News
OCS responds to audit that found Alaska failed to fully implement foster care reforms
2+ hour, 46+ min ago (692+ words) The state Office of Children's Services continues to struggle to hire and retain qualified workers, the agency's head told Alaska lawmakers Tuesday. In a series of legislative hearings in recent weeks, Alaska's child welfare officials have described trouble finding employees…...
Opinion: When child care funding disappears, so do Alaska’s foster families
1+ week, 2+ day ago (295+ words) We are Alaska foster parents with deep concern regarding the decision to end "above and beyond" child care funding for foster families effective Jan. 1, 2026. This child care funding is not optional or supplemental. It is foundational to our ability to…...
Dear Annie: My content-creator step-daughter films everything. How do I draw some lines?
3+ week, 1+ day ago (201+ words) Dear Annie: I'm a 42-year-old mom of two. I've been remarried for three years, and I'm trying hard to do the blended family thing with grace. My husband has a 16-year-old daughter, "Mia," who lives with us half the time....
Dear Annie: No compromise when it comes to the dogs
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (418+ words) Dear Annie: I'm one of those people who talks to her dogs like they're little roommates. I don't mean baby-talk nonstop, but yes, I tell them, "Good morning." Yes, I apologize if I step over them. And yes, I know…...
Opinion: Alaska passed foster care reform, then ignored it
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (441+ words) Legislators would be justified in assuming our reforms are being put to work to help children. They're not. They've never been implemented. That's been an intentional policy decision made somewhere between top Office of Children's Services (OCS) management and the…...
Dear Annie: This sports bet is threatening my friendship — and more
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (324+ words) Dear Annie: One of my good female friends graduated from a rival college of mine. We love talking smack about who has a better football team. When her school loses games, I gloat. One time this year, I said her…...
Letter: A hard goodbye to Mollie
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (272+ words) Letter: A hard goodbye to Mollie'Anchorage Daily News Letter: A hard goodbye to Mollie I can relate to Peter Porco's commentary (To end a pet's life," Jan. 7) about euthanizing his dog. I had to euthanize my dog four years ago…...
Dear Annie: Can we please not do holiday group texts?
2+ mon, 2+ week ago (179+ words) Annie Lane is off this week. This column was originally published in 2022. Dear Annie: The holiday season is in full swing, and with it comes time for something I dread: GROUP TEXTS! " Don't Group Me Dear Annie: In 1996, I met…...
Dear Annie: How I survived childhood bullying — and learned to thrive in spite of it
2+ mon, 2+ week ago (192+ words) Annie Lane is off this week. This column was originally published in 2022. Instead of totally withdrawing and being sad about my experience as a pre-teen and teenager, I pursued activities and hobbies that didn't involve school, sports or winning. Instead,…...
Their time to shine: Anchorage School Board backs Girl Scout effort to ban glitter in district schools
2+ mon, 2+ week ago (904+ words) A group of Anchorage Girl Scouts successfully advocated for the passage of resolution calling for a ban on plastic glitter in the school district. The Anchorage School Board passed the resolution on Tuesday night. Girl Scouts from Troop 436 brought the…...