Rachel Cassandra
Health and Wellness ReporterRachel Cassandra is the health and wellness reporter and producer. As a reporter, she covers statewide health and mental health news. A few of her areas of focus include addiction and the opioid epidemic, food and health care insecurity, rural health care, mental health care and stories of how communities thrive. She also occasionally produces shows for LineOne: Your Health Connection. She’s worked in Alaska Public Media’s newsroom since May 2023.
Before working for AKPM, Rachel was a reporter in Petersburg for KFSK. She also interned for Sitka’s radio station, KCAW. She worked for many years as a freelance journalist, reporting for a range of publications including KQED, Mindsite News, The Atlantic, Atmos and VICE. She graduated from UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.
When Rachel is not reporting, she might be running, hiking, crafting, illustrating, reading, playing board games or playing with her two cats — Indigo and Persephone.
You can reach Rachel at rcassandra@alaskapublic.org.
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Providence is closing the only program like it in the state, for financial reasons, leaving experts wondering where else Alaska kids in crisis can go. -
The pollen is a trigger for those with seasonal allergies, who may want to limit time outside or find ways to manage exposure. -
The ACLU of Alaska is suing Governor Mike Dunleavy and two DOC employees for the failure, saying it ‘endangers the health, safety, and lives of incarcerated people.’ -
Alaska is the first state to pass a law specifically requiring cancer warnings for alcohol sales. -
The Alaska Division of Insurance hopes the tool is a first step in lowering health care costs in the state. -
Katy Arvidson of Eagle River will compete this summer in the national pageant, which aims to reduce prejudice and discrimination against women with disabilities. -
Data from the last five years show that many people who contracted HIV had seen a provider in the year before. -
The funding was through the Title X program and was for preventative reproductive healthcare, and not abortions. -
Experts say with a bit of preparation, the likelihood of harm to people and pets is low. -
If it becomes law, kids will have the right to a hearing within seven days to determine whether the acute psychiatric placement is necessary.
