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.
49 Voices: Starla Heim of Anchorage
This week we're hearing Starla Heim in Anchorage. Heim is the owner of Dooley's Tuxedo's and Costumes. She inherited the company from her mother, and after almost 50 years of business, Dooley's will be closing its doors the day after Halloween. Listen Now
Absentee and early voting opens for general election
Absentee and early in-person voting is now open in Alaska for the Nov. 8 general election. There are two locations open in Anchorage. Listen Now
Learn & Grow seeks to improve childcare evaluation and quality statewide
Better educational outcomes for kids statewide, is the aim of a new program being offered by Thread, a childcare resource and referral network. Listen Now
49 Voices: Jacqui Lambert of Kotzebue
This week we’re hearing from Jacqui Lambert from Kotzebue. Lambert is a volunteer here at Alaska Public Media and a student at UAA. Listen Now
Alaska to receive federal grant to process over 1000 untested sexual assault kits
Governor Bill Walker announced today that Alaska will be receiving just over a million dollars in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to process over 1,000 sexual assault kits currently in possession of Alaska State Troopers. Listen Now
49 Voices: Andrew Freed of Anchorage
This week we’re hearing from Andrew Freed in Anchorage. Freed is a UAA student and moved to Alaska 12 years ago from Mississippi. Listen now
Russian Jack shooting victim dies in hospital, fourth suspect turns himself in
The victim of last week's shooting near Anchorage's Russian Jack Park has died. Four suspects have been charged. Listen Now
49 Voices: Will Schlimgen of Eagle River
This week we're hearing from Will Schlimgen in Eagle River. Will is originally from California, and is just starting his second year at UAA. Listen now
Alaska State Fair kicks off its 80th birthday in Palmer
It's that time of year again. Giant pumpkins, pig racing and the ever-popular upside down bungee ride make their annual appearance at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. The venerable fair, which turns 80 this year, manages to attract all ages with an eclectic mix of homespun crafts, toothsome food and lots of rock n' roll. Listen now
Paratroopers dot the skies over Fort Richardson
Hundreds of parachutes dotted the sky near Anchorage Tuesday afternoon, as more than 450 Airborne Army paratroopers participated in a Joint Forcible Entry Exercise at Fort Richardson. Listen now
Flood warning issued for Seward area
National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Seward until 4 p.m. Tuesday.
2016 Alaska Primary Elections
Check for latest updates on the 2016 Alaska Primary Elections.
Unextinguished campfire cause of McHugh Fire
The Department of Natural Resources have determined that an unextinguished campfire was the cause of the McHugh fire that has been raging in Chugach State Park near South Anchorage since July 16th. According to a release sent out this afternoon, the fire began in an area not commonly used by hikers and not in an established campfire ring. Listen now
Weather service: Red flag warning for fires in Anchorage
Early this morning, the National Weather Service in Anchorage issued a red flag warning effective until 10 p.m. tonight, highlighting that Anchorage would be at a higher risk for wildfires.
Firefighters respond to wildfire off of Seward Highway
A 25-acre wildfire began to spread across McHugh Creek about three-quarters of a mile from the Seward Highway south of Anchorage. According to the Department of Forestry, the fire was reported to the Anchorage Fire Department at about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night. Listen now
US Senate bill introduced that would prevent export of Native cultural and religious items
Tribes across the country would have new opportunities to reclaim lost artifacts under a new Senate bill. The Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony , or STOP Act, would prevent the export of cultural and religious items. Listen now
49 Voices: Karen Paul of Kwigillingok
This week we're hearing from Karen Paul in Kwigillingok. Paul is a dual language teacher who teaches in English and Yupik. Listen now
49 Voices: Brian Weed of Juneau
This week we’re hearing from Brian Weed in Juneau. Weed is a corrections officer by day and a mine explorer in his free time.
Alaska changes HS diploma requirements; no more SAT, ACT
A law that made taking a college aptitude test such as the SAT and ACT mandatory for getting a high school diploma expired on Thursday after being in effect for two years. This signaled an end to 12 years of requiring students to take some form of test, in addition to passing a standard high school curriculum, to get a diploma. Listen now
Anchorage citizens react to PFD cuts
Among Governor Walker's cuts today was a cut to Permanent Fund Dividends that would cap the amount at 1000 dollars. A controversial decision among lawmakers and the public, it was one of many ways the Governor tried closing the budget deficit. Anchorage citizens had varied opinions on how the cut to the dividend would affect the public and if the cut was justified.