Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media
Wesley is the web editor, Alaska News Nightly producer and education reporter for Alaska Public Media. He also produces Alaska Public Media's weekly 49 Voices program, AK's attempt to put every Alaskan on the radio.
wearly (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8454 |About Wesley
49 Voices: Andrew Freed of Anchorage
This week we’re hearing from Andrew Freed in Anchorage. Freed is a UAA student and moved to Alaska 12 years ago from Mississippi. Listen now
49 Voices: Will Schlimgen of Eagle River
This week we're hearing from Will Schlimgen in Eagle River. Will is originally from California, and is just starting his second year at UAA. Listen now
Paratroopers dot the skies over Fort Richardson
Hundreds of parachutes dotted the sky near Anchorage Tuesday afternoon, as more than 450 Airborne Army paratroopers participated in a Joint Forcible Entry Exercise at Fort Richardson. Listen now
Flood warning issued for Seward area
National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Seward until 4 p.m. Tuesday.
2016 Alaska Primary Elections
Check for latest updates on the 2016 Alaska Primary Elections.
Unextinguished campfire cause of McHugh Fire
The Department of Natural Resources have determined that an unextinguished campfire was the cause of the McHugh fire that has been raging in Chugach State Park near South Anchorage since July 16th. According to a release sent out this afternoon, the fire began in an area not commonly used by hikers and not in an established campfire ring. Listen now
Weather service: Red flag warning for fires in Anchorage
Early this morning, the National Weather Service in Anchorage issued a red flag warning effective until 10 p.m. tonight, highlighting that Anchorage would be at a higher risk for wildfires.
Firefighters respond to wildfire off of Seward Highway
A 25-acre wildfire began to spread across McHugh Creek about three-quarters of a mile from the Seward Highway south of Anchorage. According to the Department of Forestry, the fire was reported to the Anchorage Fire Department at about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night. Listen now
US Senate bill introduced that would prevent export of Native cultural and religious items
Tribes across the country would have new opportunities to reclaim lost artifacts under a new Senate bill. The Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony , or STOP Act, would prevent the export of cultural and religious items. Listen now
49 Voices: Karen Paul of Kwigillingok
This week we're hearing from Karen Paul in Kwigillingok. Paul is a dual language teacher who teaches in English and Yupik. Listen now
49 Voices: Brian Weed of Juneau
This week we’re hearing from Brian Weed in Juneau. Weed is a corrections officer by day and a mine explorer in his free time.
Alaska changes HS diploma requirements; no more SAT, ACT
A law that made taking a college aptitude test such as the SAT and ACT mandatory for getting a high school diploma expired on Thursday after being in effect for two years. This signaled an end to 12 years of requiring students to take some form of test, in addition to passing a standard high school curriculum, to get a diploma. Listen now
Anchorage citizens react to PFD cuts
Among Governor Walker's cuts today was a cut to Permanent Fund Dividends that would cap the amount at 1000 dollars. A controversial decision among lawmakers and the public, it was one of many ways the Governor tried closing the budget deficit. Anchorage citizens had varied opinions on how the cut to the dividend would affect the public and if the cut was justified.
Jahna Lindemuth to serve as next Alaska Attorney General
Governor Walker announced Tuesday afternoon that Jahna Lindemuth would succeed Craig Richards as the Alaska Attorney General. Download Audio
AK: Summer ski jumping
Last week, the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage (NSAA) was able to have summertime ski jumping at the Hilltop Ski Area. This is the first summer ski jump facility in the state. Download Audio
Walker orders Alaska flags lowered in remembrance of Orlando shooting
In the wake of the mass shooting early Sunday morning at an Orlando gay nightclub, Governor Walker ordered that all Alaska flags be lowered in honor of the victims of the shooting. In the attack, a lone gunman opened fire on the Pulse nightclub and killed at least 50 people and injured at least 53 more. The attack is reported to be the worst attack in the United States since the September 11 attacks.
UPDATE: Recent bear mauling may actually have been moose attack says Fish and Game
What was thought to have been a stabbing on wednesday, then a bear attack, is now being reported as a moose attack by the Department of Fish and Game.
Record rainfall leads to flooding in Anchorage
Anchorage beat an almost 30-year-old record on Monday for most rainfall in a single day. Download Audio
49 Voices: Grant Deussing of Anchorage
This week we're hearing from Grant Deussing in Anchorage. Deussing is a graphic designer and student worker at UAA. Download Audio
Tires from 87 Merrill Field planes get slashed and vandalized
Vandals slashed the tires of 87 planes at Merrill Field in Anchorage early Thursday morning. Officials and pilots at the field say it's the largest act of air travel vandalism they've seen in their careers. Download Audio