Southcentral

Two Assembly members propose requiring voter signatures for Anchorage candidates to get on the ballot

Two Assembly members want Anchorage candidates to gather 50 or 250 voter signatures to get their names on the ballot. The proposal is just being introduced.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Online series helps families of youth with disabilities plan for adulthood

Families of young people with disabilities can get help planning for adult services in an online series that starts tonight and runs through April.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Anchorage proposal would reduce required election notices and shorten post-certification livestreaming

Two Assembly members propose cutting Anchorage's required newspaper election notices from two to one and letting the Election Center livestream end sooner.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

North Slope Borough mayor candidates clash over roads and litigation

Mayor Josiah Patkotak and challenger Harry Brower Jr. faced off ahead of the Oct. 6 North Slope Borough election. • Brower pushed for immediate road construction to cut costs. Patkotak touted $600 million in projects and a property tax waiver starting in 2027. • Both emphasized local control over oil and gas development and tackling drugs in villages.

by Alaska News1mo ago2 min read

Alaska Center's independent expenditure group spends about $27,900 on mailers for 10 legislative candidates

The Alaska Center's independent expenditure group spent about $27,900 on mailers for 10 legislative candidates, according to its latest state filing.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Troopers say driver fled at over 100 mph on Sterling Highway, switched seats before arrest

Troopers say a driver fled at over 100 mph on the Sterling Highway, took two PIT maneuvers to stop and swapped seats with his passenger just before the end.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Kodiak City Council meets in closed session to discuss potential litigation

odiak's City Council met in closed session with its attorney about a potential claim involving a former employee. Details weren't discussed in public.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Touchmark breaks ground on 244-home senior campus in South Anchorage

A private Oregon company broke ground on a 244-home senior campus in South Anchorage, with help from a city property tax break that can last up to 28 years.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage police seek man wanted on escape warrant after he left transitional housing

Anchorage police are looking for a 24-year-old man they say walked away from transitional housing Sept. 25. He's wanted on a felony escape warrant.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 25

Anchorage Assembly to hold hearing on keeping three advisory boards from dissolving

Three Anchorage advisory boards dissolve Oct. 14 unless the Assembly saves them. City auditors say keep all three, though notice and staffing need work.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 1

Anchorage Assembly to consider two Port of Alaska corrosion-protection contracts worth up to $2 million each

Salt water and steel don't mix. Two firms could each earn up to $2 million keeping the Port of Alaska's pilings and pipelines from rusting away.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Jul 29

Mountain goat hunt south of Port Valdez closes Thursday night after hitting harvest limit

Hunters south of Port Valdez have until Thursday night to finish the RG245 goat hunt. Four goats already hit the limit, and more hunters are still out there.

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Alaska's SNAP work-requirement waiver ends Oct. 31, and the time limit already applies in Anchorage

Alaska's SNAP work-rule waiver ends Oct. 31, and Anchorage was never under it. Also: a letter from DPA doesn't mean you're losing your benefits.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Mat-Su gets $7.9 million federal grant for Port MacKenzie barge ramp

The Mat-Su Borough has lined up $12.1 million, mostly federal, for a barge ramp at Port MacKenzie so barges can land without fighting the tides.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 27

Federal record zeroes out Cordova bridge-replacement money, but project status remains unclear

Cordova's load-posted Heney Creek Bridge is rated poor. A federal replacement record now shows $0, and DOT has not explained what changed.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Wasilla man dies after motorcycle strikes guardrail supports on Wasilla Fishhook Road

A 28-year-old Wasilla man died early Tuesday when his motorcycle went out of control on Wasilla Fishhook Road. His passenger survived with minor injuries.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Anchorage consent agenda carries $2.4 million in sludge hauling contracts

Two sludge hauling contracts worth up to $2.4 million with Around the Clock Pumping LLC, the lowest bidder on both routes, are on the Anchorage Assembly's consent agenda Tuesday.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Hideout Lounge liquor license renewal goes to Assembly

The Assembly is set to wave through Al's Alaskan Inn and Hideout Lounge's liquor renewal Oct. 6. Its application lists 19 rooms, 5 kitchens and no dining room.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Anchorage Assembly consent agenda carries $1.57M more for West 32nd Avenue rebuild

Anchorage Assembly votes Tuesday on committing $1.57 million more to rebuild West 32nd Avenue, though most of that money hinges on road bonds voters have not yet approved.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Anchorage Assembly to consider $511,190 grant to replace police mobile data computers

Anchorage police mobile data computers, the laptops in patrol cars, are due for an upgrade. The Assembly weighs a $511,190 federal grant Tuesday.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Borough Planning Commission to hear proposal for Nikiski gravel pit on Oct. 12

