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Municipality of Anchorage

Largest local government in Alaska, covering 1,961 square miles from Girdwood to Eklutna. A unified home-rule municipality combining city and borough powers over a population of roughly 290,000.

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Week of Jun 8

Basher parking plan rises after city estimate showed need for more

Bashing in Basher, but can't unbash what's been bashered.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Basher Trailhead, Anchorage
Cover image for article: Basher parking plan rises after city estimate showed need for more

Cook Inlet Housing breaks ground on 24 senior apartments in Anchorage

Cook Inlet Housing Authority will build 24 senior apartments in Anchorage by 2027. This project addresses a housing cost burden for seniors who spend over a third of their income on rent.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Cook Inlet Housing breaks ground on 24 senior apartments in Anchorage

Anchorage to issue $55.2M in bonds for roads, parks, fire equipment

Anchorage will issue $55.2 million in general obligation bonds in July for roads, parks, fire equipment, and transit, with annual debt service of $4.0 million paid by property taxpayers.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min readFrom
Cover image for article: Anchorage to issue $55.2M in bonds for roads, parks, fire equipment

Anchorage zoning board postpones variance threshold changes

Anchorage zoning board postponed a proposal to raise the setback encroachment threshold from 5 percent to 10 percent, which would let single-family homeowners avoid a $710 public hearing fee.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage zoning board postpones variance threshold changes

APOC fines George Martinez after campaign-paid flight to Florida

Oh goodness... I guess campaign finance laws were made for a reason.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: APOC fines George Martinez after campaign-paid flight to Florida

Anchorage police to train 10 officers in mental-health crisis response

Anchorage police will train up to ten officers and dispatchers in mental health crisis response this fall using a $50,000 state grant and $1,100 in city matching funds.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago1 min readFrom
Cover image for article: Anchorage police to train 10 officers in mental-health crisis response

Anchorage appropriates $2.5M in federal transit grants for bus fleet

Anchorage Assembly approved $6.6 million in federal and local funding on June 9 to replace aging buses, expand paratransit service, and maintain the People Mover fleet.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago1 min readFrom
Cover image for article: Anchorage appropriates $2.5M in federal transit grants for bus fleet

Senate Finance weighs Alaska LNG tax worth $124M a year — and whether it's enough for host communities

Governments are making compromises on the amount of property tax they'll receive - not all are happy about it

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago3 min read
Juneau, AK, USA
Cover image for article: Senate Finance weighs Alaska LNG tax worth $124M a year — and whether it's enough for host communities

Anchorage Assembly postpones public safety commission to July

Assembly kicks can down the road on Public Safety Commission vote

Cale Greenby Cale Green5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly postpones public safety commission to July

Anchorage transfers Heritage Land Bank parcel for natural burial cemetery

After land transfer from HLB, people are dying to get in there.

Cale Greenby Cale Green5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage transfers Heritage Land Bank parcel for natural burial cemetery

Anchorage's mayor told Senate Finance LNG could cost "tens of millions of dollars"

Anchorage's mayor told Senate Finance LNG would cost "tens of millions" — a number that lands somewhere between $23M and $173M. Her plan targets $23M.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage's mayor told Senate Finance LNG could cost "tens of millions of dollars"

Anchorage Assembly to consider letting licensed wildlife operators use air guns in city limits

Anchorage may let licensed wildlife operators use air guns in city limits — sorry, attic squirrels.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly to consider letting licensed wildlife operators use air guns in city limits

Anchorage's alcohol tax can't fund everything it was promised to fund — and a board meeting Tuesday made the tradeoff explicit

Anchorage alcohol tax revenue is dropping to 5.2 million dollars for 2027. • The city must now choose between funding school preschools or emergency homelessness services. • School district preschools face potential cuts while the district manages a 90 million dollar budget gap. • Childcare providers are also asking for a share of the limited funds.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage's alcohol tax can't fund everything it was promised to fund — and a board meeting Tuesday made the tradeoff explicit

Alaska DOT programs Fairview Bypass into 2052 plan at $220M

Alaska DOT programmed the Fairview Bypass into its long-range transportation plan at $220.5 million across four phases, with construction stages starting at $60 million for a regional connection near Merrill Field.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min readFrom
Cover image for article: Alaska DOT programs Fairview Bypass into 2052 plan at $220M

Planning commission recommends removing density requirement from Eagle River greenhouse property

Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended removing a minimum-density requirement from an Eagle River greenhouse property, allowing duplexes or triplexes instead of 13 required units. The Assembly will make the final decision.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Planning commission recommends removing density requirement from Eagle River greenhouse property

About Municipality of Anchorage

Municipality of Anchorage

Photo by Paxson Woelber, via Flickr · Photo source · CC BY 2.0

muni.org ↗Anchorage, AK, USA

The Municipality of Anchorage is the unified home rule government that combines city and borough powers for Anchorage, from Girdwood to Eklutna. It is led by a mayor and an elected Assembly, which adopts ordinances, approves contracts and confirms appointments to city boards.

