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OPINION: Alaska’s congressional delegation should act to help families

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OPINION: Alaska’s congressional delegation should act to help families


By Laura Norton-Cruz

Up to date: 2 hours in the past Printed: 2 hours in the past

Every member of our congressional delegation right here in Alaska has said their dedication to supporting insurance policies that cut back substance-use issues, assist stop interpersonal violence, and shield our kids and the way forward for our state. Now they’ve an actual alternative to enhance the well being and well-being of tens of millions of households and save lives by supporting passage of bipartisan, reasonably priced and commonsense options.

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On the middle of this work is the “Momnibus Act,” which might spend money on addressing the social determinants of well being contributing to maternal mortality, together with by strengthening the perinatal workforce and offering well being care staff with the instruments and coaching essential to confront discriminatory and biased practices. Moreover, we want Congress to ensure 12 months of steady postpartum Medicaid protection to new mothers nationwide.

Postpartum protection is especially essential in Alaska the place already excessive maternal mortality charges are seeing a stark improve. In 2021, the speed of maternal deaths was greater than double the prior 10-year common. Every of those deaths is completely reviewed by the Alaska Maternal and Baby Dying Assessment program, a multi-disciplinary, impartial committee of subject material consultants who use an evidence-based course of to look at the components and causes of every maternal loss of life in Alaska. Our well being care system and the numerous glorious suppliers in hospitals and neighborhood based mostly start facilities work arduous to maintain moms protected throughout childbirth and instantly after childbirth. Because of this and different protecting components, it’s uncommon for ladies to die throughout childbirth or from obstetric causes within the days and weeks instantly following start. Nonetheless, Alaska loses far too many ladies within the first yr after giving start from causes akin to interpersonal violence, untreated perinatal psychological well being circumstances, and substance use. The overwhelming majority of those deaths are thought of preventable by consultants.

Additionally it is essential to notice that these causes of loss of life are extremely associated to at least one one other: If moms of infants are in – and are unable to soundly escape – relationships or properties wherein they’re at risk, this may contribute considerably to psychological well being issues and substance use issues. A quite simple answer that would make a really large distinction can be to increase Medicaid protection in each state to incorporate 12 months postpartum. If moms have steady protection after they provide start, they’re extra more likely to get the screenings, helps and interventions to maintain themselves and their kids protected and wholesome. Postpartum temper and nervousness issues (which frequently current within the months after the six-week postpartum check-up) are treatable, and should not have to result in suicide or substance abuse issues. Nonetheless, they’re treatable provided that moms have entry to analysis and care. Likewise, there are alternatives to search out security when in unsafe relationships or housing conditions, however provided that moms have entry to assist and care.

America has the very best charges of maternal mortality within the industrialized world, and these charges are rising. There has additionally been a selected rise in charges of murder dedicated in opposition to pregnant and postpartum ladies. We’ve additionally seen a rise within the already egregious racial disparities when it comes to which moms are dying — with Black moms dying at thrice the speed of white moms, and considerably extra Alaska Native and American Indian moms dying as properly. At a nationwide stage and right here in Alaska, we clearly want coverage to deal with the socio-economic and systemic issues that contribute to disparities. The Black Maternal Well being Momnibus Act will do this.

The Momnibus Act would spend money on addressing the social determinants of well being contributing to maternal mortality, together with by strengthening the perinatal workforce and offering well being care staff with the instruments and coaching essential to confront discriminatory and biased practices. Moreover, Congress must vote rapidly to ensure 12-month of postpartum Medicaid protection to new mothers and cross broader measures to strengthen Medicaid and the Kids’s Well being Insurance coverage Program (CHIP) to make sure moms and kids have the well being care they should thrive. Alaska deserves a brilliant future, however that future can solely be realized if we offer correct look after our moms and kids. We’re calling on our federal delegation to behave rapidly to do that.

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Laura Norton-Cruz is a licensed grasp social employee (LMSW), mom of two younger kids, and co-lead of Rising Alaska Leaders, a grassroots coalition of greater than 600 dad and mom and caregivers advocating for household and child-friendly insurance policies.

The views expressed listed below are the author’s and usually are not essentially endorsed by the Anchorage Day by day Information, which welcomes a broad vary of viewpoints. To submit a chunk for consideration, electronic mail commentary(at)adn.com. Ship submissions shorter than 200 phrases to letters@adn.com or click on right here to submit by way of any internet browser. Learn our full pointers for letters and commentaries right here.





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Alaska

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Gets Fired For Twerking On The Job

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Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Gets Fired For Twerking On The Job


A flight attendant’s viral TikTok video ended up costing her job. Nelle Diala, who was working as a flight attendant with Alaska Airlines for over six months was reportedly fired from her job after recording a twerking video while at work, the New York Post reported. After losing her job for “violating” the airline’s “social media policy”, Diala set up a GoFundMe page for financial support. The twerking and dancing video, posted by Diala on her personal social media account, went viral on TikTok and Instagram. The video was captioned, “ghetto bih till i D-I-E, don’t let the uniform fool you.”

After being fired, Diala reposted the twerking video with the new caption: “Can’t even be yourself anymore, without the world being so sensitive. What’s wrong with a little twerk before work, people act like they never did that before.” She added the hashtag #discriminationisreal.

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According to Diala’s GoFundMe page, she posted the “lighthearted video” during a layover. The video was shot in an empty aircraft. She wrote, “It was a harmless clip that was recorded at 6 am while waiting 2 hours for pilots. I was also celebrating the end of probation.”

