We would like to investigate the major institutions of Alaskan society in an ongoing process which would include a major news article, but also provide additional dimensions of particpation by community members. These additional 'dimensions' could include:

Educational activities, events, and short classes, to raise fundamental questions and relate these to our personal experiences.

Challenges, based on the way the existing situation (examined in the news article) falls short of our 'vision.' These challenges could be publicized in the paper, and we could provide various forums to rate the responses over time.

Alternatives, which are practical suggestions on steps we can take to bring the 'conventional paradigm' closer to our vision.

This additional and ongoing work to bring depth and breadth to our investigative articles would not necessarily need to be done by the journalists, though it could be. A stipend is available for those interested.

Banks

Look at the Inner City Press site.

Wells Fargo
The Wells Fargo Watch, (This looks like a good site.)
Predatory lending and corporate fraud.

Citibank
Explore its role in exploitation of poor countries via neoliberal economic policies.

Health care

Explore the differences between curing and healing, focusing on Providence Hospital (or another local hospital).

Is the medical establishment addressing the condition of the whole human being?

"Everyone knows health care in the U.S. and other Western countries is a big problem that affects millions. Health care devours money. It is a remarkable system: It's in the system's interest that people get sick. After all, it can't earn money otherwise. Healthy people are of no use to the health-care system, or more accurately, medical-care system. A complementary system can work the other way around: For instance, only a century ago in China, doctors were paid by their patients when they were not sick. And he paid them, and took care of them, when they were." Bernard Lietaer, Ode magazine, September 2005.

Is it true (or to what extent is it true) that the FDA, corporations and doctors suppress natural remedies in favor of expensive, invasive treatment? (Compare sources like 'Natural Cures' by Trudeau).

I have several tapes on this topic from the radio series Humankind, which provide excellent background insights.

Possible secondary topic: Snack shops at Providence Hospital. The snack shops are full of unhealthy foods. They sell espresso drinks, donuts, candy, and sugared water. Are they trying to kill us?

Anchorage: City design & repair

Ethnic diversity in Anchorage and Alaska -- and the difficulty of perceiving it on our city streets and in our public spaces.

Military

The strategic defense missile system at Fort Greeley.

Culture: Diversity of Anchorage taxi drivers

The ethnic diversity of Anchorage taxi drivers is remarkable. In addition, they are independent, hard working, and unpretentious.

What are the figures for ethnic, racial and national diversity of local taxistas?
How much do they earn? Is it enough to survive? To build a life of opportunity?

Building regulations enrich contractors

In Anchorage, individuals are required to hire contractors for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical improvments. In other states and nations, building owners can do the work themselves, but are required to hire a contractor to verify that the work was done correctly,

Contractors often charge 2-3 times what hourly workers charge. Do local restrictions unfairly penalize citizens? Do they detract from the ability to build and from the vitality of the built enviroment in Alaska?