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.
Bettye Davis, trailblazing lawmaker and education activist, passes at the age of 80
Former state lawmaker Bettye Davis has passed away at the age of 80.
Anchorage classes cancelled through the week as clean-up continues
The tentative first day back for students is Monday, Dec. 10.
In wake of Anchorage quake, teachers thankful for regular disaster drills
Right now, all Anchorage School District facilities are closed through Tuesday, and it's unknown when classes will start back up, and when students and staff will be able to gather the belongings they left behind.
49 Voices: Clare Baldwin of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Claire Baldwin in Anchorage. Bladwin currently serves as the Student Body Vice President at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Listen now
As teacher contract dispute continues, Anchorage School District and teachers union schedule third round of mediation
After two days of contract negotiations, the Anchorage School district and the Anchorage Education Association have agreed to a third round of mediation. Listen now
Hundreds of frustrated Anchorage teachers stage walkout during school board meeting
Unhappy teachers staged a demonstration at Monday's Anchorage School Board meeting, upset about curriculum changes and wages, among other things. Listen now
49 Voices: Quinn Bennett of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Quinn Bennett in Anchorage. Bennett is a lifelong Alaskan who's done everything from outdoor guiding to teaching. He moved to Anchorage from Soldotna at the age of ten. Listen now
An unusually high number of black Alaskans are running for the Legislature — and most are Republicans
As long as Alaska has been a state, its legislature has always been overwhelmingly white. Even in the most diverse areas of the state, white Alaskans have almost always been elected to serve in Juneau. However, this year's general election has an unusually high number of black Alaskans on the ballot, and most of them are running as Republicans. Listen now
Anchorage community gathers to celebrate Bettye Davis’s political legacy
Former lawmaker Bettye Davis retired from the Anchorage School Board at the end of September after more than 35 years in public service. In her tenure on the board and in the state legislature, Davis fought for education reform and helped break barriers for Black Alaskans and women in government. Listen now
Anchorage’s Danielle Riha selected as 2019 Alaska Teacher of the Year
Today in Anchorage, Danielle Riha, a teacher at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School, was honored as the 2019 Alaska Teacher of the Year. Listen now
49 Voices: Gina Hays of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Gina Hays, born and raised in Anchorage. Hays works for KRUA, the University of Alaska Anchorage's college radio station as the marketing coordinator. Listen now
From Trump and tribes to Grammy-winning rock bands: Dunleavy and Begich receive varying endorsements
In the last week, both Mike Dunleavy and Mark Begich received endorsements from varying spheres of influence. Listen now
2018 Alaska General Election
Alaska Public Media's coverage of the 2018 General Election. See all of our candidate interviews and news related to this year's election.
49 Voices: Nolan Charles of Toksook Bay
This week we're hearing from Nolan Charles from Toksook Bay. 16-year-old Charles is part of the Toksook Bay Yup'ik dancers, who performed in the opening ceremony to AFN. Listen now
Anchorage School District enters mediation with teachers union over contracts
Teachers in the Anchorage School District are working without a contract, and in negotiations for a new one. The parties are in mediation Oct. 18 and 19. Listen now
49 Voices: Gloria Johnson of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Gloria Johnson in Anchorage. Johnson is the superintendent of the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center in Eagle River. Listen now
Beadnose 409 crowned as the 2018 Fat Bear Week champion
There is a new champion, fattest bear in Katmai. Listen now
Anchorage School Board votes not to change school start times
On Monday night, the Anchorage School Board voted against changing school start times for the district. Listen now
Alaska tribes gather together to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day
Today is Indigenous Peoples Day in Alaska, and there are gatherings across the state commemorating and celebrating Alaska Native people. Listen now
49 Voices: Steve Henrikson of Juneau
This week we're hearing from Steve Henrikson in Juneau. Henrikson is originally from Washington state and has been the curator of collections for the Alaska State Museum since 1988. He will be part of the museum's Indigenous People's Day celebration on Monday. Listen now