Laura Norton-Cruz, LMSW, CLC
@lauritadianita.bsky.social
I ✍️ about AK politics, health equity, feminism, advocacy 4 kids, documentary films, 🎨, 🎶, 🥘,🌱 , ADHD, synesthesia. Social worker, public health professional, & lactation counselor raising Alaskan-🇨🇴 kids on Dena’ina ełnena. www.lauranortoncruzconsulting.com
1/ A belief I hold strongly is that sisterhood & siblinghood — the practice of strong friendships in which women truly have each other’s backs & can catch one another —is a very strong protection for hetero & bi women against getting into or staying too long in bad romantic partnerships w/ men.
December 13, 2025 at 8:11 PM
1/ A belief I hold strongly is that sisterhood & siblinghood — the practice of strong friendships in which women truly have each other’s backs & can catch one another —is a very strong protection for hetero & bi women against getting into or staying too long in bad romantic partnerships w/ men.
New places, light conditions, and experiences inspire visual experimentation.
December 13, 2025 at 2:16 AM
New places, light conditions, and experiences inspire visual experimentation.
I’m an Alaskan in Texas Hill country right now.
I love where I’m from more than anywhere, but it sure is nice to get out briefly during the darkest month & feel sun on my skin, see a wide open black sky full of stars, eat fresh local tortillas & calabaza, watch doves & deer & listen to crickets.
I love where I’m from more than anywhere, but it sure is nice to get out briefly during the darkest month & feel sun on my skin, see a wide open black sky full of stars, eat fresh local tortillas & calabaza, watch doves & deer & listen to crickets.
December 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I’m an Alaskan in Texas Hill country right now.
I love where I’m from more than anywhere, but it sure is nice to get out briefly during the darkest month & feel sun on my skin, see a wide open black sky full of stars, eat fresh local tortillas & calabaza, watch doves & deer & listen to crickets.
I love where I’m from more than anywhere, but it sure is nice to get out briefly during the darkest month & feel sun on my skin, see a wide open black sky full of stars, eat fresh local tortillas & calabaza, watch doves & deer & listen to crickets.
Among other things, doesn’t it seem creepy that in the photos held by the Epstein estate/found on Epstein’s computers, Steve Bannon and Woody Allen are standing in front of a children’s art easel? I had that exact same easel for my kids until recently, when they outgrew it.
“Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released a tranche of new images from the Jeffrey Epstein estate Friday that included photographs of former President Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and, most notably, President Donald Trump.”
www.ms.now/news/house-d...
www.ms.now/news/house-d...
House Democrats release new Epstein photos featuring Trump
The photos feature some of the richest and most powerful men in the world — including former President Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon, Bill Gates, Woody Allen and, most notably, President Donald Trump.
www.ms.now
December 12, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Among other things, doesn’t it seem creepy that in the photos held by the Epstein estate/found on Epstein’s computers, Steve Bannon and Woody Allen are standing in front of a children’s art easel? I had that exact same easel for my kids until recently, when they outgrew it.
Reposted by Laura Norton-Cruz, LMSW, CLC
"The report estimates there are roughly 39,000 fewer foreign-born child care workers since Trump took office in January. There are also 77,000 fewer American mothers of preschool-aged children in the workforce since that time, a result that researchers found is tied to the impact of ICE arrests."
A lot to unpack here about class, gender, and caring work 19thnews.org/2025/12/ice-...
ICE arrests are forcing American moms to leave their jobs
A new analysis shows that increased immigration enforcement is reducing labor in the child care workforce. The ripple effect is impacting mothers with young children.
19thnews.org
December 12, 2025 at 1:51 PM
"The report estimates there are roughly 39,000 fewer foreign-born child care workers since Trump took office in January. There are also 77,000 fewer American mothers of preschool-aged children in the workforce since that time, a result that researchers found is tied to the impact of ICE arrests."
The agony this very young child must be enduring right now is a clear reason why my state of Alaska, why every state in the country, & every city, needs to use whatever powers it has to resist ICE, to block ICE, & why no tech platform should allow their ads. There is no justification for this.
It’s been two weeks since ICE took Yuanxin Zheng from his father. He is six years old. He’s still not home. This has to end.
December 11, 2025 at 4:56 AM
The agony this very young child must be enduring right now is a clear reason why my state of Alaska, why every state in the country, & every city, needs to use whatever powers it has to resist ICE, to block ICE, & why no tech platform should allow their ads. There is no justification for this.
Great point! I always make sure to do this when I know the author but will endeavor to make this a more regular part of how I support authors I appreciate (regardless of how new or old the book is).
I know how much I need reviews as a business owner & filmmaker, so, golden rule 😇. Will review.
I know how much I need reviews as a business owner & filmmaker, so, golden rule 😇. Will review.
"I can't afford to support my favorite author right now, I—"
Reviews.