“The video went viral overnight, but instead of love and support, it brought unexpected scrutiny. Although it was a poor decision on my behalf I didn’t think it would cost me my dream job,” she added.

Also Read: To Wi-Fi Or Not To Wi-Fi On A Plane? Pros And Cons Of Using Internet At 30,000 Feet

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Talking about being “wrongfully fired”, she said, “My employer accused me of violating their social media policy. I explained that the video wasn’t intended to harm anyone or the company, but they didn’t want to listen. Without warning, they terminated me. No discussion, no chance to defend myself-and no chance for a thorough and proper investigation.”

The seemingly “harmless clip” has led Diala to lose her “dream job”. She shared, “Losing my job was devastating. I’ve always been careful about what I share online, and I never thought this video, which didn’t even mention the airline by name, would cost me my career. Now, I am trying to figure out how to move forward.”






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Federal funds will help DOT study wildlife crashes on Glenn Highway

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Federal funds will help DOT study wildlife crashes on Glenn Highway


New federal funds will help Alaska’s Department of Transportation develop a plan to reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife on one of the state’s busiest highways.

The U.S. Transportation Department gave the state a $626,659 grant in December to conduct a wildlife-vehicle collision study along the Glenn Highway corridor stretching between Anchorage’s Airport Heights neighborhood to the Glenn-Parks Highway interchange.

Over 30,000 residents drive the highway each way daily.

Mark Eisenman, the Anchorage area planner for the department, hopes the study will help generate new ideas to reduce wildlife crashes on the Glenn Highway.

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“That’s one of the things we’re hoping to get out of this is to also have the study look at what’s been done, not just nationwide, but maybe worldwide,” Eisenman said. “Maybe where the best spot for a wildlife crossing would be, or is a wildlife crossing even the right mitigation strategy for these crashes?”

Eisenman said the most common wildlife collisions are with moose. There were nine fatal moose-vehicle crashes on the highway between 2018 and 2023. DOT estimates Alaska experiences about 765 animal-vehicle collisions annually.

In the late 1980s, DOT lengthened and raised a downtown Anchorage bridge to allow moose and wildlife to pass underneath, instead of on the roadway. But Eisenman said it wasn’t built tall enough for the moose to comfortably pass through, so many avoid it.

DOT also installed fencing along high-risk areas of the highway in an effort to prevent moose from traveling onto the highway.

Moose typically die in collisions, he said, and can also cause significant damage to vehicles. There are several signs along the Glenn Highway that tally fatal moose collisions, and he said they’re the primary signal to drivers to watch for wildlife.

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“The big thing is, the Glenn Highway is 65 (miles per hour) for most of that stretch, and reaction time to stop when you’re going that fast for an animal jumping onto the road is almost impossible to avoid,” he said.

The city estimates 1,600 moose live in the Anchorage Bowl.



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Flight attendant sacked for twerking on the job: ‘What’s wrong with a little twerk before work’

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Flight attendant sacked for twerking on the job: ‘What’s wrong with a little twerk before work’


They deemed the stunt not-safe-for-twerk.

An Alaska Airlines flight attendant who was sacked for twerking on camera has created a GoFundMe to support her while she seeks a new berth.

The crewmember, named Nelle Diala, had filmed the viral booty-shaking TikTok video on the plane while waiting two hours for the captain to arrive, A View From the Wing reported.

“I never thought a single moment would cost me everything,” wrote the ex-crewmember. TikTok / @_jvnelle415

She captioned the clip, which also blew up on Instagram, “ghetto bih till i D-I-E, don’t let the uniform fool you.”

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Diala was reportedly doing a victory dance to celebrate the end of her new hire probationary period.

Unfortunately, her jubilation was short-lived as Alaska Airlines nipped her employment in the bum just six months into her contract.

The fanny-wagging flight attendant feels that she didn’t do anything wrong.

Diala was ripped online over her GoFundMe page. GoFundMe

Diala has since reposted the twerking clip with the new caption: “Can’t even be yourself anymore, without the world being so sensitive. What’s wrong with a little twerk before work, people act like they never did that before.”

The new footage was hashtagged #discriminationisreal.

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The disgraced stewardess even set up a GoFundMe page to help support the so-called “wrongfully fired” flight attendant until she can land a new flight attendant gig.

“I never thought a single moment would cost me everything,” wrote the ex-crewmember. “Losing my job was devastating.”

“Can’t even be yourself anymore, without the world being so sensitive,” Diala wrote on TikTok while reacting to news of her firing. “What’s wrong with a little twerk before work, people act like they never did that before.” Getty Images

She claimed that the gig had allowed her to meet new people and see the world, among other perks.

While air hostessing was ostensibly a “dream job,” Diala admitted that she used the income to help fund her “blossoming lingerie and dessert businesses,” which she runs under the Instagram handles @cakezncake (which doesn’t appear to have any content?) and @figure8.lingerie.

As of Wednesday morning, the crowdfunding campaign has raised just $182 of its $12,000 goal.

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Diala was ripped online for twerking on the job as well as her subsequent GoFundMe efforts.

“You don’t respect the uniform, you don’t respect your job then,” declared one critic on the popular aviation-focused Instagram page The Crew Lounge. “Terms and Conditions apply.”

“‘Support for wrongly fired flight attendant??’” mocked another. “Her GoFund title says it all. She still thinks she was wrongly fired. Girl you weren’t wrongly fired. Go apply for a new job and probably stop twerking in your uniform.”

“The fact that you don’t respect your job is one thing but doing it while in uniform and at work speaks volumes,” scoffed a third. “You’re the brand ambassador and it’s not a good look.”

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