A paving company wants to dig a gravel pit at Mile 31 of the Kenai Spur Highway in Nikiski. Neighbors get their say Oct. 12, three minutes at a time.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Alaska Air National Guard merges two recruiting offices into one flight

Alaska Air National Guard merged its two separate recruiting offices into one flight in September, adding recruiters to cover the state's spread-out population.

by Melinda Communities.News1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 25

Senate sends Anchorage Quyana Clubhouse land transfer to president

Senate passed a bill transferring downtown Anchorage land to Southcentral Foundation so it can replace and expand the Quyana Clubhouse serving Alaska Native people with mental illness.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

ASRC Energy Services gets $13.9 million toward North Slope carbon storage hub planning

ASRC Energy Services received $13.9 million in federal funding to plan a North Slope carbon dioxide storage hub through 2028, with no construction decision or funding yet approved.

by Melinda Communities.News1mo ago2 min read

Richards and Kendall debate repealing Alaska's open primary, ranked choice voting and disclosure rules

Two Anchorage attorneys squared off over Ballot Measure 2, which would scrap open primaries, ranked choice voting and dark money rules. Voters decide Nov. 3.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read

Cordova pool hours hit the limit of the temp staff budget

Cordova's pool is running more hours than its temporary staff budget allows, forcing the parks director to choose between expanding recreation programs or cutting existing ones.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Feds select Anchorage company to drill geothermal test well on Augustine volcano

The feds picked an Anchorage company to drill a geothermal test well on Augustine, the Cook Inlet volcano. Tapping a volcano for power: very Alaska.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom Sep 21

Troopers say Sterling driver failed to stop and had heroin after a short pursuit

Troopers say a Sterling driver wouldn't stop, led a short chase that ended at a residence and had heroin in his wallet. He faces a felony drug charge.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Two Ninilchik men charged in alleged illegal bull moose harvest on Brody Road trails

Troopers say two Ninilchik men took a bull moose off the Brody Road trails during a motorized closure. Now they face eight misdemeanors between them.

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Federal highway money for Whittier tunnel operations reaches $4.8 million on one award

Federal Highway Administration awarded Alaska $4.8 million to operate the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel between Whittier and the Seward Highway through March 2027.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Board of Fisheries takes written comments through Oct. 13 for its October work session

The Board of Fisheries meets in Anchorage Oct. 28-29 to decide which off-cycle proposals to take up. Want a say? Written comments only, due Oct. 13.

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Follows: Board of Fisheries committee weighs how to let the public weigh in on last-minute rewrites

Anchorage transit advisory board asks for more city money for AnchorRIDES and bus drivers

Anchorage's transit advisory board wants more city money for AnchorRIDES and five more bus drivers. It didn't say how much, and the Assembly isn't voting yet.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 10

Anchorage Assembly to consider $1.2 million safety review contract for water and sewer utility

The Anchorage Assembly will weigh a $1.2 million contract for Nortech to review water and sewer crews' safety programs, from fall hazards to confined spaces.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 4

Anchorage Assembly to consider road maintenance contract for Section 6/Campbell Airstrip area

The Anchorage Assembly will weigh a road maintenance deal for the Section 6/Campbell Airstrip area. The only bidder: Northern Gravel & Trucking.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readFrom Sep 1

Left lane closed near New Seward Hwy mile 117, set to end 4:10 p.m.

One northbound lane of the New Seward Highway near Mile 117 is closed for maintenance until 4:10 pm. It's the fourth such closure there since Sept. 21.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Olgoonik Corporation approves elder distribution for original shareholders 60 and older

Olgoonik elders who were original shareholders: confirm your address and payment details before Oct. 9 to receive this year's elder distribution.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Disabilities council seeks testimony on virtual special-education services

Alaska's disabilities council seeks public testimony Monday on virtual special-education services delivered over Zoom and Teams.

by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read

Knik Tribe to lead effort to keep drug-affected families together in Mat-Su and Kenai

The Knik Tribe will lead a five-year effort to keep children affected by a parent's drug or alcohol use safely with their families in the Mat-Su and Kenai.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Federal grant will add two operating rooms at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage

A $1.5 million federal grant will add two operating rooms at the Alaska Native Medical Center, with room for about 1,560 more surgical procedures a year.

by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read

Trail camera shows first fawns from deer moved to the southern Kenai Peninsula

A collared doe with two fawns is the first sign that deer moved to the southern Kenai Peninsula are having babies. Hunters, keep waiting: there's no season.

by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read