Reviews are free AND they are a gift to authors that can keep on giving (i.e., exposure, marketing, algo boosts, etc.)
Please, give the gift of reviews to your authors this holiday season. It really can make a difference!
Reviews.
Reviews are free AND they are a gift to authors that can keep on giving (i.e., exposure, marketing, algo boosts, etc.)
Please, give the gift of reviews to your authors this holiday season. It really can make a difference!
December 10, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Great point! I always make sure to do this when I know the author but will endeavor to make this a more regular part of how I support authors I appreciate (regardless of how new or old the book is).
I know how much I need reviews as a business owner & filmmaker, so, golden rule 😇. Will review.
I know how much I need reviews as a business owner & filmmaker, so, golden rule 😇. Will review.
I'm a cohost of this event tonight to support the campaigns of my current Rep. & Assemblymember, both West Anch women who support a strong public education system. I'd love for you to join!
It's Tue Dec 9, 5:30 - 7:00 pm at:
2020 Revere Cir. (in SW Anchorage) & includes homemade S. African food.
It's Tue Dec 9, 5:30 - 7:00 pm at:
2020 Revere Cir. (in SW Anchorage) & includes homemade S. African food.
December 9, 2025 at 11:41 PM
I'm a cohost of this event tonight to support the campaigns of my current Rep. & Assemblymember, both West Anch women who support a strong public education system. I'd love for you to join!
It's Tue Dec 9, 5:30 - 7:00 pm at:
2020 Revere Cir. (in SW Anchorage) & includes homemade S. African food.
It's Tue Dec 9, 5:30 - 7:00 pm at:
2020 Revere Cir. (in SW Anchorage) & includes homemade S. African food.
Reposted by Laura Norton-Cruz, LMSW, CLC
@repgray.bsky.social makes an excellent point in this article— “It seems that Alaska’s notorious SNAP backlog caused by a lack of workforce doing many of the tasks in this memo would be much better use of our Guard.” #AkLeg #Alaska #AlaskaSky #fuckice
The Alaska National Guard said five service members will assist with “administrative and logistical” duties at the Anchorage ICE office for up to a year.
(From @alaskabeacon.com)
(From @alaskabeacon.com)
Gov. Dunleavy approves Alaska National Guard assisting ICE in Anchorage
Lawmakers and civil rights advocates worry that the move signals a ramping up of immigration enforcement operations in Alaska.
www.ktoo.org
December 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM
@repgray.bsky.social makes an excellent point in this article— “It seems that Alaska’s notorious SNAP backlog caused by a lack of workforce doing many of the tasks in this memo would be much better use of our Guard.” #AkLeg #Alaska #AlaskaSky #fuckice
December 8, 2025 at 7:09 PM
One of the main messages I hoped to get across is that we need to pass HB 101, the age of consent law. Which means #AlaskaSky, you can play a role by asking #akleg Senate Judiciary members & esp Chair Matt Claman to give it a hearing ASAP & vote yes.
Predators take advantage of the current law.
Predators take advantage of the current law.
I’m so glad I got to talk with @andrewgrayak.bsky.social at length about protecting teens, about how to change cultures of dominance & violence. (And also about my Californian-Alaskan childhood, women’s colleges, growing up in a healthcare family, & filmmaking) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
Laura Norton-Cruz: social worker & filmmaker on the Epstein scandal & Alaska’s age of consent
Podcast Episode · East Anchorage Book Club with Andrew Gray · 12/08/2025 · 55m
podcasts.apple.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:05 PM
One of the main messages I hoped to get across is that we need to pass HB 101, the age of consent law. Which means #AlaskaSky, you can play a role by asking #akleg Senate Judiciary members & esp Chair Matt Claman to give it a hearing ASAP & vote yes.
Predators take advantage of the current law.
Predators take advantage of the current law.
I’m so glad I got to talk with @andrewgrayak.bsky.social at length about protecting teens, about how to change cultures of dominance & violence. (And also about my Californian-Alaskan childhood, women’s colleges, growing up in a healthcare family, & filmmaking) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
Laura Norton-Cruz: social worker & filmmaker on the Epstein scandal & Alaska’s age of consent
Podcast Episode · East Anchorage Book Club with Andrew Gray · 12/08/2025 · 55m
podcasts.apple.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I’m so glad I got to talk with @andrewgrayak.bsky.social at length about protecting teens, about how to change cultures of dominance & violence. (And also about my Californian-Alaskan childhood, women’s colleges, growing up in a healthcare family, & filmmaking) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
This weekend has been consumed with the Anchorage International Film Festival (+frigid storm & power outage, kids & their activities). @joshalbeza.bsky.social & I got to do audience Q&A after our film ILP. I’ve seen many heartbreaking & hilarious films, met wonderful filmmakers. I recommend it, ⚓️
December 8, 2025 at 6:18 AM
This weekend has been consumed with the Anchorage International Film Festival (+frigid storm & power outage, kids & their activities). @joshalbeza.bsky.social & I got to do audience Q&A after our film ILP. I’ve seen many heartbreaking & hilarious films, met wonderful filmmakers. I recommend it, ⚓️
💯! — if they won’t or can’t answer the questions they should be answering, media should turn their attention elsewhere, & quickly.
