Rebecca Palsha
Assistant News Director
Anchorage, AK
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/gray/29e3a13a-69ad-48a7-bdaf-93915304666f.jpg)
Rebecca Palsha was a senior reporter and anchor at KTUU until being promoted to assistant news director in 2019. Her main areas of focus are climate change, politics and food. She has won numerous local and national awards including an Edward R. Murrow award for excellence in writing. Additionally she was also part of the team that won the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, award for the documentary, "Climate Changed."
(Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photography)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/KUZRI73GWZA4LDCPNRIKBCQCKE.jpg)
According to the National Gardening Association, the lawn and garden industry is led by wealthy households, and millennial households report strong levels of spending also. Millennials, according to the association, are reported to have revived the houseplant market.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2DBSCVUAWZLZFBU2IC7WCD5T7Q.jpg)
Glen Klinkhart the director of the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office. has resigned. In an email to Alaska's News Source Klinkhart said he's moving on to work at the Department of Revenue in the Criminal Investigations Unit.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5M5DYNBYMRFMDPVPSF2K3SCTEI.PNG)
A memorial service for the late Rep. Don Young was held in Anchorage on Saturday.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ACOAU72L35LOPMHZ7YMXYSAKGI.png)
Just one day ahead of what is expected to be a massive memorial service at Anchorage Baptist Temple to honor the late U.S. Rep. Don Young, dozens of people filed for office to fill his seat.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CHJ7S53U3JDJPNKTYB5WVH5A6E.jpg)
Along with vertical integration, one cannabis business is focusing on edibles and healthier ways people are consuming marijuana. There is also the question of how the state collects taxes and how federally legalized marijuana would impact the local economy.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/XHNIFHXRQ5ACZHTJCBDQIUCQD4.jpg)
According to the Alaska Department of Revenue, more than 3% percent of the taxes collected in Alaska came from marijuana in 2021. That’s more than $30 million for fiscal year 2021 alone.
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a Democrat from Sitka, has introduced a bill that would make minor marijuana convictions, which happened before legalization, confidential.
As legal marijuana becomes more mainstream, the conversations about how to talk to children about pot have been evolving in Alaska. Experts say parents should be upfront with their children about the impacts of marijuana — especially on young, still developing brains.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QGTGST4XQ5FIXJPNHR72KIPOU4.jpg)
Alaska's marijuana industry is thriving more than seven years after legalization. But, according to industry experts, federally legalized marijuana could put local grows, manufacturers and pot shops out of business. This week, Alaska's News Source looks at the impact of the marijuana industry in Alaska since legalization.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/3ZT4WYXXAVCIHNQXTKJUTUZ75I.jpg)
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Alaska was ranked as one of the top ten states for illicit drug use in 2010-11. Additionally the ACLU of Alaska says about 96% of the prison population will be released, at some point, and Alaska's rate of recidivism is about 66%.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OVB4JLLA4FAM5MWNXXBZBRYCT4.jpg)
This can be a hard time of the year for many. It’s dark, the pandemic continues to impact all of us, these are stressful times. Here are a few ideas we're collected that could bring you some happiness.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DRHTDTRISFLSBKYNTHID2C6VS4.jpg)
Dozens of graduates of the United States Military Academy wrote an op-ed in the Mat-Su Frontiersman calling on Republican Rep. David Eastman to resign from office.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4OCFAWF5KJE3TCXSAAW7AXAPI4.jpg)
According Alaska Backyard Chickens, which is associated with the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, some of the most popular chicken breeds, such as Barred Rock, Rhode Island Red and Ameraucana, do well in Alaska and northern climates.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WIFWZQ5GFFB3XHJ3MGJOST37YI.jpg)
The emergency shelter at the Sullivan Arena was a temporary solution when the pandemic began, but it has remained the only solution until long term plans to help people come to fruition. It's also led to growing tension between the neighborhood and people who stay at the arena.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HUD53UHFWJGD5JKQBZ2PV6WVIU.jpg)
According to data from the weather station at the base of Aleyska, Girdwood has had about a foot and a half of rain over the past five days. Alaska's News Source Chief Meteorologist Melissa Frey says looking at records this amount of rain "smashes any previous records."
