Published Apr 18, 2023

In Alaska, 12.4% of youth report binge drinking. We want Anchorage kids to be healthy and safe, but we know alcohol is widely available. Let's talk about how to promote healthy choices for youth and how to build a community that supports youth to thrive.

This is an open event! Anyone can join the town hall to learn about how alcohol is impacting youth in Anchorage. This event is hosted by VOA Alaska, Anchorage youth, Center for Safe Alaskans, Recover Alaska, and the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Published Apr 18, 2023

The Senate has meanwhile started work on the state capital budget, a companion spending bill to the state operating budget that is passed separately by the Legislatures. Last week the Senate Finance Committee adopted a skeleton capital bill that has the necessary appropriations for major federal surface transportation programs such as for highway and airports but also rural safe water and sanitation projects.

This week senators on the finance committee will hear from budget officials in the state administration on Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposal for capita spending, which was made in mid-December when the governor presented his Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal.

What else goes into the capital budget won’t be known until later in the session when there will be a better picture of what money will be available. One critical need that is not yet in the budget is money for deferred maintenance of state buildings and particularly on University of Alaska campuses around the state.

Published Apr 18, 2023 by Josh Reed

In college track and field action, University of Alaska Anchorage junior distance runner Michael Zapherson recorded the eighth-best mark in the 10K when he ran a personal-best time of 30:09.56 to finish 28th in the 10,000 at the Bryan Clay Invite in Azusa, California, this past Saturday.

After guiding the University of Alaska Fairbanks men’s ice hockey team to one of its best seasons in more than two decades, head coach Erik Largen agreed to a new five-year extension that locks him up through 2027-28. The Nanooks finished with a 22-10-2 record, which tied them for the third-most wins in program history.

“I would like to thank Dr. Brock Anundson, UAF Chancellor Dr. Dan White and President Pat Pitney for their continued support of our hockey program.” Largen said in a statement. “We still have things we want to accomplish as a program and I’m excited to continue working towards great things with our staff and student-athletes. It has been an honor to lead this program and I look forward to building on the great traditions of Nanooks hockey both on and off the ice.”