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.
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
49 Voices: Ylli Ferati of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Ylli Ferati in Anchorage. Ferati is a bartender at Fiori D'Italia, which his family owns. He claims to have the largest whiskey collection in the state. Listen now
AK: UAA’s Earthquake ’64 brings historic disaster to the stage
UAA's Earthquake '64 shows how the 1964 Alaska Earthquake affected ordinary citizens in Anchorage. It's not a traditional natural disaster play. Listen now
49 Voices: Carolina Vidal of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Carolina Vidal lives in Anchorage. Vidal is originally from Mexico and is the owner of The Piñata Shop in Anchorage. Listen now
Eagle River history teacher surprised with $25,000 award
An Eagle High School social studies teacher was a 2017 recipient of the prestigious Milken Education Award. Listen now
49 Voices: Gail and Daniel Jones of Willow
This week we're hearing from Gail and Daniel Jones from Willow. Gail grew up in Anchorage while Daniel is originally from California. The couple owns and operates Jonesers Alaskan Valley Nectar. Listen now
Less than an hour into 2018, Anchorage records first homicide
Anchorage recorded its first homicide of the new year less than an hour into 2018. Listen now
49 Voices: Simon Vongsamath in Bethel
This week, we're hearing from Simon Vongsamath in Bethel. Vongsamath works for Alaska Airlines and is originally from Thailand. Listen now
49 Voices: Anita Laulainen of Palmer
This week we're hearing from Anita Laulainen from Palmer. Laulainen is a UAA graphic design student and just gave the whole state a present: a new license plate design. Listen now
Man killed in fourth Anchorage officer-involved shooting of the year
Anchorage police shot a suspect last night in the fourth officer-involved shooting of the year. The male suspect was shot after firing a handgun at a neighbor of his in a Midtown Anchorage condo complex. Listen now
49 Voices: Alexandria McLearen of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Alexandria McLearen in Anchorage. On Sunday, McLearen will give the UAA commencement speech for the Fall 2017 ceremony, and hopes to someday become a doctor. Listen now
House Majority calls on Dean Westlake to resign amid sexual harassment allegations
The Alaska House Majority Coalition is calling for Democratic representative Dean Westlake of Kiana to resign amid sexual harassment allegations. Listen now
49 Voices: Peter Twitchell of Bethel
This week we're hearing from Peter Twitchell in Bethel. Twitchell was the former host of KYUK's Geezer Rock radio show which aired its final episode on October 27. Listen now
University of Alaska’s first Rhodes Scholar: A voracious reader with deep King Cove roots
A young Aleut woman from the University of Alaska was recently selected as the first recipient from the school of the Rhodes Scholarship. The academic award is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country. The grant funds two to three years of study at Oxford University in the U.K. Listen now
49 Voices: Eileen Starr of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Eileen Starr in Anchorage. Starr is a site coordinator for the Mountain View site for Anchorage Thanksgiving Blessing. On Monday, she and hundreds of volunteers helped give families across Anchorage food for Thanksgiving. Listen now
Double Thanksgiving Shootout wins give UAA women a championship, keep men alive in tournament
Thanksgiving saw the final Great Alaska Shootout at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and local college basketball fans had plenty to be thankful for. Listen now
49 Voices: John Active of Bethel
This week we're hearing from John Active in Bethel. Active translates world news for Yup'ik listeners at KYUK, and loves telling stories he learned from his grandmother. Listen now
49 Voices: Hunter McGovern of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Hunter McGovern in Anchorage. McGovern is a member of Doctors Without Borders, and just got back from a 7-month assignment in Nigeria. Listen now
Alaska Airlines pilots disappointed that large wage increases still have them behind peers
Alaska Airlines pilots are getting a significant boost in pay. An arbitration panel ruled Tuesday to increase the pilots' wages. Listen now
49 Voices: Carissa Pearce of Anchorage
This week we're keeping the Halloween theme going with Carissa Pearce who writes under the moniker The Fermeted Alaskan. Pearce lives in Anchorage, but creates drink recipes for the New Orleans-based company Tales of the Cocktail, and we got her to share some of her favorite Halloween-inspired concoctions. Listen now