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NPEA6WGB2VAJBC5F5ZX2QZJ2M4.jpg)
The city's first chief equity officer, Clifford Armstrong III, struck back after being fired by Mayor Dave Bronson. Tuesday morning, he filed a lawsuit against the municipality of Anchorage saying that his firing wasn't legal.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LQZ2SF4OOFFVLGDEWP5CT4ZI5E.jpg)
Hundred's of people experiencing homelessness have been living inside the Sullivan Arena for more than a year since the start of the pandemic. Reports of poor conditions have emerged from the shelter, while the city administration says calls to 911 have gone down under the new contractor.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/63YTJNDTRNEDVM4LGIW2KNAY3M.jpg)
The Anchorage Assembly approved $1.3 million for the operator and $5.59 for services at the Sullivan Arena to continue through December.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DVQRJWBR7RBWNNLUQXIW4ZILOY.jpg)
The city's first chief equity officer, Clifford Armstrong III, gave Alaska's News Source his personnel files. The mayor's spokesperson has continuously said the city is not allowed to talk about why Armstrong was fired because it is a personnel issue.
Wednesday is the deadline Mayor Dave Bronson was given to tell the Anchorage Assembly why the city's first chief equity officer, Clifford Armstrong III was fired. The assembly could consider legal action as the next step.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/EJJ2JV2DEFBDJLD4ATMPIVNVN4.PNG)
About 40% of Anchorage students are missing class more than 10% of the time right now, according to the district.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JF7CFGNOZVP63MUA76VW62XQ3Q.jpg)
After two years of pandemic buying online and a strain on global supply chains, customers and shop owners are finding their goods being delivered months after being ordered. In Alaska it means fewer Christmas toys and shortages of parts for things like helmets.
An Alaska lawmaker has ties to an extremist group that was reportedly a large part of the violent Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
A little more than a week after Anchorage's first chief equity officer was fired and replaced by the Bronson administration, Clifford Armstrong III updated his LinkedIn profile with an article he wrote about the reasons he believes he was let go.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Y6C22HJJEFBGDFBWQCKNXH3GXM.jpg)
More Alaskans are turning to cremation over traditional burials, and COVID-19 has shown a need for funeral homes to change the way their business is run.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/76UR2RCIURFOVNFDY3NQGMEFHI.PNG)
Desiree Edgington is enraged. Her brother Mike died Oct. 2nd at home, in his bed, alone. She blames COVID-19 and is waiting for the final autopsy report from the state for proof.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/7M6NBC5ZIRFKVLZGSXONFEEXAE.png)
The longest serving Anchorage Assembly member, Dick Traini, has watched the debate about a proposed mask ordinance unfold over the past few days. He called the public's behavior at recent hearings "embarrassing."
