Andrew Gray
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andrewgrayak.bsky.social
Andrew Gray
@andrewgrayak.bsky.social
480 followers 290 following 75 posts
Host of East Anchorage Book Club podcast, Army veteran, physician assistant, dad, & candidate for AK State House
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andrewgrayak.bsky.social
Tonight I introduced Matt Schultz at his 1st official campaign event for US Congress. Rev. Schultz has been advocating for all those with less in Alaska since 1997, & he's the leader we need in DC. Let's eliminate poverty & make healthcare affordable. mattschultzforalaska.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
lauritadianita.bsky.social
I’ve known Rev. Matt Schultz for ~8 years & feel extremely confident that he’s the real deal. Authentic, good to his word, deeply compassionate & empathetic in the way that means he’s also brave about standing up to bullies, standing firmly FOR things that help us & firmly against harmful policies.
October 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
andrewgrayak.bsky.social
I’m singing in the Alaska Chambers Singers concert this weekend:

Bloch’s Avodath Hakodesh (Sacred Service)

Saturday night at 7:30 pm & Sunday afternoon at 4 pm.

St Patrick’s Parish, 2111 Muldoon

Please come!
October 10, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
Last night 4 reporters resigned from the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai & the Homer News. Listen on my podcast to the Clarion’s lone news reporter @jakecdye.bsky.social explain his decision to walk & the future of journalism on the Kenai Peninsula:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

#akleg
September 30, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
matt.akmemo.com
Reporters at the Carpenter Media Group-owned papers in Kenai have resigned: “Though this decision is extremely painful for all of us, it is not difficult. We cannot do our jobs knowing that pressure from an elected official can mean our stories are edited without prior consultation with us.”

#akleg
jakecdye.bsky.social Jake Dye @jakecdye.bsky.social · Sep 30
Editors and reporters of the Homer News and Peninsula Clarion submitted their notices of resignation today, after management from Carpenter Media Group made changes to a published story last week in response to intimidation from a state lawmaker and without input from our newsrooms.
#aknews
The first page of a resignation letter by Regional Editor Erin Thompson, Sports Editor Jeff Helminiak and reporters Chloe Pleznac and Jake Dye. [Excerpt because the letter is too long to include in full] "Vance also said in the letter that she was “fully aware” of an effort to boycott Homer News advertising — stating that the paper would experience financial and reputational harm if it did not change its approach to covering community events. Rep. Vance never contacted the Homer News editorial team to discuss her concerns. Without consulting the editor of the Homer News or the reporter who wrote the story, Carpenter Media removed the original article from the Homer News website, only to republish a modified version several hours later that reflected the changes demanded by Rep. Vance. In the modified version republished by Carpenter management, there was no note to indicate the article had been changed. We want to be clear: We have no problem with Rep. Vance expressing her opinion of our coverage. We cover difficult and sometimes controversial topics. Respectful dialogue about that coverage is welcome. As a community newspaper, we regularly provide Rep. Vance with a forum to discuss her views. What we do have a problem with is Carpenter Media management changing a story at the behest of an elected official. We believe this destroys the credibility the public has placed in us as reporters and editors. This willingness to acquiesce to a public official’s editorial demands and have conversations with her about the direction of our coverage is a betrayal not just of the journalists who work for Carpenter Media, but of the company’s integrity as a purveyor of news." The second page of a resignation letter by Regional Editor Erin Thompson, Sports Editor Jeff Helminiak and reporters Chloe Pleznac and Jake Dye. [Excerpt because the letter is too long to include in full] These actions were taken despite there being no immediate urgency to remove the content — Rep. Vance's criticisms were raised regarding what she perceived as political bias, not factual inaccuracy. Despite requests, we have not been informed of the content of dialogue between Rep. Vance and Carpenter Media management. In discussion with management our editor was told that the article did not meet their editorial standards and that the editing and reporting was “juvenile.” We cannot live up to the core responsibility of a community newspaper in such an environment. We, employees of both the Homer News and Peninsula Clarion, are resigning our positions, effective Oct. 13, 2025. Leaving these newspapers, at which we have spent a combined four decades, is not a decision we make lightly. We are proud of the work that we do covering local government as well as the arts, food, history, outdoors and sports. Though this decision is extremely painful for all of us, it is not difficult. We cannot do our jobs knowing that pressure from an elected official can mean our stories are edited without prior consultation with us. Because we care deeply about the work we do and what it means to the community, we are all giving the standard two weeks’ notice instead of resigning outright. We hope Carpenter Media takes the opportunity to get personnel in place to continue the legacies of the Peninsula Clarion and Homer News. We hope this incident provides incentive for Carpenter Media to handle threats from officials in a way that safeguards the valued trust that readers have in newspapers. The community deserves it."
September 30, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
On Wednesday we honored an organization & person, both fully committed to keeping Alaskans healthy. Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center is celebrating 50 years, and we surprised CEO Lisa Aquino with a citation for her career in community service. Thank you, ANHC and Lisa! #akleg
September 26, 2025 at 4:47 PM
andrewgrayak.bsky.social
Alaska’s local journalism needs our support. Opponents of 🇺🇸 democracy know that our boots-on-the-ground reporters are the most trusted news sources, so they work overtime to discredit them.

