“Alaska is a childcare desert.” - Blue Shibler, executive director of the Southeast Childhood Collective.
(Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
By Corinne Smith
Alaska childcare providers, families and employers are under intense strain with the lack of childcare availability and funding, according to advocates. They are calling for major state investment in the childcare industry and seeking policy changes under the next governor and Alaska State Legislature.
(Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
By Yereth Rosen
The respiratory virus that sparked a disruptive worldwide pandemic six years ago continues to circulate in Alaska, but its effects are much diminished from past years, according to state health statistics.
In the 2025-2026 season, 22 Alaskans, including one child, died with COVID-19 listed as an underlying or contributing cause of death, according to a bulletin issued Wednesday by the Alaska Department of Health’s epidemiology section.
(Getty Images)
COMMENTARY
By Paul Osterman
When I leave my Boston condo every day, I say good morning to the concierge, who works for a contracting company providing staff to residential buildings. When I conduct an interview in a nearby building, the people who clean that office at night are contractors. The person who serves me my lunch sandwich is a part-timer with no career prospects in that job.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Alaska Beacon reporter recognized with national science journalism award | Claire Stremple
Mixed signals for housing costs in Alaska | Yereth Rosen
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