As a current UAF PhD student, I am devastated by the recent decisions made by our Board of Regents. Their removal of diversity, equity, inclusion and other associated terms from university websites and public-facing materials is a gut punch. www.adn.com/opinions/202...

Policy making doesn't happen in a vacuum. There are many influences and textures as to why something is seen as an issue. So, your law makers must become adept problem solvers who listen. Sometimes the problem we think is wide spread isn't being defined or analyzed by the people most affected.

It's time for another (Zoom) Loop in with Löki. Join us Tuesday, Sept 30 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Register at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #akleg

My dad's Free Little Library is now mapped. If you are up in Nome, stop by! He says he has kid's books, adventure books, and dictionaries!

I once had a convo with some dear family friends who happen to be committed Trump supporters. They lamented the use of Executive Orders by Obama and we all agreed that governing through EO is wrong. I wonder what they would say now (I mean, I don't wonder, I know, and I am deeply disappointed).

Passed by unanimous consent. #csgwest

Co-worker appreciation post @akscotty.bsky.social

Here's what I don't get... Almost every R candidate running for AK Gov has or is connected to the current Admin. And you'd think if his/their policies were so great, they'd all be running on a "more of the same" platform, but none of them are... 💁🏽‍♀️

I ❤️ being part of a profession (social work) & organization (NASW, Alaska Chapter) that recognize the critical role that policy & policymakers play in creating the conditions for health, wellness, empowerment, & safety we want for our clients. Congrats @repgray.bsky.social @lgtobin.bsky.social !

42 today. m.youtube.com/watch?v=zPlE...

Unapologetically a TNG super fan. Happy Star Trek Day.

I miss her.

This week's Sunday story: history of student loan debt. Prior to the 1970s, many states and large cities (CA, FL, NY City to name a few) offered free college/public university. Surprised? I was. Then Reagan popped onto the scene. 1/🧵

It costs, on average, $202 a day to incarcerate someone in Alaska. And that is before factoring in mental health needs or impacts of chronic houselessness or illness. Just think about that when you hear someone talk about criminalizing homelessness, substance use disorder, or mental illness.

Time to fill my cup. #NOBELWomen

United we stand, divided we beg. #unionstrong

And here on my Sunday Story is a deep dive into the term "woke": 👇🏽👊🏽✊🏽 First usage of the slang term "woke" or "stay woke" comes from the 1920s when Jamaican and Black leaders urged Black folks to develop an awareness of their surroundings and situation. 1/🧵

To my fellow millennial women: One thing we know about cougar puberty (perimenopause and menopause) is the high rate of death by suicide for women ages 45-54. Let's keep an eye out, an ear open, and a shoulder free for each other. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

I was born to a librarian. I wrote a lot of book reports during banned books week that only my mom read (and graded).

I am feeling conflicted... My class was cancelled tonight and I really like learning and this PhD program is incredible, but...CLASS WAS CANCELLED.

I have been making my donations and I know it will not be enough.

Now that Disney owns Fox, which means they own the Alien franchise, I can't stop thinking about how the Alien Queen is now a Disney Princess/Queen.

Being kind doesn't mean being weak. It just means having empathy. And understanding that there's always a context behind what someone does or says. Hamadel Ndiaye

Earlier today I submitted my comments to the State Medical Board. In addition to a resolution prohibiting gender affirming care for youth, the State Medical Board is also considering new regulatory language to limit abortions that may occur after the first trimester. [email protected]

I want every trans child to grow up. Gender affirming care saves lives. Public comment begins at 8:45 on 8/22. www.adn.com/politics/202...

How bad was slavery... My mother's people were original land stewards with our own tribal identities robbed and stripped of our heritage. And despite every endeavor to erase us, we resist. We persist. I persist. Not just for my own people's liberation, but for everyone's.

The start of the weekend was awesome...went to McCarthy and spent time with a good friend. The end of the weekend, the absolute worst. It has been a total loss of all my refrigerator pickles, homemade sauerkraut, aged egg nog, and heirloom culture homemade yogurt. Saved the frozen corn stock tho.

Man after my own heart ❤️☺️🫶🏽

My Senate office has been notified by patrons and families about this detention and I am working with our federal delegation on next steps. This is not the kind of free country we need to be. #akleg bit.ly/46R3VIC

Tonight I spent my time where I see democracy and community thriving: my local community council.

🇺🇦

If your plane to Juneau was unable to land and instead diverted to Sitka where the next flight out is at 7:45 pm; how would you spend your day?

It was simply horrible. The easy-to-navigate public transit, the clean walkable streets, the delicious restaurants, and getting to see old friends. Truly terrible. #DCStatehoodNow

DC Statehood NOW.

I'm re-reading 3 U.S. Code § 15 (counting electoral votes in Congress) because I have a sneaking suspicion that simply holding off being a lame duck is not the ultimate end goal for the current White House occupant.

Anyone going to a Congressional R fundraiser should ask how adjourning early and for an entire month to protect a convicted sex offender is different from Texas Dems refusing to give quorum to those who wish to subvert representative democracy. Clearly the attention is on the wrong group.

How do you govern? You prioritize the kids.

Here's the thing: Alaska's kids won because of bipartisanship. 17 lawmakers put aside partisanship and chose to do the right thing, even when faced with incredible pressure, demands, and in some instances, downright bullying. My vote was easy. Theirs took real courage and leadership.

We did not give up. We did not step aside nor were we defeated. Thank you to every legislator who put Alaska's kids first today. www.adn.com/politics/ala...

In a rare moment, my gratitude and appreciation renders me speechless. The words "thank you" are too blasé for how overwhelmed I am feeling.

ALERT: Due to the federal recessions bill, @gavelalaska.bsky.social coverage of the 1st special session (which starts tomorrow) may be limited.

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to overriding the veto of statutorily required education $$$, but for a second year in a row I am missing the Alaska State Fair home canned goods drop off. I even weighed the contents of each jar this time around to up my chances of a big blue ribbon.

Reminder that the Tsunami Warning Centers are part of the National Weather Service. It would be nice to have them fully funded.

Here's why the claim of "administrative bloat" in our public K-12 education services misses the forest for the trees... 1. Since 1970, changes in federal and state laws demand schools hire trained food managers, accountants, counselors, special education aides, nurses, psychologists, etc...

Weird how nobody ever suggests we hold hostage funding for DOT when our roads are full of potholes... But yet it seems "completely reasonable" to hold hostage $$$ for public schools because point-in-time student test scores are perceived as low...

Not sure when test scores became the ultimate goal, but...when we adequately fund our schools, we: - reduce class sizes - attract diverse teachers - increase reading and math support - have more experienced teachers... All of which are evidence based strategies to improve student test scores.

Rest (and joyful recreation) is resistance.

Coming at you live from Nome, Alaska: A Little Free Library 📚📚📚 For Christmas my family gave my dad a Little Free Library kit so he could start to share with Nome all the books my sister and I enjoyed as kids. Earlier this week, he was finally able to get it mounted.

"A strong economy depends on a strong public education system. When we fail to invest in schools, underpay teachers, & sow distrust in our public institutions, we not only harm students — we also damage our workforce, deter young families, & divert investment elsewhere." www.adn.com/opinions/202...

I bet every public official believes this, but I really do live in the best place on Earth. 🎥 by Jovell and Thom youtube.com/shorts/L7_1B...