Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
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.
Bronson’s winter sheltering plan now includes using 2 Anchorage rec centers previously described as emergency options
Bronson's administration first outlined the plan last week. What's different now: using the Spenard and Fairview rec centers as emergency shelters is no longer a last resort.
Anchorage Mayor Bronson announces plan for sheltering homeless during the winter
Bronson's plan includes using up to 20 portable buildings to house people.
Man shot by Anchorage police faces 19 charges, including kidnapping and attempted murder
Police say 36-year-old Michael Valu was also charged with 15 felony assault charges and a charge of misconduct involving a firearm.
Anchorage police shoot man after they say he used a child as a ‘human shield’
Police say the man fled with the child after firing a weapon during a domestic dispute early Friday morning. Officers say the man was not fatally injured in the shooting.
Anchorage Assembly overrides Bronson’s veto of the creation of a homelessness task force
The Assembly also overrode the mayor's veto of federal COVID-19 relief money.
Anchorage Assembly nixes effort to make city clerk an elected position
An ordinance from Mayor Dave Bronson would’ve put a question to voters in the next municipal election on whether the city clerk would be elected by residents, rather than appointed by the Assembly.
Alaska Black Caucus and other groups threaten legal action over APD’s lack of body cameras
Voters approved buying the cameras more than 16 months ago.
Anchorage HR director ‘walled off’ from investigating library staff complaints
HR director Niki Tshibaka has faced criticism over his support for Deputy Library Director Judy Eledge as complaints regarding her conduct were being investigated by the city’s Office of Equal Opportunity Director.
Heavy rain creates muddy conditions for homeless residents at Anchorage’s Centennial Campground
As campers contend with what feels like constant rain, some are planning ahead for winter.
Last of 4 defendants sentenced in 2016 murder of Palmer teen
Bradley Renfro, now age 21, was sentenced to 75 years in prison.
Suspect connected to AMBER alert arrested in Soldotna after fleeing troopers in Fairbanks
Troopers found Steven Narron's vehicle abandoned in an Anchorage park Wednesday night.
Anchorage Assembly moves to create task force to address winter sheltering needs
The motion comes as some Assembly members say Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration is failing to adequately prepare to address homelessness ahead of winter.
Alaska State Troopers cancel AMBER alert for 15-year-old girl in Anchorage
Troopers say Alexis Bane was found safe Thursday morning and the suspect is in custody.
Alaskans head to the polls in state’s first ranked choice election
Some voters said they were confused and frustrated by the new voting system, which had them sorting through long lists of candidates and weighing whether to rank or not to rank.
Anchorage’s Mobile Crisis Team hopes funding to operate 24/7 will expand ability to address mental health crises
For the last year, the MCT has been on the streets, responding to mental health crises. A few months ago, it got funding from the city to operate 24/7.
Anchorage Assembly looks into vetting future mayoral appointments following health director’s fabricated resume
"I think it’s really important that all of the appointments that came forth under this administration be reviewed again, and that we know the facts,” said Assembly member Kameron Perez-Verdia.
Federal broadband officials tout ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to expand internet access in Alaska
"These kinds of resources, they don’t come along very often," said Assistant Commerce Secretary Alan Davidson. "We’re going to spend tens of billions of dollars in this country. We’re going to spend billions here in Alaska, most likely.”
Alaska Federation of Natives convention will be held in person for the first time since 2019
This year’s convention will be held Oct. 20 through Oct. 22 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage.
Her son died of an overdose in Anchorage. Now she’s pushing for city police to carry Narcan.
While many police departments across the state use Narcan, the Anchorage Police Department — the state’s largest law enforcement agency — does not.
There are thousands of jobs open in Anchorage but not enough workers to fill them, says economic report
It’s not because people don’t want to work, said Anchorage Economic Development Corp. CEO Bill Popp.