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 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.
Alaska News Nightly: Monday, December 28th, 2020
Mushers and community leaders weigh in on the plans to re-route the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. And Anchorage cross-country ski racer Rosie Brennan recaps her world-class start to the season. Plus, Alaska lawmakers will be required to wear facemasks during floor sessions when they convene in January.
Early data shows Alaska suicide rate stays constant, overdose rates increase
The state Section of Epidemiology published preliminary data this week showing that Alaska’s suicide rate hasn’t gone up in the first three quarters of 2020, though unintentional drug overdoses are continuing an upward trend from previous years.
APD officers shoot and kill man suspected of car theft
Chief of Police Justin Doll said the victim was reportedly carrying a gun, but it’s not immediately clear whether the officers knew the man was armed or if he threatened the officers.
Former Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan endorses Bill Evans
Evans is a conservative candidate who served on the Assembly for three years until 2017.
Alaska’s daily COVID-19 count dips over the weekend
Alaska officials reported 185 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the lowest-one day case count for the state since October. No new hospitalizations or deaths were reported.
Bezos charity awards grant to Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness
A fund set up by Amazon CEO and billionaire Jeff Bezos recently awarded the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness a grant of $450,000.
Anchorage finalizes purchase of Golden Lion for substance treatment center
Anchorage officials finalized the purchase of the Best Western Golden Lion Hotel in Midtown on Tuesday. The hotel will be converted into a drug and alcohol treatment center.