Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

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Wesley Early covers Anchorage life and city politics for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at wearly@alaskapublic.org and follow him on X at @wesley_early. Read more about Wesley here.

Anchorage Mayor Bronson issues vetoes to city budget

Among his vetoes: $1.2 million to permanently increase capacity at Brother Francis shelter.

Fire destroys the only grocery store and fuel source in Stebbins

“Looking at the store, I mean I grew up with it all my life, and so did practically everyone here. It was our only store standing," said Lydia Raymond-Snowball. "Now it’s gone."
A light-up star on a mountainside.

Anchorage’s beloved holiday star will be switched on remotely for first time ever

In years past, teams from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson had to take snowmachines up the mountain to turn the star on and off.
portraits of two women and a man

In a historic first, Alaskans set to elect 3 LGBTQ lawmakers to state Legislature

In its more than 60-year history, Alaska has never had an openly LGBTQ state lawmaker. Now, Alaska voters are set to send three down to Juneau.
sign in front of building that says: anchorage police department

Anchorage police to start carrying overdose-reversing Narcan as early as next year

The move follows growing demands from residents, including parents of overdose victims, who want police to carry and use naloxone to curb a rising number of overdoses in Alaska.
From across the street is the Anchorage Police Department, where an American and Alaskan Flag sit in front of a parking lot full of police cars.

Anchorage Police Department and union to settle body camera debate in arbitration next year

Municipal attorney Blair Christensen says the arbitration process will likely wrap up six to nine months from now.
a person shows texts on her phone

‘My phone is constantly blowing up’: Alaska voters contend with increase in campaign text messages

Are you getting a lot of text messages from candidates running for office? You're not alone.
brown haired woman speaks into microphone

Anchorage Assembly nixes funding to build new shelter, killing project for now

Some Assembly members said they were dismayed that the mayor’s administration had given Roger Hickel Contracting the go-ahead to spend millions to begin building the shelter without the Assembly's approval.

‘Lift your spirit’: Alaska Native dancers dazzle at first Quyana performance at AFN in 3 years

Anticipation was high for the return to Quyana, after two AFN conventions in a row were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
people rally, holding signs and giving speeches

As AFN convention kicks off in Anchorage, Native climate and subsistence advocates rally in the rain

The group held signs that said "Defend the sacred, protect the Arctic" and gave speeches, noting recent record storms and declines in subsistence foods.

Anchorage Assembly leaders condemn racist testimony about Alaska Natives

Assembly leadership said they wanted to ”speak out against the racist and offensive statements made by the member of the public.”
An open Parking lot with various cars in it and trees surrounding.

Bronson officials greenlit $4.9M to build East Anchorage nav center without Assembly approval

Public Works Director Lance Wilber said the city gave the go-ahead for building the homeless facility — but city code requires Assembly approval for projects over $50,000.

As Northwest Alaska heavy winds die down, flooding likely to impact communities

The National Weather Service has a flood advisory for the Kotzebue area through tonight, with Nome and Utqiagvik’s going into tomorrow. Officials say damage to fish and hunting camps along the coast is expected, with erosion also a possibility.

Anchorage officials issue eviction notices to homeless campers at Centennial Campground

There’s still dozens of homeless residents staying at the campground. They have 15 days to leave.
A large tan building with people around the steps

More than 100 people move to Sullivan Arena homeless shelter after city closes Centennial Campground

Anchorage homelessness coordinator Alexis Johnson says roughly 100 people are still staying at Centennial Campground.

‘It’s a lot’: Homeless residents at Anchorage campground get ready to move out following days of uncertainty

Some say they'll go back to the Sullivan Arena shelter, which the city confirmed on Thursday would reopen.
A boy with sunglasses and a black and red sign

Anchorage protesters rally downtown, frustrated that local police still do not have body cameras

It has been about a year and a half since Anchorage voters approved buying body worn cameras for police.
A notice of campground foreclosure is posted to a tree, while several tents sit just behind the sign.

‘There’s no help’: Anchorage homeless campers face uncertain future as Centennial Campground closure looms

Anchorage’s Centennial Park Campground, where hundreds of homeless residents have camped this summer, is closing on Saturday with no official plan for what's next.
an aerial view of several portable, self contained buildings

Anchorage Assembly delays vote on using portable buildings as emergency winter shelters

The delay comes after Assembly members were told that several portable classrooms from the Anchorage School District wouldn’t be usable as shelters this winter.