Anchorage volunteer lobbyist fights for public education
The word 'lobbyist' is often paired with 'fat-cat'. But here in Alaska, it's not just the paid lobbyists who...
Alaska lobbyists explain how their work shapes laws and policies | Alaska Insight
Lobbyists are viewed as representatives of special interest groups that want to drive policy change that favors big business. But many who lobby the local, state and federal government are citizens who seek better healthcare and improved schools.
How immigration transformed the 49th state
Over the course of little more than a century, Alaska communities transformed from primarily Indigenous to some of the...
How did Alaska become a destination for immigrants? | Alaska Insight
Immigration is a political hot button issue in the nation, with advocates calling for better pathways for citizenship and opponents demanding fewer entrants and higher border walls. But Alaska has been a state of rich diversity since before statehood.
Explained: What are PFAS compounds and how can they affect human health?
Found in various items from firefighting foam to household cleaning products and even food containers, PFAS are persistent "forever...
PFAS contamination in Alaska | Alaska Insight
Found in various items from firefighting foam to household cleaning products and even food containers, PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that bioaccumulate over time. Drinking water sources in several Alaska communities are contaminated with PFAS.
Retro Local: How an evolving justice system shaped public safety in Alaska
In Alaska, sky-high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault are closely connected with the state’s law enforcement and...
Restorative Justice: Past and Present | Alaska Insight
The word justice may signal a thought of punishment for a crime. But restorative justice tries to correct behavior by repairing the harm and rebuilding relationships to bring the offender back into good standing in their community.
Jesuits Investigation in Alaska | Alaska Insight
The Catholic church has been reckoning with the systematic cover-up of sexual abuse among clergy members as victims began coming forward in the last decade. An investigative piece published by the program Reveal from the Center of Investigative Reporting last year found that, for decades, Jesuit priests abused hundreds in Alaska Native villages.
New Approaches to End Suicide in Alaska | Alaska Insight
The Alaska Suicide Prevention Council says 90% of people who die by suicide have depression or another treatable mental illness. Long winters, isolation and limited mental health services contribute to the problem, but many organizations across Alaska are working to lower the rates by talking about the issue.
Community health and affordable energy | Alaska Insight
The high cost of energy and internet in rural Alaska means many residents spend as much as 50% of their income on power and broadband. These utilities are essential for engaging in modern commerce, education, telemedicine and for economic development initiatives.
BP Exits Alaska | Alaska Insight
BP has been a part of Alaska’s oil industry for 60 years. Recent news of BP selling all Alaska assets to Hilcorp means the end of an era on the North Slope.
Lawlessness in Rural Alaska | Alaska Insight
With many Alaska communities only accessible by boat or air, ensuring public safety is a complicated problem that is only getting worse. What can be done to better protect all Alaskan, both on and off the road system?
Ending Homelessness in Alaska | Alaska Insight
On average, there are about 2000 Alaskans living without permanent housing. What is being done to help them?
Sea Ice Loss in Alaska | Alaska Insight
The decline in seasonal sea ice affects more than just arctic communities. That ice helps regulate world temperatures.
How Budget Cuts Could Affect Nonprofits in Alaska
Alaska will more than likely see large cuts to social services as lawmakers try to pass a more balanced budget. Alaska’s large nonprofit sector often fills the gaps where state money ends.
Alcohol Awareness | Alaska Insight
Alcohol misuse is a big problem in Alaska, but public events promoting alcohol-free spaces are growing. As awareness about the dangerous of excessive drinking grows, what options are there for those seeking alternatives such as alcohol-free cocktails and alcohol free events?
The Governor’s Permanent Fiscal Plan | Alaska Insight
Governor Mike Dunleavy says reducing spending is just one part of his plan for future financial stability in Alaska. Three proposed amendments to the constitution could have a lasting impacting on the state’s economy.
All About the Iditarod | Alaska Insight
Pushing through the extreme weather of the Alaska wilderness is the essence of the thousand mile journey mushers take every year on the Iditarod trail. We’ll hear stories of past adventure on the trail and what the future of the race may be Alaska Insight.
Gov. Dunleavy’s Budget Proposal | Alaska Insight
Governor Dunleavy’s budget proposal would cut more than one and a half billion dollars from state spending in one fiscal year. Will the Governor’s budget put Alaska on firm fiscal ground or drive the state deeper into recession?