A Closer Look: Social Security Commissioner, Michael Astrue

Tue, Mar 2, 2010

The Social Security administrative appeals process represents one of the largest judicial systems in the world. Most of the millions of disability benefits claims filed annually are decided at the state level, but about three quarters of a million claims are heard by an administrative law judge. That process has dragged for Alaskans who had filed appeals, because cases had to wait until Seattle – based judges could travel to our state.

But on February 19, all that changed, when Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue (pictured right) visited Anchorage to open up Alaska’s first Disability Hearing office. Commissioner Astrue also visited our studios to talk about changes in the social security program aimed at keeping it in step with our country’s changing demographics.

Social Security Online
APRN: Social Security Opens First Disability Office in Alaska (19 Feb 2010)

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage

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A Closer Look: Anchorage Economic Forecast for 2010

Tue, Jan 12, 2010

Will the full force of the national recession finally hit the region? Or will Anchorage and much of Alaska continue to dodge the worst aspects?

KSKA’s Len Anderson talks with Anchorage Ecomomic Development Corporation President and CEO Bill Popp and takes A Closer Look at the year ahead.

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A Closer Look: Hanukkah celebration

Tue, Dec 15, 2009

A Closer Look is a half hour program on KSKA that gives us the opportunity to explore beyond our news stories and offer you additional insights into the events and people helping shape our community. This week’s A Closer Look focuses on the first ever Hanukkah celebration at Providence Alaska Medical Center, an extended version of this morning’s Metro News story, “Providence Medical Center to host Hanukkah celebration.”

The Hanukkah Celebration at Providence takes place at the first floor chapel on Wednesday (Dec. 16), the fifth night of Hanukkah. The one hour observance begins at 4:30 p.m and includes, Menorah lighting and blessing by Rabbi Michael Oblath, Temple Beth Shalom Choir, readings for Hanukkah and Dreidles for the children. Everyone is welcome.

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A Closer Look: Dr. Jane Lubchenco, NOAA

Tue, Sep 1, 2009

Dr. Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, spent a week in Alaska recently to gather information and input on the health of the nation’s oceans. In a news story aired on Alaska News Nightly a couple weeks ago, she talked with APRN’s Lori Townsend about the Obama Administration’s plans to explore new policy for oceans. Today, on A Closer Look, KSKA presents Lori Townsend’s complete 30 minute interview with Dr. Lubchenco.

The White House: National Oceans Month and Memorandum regarding national policy for the oceans

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A Closer Look: Macon Roberts

Tue, May 12, 2009

Photo by Zen Naylor, The Northern Light

On this week’s A Closer Look, we present the story of an Anchorage School Board member Macon Roberts whose 1940s boyhood in the Mississippi Delta cotton fields instilled a life long belief in the power of education to change lives.

A Closer Look is a half hour program on KSKA that gives us the opportunity to explore beyond our news stories and offer you additional insights into the events and people helping shape our community.

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A Closer Look: Debtor’s Rights

Tue, May 5, 2009

Today KSKA introduces A Closer Look, a half hour program that allows us to present in more depth either that background of our news stories or to profile often unrecognized people performing special work in our community.

On the first Closer Look, we presented the complete interview that formed the basis for a story on Debtors Rights broadcast on KSKA and Alaska Public Radio Network’s Alaska News Nighty.

The interview was with Jim Davis, an attorney with the Northern Justice Project and a pro bono volunteer for Alaska Legal Services. Davis’ specialty is debtors’ rights. He had come to the Fairview Recreational Center on a Friday evening to conduct a Debtors’ Rights workshop sponsored by Alaska Legal Services.

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