Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Kavitha George is Alaska Public Media’s climate change reporter. Reach her at kgeorge@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Kavitha here.
Anchorage Assembly confirms city’s first Chief Equity Officer
The Anchorage Assembly confirmed the city’s first Chief Equity Officer on Tuesday, a new role dedicated to promoting equity in city government. That includes making sure municipal hiring and contracting is fair and representative of the community, tracking how municipal resources are distributed and educating the community about its role in dismantling systemic inequity.
The bears are back in Anchorage. Here’s what to know.
Bears are up and about in Anchorage, and looking for food. If you haven’t already, now is the time to take down bird-feeders, clean up any outdoor food waste, including pet food, and ensure trash is stored securely.
Anchorage Assembly rolls back COVID-19 gathering limits and business restrictions
Anchorage COVID-19 restrictions are set to loosen significantly next week. At a meeting on Tuesday, the Anchorage Assembly voted unanimously to remove all gathering limits and social distancing requirements for the city starting Monday, May 3. The decision also lifted COVID-19 requirements for businesses like hotels, bingo halls, gyms, salons and childcare centers.
Bronson and Dunbar have starkly different visions for Anchorage
Dave Bronson, a retired commercial and Air Force pilot and Forrest Dunbar, a captain with the Army National Guard who serves on the Assembly. The candidates, who will take part in a runoff election next month, have starkly different visions for the future of Anchorage.
Anchorage Assembly discussion reveals deep division after brutal year of pandemic politics
After an explosive disagreement during a meeting last week, the Anchorage Assembly held a routine reorganization vote Tuesday to elect an acting chair. Despite opposition from some members, Midtown Assembly member Felix Rivera was re-elected to the position.
Anchorage Assembly certifies municipal election
The Anchorage Assembly voted unanimously to certify the results of the April municipal election on Tuesday. This means results are now official, though they may still be subject to a recount, if the candidates are within half a percentage point of each other. Results may also be contested on legal grounds if there is proof of fraud, corrupt election practices, or the candidate does not meet qualifications for office.
Warm weather and plowing in Anchorage mean clear trails likely a week away
A month into a cold spring that followed a pandemic winter, temperatures in Anchorage are reaching into the 60’s this week and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is hard at work, transforming the slushy remains of ski trails into clear paths for the bikes, strollers and roller blades of summer.
APOC denies expedited hearing after allegations of Bronson campaign finance violation
The runoff election for Anchorage mayor began to heat up this week, after Forrest Dunbar’s campaign accused Dave Bronson’s campaign of more than $170,000 in finance violations. On Wednesday, the Alaska Public Offices Commission denied the Dunbar campaign’s request for an expedited hearing.
Anchorage Assembly extends COVID emergency declaration by closest vote yet
The Anchorage Assembly approved an eighth extension of the city’s COVID-19 emergency declaration Tuesday. The measure passed six to four, the slimmest margin an extension has seen since the COVID emergency began.
Election update: Anchorage school board race tightens
The Anchorage school board race between Kelly Lessens and Judy Eledge has narrowed to less than 100 votes, with Lessens narrowly holding onto the lead Monday.
Anchorage mayor loosens pandemic restrictions, plus adds incentive to get vaccinated
Embedded in the new emergency order is an incentive to get a COVID-19 vaccine: once 70% of eligible Anchorage residents are vaccinated, the restrictions become merely an “advisory” instead of law.
Extra marks on ballots held up tabulating on Anchorage’s Election Night
Results in the Anchorage election came in slowly this year. Last year the elections center got through more than half the ballots the first night, but by Tuesday night, less than a fifth of the total ballots that had been received were tabulated. On Wednesday evening, the clerk’s office explained the early reports were held up by some unusually marked ballots.
Dunbar and Bronson still lead Anchorage mayor’s race as more ballots are counted
Assembly member Forrest Dunbar and former Air Force pilot Dave Bronson are still leading the race for mayor after the Anchorage municipal clerk added a second batch of votes to the results of the April 6 election Wednesday afternoon.
Early results show Dunbar with slight lead in Anchorage mayor race
At 9 p.m. with only 10,606 votes counted, Forrest Dunbar had 3,701 votes, followed by former Air Force pilot Dave Bronson with 3,116 votes
Here’s what to expect on Anchorage’s Election Day
If you haven’t voted yet, you can drop your signed ballot in one of the dropboxes around the city or go to one of the Vote Centers, located at City Hall, the Loussac Library and the Eagle River Town Center. As long as you are in line at a dropbox or Vote Center by 8 p.m. you will be allowed to vote. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by today, April 6.
In a crowded race, Anchorage campaign volunteers tell us how they chose their candidate for mayor
For months, campaign volunteers have called and texted voters, dropped off pamphlets, put up signs and knocked on doors in the hopes of encouraging their neighbors to vote for their pick for Anchorage mayor. Some have been politically active for years, but for others, organizing is a new pursuit.
Turnout holding steady so far in Anchorage’s 2021 election
Tuesday is Election Day in Anchorage — residents will be voting for the next mayor, a number of school board members and several ballot propositions. According to the municipal clerk, 27,445 ballots have been returned as of March 31 out of nearly 230,000 that went out earlier in the month.
Anchorage Assembly shapes early plans for next round of COVID-19 stimulus
Another round of federal COVID-19 stimulus money is on its way to Anchorage, though it’s not quite clear how much it will be or when it will arrive.
Anchorage’s parking boss quits in rift with city, after pandemic hits revenues
Andrew Halcro, who heads the organization that oversees parking downtown, abruptly resigned Friday, in what appears to be a split with city officials after the pandemic caused a large drop in parking revenue.
Asian Alaskans grapple with anti-Asian hate and feeling unsafe after the Atlanta shootings
Asian Americans in Alaska say that despite perceptions to the contrary, they do experience both blatant and subtle racism, and they say it's increased over the last year.