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
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
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
Kristen Faulkner, a cyclist from Homer, and Gus Schumacher, a skier from Anchorage, were honored this week as Pride of Alaska winners at the state’s Sports Hall of Fame Directors Awards. The award recognizes top athletes from across the state, and both Faulkner and Schumacher earned their spots in a
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
Forest Wagner and a companion pushed their bikes up a snowy slope onto Front Street after nine days of riding 265 miles across Alaska’s biggest frozen river. They finally left the icy water behind, feeling a mix of relief and affection for the long stretch they had conquered. The last day on the
President Donald Trump urged Alaskans to ditch the state’s ranked‑choice voting system in a post on Truth Social. He called the method “disastrous” and “fraudulent, ” urging voters to return to what he called free, fair elections. The call follows a 2024 referendum that failed by only 737 votes to r
Alaskans lost over $26 million to fraud in 2024, with seniors hit hardest. Scammers often trick victims by pretending to be government officials, using AI to fake official phone numbers. They push people to use crypto kiosks—machines that handle Bitcoin transactions—because once money is sent this w
Alaska has a serious issue with sexual violence, especially against young people. More than half of reported sexual assault victims in 2024 were under 18, and the state leads the nation in rape cases. Shockingly, Alaska also has a high suicide rate, which experts link to sexual assault. Studies show
Alaska’s push for a massive liquified natural gas project has been making headlines, but the fine details keep slipping through the cracks. A recent study by an outside energy group got people talking. Still, the report was made to support new laws, which means it highlights what helps the project w
