Anne Hillman, Alaska Public Media

Anne Hillman, Alaska Public Media
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Anne Hillman is the healthy communities editor at Alaska Public Media and a host of Hometown, Alaska. Reach her at ahillman@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Anne here.

Mental Health Trust seeks to change laws that limit how they spend money

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is trying to change the laws that govern how it uses its principal funds. Some board members hope the legislation will pass soon enough that the organization does not have to undergo a special legislative audit. Listen now

Supporting foster care

The Office of Children’s Services isn’t alone in taking responsibility for child welfare. Volunteers also step up to oversee the foster care system, suggest policy changes, and advocate on behalf of individual kids. Join us on the next Talk of Alaska as we discuss community oversight of the child welfare system and ways you can be part of the solution. Listen Now
a bottle of pills

Study shows rise in some prenatal exposure to opiates

A new study from a state epidemiologist looks at infants who were exposed to opiates before birth. Unlike previous studies, it goes beyond the sharp rise in cases for a portion of the population to explore what happens next. The data cannot be generalized to the whole state. Listen now
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New taxi regulations will be on April ballot

After an expedited review, a referendum on Anchorage's new taxi cab regulation will be on the April ballot. The ballot question asks voters if they want to repeal an ordinance that passed last December, creating more than 100 additional taxi permits in the municipality over the next five years. Listen now

Building Interfaith Communities

The program will focus on how we create understanding and have conversations about faith with people who are different from us. We’ll talk about common misconceptions about the three major Western/Abrahamic religions and how they overlap. Listen Now

AK: Fleeing violence and feeling fearful in a new home

After three years of waiting for special immigrant visas, a family from Iraq finally arrived in Anchorage last fall. They were seeking safety. Then, on January 27, President Trump signed an executive order, and everything seemed to change. Listen now

Midtown Anchorage apartment fire kills 2, displaces many

A midtown Anchorage apartment building caught fire early Wednesday morning, killing two people and injuring 16 others. A portion of the three-story Royal Suite Lodge on Minnesota Drive in midtown has collapsed from the blaze, and the cause is currently unknown. Listen now

Health workers trying to control rare strep outbreak in homeless population

There's an outbreak of a newly identified, rare strain of Group A Streptococcus bacteria in Anchorage that's mostly impacting people who are experiencing homelessness. Public health workers will be visiting Brother Francis Shelter, Beans' Cafe, and other services this week to distribute antibiotics and antiseptics to try to stop the spread of the disease. Listen now

49 Voices: Phillip Eben of Anchorage

This week we’re hearing from Phillip Eben in Anchorage. He was born in Unalakleet. Listen now

One refugee’s story of fleeing war and finding love

Refugee stories are often about fear: people fleeing their homes because they fear for their safety. But they can also be stories of joy. One Anchorage woman and her family took a path from war to love, and finally, to Alaska. Listen now

New play tells stories of homelessness, inspires action

A new play showing in Anchorage this weekend tells the stories of homelessness from around the state. But for the writers and actors, "Home But Not Less" isn't a story about sadness. It's about understanding. Listen now

Refugee art show highlights local stories of people impacted by the ban

President Trump's executive order that temporarily suspends refugee resettlement is having impacts in Alaska, where about 140 people are resettled every year. One refugee, an artist from Iraq, is working to help the community learn more about the new arrivals and what the executive order means to our community through a temporary art show. Listen now

Complicated process slows rate for examining sexual assault kits

A recent legislative audit of the state’s Crime Lab said the facility isn’t meeting its target speed for processing Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) kits, which include biological evidence gathered after an alleged sexual assault. A scientist at the lab explained that the process is complicated. Listen now

Hundreds gather in Anchorage to protest executive order on immigration

About 200 people gathered in downtown Anchorage on Sunday night to protest President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration and refugees, which bans certain people from entering the country. Listen now

Thousands march statewide in support of women’s rights far into the future

On Jan. 21, Alaskans held local Women's Marches across the state from Adak to Barrow to Homer to Ketchikan. An estimated 10,000 people participated statewide -- far more than expected. For most, attending the march was an opportunity to stand up for women's rights, indigenous rights, environmental protection and other social issues, but it was only the first step. Listen now

Women’s March draws thousands in downtown Anchorage

More than 3,000 people waded through the snow-filled streets to join the Women’s March on Anchorage Saturday morning.

Community in Unity: Power & Privilege

How does our society's system of privilege impact you? How can we change it to be more equitable? That was the topic for Community in Unity: Power & Privilege, recorded on Jan. 19 in Anchorage. Listen here.
A rainbow flag wavees in a blue sky

Ballot initiative to change Anchorage’s protections for LGBTQ community deemed illegal

The petition to change Anchorage's non-discrimination ordinance, which protects the civil rights of the LGBTQ community, will not move forward. A group of Anchorage residents submitted an application for the "Protect Our Privacy Initiative" in early January. Wednesday municipal attorney Bill Falsey said it was not legal because it addresses too many different subjects. Listen now

Greenhouse grows inspired young people

A new Anchorage greenhouse is sprouting more than seeds – it’s helping young people develop life skills and improve their mental health. Anchorage Community Mental Health Services recently began the new program Seeds of Change. Listen now

Anchorage homeless services coordinating to meet winter needs

Anchorage social service agencies are coordinating efforts to provide safe shelter for people experiencing homelessness, and strategies are already in place to deal with the upcoming extreme cold spell.