Derek Minemyer Biography
Derek Minemyer is an American Multimedia Journalist for KTUU-TV. Derek previously worked as a multimedia journalist at KPAX-TV Channel 8 in Missoula in 2016, covering wildfires and other general assignment reports in western Montana.
Derek Minemyer Age
Minemyer was born on 09/16/1991 in Northwest Montana as Derek Minemyer Ryan. He is 27 years old as of 2018.
Derek Minemyer Personal Life
Derek was born and raised in Northwest Montana, in the Flathead Valley and Missoula areas. He visited Alaska on hunting and fishing trips with his dad throughout his childhood and says he simply fell in love with the scenery, comparing it to the most extreme version of his own home state.
Derek Minemyer Education
He graduated from the University of Montana with degrees in Sociology and Spanish in 2014.
Derek Minemyer Career
Derek Minemyer is an American Multimedia Journalist for KTUU-TV. Derek previously worked as a multimedia journalist at KPAX-TV Channel 8 in Missoula in 2016, covering wildfires and other general assignment reports in western Montana.
Derek directed and narrated a documentary for the University of Montana’s student documentary unit. The film titled, “Montana Rx: Unintended Consequences,” aired on Montana PBS, examining the state’s efforts to combat the epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Derek also reported as a multimedia journalist for the University of Montana’s award-winning Native News Project, where he worked closely with members of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation to analyze the tribe’s investments in diabetes prevention.
Derek also worked as a multimedia journalist at KPAX-TV Channel 8 in Missoula in 2016, covering wildfires and other general assignment reports in western Montana.
Derek admits he’s an adventure seeker who loves learning about new cultures and perspectives. He believes visual storytelling provides the opportunity to capture the most beautiful pieces of a story and fit them together into a larger narrative, with the power and potential to connect with an audience. He looks forward to exploring Alaska further while learning more about the state which has captured his interest since childhood.
Derek Minemyer KTUU-TV
Minemyer is an American Multimedia Journalist for KTUU-TV.
Derek Minemyer YouTube
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Derek Minemyer Twitter
Derek Minemyer News
Published: Wed 9:56 PM, Jun 26, 2019
Source: www.ktuu.com
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Some Residents of Alaska Pioneer Homes who rely on Medicaid to pay monthly dues are shopping around for new care facilities. This comes after Gov. Dunleavy line-item vetoed an additional $50 million funding reduction to the program, bringing total reductions to over $120 million. Residents have also been waiting on an update after the governor’s initial budget proposal included significant rate increases and funding cuts to Pioneer Homes. “Everybody is still on edge. We still have no answers,” Pioneer Home resident Jack Tessier said Monday. “So we’re waiting for the next shoe to drop.”
The Department of Health and Social Services has not yet determined the distribution of cuts to Medicaid services. However, according to their research from Feb. 2019, 20 percent (88 people) of Pioneer Home residents rely solely on Medicaid Waivers; 29 percent (133 people) pay what they can, and the state covers the rest; the remaining 51 percent (230 people) pay out-of-pocket. The administration maintains that if rate increases are implemented and Medicaid cuts impact residents’ abilities to pay, the state has a “needs-based” assistance fund to subsidize those residents. Spokesperson Matt Shuckerow says residents cannot be turned away based on their ability to pay for services — but Pioneer Home resident Carol Scott remains concerned. “We always wonder if we’re going to be able to pay that amount or not,” Scott said. Rep. Zack Fields, D – Anchorage, says rate increases would drive residents out of Pioneer Homes in search of more affordable care, without generating additional revenue for the state. He emphasizes the irony that the state would still end up subsidizing those residents who can’t afford rate increases through the needs-based assistance fund. Fields said the governor could pass the rate increases in time for them to take effect this summer. He says the only way to prevent this is if the Senate passes legislation to stop it.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – From complaints to organized action, Anchorage residents made their voices heard Wednesday, prompting the municipality to pick up the pace in fixing the homeless crisis. The Midtown Community Council held a meeting with frustrated business owners and property managers Wednesday morning. Protect our Public Spaces Citizen’s Coalition organized Wednesday evening to talk about the dangers of homeless encampments starting fires. Several of the coalition members live in close proximity to the fire that occurred near 20th Avenue and Karluk, off the Chester Creek Trail, on June 14. Fire leaders reported they believed the half-acre fire was human-caused.
“It was very scary,” Linda Chase said. She lives three homes down from where the fire started. She’s concerned about other fires sparking up near her home, as there are still homeless encampments in the area. “We have ordinances, we have laws about fire — keeping the city safe,” Chase said. “They’re not being enforced at all.”
Residents have always shown frustration with the many issues associated with homelessness. But the Midtown Community Council and Protect our Public Spaces Citizen’s Coalition appear to be part of a new wave of civically-engaged citizens determined for change. “Sometimes, you just need to be counted, and counted on the issue that’s going to make a difference,” Stephanie Rhoades, who historically has been outspoken on issues related to homelessness, said at Wednesday’s coalition meeting.
The group is also concerned that the city isn’t enforcing park abatement year round; they’re worried about criminals living on their doorsteps; they’re tired of human waste and drug paraphernalia lying around in plain sight. And they’re letting city officials know they’ll keep fighting for quicker action. “We can write an opinion, write to the newspaper, call the mayor’s office, write your assembly members,” Chase said.