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.
Top facilitators end involvement with Anchorage mayor and Assembly on homelessness
In a letter to Assembly leaders and Mayor Bronson Thursday, Tom Barrett and Belinda Breaux wrote, "the transparency, candor and ‘we are all in this together’ attitude that enabled that earlier progress has in our opinion broken down in recent months."
About 1 in 8 rural Alaska ballots have been rejected in special primary, raising red flags with lawmakers
The rejection percentage varies starkly by region. In areas near Bethel, it’s the highest, at around 17%. That means about 1 in every 6 ballots were rejected — with the votes not counted.
Advocates concerned about where Anchorage’s homeless will go after Sullivan shelter closes
Anchorage homelessness advocates say they’re concerned about where people will go when the mass shelter at the Sullivan Arena closes at the end of the month.
Rainy weather halts Aghaluk Mountain Fire for now
But fire officials warn that it will likely pick up again as skies get sunnier.
Pitkas Point residents are hopeful that rain and shifting winds will keep their village safe
The fire is the largest the region has ever seen.
Rent is increasing rapidly in Anchorage, and experts say the trend will continue
Anchorage real estate broker Kassandra Taggart says rent "has been going up between 20, 30, 40 percent depending on what kind of rental it is.”
Anchorage Assembly member Constant says he’s pushing to make it easier to get records from the city
Constant says the goal of legislation is to streamline the process to make it faster and cheaper to receive public records.
Anchorage Assembly again postpones vote on ordinance that would allow for removing a mayor
The ordinance was brought forward by Chris Constant, who described it as a way to set boundaries on what is acceptable for a mayor to do.
National advocates push against Alaska OCS spending foster youth social security benefits in new legal filing
Advocates argue the state should foot the bill for caring for foster kids, and the children should receive all of the social security benefits they’re entitled to when they leave the foster care system.
Homelessness and addressing political divide are among top issues for the 6 candidates vying for new North Anchorage Assembly seat
Ballots went out this week for an election to fill a new 12th seat on the Anchorage Assembly, which would represent Anchorage's downtown as well as some neighboring communities.
Violating a burn ban is now a misdemeanor in Anchorage
The Anchorage Assembly unanimously approved the emergency ordinance Tuesday as the National Weather Service warned of high fire danger in much of Southcentral through the upcoming holiday weekend.
New community fridge aims to ease hunger in Anchorage
For Alaskans looking to get something to eat, it’s as easy as walking up and taking it.
Class-action lawsuit says state is failing Alaska foster kids
The plaintiffs hope their lawsuit results in a Superior Court judge ordering reform.
Anchorage police union says it has waited more than a month for city to begin negotiations on body cameras
Jeremy Conkling, the president of the Anchorage Police Department Employees Association, says he put in a request to the city’s human resources department in mid-April, asking for a date to start the negotiations.
Developer plans construction of $200M project in downtown Anchorage, including tearing down 4th Avenue Theatre
Developer Peach Holdings LLC is expected to spend roughly $200 million to overhaul the city block between 4th and 5th Avenues and F and G Streets. The developer already owns most of the properties on the block, including the 4th Avenue Theatre.
Rooftop celebration for ANTHC nurses is moment of joy after two tough years
While the pandemic is ongoing, and COVID-19 cases continue to pop up, it’s gotten to a point where for one sunny day, nurses could relax, meet with colleagues, enjoy some treats and, if their aim is good, hit their boss with a whipped cream pie.
Anchorage Assembly overrides Mayor Bronson’s budget revision vetoes
By an 8-3 vote, Assembly members voted to put funding back towards building inspectors, operating the city’s mobile crisis team 24/7 and school resource officers.
Uluao ‘Junior’ Aumavae brings community and personal experience to Anchorage’s top equity job
The former NFL player says strong community ties and diversity and equity programs got him to where he is today. He hopes to provide the same opportunities for Anchorage residents.
Assembly narrowly approves $6.2M for new homeless shelter in East Anchorage
The 6-4 vote followed lengthy debate Tuesday night.
7 Anchorage residents file to run for new Assembly seat
The winner will join Chris Constant in representing the new “North Anchorage” district which includes downtown.