Len Anderson

For over a decade, the Matunuska-Susitna Borough has outstripped the rest of Alaska in population growth. From 2000 to 2012, the borough increased by over 34,000 residents. That 58 percent rate is nearly four times Anchorage and the state as a whole. One group finding the Mat-Su particularly attractive are Alaska Natives.Download Audio

Perhaps when you imagine a typical Alaskan Native elder, you think of an older person living in a bush village, or maybe a hub community like Bethel, Barrow or Wrangell. And that’s still true for many elders. But increasing numbers are joining their families in Alaska's cities. As part of our on-going series looking at how we define ourselves and live our lives as Alaskans, Len Anderson looks at the role of Alaska Native elders in an urban environment. Download Audio

Traveling Outside, many of us encounter questions about Alaska stemming from curiosity and ignorance. Do we live in igloos? Is it always winter with six months darkness? Is American money accepted? But rural Alaska residents often feel their urban-dwelling fellow Alaskans have just as many misperceptions about their bush homes. As part of our on-going series looking at how we define our culture and live our lives as Alaskans, Len Anderson presents these examples.Download Audio

Ask most Alaska Natives “Where are you from” and chances are even a second or third generation urban dweller will name a rural community. Ties with one’s region are strong….even for those who never even really lived in there. This week, Len Anderson brings you the story of one urban-raised Inupiaq woman whose longing to connect with her roots first hand prompted her to move “home” to Kotzebue.

Moving from urban anywhere to rural Alaska can be a tough transition – some newcomers don’t last long, worn down by the long winters or a feeling of isolation. Others stay, sometimes for years. Len Anderson talked to some Northwest Alaska residents to find out what makes the difference.

Despite years of effort and millions of dollars in state campaigns, Alaska’s suicide rate remains at nearly double the nation’s average. On Saturday communities across the state participated in suicide prevention walks and gatherings.

For the second time in three days, Anchorage was treated to a positive economic forecast for 2012. While the numbers varied between the state department of labor and the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation reports, the shared projected trend was reassuring.

00000192-9ca2-dda9-a1f3-defb49040000It looks like a second consecutive year of mild job growth for Anchorage as the city continues to emerge from the employment dip experienced in 2009. Alaska Economic Trends January 2012: Anchorage, page 8 (PDF)

Yesterday morning School Superintendent Carol Comeau presented her administration's proposed 2012-2013 budget to the Anchorage School Board, which then began a two day, in-depth review. Compared to recent years, the general operating fund increase is slight, less than two million dollars, but in terms of program and personnel cuts, the impact is deep. ASD: Comprehensive list of all proposed reductions (PDF)

This week the Anchorage Police Department released its quarterly awards. The recipients included officers, dispatchers and citizens. As expected, some involved officers serving citizens, but in some cases the assistance was the reverse. KSKA's Len Anderson reports.