Anchorage’s first ever chief equity officer was fired by the Bronson administration late last week and his replacement was announced Monday morning.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JCS2PAVY5FBNTAP4CVQBD2JX54.jpg)
According to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, 83 people in the Mat-Su have died with COVID-19.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YPE4TVA4KFIBRMMXMPBT5HBHRM.jpg)
Mat-Su Regional Medical Center has increased its ICU capacity to treat additional COVID-19 patients. The hospital says that out of 94 patients being treated there, 41 have COIVD-19 and 85% of those patients are not vaccinated.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NVZKXPIXAJDQHOLRQ6DJCWXTLM.jpg)
Providence Alaska Medical Center supports a mask mandate in Anchorage. This week of the CEO of the hospital sent a letter to the Anchorage Assembly outlining the growing concerns the hospital is having as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to drag on.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/XMEPI7B6CVBURIFSKJBZISPUDQ.jpg)
In 2001, Alaska's News Source interviewed six children about how they experienced the 9/11 attacks. On Friday, reporters caught up with one of those children 20 years later to hear her perspective on the cusp of that day's anniversary.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/6UGIIMBKUFGTVEZ5L73ZUJAB4U.jpg)
Mayor Dave Bronson continues to butt heads with members of the Anchorage Assembly over COVID-19 and municipal appointee confirmations.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NUUNDYBJ3VCVTG3SRNXTVMRN5A.jpg)
As school begins this week, many Anchorage parents are still scrambling to find afternoon child care. Camp Fire Alaska is offering significantly fewer spots for before and after school child care.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CIZA5GLUPRNONCQJVROOIYZ5DU.jpg)
The popular Girdwood hand tram will most likely remain closed and replaced by a bridge.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4UFDYOXZM5EYDHAXHFFPYUNEU4.jpg)
In Katmai National Park and Preserve, more than 250 miles from Anchorage on a peninsula in southern Alaska most people stop whatever they're doing to watch brown bears.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4KT7TRVTUVHEHDZGFLRNVFTFBA.jpg)
Senator Lisa Murkowski, who is up for reelection in 2022, has long had an independent streak.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TVYLRRY2XVHLBHHGJJ5BG3R6DA.jpg)
Nome, which is also a thriving tourism town, relies heavily on Iditarod visitors and a summer cruise ship season. It's also a vital hub for Northwest Alaska. After a year of pandemic restrictions locals say they're optimistic life is returning to normal.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JM5A6BG6TNP3BLXMMGXWSOX53I.jpg)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough is hoping travelers will get the urge to visit Alaska's playground this summer, which is famous for high-quality fishing, hiking and recreation as pandemic restrictions are lifted.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TEYNQ47VVJF3XHUEYHIX4VJKMA.png)
In what may be the only televised talk between the two candidates to be Anchorage's next mayor, both Forrest Dunbar and Dave Bronson showed how vastly different they would run the city.
The Anchorage Assembly is holding a special meeting Tuesday to certify the results of the municipal election, where Dave Bronson earned roughly 34% of the vote and Forrest Dunbar earned around 32%.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4JJ7KJRWJJHYTB7JN472NUYIVQ.jpg)
This week more than 80% of the students at Wasilla High School voted on a new design to depict the school mascot, the Wasilla Warrior.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OCKURZUCLBCFJBUT237XZHMDT4.jpeg)
In Alaska, as of April 12, 11,178 Johnson & Johnson doses have been administered out of 35,500 total doses allocated in the state.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MNTY7LG4RVCWTKOHRFJPKNOSZE.jpg)
The build up to the first face-to-face meetings between U.S. and Chinese officials under the Biden administration began several days ago in Washington DC with Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying he was going to lay out 'in very frank terms,' the concerns the U.S has with China.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4BTZHD63YZAIDETBQSJUJXROAU.jpg)
This time around there are 15 candidates who want to be the mayor of Anchorage. If no one locks in more than 45% of the vote, the two candidates who receive the most votes will be placed on the runoff ballot.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/N7HZ3TIYQZAANCWKQNXVU5WYBY.png)
Alaska is leading the nation in COVID-19 vaccinations.
This election cycle is huge with, crowded with candidates that will all face huge tasks. The next mayor faces an ongoing economic crisis, reopening schools, the coronavirus pandemic, vocal critics of the citywide coronavirus shutdown and a shrinking population.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SC3OX6L775JSZF3EBG4WN3HF3A.jpg)
Stevens’ last day wasn’t announced yet but the governor’s office says it will be made known soon.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/D5B3UM4FNNAGPJQHWXUTPIWIYU.bmp)
In a school year when learning has become unpredictable, with kids zooming back and forth during remote classes, summer is likely to take on a different role this year— one of intense recovery.The Anchorage School District is in the process of creating a robust summer school program.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2EWW6JJPWNIVJLE4IQ2GQYYKPA.jpg)
Homeless and the issues that surround it, including affordable housing were the focus of a mayoral discussion Tuesday night.