Anchorage

Alaska school boards to weigh tax-credit scholarships, immigration enforcement near schools

Alaska's school boards vote Nov. 8 on 14 proposed positions, from tax-credit scholarships to immigration enforcement near schools. Sitka sent half of them.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago3 min read

Corps has no 2027 maintenance dredging money for Nome yet, port director says

The Corps hasn't budgeted 2027 maintenance dredging for Nome and several other Alaska ports. Anchorage got its money. Nome says "all is not lost."

by Bill AlaskaNews4w ago3 min read

Commission recommends naming Anchorage Assembly Chambers for Dick Traini, 3-2

Anchorage's naming commission voted 3-2 to recommend naming the Assembly Chambers for Dick Traini, despite a city rule to wait 36 months after a death.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago3 min read

Merrill Field planners propose King Air 200 as design aircraft for 20-year plan

Merrill Field's 20-year plan will be built around the King Air 200. Also learned: the first stop for many rural flyers landing there is Costco.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Follows: Anchorage will take public comment on Merrill Field's next 20 years Oct. 15

Port of Alaska asks federal regulators to shrink Terminal 1 beluga shutdown zone

The Port of Alaska wants the beluga shutdown zone for Terminal 1 pile driving cut from 9,000 meters to 1,300. Federal fisheries regulators will decide.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Anchorage Assembly to consider $1.2 million for two fire tenders replacing aging trucks

Two Anchorage fire tenders are past the 25-year mark. The Assembly considers $1.2 million for replacements Tuesday, with delivery about 20 months out.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read

Anchorage Assembly takes up rewritten Chugach access board plan Tuesday

Who gets a say over Chugach park access money? The Assembly tries again Tuesday, now with two seats for road board veterans from neighborhoods next to the park.

by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago3 min read

Planners say Anchorage's capital budget isn't strongly tied to its growth plan

Anchorage planners say the city's capital budget isn't strongly tied to its growth plan. Since 2017, 1% of Bowl development landed where the plan wanted most.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage's $725.7 million cash pool earned $4.4 million last quarter, report shows

Anchorage parks $725.7 million with three money managers until it needs it. Last quarter it earned $4.4 million; the managers cost about $1 million a year.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage's 2027 budget leaves out money for downtown police foot patrols

Downtown Anchorage's police foot patrols ran on hotel-tax overtime money this year. The 2027 budget leaves that money out. One option floated: a special levy.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Alaska's disabilities council seeks feedback after writing a plan to guide it through 2031

Alaska's disabilities council wants to know how it's doing. Its next five-year plan got 84 public comment responses. Staff call its wording intentionally broad.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage weighs Eklutna water deals after utilities decline to back its bid for a vote

Anchorage tied its Eklutna water deals to Chugach and MEA backing its bid for a hydro vote. They declined, and the mayor wants the deals approved without it.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage planners back an 8-foot Girdwood fence near the Holtan Hills entrance

A Girdwood homeowner wants an 8-foot fence where code allows 4, citing Holtan Hills construction traffic. City planners say yes. A neighbor worries about moose.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Southcentral Foundation seeks business zoning for 4.3 acres on Alaska Native Health Campus

Southcentral Foundation wants two Tudor Centre Drive lots on the Native health campus rezoned for business. It says no redevelopment is planned.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Air Guard rescues pilot with minor injuries after plane crash near Friday Creek

The Air Guard has flown four pilots out of crashes north of Anchorage since Sept. 10, two of them near Friday Creek, which is having a rough fall.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage Assembly member proposes writing police surveillance limits into city charter

Anchorage Assembly member Keith McCormick wants police surveillance limits locked into the city charter, where only voters could change them, including warrant rules for tracking and biometric data.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Chugach shareholders return former CEO Kompkoff to the board and reelect two directors

Chugach Alaska shareholders returned former CEO Gabriel Kompkoff to the board and reelected Violet Yeaton and Connie Hedrick at Saturday's annual meeting.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Dunleavy proclaims Charlie Kirk Day for a second year and Employment First Awareness Week

Dunleavy proclaimed Charlie Kirk Day for a second year Wednesday, two days after naming this Employment First Awareness Week for Alaskans with disabilities.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Bronson stays in governor's race, disputing Trump's account of deal to quit

Trump says Bronson agreed to quit the governor's race. Bronson says they remember the calls differently, and he is staying in.

by Alaska News1mo ago2 min read

Follows: Trump endorses Wilson

Northeast Anchorage council urges "thorough and independent" study of Assembly spending

A Northeast Anchorage community council voted 19-0 to back the Assembly's spending study, and asked members and staff to skip the "half-hearted compliance."

