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.
Dunleavy: Wasilla special session will be focused on PFD, capital budget can come later
Dunleavy held a press conference Friday in front of Wasilla Middle School, his recommended venue for the session. He says while there is still work to be done on the capital budget, the dividend is his priority for this session.
49 Voices: Kyra Dushkin of Kenai
This week we're hearing from Kyra Dushkin from Kenai. Dushkin is a student at the Kenai Peninsula College, hoping to become an OB nurse.
PFD rally brings out governor’s ardent Mat-Su supporters
Governor Mike Dunleavy held a rally Thursday night in Wasilla in support of a Permanent Fund Dividend amount that adheres to the law established in 1982. There was no vocal opposition to Dunleavy from the crowd.
Alaska Native students get hands-on medical experience at UAA nursing camp
This week, high school students from around the state attended a three-day camp at the University of Alaska Anchorage to learn skills in one of the most in-demand job fields in the state: nursing. It's part of a UAA program designed to get more Alaska Natives into the medical field.
Two Anchorage juveniles arrested in two separate homicide cases
Anchorage police today announced the arrests of two Anchorage boys in two separate homicide investigations.
‘Enough is enough’: Attorney General Barr hears from Native leaders about rural justice problems
Barr will spend four days traveling around Alaska, learning about the unique challenges rural areas, particularly villages, face.
49 Voices: Frank Hauser of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Frank Hauser in Anchorage. Hauser is principal of Robert Service High School in Anchorage and was selected last week by the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals as 2019 Principal of the Year.
Under a new pilot program, several Anchorage elementary schools will have longer lunch and recess next fall
This fall, several Anchorage elementary schools will have longer lunches and recesses. It's part of a pilot program that the school district is rolling out in an effort to better meet students' needs for good nutrition and exercise.
Police charge Anchorage School District HR head with harassment
The Anchorage School District's head of human resources has been charged with harassment towards another ASD employee.
49 Voices: Geser Bat-Erdene of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Geser Bat-Erdene in Anchorage. Bat-Erdene is a foreign exchange student at the University of Alaska Anchorage who will serve as commencement speaker on Sunday. He had previously served as UAA's student body president; a term that ended last weekend.
Dunleavy administration being sued for withholding $20M in education funding
The Dunleavy administration is being sued by education nonprofit Coalition for Education Equity over his refusal to release $20 million in funds that were delegated to public schools last year by the Legislature.
MTA announces fiber optic network from Alaska to Lower 48
Alaska-based communications company MTA announced today it is constructing a terrestrial fiber optic network that would connect from Alaska to the Lower 48.
49 Voices: Levi Samuel of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Levi Samuel in Anchorage. Samuel is a lifelong Anchorage resident who attends East Anchorage High School. He was part of this year's Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute.
Anchorage School District to allow for tribal, cultural attire at graduation
During graduation in the Anchorage School District, some of the students' attire will be a little more meaningful this year. The school district recently made a change allowing students to express their cultures as they celebrate their achievement.
49 Voices: Leena Tarar of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Leena Tarar in Anchorage. Tarar is an exchange student at Bartlett High School, originally from Pakistan. She was part of this year's Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute.
State-sponsored raffle for public schools generates almost $1M in first year
Last year, the state established the program, allowing Alaskans to donate a portion of their Permanent Fund Dividends to the raffle. The raffle generated $976,400, and 75 percent of that -- $732,300 -- will go to schools.
UA Board of Regents begins process to eliminate UAA Education department
The University of Alaska Board of Regents took the first step today in phasing out the Education Department on the Anchorage campus. The regents voted to eliminate seven initial licensure programs.
UA President Johnsen recommends closing UAA College of Education, amid accreditation debacle
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen recommends discontinuing the seven initial licensure programs for the University of Alaska Anchorage's education department, effective September of this year.
49 Voices: Eli Pelletier of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Eli Pelletier in Anchorage. Pelletier was born in Canada and just moved to Alaska from Denmark a few months ago. He attends South Anchorage High and was part of this year's Points of Light Leadership Institute program.
Dunleavy gives budget pitch as hundreds rally outside in Anchorage
As the governor made his case for drastic changes to the state's budget, a crowd outside railed against cuts to services like education, healthcare, and the ferry system.