Alaska's schools face tough problems today. Many classrooms have fewer students than before. Some people think closing schools is the only answer. But that misses the real issue. Years of decisions have left schools struggling. Money problems make it hard to help students. When schools can't give k
Alaska’s school funding has dropped behind other states in a big way. While most states increased education spending by 26% from 2017 to 2022, Alaska only managed a 13% increase — barely enough to cover rising costs. Even when adjusted for Alaska’s high living expenses, the state still spends 15% le
Western Union, the 175‑year‑old money‑transfer giant, is ready to launch its own stablecoin, a digital dollar that could change how it moves money worldwide. The company said the coin, called USDPT, will be issued through Anchorage Digital and run on the Solana blockchain. The launch is expected nex
Alaska’s government is updating how thousands of public workers save for retirement—but not everyone likes the changes. A new bill pushes the state to bring back guaranteed pensions after an old system collapsed in 2006. That earlier plan failed because lawmakers didn’t pay enough into it, leaving w
Western powers are stepping up their game to reduce their heavy reliance on a single player for vital raw materials. The United States and the European Union have just signed a fresh deal to work together on securing supplies of critical minerals. These minerals are the backbone of modern industries
Alaska’s snow is melting, and soon the bears will wake from their winter sleep. When they start hunting for food, people need to change how they keep their homes and neighborhoods safe. Every year more than a hundred bears are killed in Alaska by residents or local authorities, usually after the
Alaska’s shortage of early childhood educators just got some help from an unlikely source: a University program that nearly lost its license but came back stronger. The University of Alaska Anchorage’s early childhood program was in trouble in 2019 when it lost important accreditation, leaving hundr
Western Wisconsin’s rivers and streams are facing growing problems, and experts warn the situation could get worse. Heavy rains and melting snow don’t just fill up creeks—they carry pollution, dirt, and even salt from roads straight into the Mississippi River. That extra water isn’t always harmless.
Alaska’s veteran groups rely heavily on pull-tab games to fund their work, from fixing up buildings to hosting community events. These paper-based games have been the backbone of their income for years. But times have changed. Most people now handle their money, shopping, and social lives through ap
Alaska is losing its public workers faster than it can hire new ones. About 3, 000 jobs are empty right now, which is nearly one‑sixth of all state positions. The loss costs the budget a lot of money in temporary help, bonuses and overtime, and it slows down everything from fire fighting to health
