Anne Hillman, Alaska Public Media
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.
Longtime KSKA DJ Marvell Johnson Shot, Killed
Longtime KSKA DJ Marvell Johnson was shot and killed on Tuesday. His foster son, 16-year-old Peter John Henry, admitted to the crime and is being charged, as an adult, with murder.
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Education issue fuels candidates for Senate Seat K
Political newcomer Clare Ross is running against Representative Mia Costello for Hollis French's old Senate seat, District K in southwest Anchorage. French decided to run for Lt. Governor instead. Now the two women are competing for the opening and are both making the same promise -- that they'll improve education in the state.
School Board seeks suggestions for $22 million budget shortfall
Community members told the School Board that making up for the $22 million shortfall should not include cutting the gifted programs, but it could involved things like more parent involvement.
Deciphering AO-37, Anchorage’s Labor Law
Anchorage's controversial labor law, commonly referred to as AO-37, will be on the ballot this November. The mayor and his administration want you to vote yes to keep it. The municipal unions want voters to get rid of it. Both sides discuss four major points of the law.
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Fire burns condo in Anchorage, doesn’t spread
A fire severely damaged an Anchorage condo near Tudor and Baxter on Thursday afternoon, but fire crews contained it before it spread to other units and structures.
Quake Shakes Anchorage-ites and Visitors Alike
No major damage or injuries were reported in Anchorage after this morning's quake, but community members said they were still shaken. Items fell of shelves and people ducked under desks.
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Assembly delays decision on Chugach Access Plan
After more than 40 people testified before the Anchorage Assembly, the body voted to postpone making a decision on the Chugach State Park Access Plan. Plan supporters say the community needs easier access. Dissenters took issue with some of the suggested points.
Anchorage Assembly says no to legalizing marijuana
The state’s largest city is publicly speaking out against Ballot Measure 2, which aims to legalize marijuana. But the Anchorage Assembly’s vote was not unanimous.
KTVA reporter quits live on-air after stating she heads AK Cannabis Club
A KTVA reporter announced that she is the president of Alaska Cannabis Club and quit her job during a live broadcast Sunday night. Reporter Charlo Greene, whose real name is Charlene Egbe, has been reporting on the legalization ballot initiative since April.
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Anchorage School Board considers all options for diminishing budgets
The Anchorage School Board is developing a plan for drastic budget cuts in the years ahead. They discussed some of the options with the Anchorage Assembly during a joint meeting on Friday morning, including expanding best practices and possibly reducing the number of school buildings.
Removal of Federal Building trees elicits fierce opposition
The proposal to remove two trees from the front of the historic Federal Building in downtown Anchorage elicited fiery comments from a handful of community members during a public meeting on Thursday.
Uber ride-sharing enters Anchorage market
Uber, a ride-sharing service, is coming to Anchorage, and some taxi companies aren't happy about the not-yet-legal competition.
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Anchorage Port Project is downsized to deal with corrosion, not expansion
The Anchorage Port project is taking a new direction toward modernization and rehabilitation instead of expansion. Three design concepts for re-doing but not expanding the Port will be ready in early November.
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Veterans explore old nuclear missile sites in Anchorage
Anchorage Courthouse Evacuated for Bomb Threat, Nothing Found
The Anchorage Police Department responded to a bomb threat at the Nesbett Courthouse this afternoon. The courthouse was evacuated around 1 pm and the building was searched. They did not find anything. Police also evacuated Boney Courthouse and closed a few downtown streets as a precaution. The area was declared safe by 3 pm, though the Nesbett Courthouse remained closed. The investigation is on going and no other information is available at this time.
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Sheraton workers continue rallying for contracts six years into negotiations
Labor organizers say they're ramping up the protest against the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Anchorage, where workers have been in contentious contract negotiations with the Texas-based company since 2009.
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Anchorage School District Questions 6th Grade Placement
The Anchorage School District is trying to decide if 6th graders should be placed in elementary or middle schools. Currently there are some in each. District staff have been weighing the options for more than a year because it impacts future school infrastructure upgrades. They're also looking at what's best for the students academically. Some 6th graders think middle school is definitely the way to go.
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YWCA aims to close gender pay gap by 2025
Women in Alaska earn significantly less than men, and the YWCA is setting out to change that. Their new initiative aims to close the wage gap by 2025. One of the solutions may be simple--encourage more women to join the trades.
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Walker, Mallott form Unity Ticket to oppose Parnell
The Bill Walker and Byron Mallott campaigns have joined forces to defeat Governor Sean Parnell in November. They're calling their combined campaign the Alaska First Unity ticket. The pair announced their decision at a packed press conference Monday afternoon.
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Freedom Summer Marks 50th Anniversary
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer, when civil rights activists from across the United States joined together to register black voters in the Deep South. It was a summer marred by violence and filled with hope for much of the country. But in Alaska,things were different.