The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority violated state statutes by investing $44.4 million in commercial real estate. Those are the findings of a special audit of the Trust released Tuesday by the Alaska Division of Legislative Audit. The audit also says the Trust’s board violated the Opening Meetings Act and the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act by purposely trying to keep some board issues out of the public eye.
Mental Health
After a tragedy, a Yup’ik dance group in Hooper Bay keeps dancing
The idea was to help reconnect kids to their culture, teach about the effects of alcohol and drugs, and prevent suicide. And it has worked – but not with every kid.
House Judiciary chair says there won’t be a gun control law this session
“The bottom line was the National Rifle Association wasn’t willing to support a bill that allowed the ex-parte order to seize weapons,” said Rep. Matt Claman.
To prevent suicide, little words can make a big difference
Noatak is a northwest Arctic village of about 500 people that’s got a lot going for it. People look out for each other. Families go fishing, hunting and berry-picking, then share with neighbors. And within this community safety net, family ties help people who are considering suicide decide to live instead.
Building resilience through basketballs and berries
What makes a healthy community? What makes young people in a village thrive? The young people in Noatak have some good ideas.
Alaska Ocean Center loses out to state parking lot
The Alaska Mental Health Trust’s Land Office plans to create more than 100 spaces for state workers on a waterfront parcel it owns. Developers behind a proposed marina and science center say the parking lot deal kills their plans.