Alex Sakariassen

NEW: Demand for vocational rehabilitation services is so high that Montana created a waitlist this summer for applicants. @awsak reports. ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article/m…

Two seasoned education leaders vie to take the helm at Montana’s hard-pressed Office of Public Instruction. #mtnews buff.ly/4dPt5as

How has the state’s Office of Public Instruction — and, by extension, public education in Montana — changed under the Republican superintendent’s eight-year watch? #mtnews buff.ly/3zTBR9g

More than 60 state- and federal-level candidates were on ballots for consideration by voters across Montana as the state conducted its June 4, 2024, primary election. This story will be updated with results as they become available. #mtnews buff.ly/4e6wvqy

Over the past few months, I've been working w/ @opencampusmedia to explore how MT families, childcare providers and higher education are navigating a major workforce challenge in the state. Get your read on here: montanafreepress.org/2024/05/22/mon… via @MTFreePress

Our second local story partnership is out! We dug into the childcare crisis in Montana — a major workforce challenge facing higher education — with @awsak and @mtfreepress (this project is supported by @AscendiumEP) opencampusmedia.org/2024/05/22/mon…

We’ve mapped Montana’s new legislative districts to show who’s running where. #mtnews montanafreepress.org/2024/03/12/who…

We break down the dizzyingly complex recipe that dishes state and local dollars into school district funds across Montana. #mtnews montanafreepress.org/2024/02/19/vis…

Cascade County relieves clerk and recorder of election duties . After nearly six hours of allegation-laden public comment, commissioners strip Clerk and Recorder Sandra Merchant of her role overseeing county elections. #mtnews montanafreepress.org/2023/12/12/cas…

In recent weeks, Montana's largest public school districts have been crafting proposals for a variety of prospective charter schools under HB 549. Read on for more info about what's taking shape. montanafreepress.org/2023/10/18/mon… via @MTFreePress

This fall, state Superintendent Elsie Arntzen signed a textbook dealer agreement with Prager University, a conservative-leaning nonprofit that’s generating national controversy over its lessons on climate change, slavery and gender. #mtnews montanafreepress.org/2023/10/06/pra…

In which I introduce The Pulp—what it is, what it isn’t, why #Missoula needs it, and why I hope you’ll help @EFredMT and me shape it. thepulp.org/we-loved-the-m… @ThePulpMissoula

The two-year agreement tasks New York-based Alvarez & Marsal with steering a sprawling reform effort under Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte. #mtnews montanafreepress.org/2023/09/14/mon…

@kettlemt @David__Erickson Ooo, I do remember that story pitch, but can't recall who wrote it or when.

Any lawyers out there want to talk about the longstanding industry of registering out-of-state expensive cars and RVs here in Montana (often using LLCs) for people who don't want to pay sales taxes or do emissions testing in their own state? DMs open ksl.com/article/505836…

The past couple months, I've been exploring the new approaches MT schools are taking to student safety in an era of seemingly constant national tragedy. Here's what I found. montanafreepress.org/2023/06/29/mon… via @MTFreePress

A group of Montana teachers, parents and education advocates filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the constitutionality of House Bill 562, one of two charter school proposals passed by the 2023 Legislature. montanafreepress.org/2023/06/14/mon… via @MTFreePress

Public education was one of the defining issues of the 2023 session, with Montana lawmakers passing a raft of bipartisan reforms and debating hot-button national issues. Curious how it all shook out? Read on! montanafreepress.org/2023/05/11/leg…

Among the scores of votes cast in the Legislature's final days was approval of an executive amendment governing career coaches in MT's public school system. Meanwhile, questions remain about funding for OPI's new regional career coach program. montanafreepress.org/2023/05/02/leg…

Two days after rejecting them, the MT Senate revived and advanced a pair of charter school bills. Lawmakers debated parental choice and potential litigation in the process. montanafreepress.org/2023/04/28/leg… via @MTFreePress