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.
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.
Jahna Lindemuth to serve as next Alaska Attorney General
Governor Walker announced Tuesday afternoon that Jahna Lindemuth would succeed Craig Richards as the Alaska Attorney General. Download Audio
AK: Summer ski jumping
Last week, the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage (NSAA) was able to have summertime ski jumping at the Hilltop Ski Area. This is the first summer ski jump facility in the state. Download Audio
Walker orders Alaska flags lowered in remembrance of Orlando shooting
In the wake of the mass shooting early Sunday morning at an Orlando gay nightclub, Governor Walker ordered that all Alaska flags be lowered in honor of the victims of the shooting. In the attack, a lone gunman opened fire on the Pulse nightclub and killed at least 50 people and injured at least 53 more. The attack is reported to be the worst attack in the United States since the September 11 attacks.
Man charged in Spenard shooting
21-year-old Cody Randall Hess has been charged in connection with a shooting in the Anchorage's Spenard area.
UPDATE: Recent bear mauling may actually have been moose attack says Fish and Game
What was thought to have been a stabbing on wednesday, then a bear attack, is now being reported as a moose attack by the Department of Fish and Game.
Record rainfall leads to flooding in Anchorage
Anchorage beat an almost 30-year-old record on Monday for most rainfall in a single day. Download Audio
49 Voices: Grant Deussing of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Grant Deussing in Anchorage. Deussing is a graphic designer and student worker at UAA. Download Audio
Tires from 87 Merrill Field planes get slashed and vandalized
Vandals slashed the tires of 87 planes at Merrill Field in Anchorage early Thursday morning. Officials and pilots at the field say it's the largest act of air travel vandalism they've seen in their careers. Download Audio
Man charged after using stolen front loader to rob liquor store
A man was charged with DUI, theft and criminal mischief among other charges after he ran a front loader into an Anchorage Brown Jug liquor store in order to rob it at around 3 in the morning on Thursday. Download Audio
Former Anchorage prosecutor sentenced for biggest wire fraud in state history
Former Anchorage resident and former municipal prosecutor Mark Avery was sentenced Monday for 160 months for the wire fraud and money laundering of about $52 million. This marks the largest wire fraud and money laundering conviction by amount ever prosecuted in Alaska.
49 Voices: Greg Martinez of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Greg Martinez in Anchorage. Martinez is a UPS worker who moved to Anchorage from New York 12 years ago. Download Audio
Susan Carney to replace Justice Fabe on the AK Supreme Court
Susan Carney will be the next Supreme Court Justice following Justice Dana Fabe’s retirement. Governor Bill Walker announced his appointment this afternoon in Anchorage. Download Audio
49 Voices: Indie Alaska Viewers in Anchorage
This week, 49 voices heads to the Bear Tooth Theater in Anchorage, where Alaska Public Media's Indie Alaska program held a screening last week and made a short movie with Alaskans willing to answer a few questions in front of the camera. Download Audio
49 Voices: Tribute to Annie Feidt
This week on 49 Voices, we’re doing something a little different. Our long-time editor and producer Annie Feidt will be leaving Alaska News Nightly to manage Alaska's new Regional Journalism Collaborative focused on energy and environment. As our editor she may very well be furious that we changed to tonight’s program without her permission, but we thought it was important to let her know how much she'll be missed. Download Audio
49 Voices: Will Mirabel of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Will Mirabel in Anchorage. Will is originally from Venezuela and came to America two years ago. Download Audio
49 Voices: Patricia Ratcliff of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Patricia Ratcliff from Anchorage. Ratcliff moved up here 30 years ago from the Dakotas to get married. Download Audio
49 Voices: Bulou Croker of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Buluo Croker in Anchorage. Croker is originally from Fiji and moved up here from American Samoa. Download Audio
Gatt scratches at Nikolai checkpoint
Hans Gatt, a veteran musher from the Yukon, scratched at 8:35 a.m. Wednesday morning at the Nikolai checkpoint.