Don’t just accept their answer and continue to platform them to lie & spew invective.
Don’t just accept their answer and continue to platform them to lie & spew invective.
If they pretend they haven’t heard about the story of the day, end the interview right there.
“I’m sorry, Senator, we wanted to get your perspective on this story, but it seems you’re not fully aware of what’s going on.”
“I’m sorry, Senator, we wanted to get your perspective on this story, but it seems you’re not fully aware of what’s going on.”
December 8, 2025 at 6:11 AM
💯! — if they won’t or can’t answer the questions they should be answering, media should turn their attention elsewhere, & quickly.
Don’t just accept their answer and continue to platform them to lie & spew invective.
Don’t just accept their answer and continue to platform them to lie & spew invective.
This film is playing Monday night in Anchorage as part of the Anchorage International Film Festival!
How Lucy Liu found the words to understand an unspeakable act in 'Rosemead'
How Lucy Liu found the words to understand an unspeakable act in 'Rosemead'
In 'Rosemead,' based on a 2017 L.A. Times story, the 'Charlie's Angels' star steps into a role unlike any she's played before — and is earning raves in the process.
www.latimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM
This film is playing Monday night in Anchorage as part of the Anchorage International Film Festival!
Me trying to explain that not all of Alaska loses the sun for months, but that there are different levels of light. These are all Holga (lomography) photos from when I was an artsy 29-year-old doing maternal child health research in NW Arctic villages during the darkest parts of the year.
Por fin encontré las fotos que buscaba antes. Estas saqué al finales de noviembre en 2011 en el ártico noroeste de Alaska — un poco al sur de Utqiagvik (donde de veras NO aparece el sol por dos meses). En *esta* región, el sol aparece pero solo un poquitico, así: 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm
December 5, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Me trying to explain that not all of Alaska loses the sun for months, but that there are different levels of light. These are all Holga (lomography) photos from when I was an artsy 29-year-old doing maternal child health research in NW Arctic villages during the darkest parts of the year.
Rape culture Fascism
🤝
🤝
I keep seeing video after video of ICE agents assaulting or attempting to assault young women in New Orleans.
December 5, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Rape culture Fascism
🤝
🤝
No exaggeration, one of the best things about parenting is getting to be my kids’ personal music historian.
Something will come up that’ll send us on a deep dive into 80’s rap or 90’s grunge, or blues from the 30’s & 40’s & the evolution into rock, rancheras & norteños…today it’s Celine Dion, lol.
Something will come up that’ll send us on a deep dive into 80’s rap or 90’s grunge, or blues from the 30’s & 40’s & the evolution into rock, rancheras & norteños…today it’s Celine Dion, lol.
December 4, 2025 at 9:25 PM
No exaggeration, one of the best things about parenting is getting to be my kids’ personal music historian.
Something will come up that’ll send us on a deep dive into 80’s rap or 90’s grunge, or blues from the 30’s & 40’s & the evolution into rock, rancheras & norteños…today it’s Celine Dion, lol.
Something will come up that’ll send us on a deep dive into 80’s rap or 90’s grunge, or blues from the 30’s & 40’s & the evolution into rock, rancheras & norteños…today it’s Celine Dion, lol.
Anchorage folks:
This weekend, in addition to my OWN block & screening (w/ @joshalbeza.bsky.social) Sunday morning, I'll also be attending the Sat morning animated shorts & the Sat 12:00 feature film "Remaining Native." Any of you going? If so, holler! anchoragefilmfestival.org/festival-sch...
This weekend, in addition to my OWN block & screening (w/ @joshalbeza.bsky.social) Sunday morning, I'll also be attending the Sat morning animated shorts & the Sat 12:00 feature film "Remaining Native." Any of you going? If so, holler! anchoragefilmfestival.org/festival-sch...
December 4, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Anchorage folks:
This weekend, in addition to my OWN block & screening (w/ @joshalbeza.bsky.social) Sunday morning, I'll also be attending the Sat morning animated shorts & the Sat 12:00 feature film "Remaining Native." Any of you going? If so, holler! anchoragefilmfestival.org/festival-sch...
This weekend, in addition to my OWN block & screening (w/ @joshalbeza.bsky.social) Sunday morning, I'll also be attending the Sat morning animated shorts & the Sat 12:00 feature film "Remaining Native." Any of you going? If so, holler! anchoragefilmfestival.org/festival-sch...
