Alex Sakariassen is a 2008 graduate of the University of Montana’s School of Journalism, where he worked for four years at the Montana Kaimin student newspaper and cut his journalistic teeth as a paid news intern for the Choteau Acantha for two summers. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in journalism and history, Sakariassen spent nearly 10 years covering environmental issues and state and federal politics for the alternative newsweekly Missoula Independent. He transitioned into freelance journalism following the Indy’s abrupt shuttering in September 2018, writing in-depth features, breaking news stories and columns for a variety of publications including the Pacific Northwest Inlander, Mountain Outlaw Magazine, Kaiser Health News and Montana Free Press. Sakariassen took a full-time position as Montana Free Press’ education reporter in January 2021, covering K-12 and higher education as well as state policy developments impacting voting rights and health care.
Montana child care workers who can’t afford care for their own kids are about to lose the federal subsidy that made their jobs possible — and Gov. Gianforte already vetoed the fix.
Around Missoula and across the state, childcare shortages are keeping tens of thousands of Montanans out of the workforce. Families, providers, policymakers and higher education are searching for a solution.
