Hi! The Alaska Memo is a political newsletter by me, Matt Acuña Buxton, focused on Alaska politics with a dash of Anchorage and a smattering of everywhere else. At the heart of it, my mission is to explain not just what happened but why it matters, bringing in the context and background that I’ve amassed in more than a decade of reporting in Alaska.
Deep Dive: The flaws in Dunleavy's two-tier education system
The governor's proposals would leave most students out in the cold in educational environments that are both figuratively — and literally — condemned.
Deep dive: Let's be honest about Dunleavy's two-tier education system.
Behind all the rhetoric that neighborhood schools must do the impossible with less, what Dunleavy is proposing is a system that funnels what little funding he will support to the few — while leaving everyone else to fight over the scraps.
New Year, New Platform and a New Session of Hope
A new home for a new year.
Education bill advances with homeschool testing requirement and UA Regents rebuked for anti-DEI measure
The new provisions are aimed at shining light on just how effective homeschool programs actually are. Meanwhile, regents were forced to squirm a bit over their decision to preemptively censor the university system.
Public education is 'not failing, it's starving'
As districts are forced to do more with less, school administrators say it's an impossible task that is undermining the quality of the school system.
Right-wing candidates are 'saying the quiet parts out loud again' in Anchorage's election
A year after Anchorage voters sent right-wing Mayor Dave Bronson packing in the 2024 election, a new round of conservative candidates are seeking office, and some are generating a lot of concern over their extreme comments and dubious connections.
Dan Sullivan's safe space
It's Monday, Alaska! After a weekend filled with hockey, let's catch up on last week. In this edition: Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan gave his annual address to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, delivering a full-throated defense of President Donald Trump's first two
'Funding is a policy.'
It's Tuesday, Alaska. In this edition: The education bill had its first hearing in front of the Senate Education Committee on Monday, setting the stage for the next steps for the bill. Going by the senators' questions on the bill, it seems that there's very
What's next for education funding in Alaska?
It's Monday, Alaska. I'm just finally feeling on the upswing after a week of meds. In this edition: The House has passed another landmark education bill, but is it destined for the same fate as last year's landmark education bill? The much-needed lifeline of
House GOP pushes expanded use of force in the classroom, because of course
Because of course.
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