Deep reporting on the issues that shape Alaska. Government accountability, resource politics, and the stories that take time to tell.
The Mat-Su Borough School District, serving Alaska's fastest-growing region, faces a funding crisis that jeopardizes education delivery and facilities maintenance. Our investigation reveals a $23 million budget shortfall rooted in inadequate state education funding — and the political pressure that prevents districts from raising local revenue.
A mother's worst fear crystallized on October 14, 2025, at an Endicott Street apartment in Anchorage. Her daughter—fifteen years old—was missing. The girl had told her she was going to a birthday celebration.
Over the past three fiscal years, the Mat-Su Borough has awarded more than $47 million in contracts without competitive bidding. Our investigation reveals a pattern of repeat vendors, missing documentation, and oversight gaps that raise serious questions about how public money is spent.