Support the 1st amendment & subscribe to @Homer_News:

www.homernews.com/subscribe/

#akleg
September 26, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
Lisa Alexia is a physician assistant who specializes in eating disorders & expert on health risks of sleep disruption. She supports ending daylight saving time. #akleg
Listen:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

For questions about eating disorders, visit AKEDA: www.akeatingdisordersalliance.org
September 18, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
Join Reps. Andrew Gray (HD20) & Genevieve Mina @repmina.bsky.social (HD19) this Sunday 6/15 @ 2-3:30 pm for a Constituent Town Hall at La Michoacana Ice Cream Shop on East Tudor.

Celebrate Father’s Day with some tasty treats and chatting with your local representatives! #akleg
Graphic publicizing constituent town hall event with Rep. Andrew Gray and Rep. Genevieve Mina. The event is Sunday, June 15th from 2 to 3:30pm. The event is at La Michoacana ice cream shop at 2808 E. Tudor. The shop can be reached by bus, People Mover Route 25.
June 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
Happy #Pride Month from East Anchorage Book Club podcast!

JJ Harrier is 2025 chair of Anchorage Pride Parade. Growing up in Girdwood, he traveled the US & Europe, ending up homeless in Portland in his early 30s. Entering rehab in #Alaska changed his life. #akleg

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
June 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
Rep Zack Fields (D-Anc) on Trump's budget: "A Chinese foreign agent couldn't have done better to disempower America than the House budget reconciliation bill."
#akleg governs downstream of federal gov't: with massive cuts to essential programs, AK CANNOT fill gaps.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...
June 6, 2025 at 12:50 AM
andrewgrayak.bsky.social
This week’s guest on East Anchorage Book Club Podcast is 2025 #PulitzerPrize winner #TessaHulls. She is the 2nd #graphicnovelist to win the award. We discuss working in the Juneau Capitol kitchen, #Alaska, & her #memoir, “Feeding Ghosts.” #akleg listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #books
May 27, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
South Anchorage Rep Ky Holland was born in Anchorage. Son of Federal Judge Russ Holland who was the judge in the case against Exxon after the Exxon Valdez Oil spill, we talk about his life & the case against American Samoans voting in Whittier. #akleg

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eas…
May 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
We have completed our work in Juneau. My office has had an eventful final week (including passing HB 101 that raises the age of consent to 18). My staff Claire Bredar, Nate Graham, Nicole Larango, & Kyle Johansen worked hard this year. So grateful!
Read my e-news: mailchi.mp/d29bb32ca3ef...
May 21, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
Proud to stand with my fellow East Anchorage Reps today to ensure a $700 per student increase to Alaska public school funding. This is a start. (@donnamears.bsky.social @repmina.bsky.social & Rep. Eischeid) #akleg “Alaska lawmakers override Dunleavy’s veto of education bill” adn.com/politics/alask…
May 20, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
Today, on a unanimous vote, the Alaska House passed my bill HB 101 raising the age of sexual consent from 16 to 18. This monumental change in our laws prevents predators from targeting young people. HB 101 protects 16- & 17-year-olds from sexual assault & trafficking. #akleg
May 20, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
Today I carried Gov. Dunleavy’s HB 62 on the House floor. This bill is a huge step forward for the way Alaska processes sexual assault examination kits. HB 62 aligns our state with national best practices and gives victims a way to track their kits. #akleg
May 17, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
The “southeast Texas caucus” in the Alaska Legislature: Sen. James Kaufman & I are both from
Friendswood (small town between Houston & Galveston); @eriwinsto.bsky.social (reporter from @AKpublicnews) is from Clear Lake right next to Friendswood. #Random #akleg
May 14, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
Today, the AK House passed my House Bill 13 which offers 5 optional property tax exemptions.The goal is to increase the supply of housing, drive down rents, improve quality of living in mobile home parks, & incentivize the purchase of 1st homes. Watch my closing comments. #akleg
May 13, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
repgray.bsky.social
The AK House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the legal status of American Samoans -- the only group from a US territory who does not have the right to vote. Below is my intro to the hearing which explains why we held it & why it is so important. #akleg #AmericanSamoa
May 10, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
verastarbard.bsky.social
Of the many actions you could take on the complex issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, a simple but collectively powerful one is how you can engage with media reports on #MMIW
- especially social media. (1/4)
May 6, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
pat.alaskarobotics.com
#akleg Love it!
May 6, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Reposted by Andrew Gray
alaska.bsky.social
Tessa Hulls of Juneau has won the Pulitzer Prize in the Memoir/Autobiography category for her book, "Feeding Ghosts," and @alaskarobotics.com will have a book signing tomorrow: www.ktoo.org/2025/04/22/t... #akleg #Alaska
Tongass Voices: Author Tessa Hulls on feeding her family's ghosts
The author and artist spent the last decade writing a graphic memoir about her family’s history. The memoir is called Feeding Ghosts, and it’s won three national awards.
www.ktoo.org
May 5, 2025 at 8:41 PM
andrewgrayak.bsky.social
Rep. Carolyn Hall (D-West Anchorage) is an Emmy winning TV journalist & communications director for Gov. Bill Walker & Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. Working for the mayor 2020-2021 was the worst year of her life. Learn why; listen to her story: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... #akleg
May 5, 2025 at 11:54 PM
andrewgrayak.bsky.social
Grateful to Alaska Public News and reporter Rachel Cassandra for covering the new signs going up across the state on August 1: “Alcohol use can cause cancer, including breast and colon cancer.” #akleg

alaskapublic.org/news/health/...
New law requires Alaska businesses selling alcohol to post cancer warning
The law takes effect Aug. 1. It also allows Alaskans 16 and up to serve alcohol with supervision.
alaskapublic.org
May 1, 2025 at 3:29 PM