|
Current Topics
Alaska turned to a private guardianship agency to care for some of its most vulnerable residents. The result: dysfunction and debt. ADN
Some of Alaska’s most vulnerable residents were left ailing, indebted, at risk of losing their housing and with their public benefits lapsed — including Social Security payments and Medicaid — after dozens of guardianship cases were transferred from a public agency to a fledgling nonprofit.
After 48 years, Army wife reunited with wedding ring. Axios
Forty-eight years after Nashville resident Skyla Carmona lost her wedding ring in a wooded area outside a small trailer at Fort Devens Army base in Massachusetts, it has been found. The discovery of Skyla's wedding ring is an example of the internet doing something good instead of bitterly dividing us.
New statewide data tells mixed story about crime in Alaska. ADN
The total number of crimes reported to police fell slightly over the previous year, while the number of violent crimes reported increased slightly. The number of homicide, aggravated assault, vehicle theft and arson offenses reported to police statewide increased. All other serious crimes had fewer offenses reported. The number of rape offenses reported to police was at its lowest point since 2016. Still, Alaska’s sexual assault rate remains far above the national average.
Seattle is emerging as Fusiontown, U.S.A. Axios
The Seattle region is solidifying its place as a global leader in the race for fusion energy, with five major companies looking to crack the code on the clean, sustainable power source. In a rapidly warming and carbon-dependent world, there's a "huge prize" for developing and commercializing fusion energy, Mike Sexsmith of General Fusion said last month at Seattle Fusion Week. Fusion — in which atoms' nuclei are fused to release energy — promises effectively limitless, zero-emissions power without the radioactive byproducts produced by today's fission-based nuclear plants.
Education
Schools face wave of migrant pupils. Axios
School districts across the country are on the front lines of the migrant crisis, as children coming with their families across the U.S.-Mexico border enter classrooms.
Economy
A glaringly obvious answer to America's truck driver shortage. Alaska Beacon
A little-known fact: Less than 5% of America’s long-haul drivers are women. And a lesser-known fact: Thousands of women are eager to do the job, are fully qualified, and hold commercial licenses to drive the rigs. But they’re constantly rejected when they apply for openings at trucking companies.
"Bull" market now looks like bear rally. Axios
This year's once-significant stock market gains are slipping away fast, as the higher-for-longer rates consensus clobbers the market.
Residents of Midwest, Mountain West see biggest pay bumps, Alaskans see largest drop. Alaska Beacon
Over the past four years, Alaska residents lost the most in inflation-adjusted income and the state was one of three that saw declines. Both Alaska and North Dakota have economies driven by oil, but North Dakota’s shale boom is still on an upswing while Alaska’s production has been in decline since the 1980s, helping North Dakota rise to the top of income growth statistics while Alaska sunk to the bottom. Alaska’s per capita income dropped 2.4% after inflation over the past four years.
Politics
Alaska retirement board recommends closure of widely used plan after analysis finds flaw. Alaska Beacon
The board in charge of Alaska’s retirement system for public employees has recommended the closure of its commonly used managed accounts program after an independent review found workers were being charged high fees and receiving lower-than-expected returns.
Catch up fast on policy: Interior edition. Axios
President Biden's choice for the No. 2 job at the Interior Department could bring new tensions over oil drilling on public lands. He tapped Laura Daniel-Davis as acting deputy secretary to replace Tommy Beaudreau, who recently left the role. Davis moves into the gig after serving as principal deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals management. Sen. John Barrasso, the top energy committee Republican, alleged she has "continually blocked access to important minerals and restricted oil and gas leasing on federal lands.” Nicole Gentile of the Center for American Progress said Daniel-Davis can "deliver on the president's vision of conserving public lands and wildlife," expanding outdoor access and working with tribal groups.
Health Care
Alaska's Health Department measures results of disease prevention programs in pounds. Alaska Beacon
Cumulative pounds lost may seem like a strange metric for the state to monitor, but it’s one tangible way to see that its efforts to reduce and prevent chronic disease are working.
Alaska's pharmacist shortage has meant reduced hours and long waits for prescriptions. ADN
Alaskans hoping to pick up prescriptions are facing temporary closures amid persistent staffing challenges at some pharmacies around the state, part of a longstanding pharmacist shortage in Alaska and nationwide.
Insured Americans struggling to afford care. Axios
Nearly a third of adults reported having medical or dental debt, and nearly half of them said it's at least $2,000.
White House wants naloxone in schools. Axios
The Biden administration on Monday will send a letter urging all schools to keep an opioid overdose reversal drug on hand and train staff and students on how to use it. The request is a response to the grim reality that opioid overdoses — particularly those involving illicit fentanyl — have risen rapidly among children and teenagers in recent years.
Combating Alaska's suicide crisis will take all of us. ADN
In our country, suicide is at an all-time high. Our armed forces are working to address a substantial increase in suicide among active-duty service men and women. And in writing about the youth mental health crisis, Sen. Dan Sullivan recently described the statistics as “shocking,” with a 29% increase in adolescent suicides over the past decade and a 50% increase in suicide attempts by teenage girls during the pandemic.
State again falls behind on processing food stamp benefits, creating new backlog for thousands of Alaskans. ADN
More than a year after the Alaska Division of Public Assistance first fell behind on processing food stamp benefits for thousands of Alaskans, the state agency is again reporting lengthy delays for new and returning applicants.
Ozempic's spell on markets. Axios
With its outsized power to grab headlines, upend entire industries and dominate the public conversation, Ozempic has become the Taylor Swift of the stock market. Krispy Kreme shares fell this week over worries that Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and other drugs that are being used for weight loss will shrink demand for donuts, Bloomberg reported — and that's not all.
"Pharmageddon" adds to Walgreens' woes. Axios
Walgreens, the nation's largest drugstore chain, is reeling from labor shortages, executive turnover, fierce competition, debt issues, retail theft — and now a worker walkout dubbed "Pharmageddon" that's also affecting CVS and Rite Aid.
Charted: Child-care cost surge. Axios
Parents' average child-care payment is up 32% from 2019. The report found that cost increases might be driving some parents out of the workforce to look after their children. The price surge outpaced overall inflation: The Consumer Price Index was up 20% over the same period.
|
