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.
Assembly votes to suspend plastic bag ban during its calmest meeting in weeks
After weeks of combative meetings marked by bitter conflicts, raucous behavior and even a few arrests, discussion returned to more mundane topics like liquor licenses, utility rate increases and whether to charge for single-use plastic bags.
Former Anchorage chief equity officer is suing the Bronson administration for wrongful termination
In a legal complaint filed Tuesday, Clifford Armstrong alleges that Mayor Bronson fired him in a manner that went against municipal code.
Anchorage School District prepares to offer COVID vaccine to kids ages 5 and up as early as Wednesday
The Anchorage School District is preparing to offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to students ages 5 and up as soon as its federally approved.
Anchorage Assembly declines to confirm real estate director connected to whistleblower complaint
The Anchorage Assembly has voted against confirming Mayor Dave Bronson’s pick for real estate director.
Fight over required health precautions in Anchorage Assembly chamber ends meeting early
The Anchorage Assembly meeting ended earlier than expected Wednesday, with Assembly leadership and Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration locked in debate over new masking and social distancing requirements for the chamber.
Bronson administration launches online form to report Anchorage mask mandate violations
The link is on the municipal manager page on the Municipality of Anchorage website. There is still no public information regarding any fines or penalties for violations of the mandate.
Early election results show Anchorage Midtown voters rejecting recall of Assembly member Zaletel
There are still more votes to be counted.
Mayor Bronson talks future of port repairs in State of the City address
Mayor Bronson delivered his remarks virtually because he was quarantining after being exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Alaska COVID hospitalizations dip slightly after hitting record high
The number of hospitalizations from COVID-19 in the state dropped by 10 after hitting a record high on Thursday. There are now 232 patients with COVID-19 in Alaska’s hospitals.
Top advisor Craig Campbell among several departures from Bronson administration this week
Craig Campbell has served in several roles in the Bronson Administration, most recently as Policy and Programs Director.
Alaska’s COVID hospitalizations have hit a new high
The state on Thursday reported 242 patients with COVID-19 in Alaska hospitals, the most ever since the pandemic began.
State elections commission recommends fine for pro-Bronson group, citing a failure to file certain forms during runoff
The Alaska Public Offices Commission staff is recommending a $5,665 fine for a group that was raising funds to support Mayor Dave Bronson’s campaign.
Anchorage’s former real estate director sues Bronson administration, claiming she was illegally fired for making whistleblower complaint
Christina Hendrickson was fired in September, shortly after she made a whistleblower complaint to the Assembly regarding how fellow municipal employee Jim Winegarner was hired.
Anchorage teachers rally outside school board meeting, unsatisfied with district contract proposals
Teachers raised three main concerns over ASD’s proposed contract: no increase in salaries, the reduction of planning time, and a new health care plan which many found inferior.
Petition filed to recall Assembly member Jamie Allard
This is the third recall effort of an Assembly member that Anchorage has seen in a year, with Felix Rivera surviving a recall election in April, and Meg Zaletel’s recall election scheduled for next week.
Tens of thousands of dollars are flowing into both sides of the Zaletel recall effort
Midtown voters will decide next week whether to recall Assembly member Meg Zaletel.
Alaska pediatrician group criticizes Anchorage’s chief medical officer over ‘grossly misleading’ comments on COVID
The Alaska chapter of a national group of pediatricians has written a blistering letter to Dr. Michael Savitt, Anchorage’s chief medical officer, criticizing recent statements he made on the effectiveness of masking and the spread of COVID-19 in the city.
Who needs to wear a mask in Anchorage and where? Here’s a breakdown of the new ordinance.
The Anchorage Assembly on Thursday overturned Mayor Dave Bronson’s veto of an emergency mask ordinance. That means the masking rules for the city are back in place.
Anchorage Assembly overrides Bronson veto, upholding emergency mask ordinance
The Anchorage Assembly on Thursday overturned Mayor Dave Bronson’s veto of its contentious emergency mask ordinance.
It’s official: Anchorage records its first snowfall of the season
While some parts of Anchorage received more than 14 inches of snow in late September, the weather service's measuring station near the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport got barely a trace. And that's where official weather measurements are taken. So, Thursday will technically be counted as Anchorage's first snowfall of the season.