Reposted by Laura Norton-Cruz, LMSW, CLC
Jeffery Hildebrand owns Hilcorp the largest private oil company in the USA. His estimated net worth is $13 billion. He pays no taxes to Alaska but gets subsidies.
There’s only one gubernatorial candidate who wants to tax S Corporations like Hilcorp. That candidate is Tom Begich. #TaxTheRich #akleg
There’s only one gubernatorial candidate who wants to tax S Corporations like Hilcorp. That candidate is Tom Begich. #TaxTheRich #akleg
December 2, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Jeffery Hildebrand owns Hilcorp the largest private oil company in the USA. His estimated net worth is $13 billion. He pays no taxes to Alaska but gets subsidies.
There’s only one gubernatorial candidate who wants to tax S Corporations like Hilcorp. That candidate is Tom Begich. #TaxTheRich #akleg
There’s only one gubernatorial candidate who wants to tax S Corporations like Hilcorp. That candidate is Tom Begich. #TaxTheRich #akleg
I think this is a relatively unpopular position, but invisibilized labor is 1 of the reasons why, as a single mom, I’ve always tried to involve my kids in making Christmas happen to a degree appropriate for their development. I’ve never told them that Santa is real; just people being kind to others.
December 3, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I think this is a relatively unpopular position, but invisibilized labor is 1 of the reasons why, as a single mom, I’ve always tried to involve my kids in making Christmas happen to a degree appropriate for their development. I’ve never told them that Santa is real; just people being kind to others.
What happened to this boy is the kind of violence Dunleavy has agreed to unleash upon Alaskan children & families. This is the kind of moral injury Gov Dunleavy has chosen to allow the federal govt to impose on our Alaska Guard members. #akleg #AlaskaSky what we doin?
www.adn.com/alaska-news/...
www.adn.com/alaska-news/...
December 3, 2025 at 4:14 AM
What happened to this boy is the kind of violence Dunleavy has agreed to unleash upon Alaskan children & families. This is the kind of moral injury Gov Dunleavy has chosen to allow the federal govt to impose on our Alaska Guard members. #akleg #AlaskaSky what we doin?
www.adn.com/alaska-news/...
www.adn.com/alaska-news/...
I am purposefully counteracting my doom-posting and doom-scrolling with joyful little things and experiences that have brightened my life lately.
I love winter, good people, snow, lights, animals, art, culture. I feel so blessed by the beauty & kindness & strength around me daily.
I love winter, good people, snow, lights, animals, art, culture. I feel so blessed by the beauty & kindness & strength around me daily.
December 2, 2025 at 10:47 PM
I am purposefully counteracting my doom-posting and doom-scrolling with joyful little things and experiences that have brightened my life lately.
I love winter, good people, snow, lights, animals, art, culture. I feel so blessed by the beauty & kindness & strength around me daily.
I love winter, good people, snow, lights, animals, art, culture. I feel so blessed by the beauty & kindness & strength around me daily.
In addition to showing many of the problems in corporate & access media, this Nuzzi-Lizza-RFK Jr. drama is reinforcing what Caroline Kennedy *tried to warn us about* before the election but not enough people listened to:
that her cousin RFK Jr. IS A PREDATOR.
Abusive, inhumane, manipulative.
that her cousin RFK Jr. IS A PREDATOR.
Abusive, inhumane, manipulative.
December 2, 2025 at 10:35 PM
In addition to showing many of the problems in corporate & access media, this Nuzzi-Lizza-RFK Jr. drama is reinforcing what Caroline Kennedy *tried to warn us about* before the election but not enough people listened to:
that her cousin RFK Jr. IS A PREDATOR.
Abusive, inhumane, manipulative.
that her cousin RFK Jr. IS A PREDATOR.
Abusive, inhumane, manipulative.
I’m not trying to be all see-I-told-you-so but this was my #1 biggest concern as soon as Trump took office:
That he’d would order military to do illegal & horrific things & we needed veterans groups or former military lawyers to organize the currently enlisted/commissioned to know how to say no.
That he’d would order military to do illegal & horrific things & we needed veterans groups or former military lawyers to organize the currently enlisted/commissioned to know how to say no.
Hegseth is very transparently blaming a Navy admiral for his own decision. Let this be a lesson for every other military officer: The Trump administration will issue unlawful orders, then blame you for following them.
December 2, 2025 at 6:41 AM
I’m not trying to be all see-I-told-you-so but this was my #1 biggest concern as soon as Trump took office:
That he’d would order military to do illegal & horrific things & we needed veterans groups or former military lawyers to organize the currently enlisted/commissioned to know how to say no.
That he’d would order military to do illegal & horrific things & we needed veterans groups or former military lawyers to organize the currently enlisted/commissioned to know how to say no.