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.
Alaskans would get big PFDs but no per-student education funding increase in governor’s budget
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget include “full” statutory PFDs, money to sue the federal government and more funding for the state medical examiner’s office.
Alaska chapter of federal MMIP report highlights historic violence, legal hiccups
Longtime tribal judge Michelle Dimmert says violence against Alaska Native women has been prevalent dating back to Russian colonization.
Southcentral Alaska mayors form coalition to address looming natural gas shortfall
State officials and utilities have warned that Cook Inlet, which supplies natural gas to Southcentral Alaska, may face a shortage by the end of the decade.
Alaska’s domestic violence rates remain high, as advocates push for more preventative measures
Alaska women are more likely to be murdered by their spouse or boyfriend than in any other U.S. state.
Anchorage police roll out body cameras, with about a quarter of officers outfitted so far
Anchorage voters approved a $1.6 million tax levy more than two years ago to buy and equip city police officers with body cameras.
Cook Inlet natural gas producer says it’s sitting on large deposit, but nobody wants in
Natural gas extraction in the Cook Inlet region has become more difficult, and utilities are considering importing it from outside Alaska.
Alaska tribe’s members say corruption, self-serving deals brought Manh Choh gold mine to their land
A former tribal chief for the Native Village of Tetlin greenlit the mine and leased mineral exploration rights to a mining venture, now led by Kinross Alaska.
Alaska’s top veterinarian warns of respiratory illness that’s killed several Lower 48 dogs
More than a dozen states, including several in the Pacific Northwest, are reporting outbreaks of a new respiratory illness.
On Alaska having 5 new Native corporations, Wilderness Society reverses opposition
Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee Springs and Wrangell were initially excluded from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
Food Bank of Alaska sees record demand and a decline in donations amid the holiday season
"This year, we've really seen record levels of need at our partners. Many of them have said they are serving more people than ever before," said Cara Durr with the Food Bank of Alaska.
Wrangell search and rescue efforts continue after deadly landslide
At last report, there were three confirmed fatalities in the landslide, one known survivor and three people still missing.
Alaska attorney general says teachers need parental consent to discuss gender identity
Attorney General Treg Taylor has reinterpreted a statute requiring public schools to notify parents in advance of any content involving “human reproduction” or “sexual matters.”
Anchorage breaks November snow record but warmer El Niño winter still expected
“In Anchorage, every single day that had snow during that nine or 10-day period where it just seemed like it didn't stop, every one of those days was warmer than normal,” climate researcher Brian Brettschneider said.
Alaska child care task force releases recommendations to address crisis
The recommendations focus on ways to make it easier for child care providers to get licensed, do background checks and bolster their workforce.
Kotzebue women’s deaths at former mayor’s property did not get thorough investigations, report says
“If those deaths aren't receiving careful consideration and a thorough investigation, then what hope does anyone else have of their loved ones’ death being thoroughly investigated?” said ProPublica and ADN’s Kyle Hopkins.
Alaska targeted by drug traffickers seeking higher profits, authorities say
If drug seizures in Alaska are any indication, a pipeline of hard drugs stretches from as far away as Mexico, to California and Oregon and on to the state’s most rural communities.
State offers $750K settlement to ousted Human Rights commission director who sued for discrimination
Marilyn Stewart sued the state in 2022, alleging that she was removed as chair of the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights due to discrimination.
Southcentral Alaska buried in more than a foot of snow from winter storm
The nine inches of snow that fell Wednesday in Anchorage broke a record for Nov. 8, and the storm continued in full force Thursday.
‘Alaska is the Center of the Universe’ podcast spotlights Indigenous stories from across the state
James Dommek Jr. says the idea behind the podcast’s name comes from the notion that, while many view Alaska as a final destination, for its Indigenous people, it’s where life begins.
Alaska governor names Thomas Baker to fill vacated seat in Legislature
The seat came open when Rep. Josiah Patkotak was elected to serve as mayor of the North Slope Borough.