The Municipality runs the Anchorage Police Department, the Anchorage Fire Department, public works, planning and the Loussac Library. Recurring questions concern zoning and housing density rules, police practices and surveillance rules, traffic safety, and the replacement of aging equipment and facilities.

Its boards and commissions, among them the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Equal Rights Commission, are filled by mayoral appointment with Assembly confirmation. Communities within its boundaries, including Eagle River, Chugiak and Girdwood, have their own road contracts and reserves that the Assembly approves.

More from Municipality of Anchorage

Week of Jun 1

ASD projects $40M FY28 deficit — two months after voters rejected school bond and tax levy

Anchorage School District projects a $40 million deficit for fiscal year 2028 on top of $90 million in earlier cuts, after voters rejected a $12 million tax levy and $79 million bond in April.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: ASD projects $40M FY28 deficit — two months after voters rejected school bond and tax levy

Anchorage Assembly to vote on free land for natural burial cemetery

Anchorage Assembly will vote on giving a 9.6-acre parcel worth $583,000 to a nonprofit to build a natural burial cemetery in South Anchorage, avoiding municipal construction costs as the city's main cemetery nears capacity.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News5mo ago2 min readFrom
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly to vote on free land for natural burial cemetery

Assembly to hear natural burial cemetery proposal for South Anchorage

Anchorage Assembly votes June 9 on giving a 9.6-acre South Anchorage parcel to Alaska Natural Burial to operate the city's first natural burial cemetery at no taxpayer cost.

Lucas Brownby Lucas Brownadded 5mo ago3 min read
Cover image for article: Assembly to hear natural burial cemetery proposal for South Anchorage

Anchorage veteran preference splits on eligibility, contract scope

Anchorage Assembly weighs two veteran business preference plans with different eligibility and scope. S-1: 5 percent preference up to $50,000 for any veteran discharged under honorable conditions, applies to both commodity bids and professional-services proposals. S-2: limits to Alaska residents separated within five years under non-dishonorable conditions, sliding scale, bids only, $500,000 lifetime cap. Scheduled for debate June 9, effective July 1, 2026 if passed.

Alaska Newsby Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago3 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage veteran preference splits on eligibility, contract scope

Anchorage schools adopt regional nurse model, will pull nurses from schools with fewer medical needs

Anchorage schools will reassign nurses from schools with fewer medical needs to cover schools with students requiring tube feedings or diabetes management, responding to a shortage that left some schools without staff.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage schools adopt regional nurse model, will pull nurses from schools with fewer medical needs

ASD claims state funding bill comes too late

Anchorage School District says a potential $37 million state funding increase tied to an August 31 revenue determination arrives too late to hire teachers before the 2026-27 school year begins.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: ASD claims state funding bill comes too late

Week of May 25

Anchorage Assembly continues public safety commission hearing to June 9 after criticism of advisory-only powers

Anchorage Assembly postponed a vote on a proposed Public Safety Commission to June 9 after community members criticized it for lacking investigative power, subpoena authority, and ability to discipline officers.

Cale Greenby Cale Greenadded 5mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly continues public safety commission hearing to June 9 after criticism of advisory-only powers

Anchorage Assembly recognizes Gun Violence Awareness Day after contentious debate over statistics

Anchorage Assembly voted 9-3 to recognize June 5-7 as Gun Violence Awareness Weekend, rejecting an attempt to remove language about gun deaths and economic costs from the resolution.

Cale Greenby Cale Greenadded 5mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly recognizes Gun Violence Awareness Day after contentious debate over statistics

Anchorage School District to receive $37 million from state education funding increase

Alaska Legislature approved a $144 million education funding increase, sending $37 million to Anchorage schools to help cover budget shortfalls from inflation and rising costs, plus a 4 percent annual cap on required local contributions.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage School District to receive $37 million from state education funding increase

Anchorage secures $25M for Port of Alaska in state capital budget

Anchorage won $25 million in state funding for Port of Alaska, with $15 million guaranteed and $10 million conditional on oil prices staying above $80 per barrel through mid-2026.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage secures $25M for Port of Alaska in state capital budget

Anchorage resident takes Assembly removal case to U.S. Supreme Court

Anchorage resident Dustin Darden asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block his removal from an Assembly meeting after he used public comment time to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and discuss his Christian faith instead of the streetlight ordinance being debated.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago2 min read

Week of May 18

Anchorage proposes second round of child care licensing code changes

Anchorage Assembly votes May 26 on second round of child care licensing cuts to remove rules that duplicate state standards. Changes include dropping annual physicals for children, eliminating nutrition rules already covered by state and USDA, and allowing more online training. City oversees 92 licensed homes and 98 centers with no new revenue impact expected.

