Author
Administration says Corrections deaths not ‘unusual,’ ACLU says it’s deflecting responsibility
None of the 15 people to die in Alaska Department of Corrections custody in 2022 so far “died as a result of others,” according to Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Acting Corrections Commissioner Jen Winkelman also said the deaths were not “unusual.” “The investigations of deaths indicate that none of these inmates at this time have died […]
A brother seeks answers over Alaska deaths in custody
Ever since his brother, 31-year-old James Rider, became the 12th person to die while in Alaska Department of Corrections custody, Mike Cox has been trying to get the department to answer his questions. “I want to know what their procedures are and how they intend on fixing them, so this doesn’t keep happening,” Cox said. […]
Watchdog agency commission will consider fast-tracking campaign finance complaint against Alaska Gov. Dunleavy Wednesday morning
The Alaska Public Office Commission is holding a special meeting on Wednesday morning to decide whether to expedite consideration of a complaint against Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, his reelection campaign and others for alleged violations of campaign finance laws. The complainants, nonprofits Alaska Public Interest Research Group and the 907 Initiative, filed a request for […]
Watchdog agency says group supporting Dunleavy refuses to respond to investigation without subpoena
In an investigation into alleged violations of campaign finance laws, an independent expenditure group supporting Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s reelection has refused to respond to requests for information, according to the state’s campaign finance watchdog agency. In early September, nonprofits Alaska Public Interest Research Group and the 907 Initiative filed a complaint with the Alaska […]
As people die in Alaska prisons, reform advocates are calling for independent investigation
Prison reform advocates are calling on Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration to order an independent review of the state Department of Corrections. The department recently reported its 15th in-custody death this year. William Hensley III, 34, died on Sunday at Goose Creek Correctional Center in Wasilla after a month in custody. With this death, Corrections […]
Important dates leading up to Alaska’s Nov. 8 general election
Alaska’s general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 8. For the general election, voters will be asked to: Rank candidates for U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, governor/lieutenant governor, state senator and state representative (only House District 40 does not have an election for state senator on the ballot) Vote yes or no on the ballot measure: Shall […]
Quakers formally apologize to Alaska Native communities for residential schools
The Alaska Quakers apologized to Alaska Native communities for the boarding schools it ran in Alaska and the United States, which forcibly assimilated and abused Indigenous children, separated them from their families and caused intergenerational trauma. In the 1800s and 1900s, the Quakers ran about 30 boarding schools for Native American and Alaska Native youth […]
University of Alaska administration files unfair labor complaint against faculty union
The University of Alaska administration filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the faculty union Friday. The two parties have been negotiating a new faculty contract for more than a year. Speaking on behalf of the administration, associate vice president of public affairs Robbie Graham said Friday that United Academics engaged in “surface bargaining,” or […]
His grandmother was forbidden to speak Lingít in school. Now, school is helping him reclaim it.
The class assignment was to write a letter to anyone they wanted. In Lingít. Eechdaa Dave Ketah chose his late grandmother, the person who spoke Lingít to him when he was growing up in Ketchikan. “And I was telling her that it’s hard learning the language at this point in my life, and one thing […]
Alaska’s first MMIP investigator stayed 5 months; new one is committing to at least 1 year
Retired Alaska State Trooper Lieutenant Lonny Piscoya is Alaska’s new missing and murdered Indigenous persons investigator. He fills the vacancy left by Anne Sears, who went back into retirement in early September after five months on the job. Piscoya, who retired in 2018 after 25 years with the Troopers, is now responsible for leading the […]
Two more people die after a short time in Alaska Corrections custody
Two people died this week after a short time in Alaska Department of Corrections custody, bringing the total number of in-custody deaths this year to 14. Lewey Matoomealook, 37, was pronounced dead on Sept. 25 at Alaska Regional Hospital after 13 days in Corrections custody, becoming the 13th person to die in the state’s prison […]
Nenana-area tribe opposes state’s 20-mile road expansion
Some Nenana-area residents and tribal members say a state road project outside Nenana should be paused after what they describe as a failure by the state to adequately engage the public. The state wants to build 20 miles of new road to open access to agricultural opportunities and improve food security. But tribal members say […]