907 Updates July 16-17, 2024

KTUU: ‘We need help’: Owner of downtown bar calls for improved public safety after nearby fatal shooting; Anchorage Assembly passes proposal pushing for more transparent APD body cam policy Assembly also confirmed newly-appointed APD Chief Sean Case; ; Anchorage assembly adopts five-year strategic homeless plan and more ->

 
 
 
 

KTOO: Juneau man wanted for alleged January assault now listed as missing person; 9th Circuit to hear oral arguments on Southeast king salmon troll fishery lawsuit and more ->
 
 
 
 

KYUK: Bethel man sentenced to 7 years in prison for manslaughter; Alaska Native students gain cross-cultural experience through Ilakucaraq program and more ->

 
 
 
 

Alaska Native News: Sand dunes a unique Alaska landscape; This Day in Alaskan History-July 16th, 1916; This Day in Alaskan History-July 17th, 1897 and more ->
 
 
 
 

Fairbanks News Webcenter 11: 30-year mail fraud scheme involved pitstop in Fairbanks, indictment says and more ->
 
 
 
 

KINY: Juneau Police shoot a knife-wielding man downtown and more ->
 
 
 
 
KSTK: Journey provided stories of healing and more ->
 
 
 
 

KFSK: Nature’s Canvas: Petersburg’s Ephemeral Art and Music Festival; Wet Socks and Winning Streaks: Erickson Brothers Battle for Logrolling Glory; After SEAPA shutdown, Petersburg utility customers can expect a smaller fuel adjustment charge than last year. And more ->

 
 
 
 

KUCB: Archeologist discusses recent trip surveying Caton Island for clean up; Unalaska City School District to see big bump in budget and more ->
 
 
 
 

KMXT: Multiple people injured at one of Kodiak’s harbors after ‘strange’ bald eagle attacks and more ->

 
 
 
 

Craig Medred: Health Denial
 
 
 
 

By Anisa Vietze, Alaska Public Media: New East Anchorage mountain bike trails open after 2 dads advocated for them for years

 
 
 
 
$5.75 million approved by Rasmuson Foundation Board of Directors to support University of Alaska, housing, and cultural revitalization statewide

Anchorage, Alaska – The Rasmuson Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce $5.75 million in grants supporting organizations driving progress in higher education, housing and cultural revitalization across Alaska. These new grants bring the 2024 total to $7.5 million in Foundation investments while traditional grant programs remain paused.

The University of Alaska will receive $5 million from Rasmuson Foundation over five years to strengthen its Arctic Leadership Initiative, investing in Alaskans to be future Arctic leaders and problem solvers. The Juneau Housing First Collaborative was awarded $500,000 toward its permanent supportive housing expansion at Forget-Me-Not Manor, and the U.S. Department of Interior – Bureau of Indian Affairs will receive $250,000 toward the collection of oral histories, curation of a traveling museum exhibit, and creation of a memorial educating the public of the historic negative impacts of Indian boarding schools. These were approved by the Rasmuson Foundation Board of Directors at its summer board meeting in Kenai.

“Each of these projects represent the strength and power of Alaskans coming together to serve Alaska,” said Rasmuson Foundation President and CEO Gretchen Guess. “We are blessed to invest in each organization and project and thank them for the work they do each day.”

Arctic Leadership Initiative

The $5 million grant to support the Arctic Leadership Initiative represents our work as a catalyst and early investor in Big Ideas. In 2021, the Board and staff asked University of Alaska President Pat Pitney to think big. In 2022, the Foundation provided seed money to put her team’s idea into action. Now, we are an early investor.

“It’s an ambitious strategic endeavor intended to reshape Alaska’s role in the Arctic and make significant contributions to people living in the Arctic region,” said Tasha Pineda, vice president of strategy for Rasmuson Foundation. “As residents of our nation’s only Arctic state, younger Alaskans are uniquely positioned to lead into the future. This funding will accelerate the development of solutions, innovations, and new economic opportunities for Alaskans across the state.”

The Rasmuson Foundation Board of Directors, made up of family members and community representatives, met in Kenai in late June for its annual summer board meeting. In addition to approving $5.75 million in grants, it set the Foundation’s mission, vision, values, strategies, and priorities for the next three years, affirming the Foundation’s mission to invest, connect, convene, and empower Alaskans to help each other.

Earlier this year, the Foundation invested nearly $2 million in projects to address homelessness in Alaska. Recipients included the Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness ($760,000 over two years), Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness ($720,000 over two years), Housing Alaska Public Private Partnership ($100,000), Covenant House Alaska ($75,000), and Volunteers of America Alaska ($75,000).

While the Foundation continues to fund time-sensitive and emergency needs, traditional Foundation grantmaking programs re-open Aug. 15, with Letters of Inquiry currently being accepted for Legacy grants.

About the Foundation 

Rasmuson Foundation is a private family foundation based in Anchorage, Alaska. The Foundation was created in 1955 by Jenny Rasmuson, a Swedish missionary, and her son Elmer Rasmuson, to honor her late husband, banker E.A. Rasmuson. 

Gary Scott he/him
Director of Communications

Office: 907-297-2700
Direct: 907-229-7311