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.
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
49 Voices: Janis Stoner, the state’s first female land surveyor
This week we're doing something a little different and going back in time. Janis Stoner was the first female land surveyor in the state, coming up 47 years ago. Stoner lives in San Francisco now, but in her short six-year tenure in Alaska, she helped make history. Listen now
Engaging with culture: Native Charter School teacher nominated for Alaska Teacher of the Year
Danielle Riha teaches seventh and eighth grade at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School in Anchorage. Riha's career has been varied, transitioning from working in rural Alaska to helping open the charter school. Listen now
Sullivan undergoes emergency appendectomy, in ‘good health’ following procedure
Senator Dan Sullivan underwent an emergency appendectomy yesterday afternoon. Listen now
Showcasing your work: Eagle River art teacher nominated for Alaska Teacher of the Year
Jacob Bera is the fine arts chair at Eagle River high school. He has students at all levels, from kids who've never considered art as a hobby, to those who are just as passionate as he was in his AP Studio Art class. Listen now
Science around the house: Houston High teacher nominated for Alaska Teacher of the Year
Steve Hall is a math and science teacher at the high school in the Mat-Su town of Houston. Hall's style of teaching emphasizes a lot of hands-on learning. Listen now
Passion for identity: Mt. Edgecumbe science teacher nominated for Alaska Teacher of the Year
Chohla Moll is a science teacher at Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka. Moll's teaching style is rooted in making sure her students know about the culture and history of the land around them. Listen now
Serving your community: Sand Point teacher nominated for Alaska Teacher of the Year
Ingrid Cumberlidge is a third grade teacher from Sand Point. Cumberlidge has taught in the Aleutians East Borough School District for over twenty years, and her Sand Point roots run deep. Listen now