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
California has become expensive. Many people move away because homes, groceries, gas and taxes cost more than the national average. A recent study shows that those who leave tend to end up richer and own homes sooner than those who stay. The research from the California Policy Lab points out that
California’s top lawyer has sent a clear warning to every public school in the state. Rob Bonta, the Attorney General, used a recent legal notice to remind districts that sexual harassment and assault among students are not just bad behavior—they are illegal. The message is simple: schools must act
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
California's Salton Sea used to be a vacation hotspot in the mid-1900s with its sandy beaches and celebrity visitors. But decades of water mismanagement have turned this 340-square-mile lake into a drying disaster zone. As water disappears, it leaves behind a toxic mix of old pesticides, heavy metal
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
Arkansas has always relied on farming—poultry, cattle, and crops pump billions into the state’s economy and keep rural towns alive. Yet for years, the veterinarians who safeguard this backbone were scarce because most new vets had to leave Arkansas just to study. The result? The state spent years tr
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
California’s tax bill is one of the biggest burdens on its residents, especially those looking to retire. The state’s high property taxes and other levies make the total cost of living much higher than in many other places. When people compare how much they pay versus the benefits they receive, Cali
