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.
Anchorage Assembly member Tim Steele announces resignation due to ‘serious health issue’
Early this morning, Anchorage Assembly member Tim Steele announced that he would be resigning from his position due to a "serious health issue." Listen now
Controversial former Anchorage LIO building to become new APD headquarters
The controversial former Legislative Information Office in downtown Anchorage will have a new tenant: the Anchorage Police Department. Listen now
49 Voices: Marin Lee of Homer
This week we're hearing from Marin Lee in Adak. Lee grew up fishing in Homer and is a deckhand on the research vessel Tiglax. Listen now
New chancellor selected for UAA
The University of Alaska Anchorage will have a new chancellor. Listen now
49 Voices: Nancy Murphy of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Nancy Murphy in Anchorage. Murphy's husband is in the Coast Guard, so she's lived all over. She is a local jazzercise instructor. Listen now
49 Voices: Bruce Schindler of Skagway
This week we're hearing from Bruce Schindler from Skagway. Schindler moved to Alaska in the 90s and is a mammoth ivory carver. Listen now
49 Voices: Lani Hotch of Klukwan
This week we're hearing from Lani Hotch in Klukwan. Hotch is a traditional Chilkat weaver who was born in Klukwan, and traveled the country before returning home. Listen now
49 Voices: Lyndea Kelleher of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Lyndea Kelleher in Anchorage. Kelleher is graduating from the University of Alaska Anchorage on Sunday and will be the student speaker at the commencement ceremony. Listen now
AK: What does Black Panther mean to America’s most diverse community?
Residents of Anchorage got a chance to get up close and personal with the film Black Panther when one of the stuntwomen and actresses from the film visited Clark Middle School to talk to the Mountain View community last Saturday. Listen now
49 Voices: Carol Waldo of Haines
This week we're hearing from Carol Waldo in Haines. Waldo owns Glacier Bay Farms, which is set to become one of the first pot businesses in the city. 70 years ago she left Iowa with her family, and drove up the Alaska Highway. Listen now
Deadline for Teacher of the Year nominations at the end of the month
The nomination deadline for the 2019 Alaska Teacher of the year is coming up at the end of the month. Listen now
49 Voices: Victoria Petersen of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Victoria Petersen in Anchorage. Petersen is our intern this spring, and next week she'll be launching the print version of her hyperlocal news blog, The Spenardian. Listen now
“A Tale of Two Tricksters” pairs Alaska Native and Puerto Rican traditions
The cultures of Puerto Ricans living in the Bronx and Alaska Natives may seem worlds apart. But a new production from the Alaska Native Heritage Center will shed light on some surprising similarities. Listen now
49 Voices: Harold Goode of Kotzebue
This week we're hearing from Harold Goode in Kotzebue. Goode is a chef at Maniilaq long-term care facility. When he moved to the region a year ago he had to learn to cook in a very different way. Listen now
49 Voices: Mary Ellen Frank of Juneau
This week we’re hearing from Mary Ellen Frank in Juneau. Frank is a doll maker and director/curator of Aunt Claudia’s Dolls a local Museum. Listen now
Marches held across the state in solidarity with DC March For Our Lives
More than 1,000 people gathered at the Delaney Park Strip in Downtown Anchorage on Saturday in solidarity with the March For Our Lives in Washington D.C. Listen now
49 Voices: Vanessa Duhrsen of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Vanessa Duhrsen in Anchorage. Duhrsen is a senior at West High and recently received a Prudential Spirit of Community Award for her volunteer service throughout rural Alaska. Listen now
49 Voices: Fannie Akpik of Utqiaġvik
This week we're hearing from Fannie Akpik in Utqiaġvik. Akpik is the coordinator of Iñupiaq Education for the North Slope Borough. Listen now
49 Voices: Erynn Bell of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Erynn Bell in Anchorage. Bell is the owner of Rethink Home, a used furniture store. Listen now
University of Alaska president appeals for public support for more funding
In his State of the University address Tuesday, University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen stressed the need for an increase in state funding after four years of cuts. Gov. Bill Walker’s proposed budget would flat fund the university at $317 million. Listen now