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.
the corner of the City Hall building

State says Anchorage faces more than $600K in fines for safety violations. City officials say they’ve been addressed.

Safety concerns went back to the administrations of Mayors Ethan Berkowitz and Dan Sullivan and ranged from a lack of guardrails in some facilities and workers being exposed to electrical hazards to workplace injuries not being reported on time. 

Mat-Su school bus drivers reach tentative contract agreement, potentially ending month-long strike

Teamsters Local 959 officials announced Thursday night that they’d reached a tentative agreement with Durham School Services.

Anchorage Assembly member wants to ban the city from using of facial recognition technology

“Oftentimes, facial recognition algorithms and the databases they use end up having inaccuracies," said Assembly member Joey Sweet.
An open Parking lot with various cars in it and trees surrounding.

Bronson aims to pay contractor millions for work on nixed homeless shelter, without Assembly approval

In a response letter, Assembly leaders wrote that “making the proposed payment without additional Assembly action would be illegal.”

Anchorage Assembly considers adding paid parental leave for city workers after mayor revoked policy

It’s the second time in less than two years that Assembly member Austin Quinn-Davidson has attempted to secure paid parental leave for city workers.

Fur Rondy’s sled dog sprint races draw a large crowd to downtown Anchorage

The three-day sprint mushing event brought veterans and rookies alike, all competing for the glory and prize money in front of a packed crowd.
A board of directors sits in front of a group of people.

Anchorage School Board passes a budget that largely relies on savings and one-time funds

The roughly $900 million budget is about 6% larger than this year’s. 

Anchorage mayor sued in federal court for firing investigator looking into deputy library director complaints

Heather MacAlpine served as the director of Anchorage’s Office of Equal Opportunity from 2015 until 2022, when she was abruptly fired.

Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples Day are now Anchorage municipal holidays

The Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday unanimously agreed to add the two holidays.
a man in a suit

Anchorage Assembly directs city to create online checkbook to increase transparency

The move comes amid concerns from Assembly members about the amount of time it’s taken them to get financial information through records requests to the Bronson administration.
A man and a woman in business clothes sit next to microphones.

As Anchorage School Board prepares to approve budget, lawmakers consider increasing state education funding

While the Anchorage School Board follows its timeline for approving its budget — big uncertainty still looms. 

Anchorage police say 8-month-old baby found safe; father arrested on murder charges

State emergency officials had issued an AMBER alert for Ahmiri Chaney on Friday afternoon.
people in winter jackets wave signs

Mat-Su parents say ongoing bus driver strike has led to lost income and carpool complications

"My wife had to resign from her job," Kent Schiebl told the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School Board.
A man in a suit and glasses speaks behind a podium.

Anchorage Assembly chair subpoenas mayor for documents tied to former health director

In a statement, the mayor said he would not provide the documents to the Assembly, citing privacy protections of personnel issues.
A pickup truck with a snow plow in front plows a snowy street.

Anchorage has seen almost double its usual snowfall since December

The weekend storm prompted the Anchorage School District to declare a remote learning day Monday.
A mirrored building.

Anchorage Mayor Bronson names Anne Helzer as his third municipal attorney

She takes over as the city’s head lawyer at a time of upheaval. The mayor is facing allegations of numerous improper, unethical and unlawful actions.
people wave signs on a picket line

Mat-Su school bus drivers’ strike continues as contract negotiations escalate

The union representing the drivers is accusing the company that employs them of canceling negotiation meetings and refusing to address safety concerns.

As state grapples with food stamp backlog, an Anchorage middle school steps up to feed families

When principal Marcus Wilson found out about one student’s family struggling to get food, he sent out a message to all families to see if it was a bigger issue. And it was.
A woman shows a flash card of two figures hugging to a room of toddlers.

New Anchorage daycare teaches children in Hmong and English

Chue Hang opened the Hmoob Cultural Center of Alaska in November to help support and educate Hmong people like herself. 
Niki Tshibaka holds a flower

Anchorage HR director resigns, citing ‘toxic, hostile, and demoralizing work environment’

Niki Tshibaka’s departure is the latest in a series of resignations and firings among top city officials.