Cale Greenby Cale Green5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage proposes second round of child care licensing code changes

Anchorage faces $31M deficit across internal service funds

Anchorage has $31 million in deficits across internal service funds. • Whoops!

Cale Greenby Cale Green5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage faces $31M deficit across internal service funds

Anchorage Assembly considers new Public Safety Commission with community focus

Anchorage Assembly considers reviving a Public Safety Commission with nine voting community members and five non-voting agency reps. Commission would advise on police and fire policies, hold public hearings, and request records, but cannot investigate or discipline. Public hearing set for May 26.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly considers new Public Safety Commission with community focus

Seven Western Alaska typhoon evacuees graduate from Anchorage schools

Seven students evacuated from Western Alaska villages after ex-Typhoon Halong in October 2025 graduated Monday from Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School after completing their senior year there.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Seven Western Alaska typhoon evacuees graduate from Anchorage schools

Anchorage schools eliminate elementary health teachers, shift to integrated model

Anchorage cuts 27.5 health teacher jobs, embedding health into reading, PE, and social-emotional learning instead. • K-3 students learn health through reading curriculum, grades 4-5 use existing materials with teacher training. • Board member warns piecemeal approach may not meet district's own 2024 health education policy. • Main risk is finding time to train teachers in already packed school days.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage schools eliminate elementary health teachers, shift to integrated model

East High students organize benefit concert to save band program

East High students host benefit concert Saturday to save band program facing elimination due to budget cuts. • School plans to cut band director position, affecting 100 students across five classes. • Concert runs 2 to 5 p.m. at Club Nyt Lyt with $15 suggested donation, all proceeds to band account. • Anchorage schools cutting programs after state education funding remained flat.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Southcentral Alaska
Cover image for article: East High students organize benefit concert to save band program

Anchorage faces $1.3 billion stormwater infrastructure deficit

Anchorage has 400 miles of failing storm pipes creating a $1.3 billion repair deficit with no dedicated funding. • Current emergency bonds cannot keep pace with deterioration causing sinkholes and flooding. • Replacing 4,000 feet of pipe on one street costs $25 to $50 million. • City exploring dedicated stormwater utility for long-term funding.

Cale Greenby Cale Green5mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage faces $1.3 billion stormwater infrastructure deficit

Crews battle South Anchorage vegetation fire near 100th Avenue and C Street

Firefighters battled a 5-acre vegetation fire Tuesday afternoon near 100th Avenue and C Street in South Anchorage, with no evacuations ordered as of early afternoon.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
100th Avenue and C Street, Anchorage
Cover image for article: Crews battle South Anchorage vegetation fire near 100th Avenue and C Street

Week of May 11

Downtown library to be named for Anchorage's original townsite

Anchorage's naming commission scheduled a June 10 hearing to name the new downtown library after the city's original townsite, honoring a $12.5 million gift from Janet Goetz's estate.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago3 min read
Cover image for article: Downtown library to be named for Anchorage's original townsite

Assembly Approves $64.8M Bond Appropriation for Capital Projects

Anchorage Assembly unanimously approved $64.86 million in bond funds for roads, fire protection, parks, transit and other city projects on May 12.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Assembly Approves $64.8M Bond Appropriation for Capital Projects

Planning commission postpones wetlands plan update over staffing gaps

Anchorage's Planning Commission postponed wetlands plan updates Monday after staff admitted no one on payroll can use the technical tools needed to manage wetlands permits.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago3 min read
Cover image for article: Planning commission postpones wetlands plan update over staffing gaps

Week of May 4

True North Recovery proposes Fairview behavioral health center

True North Recovery wants $750,000 in city funds for a Fairview health center. Neighbors oppose the site due to service density.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News6mo ago5 min read
Cover image for article: True North Recovery proposes Fairview behavioral health center

Anchorage budget crisis mirrors national school funding squeeze

Anchorage School District approved closing three elementary schools and cutting over 500 staff positions to address a $90 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2027.

Alaska Newsby Alaska Newsadded 6mo ago4 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage budget crisis mirrors national school funding squeeze