead character premiered today.
UAA students, staff respond to impending, unprecedented budget cuts
The University of Alaska is preparing to absorb a 41 percent cut in state funding. At the Anchorage campus, administrators estimate they will have to lay off 700 employees and eliminate more than a third of the school's academic programs.
University of Alaska president: Campus closures, program elimination and layoffs on the table under Dunleavy vetoes
The University of Alaska stands to lose $134 million in state funding if Governor Mike Dunleavy's line-item vetoes are not overturned by legislators.
Anchorage School Board formally opposes Dunleavy vetoes
In a resolution passed last week, the Board wrote that the governor's vetoes to public education funding could have "detrimental" effects on student outcomes.
49 Voices: Dimetros Baynesagn of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Dimetros Baynesagn in Anchorage. Baynesagn is a UAA student originally from Ethiopia.
Meet Sovereign Bill, the voice behind Molly of Denali
Sovereign Bill voices Molly Mabray, the first Alaska Native lead character in a nationally-broadcast children's program.
Defendant in Anchorage teen’s homicide case now faces federal child porn charges
New federal charges have been filed against two people involved in the June 2 murder of 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman in Anchorage.