Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Kavitha George is Alaska Public Media’s climate change reporter. Reach her at kgeorge@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Kavitha here.
Anchorage police report declining violent crime and property crime in 2020
Police Chief Justin Doll said he’s hopeful the department’s anti-violent crime initiatives are having a positive impact.
Seventeen COVID-19 deaths reported after death certificate review
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services identified 17 COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday through a death certificate review process. None of the deaths, primarily older Alaska residents, were recent.
Anchorage to ease COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, indoor sports
Bars and restaurants will be able to operate at 50% capacity beginning Feb. 1.
Anchorage Assemblywoman removed from Human Rights Commission over comments defending Nazi terminology
The Anchorage Assembly member made comments on social media defending Nazi terminology on a pair of custom Alaska license plates.
Online ordering causing cardboard pile-ups around Anchorage
Recycling coordinator Suzanna Caldwell said an uptick in cardboard recycling happens every year after the holidays, but the pandemic is also to blame as more people order products online.
Man who sent death threats to Anchorage Assembly members in custody
A man who sent death threats to members of the Anchorage Assembly was arrested on Wednesday. In text messages sent to South Anchorage Assemblyman John Weddleton, 39-year-old Richard Leemon Joe threatened to “come after” assembly members and anyone else who might be nearby with an AR-15 rifle, according to charging documents. Joe also referred to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month in his threat.
Candidates begin filing for Anchorage municipal office
Friday marked the first day candidates could file for office for Anchorage’s next municipal election in April. Residents will be casting ballots for mayor, school board and boards of supervisors.
Anchorage police officers who shot William Riley-Jennings won’t be charged
State prosecutors have deemed the fatal police shooting last month of an unarmed man suspected of vehicle theft as legally justified.
Anchorage municipal election season begins with candidate drawing
Thursday marked the start to Anchorage’s municipal election season, beginning with a drawing to determine the order of candidates’ names on the ballot. Friday, Jan. 16 is the first day candidates can officially file for office.
Anchorage Assembly extends emergency declaration, denounces Capitol violence
The Anchorage Assembly voted late Tuesday to extend the city’s emergency declaration a seventh time, until April 16. The body also voted to pass a resolution condemning the violence at the U.S. Capitol last week.
New report says emergency orders helped slow the spread of coronavirus in Anchorage
A new report shows COVID-19 pandemic restrictions helped slow the spread of the virus in Anchorage. That’s according to the state Section of Epidemiology.
FBI, police investigate ‘suspicious vehicle’ at Anchorage Midtown Mall
The Anchorage Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating a “suspicious vehicle” reported at the Midtown Mall.
Lawsuit challenges petition to recall Anchorage Assembly Chair Felix Rivera
A group trying to recall Anchorage Assembly Chair Felix Rivera says it has gathered almost 3,000 valid signatures, more than the number required to put the recall petition on the April ballot. Another group is suing to invalidate the recall effort.
Anchorage’s pandemic jobs program wraps up, for now
A small jobs program in Anchorage has given work to people unemployed by the pandemic and at the same time, helped deal with scores of dead trees and restore trails in city parks. Participants say it was a life-saver. Alaska Public Media’s Kavitha George reports.
Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, December 31st, 2020
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services releases guidelines for the next phase of vaccine rollout. And Governor Dunleavy reflects on 2020 and shares some optimism for 2021. Plus, the massive COVID relief spending bill includes a historic boost for clean energy.
Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, December 30th, 2020
The US Senate sets up to override Trump's veto of the annual defense bill. Two house fires this week in Ketchikan and Fairbanks claim the lives of 3 people. And the pandemic is keeping poor Alaskans in the criminal justice system in limbo without the prospect of jury trials.
Protestors go to the homes of Anchorage mayor, assemblyman
A small group of people protested from their cars outside Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson’s West Anchorage home Tuesday night, the Mayor's office confirmed.
Bean’s Cafe gets surprise after tractor trailer overturns: 15 tons of fresh food
Anchorage soup kitchen Bean’s Cafe received a surprise Christmas gift of about 30,000 pounds of fresh produce and meat after a tractor trailer overturned and spilled the groceries into a ditch on the Glenn Highway Christmas Eve.
Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, December 29th, 2020
Alaska's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anne Zink, is vaccinated against COVID-19 by Dr. Michael Alter, Emergency Medicine Specialist at Mat-su Regional Medical Center on Dec. 18.
(Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
Stories...
Anchorage acting mayor to ease COVID-19 restrictions beginning Friday
Bars and restaurants will be able to reopen to indoor service at 25% capacity starting New Year’s Day.