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.
49 Voices: Carlos Godfrey of Anchorage
Today we're hearing from Carlos Godfrey of McGrath. Godfrey works for the National Weather Service and is based in Anchorage. Listen now
Building a future after prison through vocational education
In Alaska, two-thirds of people who leave prison end up going back within three years. But former inmates who can find decent jobs within a year of release are half as likely to re-offend. So how does the Department of Corrections want to cut recidivism? By teaching the trades.
Going further than Food Stamps in rural Alaska
For most of the United States, the most effective way to get food to people who need it is through Food Stamps. But what happens if you live in a place where stores are limited and expensive? Subsistence doesn’t provide everything that people are accustomed to eating anymore. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has part of the solution through an alternative to SNAP for members of federally recognized tribes in rural areas of Alaska and on Indian Reservations.
49 Voices Brittney Anderson of McGrath
This week we're hearing from Brittney Anderson in McGrath. Anderson moved to McGrath in January of 2016. Listen now
Some old solutions still work: helping people buy food with SNAP
Researchers say one of the most effective ways to fight hunger nationwide is also one of the oldest: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It's still making sure fewer Alaskans go to bed hungry.
Mental Health Trust leaders resign while organization undergoes special audit
In the past month, the three top leaders at the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority submitted letters of resignation. Listen now
Catching food security in a dipnet
Droves of people flood the Kenai to dipnet each year, but does it pay? Given how much you spend on gear and gas, is it a viable solution for food insecurity? Some say yes.
Solutions for Food Insecurity
Did you have enough to eat this month? Did your neighbor? About 15 percent of Alaskans are food insecure -- many of them are children or elderly. But there are ways to help solve this problem. Join us for Talk of Alaska as we discuss how. Listen Here
How books and buses are fighting summer hunger in rural Alaska
Summer meals programs for getting food to hungry kids don't work in rural areas, especially in Alaska. People in Talkeetna are overcoming that problem with the help of books, buses, and backpacks.
49 Voices: Phil Runkle of Nicolai
This week we're hearing from Phil Runkle in Nicolai. Runkle grew up in Nicolai and raises dogs with his family. Listen now
Moody’s downgrades state’s credit rating
Moody's has downgraded the state's credit rating again and said the state has a negative outlook. Listen now
ADN reports large salaries, small workload for state fisheries commission
Two state commissioners are making big money even though they don't have much work left to do. That's the story recently reported by the Alaska Dispatch News. Listen now
Some Alaska firefighters head to Lower 48 to assist combating blazes
Some of Alaska's firefighters are headed to the Lower 48 to help with blazes ranging from Washington to New Mexico. Listen now
The Senate’s Health Care Bill
The US Senate is taking a stab at replacing Obamacare. The newest healthcare reform bill reduces tax credits for buying health insurance and cuts Medicaid funding for the state. So how do these potential changes affect you and your ability to get treatment? Listen Here
Community in Unity: Pathways in and out of Homelessness
From lost jobs to family emergencies to mental health conditions, everyone who has experienced homelessness has a different story. Many people are just one paycheck away. Join us for an open conversation on Tuesday, April 25 at 6 pm about the pathways into homelessness and the strategies different community members and organizations are using to try to solve the problem.
Ombudsman reports show failures at OCS
The state's Ombudsman's Office has released reports for two investigations into the Office of Children's Services - both involving the same caseworker. Listen now
Alaska looks to reform its solitary confinement practices
The Department of Corrections and the ACLU are working together to reform the department’s solitary confinement practices. They brought in a team of experts from New York University to tour facilities and their segregation units this week and develop suggestions that will improve conditions for both inmates and staff. Listen now
Learning about life in a refugee camp
Each of the world’s 21 million refugees has a unique story, but sometimes it’s hard to see past the numbers. To help people understand what fleeing your home might be like, Catholic Social Services in Anchorage set up a simulation where people role played what it would be like to arrive at a refugee camp. Listen now
Elders reflect on Aleut evacuation during WWII
This month marks the 75th anniversary of the Aleut evacuation. More than 800 Unangan people were removed from the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands and relocated to Southeast Alaska during World War II. Two elders share their memories.
75th Anniversary of Aleut Evacuation
75 years ago the Unangan people were evacuated from villages in the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands because of World War II. They were sent to internment camps in southeast Alaska. Others were taken prisoner and sent to Japan. Once the war was over, many were never allowed to return to their homes. Join us for Talk of Alaska as we commemorate the anniversary of these events, and discuss the history and the impacts of the evacuation.