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Planners back a permanent permit for Linda's Place shelter as neighbors raise concerns

City planners say Linda's Place should be a permanent shelter. The city and the shelter's paperwork give different schedules for its security walks.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

LaFrance budget would add seven city plow operators, cut $1 million in snow contracts

Anchorage's 2027 budget would add seven city plow operators and spend $1 million less on snow contractors, nudging plowing toward city crews.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Air Guard flies two people hurt in avalanche near Eklutna Lake to Anchorage hospital

Air National Guard rescuers flew two people injured in an avalanche near Eklutna Lake to an Anchorage hospital Saturday. Officials urge avalanche gear and a buddy system as the season begins.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Anchorage proposal would give tax-exempt property owners 90 days to certify they qualify

Anchorage's tax-exemption audit could run into 2032. One proposed fix: spread out the certification paperwork instead of letting it pile up in March.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage officials want to keep private plan review rules but warn of a conflict

Nearly all new homes in Anchorage's building safety area get plan checks from private reviewers. Officials want the rules kept but warn contractors pick them.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Senate committee votes to subpoena DNR commissioner over AIDEA land transfers

One invitation declined, another still pending. Senate Resources voted to subpoena DNR Commissioner John Crowther for Oct. 26 over free land transfers to AIDEA.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago4 min read

Follows: Giessel says governor kept DNR commissioner from legislative hearing on AIDEA land transfers

Alaska's EMS clinicians gather for 50th symposium after a year of licensing changes

Alaska's EMTs head to Girdwood for their 50th symposium with a new compact, fingerprint checks coming and, in some places, a struggle to keep volunteers.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage Assembly approves Tozier Tract land swap with nonbinding housing targets

Anchorage agreed to trade the Tozier Tract, land it spent decades trying to get, for four downtown parking lots. Its housing targets are only recommendations.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readFrom Oct 6

Follows: Anchorage proposes trading the Tozier Track to the state housing agency for downtown parking lots, with housing required

AFN's 60th convention brings candidates, subsistence and resolutions

AFN marks 60 years at its Oct. 22-24 convention in Anchorage, with Alaska's congressional delegation, a candidates forum and resolutions on the agenda.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

LaFrance appoints deputy Loren Crawford as Anchorage's municipal treasurer

Anchorage has a new treasurer, or will once the Assembly signs off. Loren Crawford has been running the office as acting treasurer since August.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Kratom coalition hires Frank Bickford to lobby Alaska lawmakers and agencies

A kratom group is paying Frank Bickford $30,000 a year to lobby Alaska. It backs banning concentrated 7-OH, not the leaf. So does a draft Anchorage ordinance.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Trump pardons two Anchorage diesel shop owners onstage at Wasilla campaign rally

Trump pardoned two Anchorage diesel shop owners onstage in Wasilla. He said they faced 10 years for fixing an engine. The charge maxed out at five.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Rule would require attorney general's OK for Alaska agencies to sue or settle

A proposed rule would make state agencies get the attorney general's OK to sue, settle, appeal or hire lawyers. Does it cover the Permanent Fund? Law won't say.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Progressive group behind Alaska Voter Guide went by 907 Action until August

Alaska Voter Guide isn't the state's pamphlet. It's a progressive political group that went by 907 Action until August. Steven Spielberg gave it $5,000 in 2024.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Murdoch gives $500,000 to No on 2 as repeal side reports $279,000 from Aurora

Kathryn Murdoch gave $500,000 to fight the ranked choice repeal. The repeal side got $279,000 from Aurora Action Network. Both sides' latest filings are in.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

ConocoPhillips seeks five more years of North Slope off-road travel; comments due Friday

ConocoPhillips wants to keep driving and building ice roads on state land on the North Slope for five more years. Its current permit expires Dec. 17.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 10

Driver strikes and kills man crossing East 15th Avenue in Anchorage

A driver struck and killed a man crossing East 15th Avenue at Medfra Street in Anchorage on Tuesday morning. The driver stayed, and no charges have been filed.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Chugach could build Milrem's unmanned military vehicles in the US under a new agreement

hugach could start building military robots in the U.S. for an Estonia-based maker. So far it's a memorandum, with no site, timeline or price tag.

by Melinda Communities.News1mo ago2 min read

Overturned truck closes Parks Highway at Milepost 183

An overturned commercial truck closed the Parks Highway in both directions at Milepost 183 early Tuesday. The closure is expected to last until around midday, state transportation officials say.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

AFN board won't endorse candidates this year after backing Peltola in 2022 and 2024

AFN's board won't endorse any candidates this year, after the group backed Mary Peltola in 2022 and 2024. Peltola is now running for U.S. Senate.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read