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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State lawyers are defending the Office of Children’s Services in a three-week trial slated to end Sept. 11. -
The initiative needs 35,000 signatures to be added to the ballot. It would allow personal use and cultivation of some psychedelics and therapeutic access in the state. -
Scientists at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage are studying how microplastics move through Alaska water, and developing the first in-state lab accredited to test water samples for microplastics. -
The class action lawsuit alleges the state has placed foster kids at risk and seeks system-wide reforms. -
The board approved a draft of a new policy that could sanction physicians for providing gender affirming care to minors in the state. -
Local organizations ranging from Visit Anchorage to UAA have been helping to host hundreds of people still arriving Thursday at the height of the tourist season. -
The funds will go to cleaning up asbestos, contaminated sludge and soil and tar. Three sites will receive grants and the state knows of many more in need. -
The deputy commissioner spoke on the program “Line One” about how the Big Beautiful Bill will impact Medicaid in the state and on new community engagement requirements. -
A 2018 law aimed at improving outcomes for kids in Alaska’s foster care system hasn’t led to meaningful progress, according to a recent audit, leaving experts dismayed. -
The woman was transported by helicopter to an Anchorage hospital for treatment.
